As you were

This top of the table clash at the Caledonian SarensPSG Stadium would hopefully show us who was most suited to gain promotion to the next level as we entered Matchday 26, with just ten or eleven fixtures left.

Inverness were unchanged but Stenhousemuir had on loan Dunfermline Athletic winger Ritchie-Hosler on from the start although January Player of the Month Matty Aitken was missing.

As it happened, we are none the wiser after a 1-1 draw which kept the status quo. Alfie Bavidge squared the game from close range after twenty minutes following an early strike by Olly Whyte. Ben Brannan was red carded and missed the final fifteen minutes but the game finished at a point apiece.

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A poor clearance by Brannan was intercepted by Olly Whyte inside the Inverness half. He headed forward where Savage tussled for the ball with Zeke Cameron. It broke nicely for Whyte to stride onto and he had the run on the defence to step inside and slot into the bottom corner. Poor goal to give away so early in the game but at the same time it was well taken by Whyte who produced a good finish for the opener. A good response from the hosts and Liam Sole swung in an inviting cross but it was knocked high over by the incoming Alfie Bavidge. He would do better ten minutes later when Brannan took a throw in short for a change. He got the ball back from Sole before he drilled a great low cross into the six yard box where Bavidge met it perfectly to drill it through the keeper to level the game with just twenty minutes gone. Another good move down the right saw Bavidge stoop low to head the ball but it went wide of the post from six yards.

After the interval, Alfie Stewart went agonisingly close with a great strike from around twenty-eight yards but it curled just wide of the top of the keepers left hand post. Ben Brannan showed a lack of restraint after a decision went against him. Having already been booked he rashly bounced the ball angrily and was promptly dismissed with around fifteen minutes remaining. A late chance for Bavidge running onto a long punt and head flick forward. He delayed slightly and was eventually bundled over inside the box. Many would have given a spot kick. Not this time according to the man in black and that was the final opportunity in a game of few clear cut chances.

• HALF TIME:1-1

• FULL TIME: 1-1

A better point for the visitors than it was for the home side as the points were shared in the Highlands.

Nobody was overly keen on the match officiating which was bog standard for this League, however all seemed to agree that a point each was just about the right result.

BishBashBosh saw it like this on CTO

Kellachers post interview he said we need to move the ball a lot quicker, I hope he means forward.

We seem to have a deal with other teams that when they break quickly forward and nothing comes from it, we allow them to get defensively set up again playing passes along our back 4 until they give us the signal to come forward.

I maybe glanced across to the bridge a few times but I don’t remember either goalkeeper having to make any saves. Both caught a couple of crosses.

Right behind Bavidge for his chance and I thought he could have put the laces through the ball quicker or even a toe poke shot rather than waiting for the ball to settle perfectly for him.(Highlight probably show me as wrong)

We equalised on 19 mins so 71 mins plus added on time to get a winner. 64/36 possession.

Surprised Sole was not replaced at some stage by Longstaff or Willox before the 77 min sending off.

At the end though take a point, but that is 1 out of 9 v Stenny in the league this season. Are they that much better than us?

Ps…….. I think Allan and Stewart are too similar. Both want a lot of time on the ball. For me Stewart is controlling the game better. Maybe time for Alonge or MacKinnon to have a go.

Ps again…. When Billy came on, a few passes into his feet, he controlled and laid off. Zimba next to none as he seems to be fighting/scrapping with the defender. Get it, control it, pass it, old Cloughie saying.

• Inverness CT deducted 5 points as per SPFL rules on clubs suffering an insolvency event

• Hamilton Academical deducted 6 points following breaches of multiple SPFL Rules. 

• Hamilton Academical deducted 9 points following SPFL Disciplinary Tribunal. 

• Hamilton Academical deducted 6 points following SPFL Disciplinary Tribunal - *subject to appeal

Date:  21/02/2026  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2484 Referee: Graham Grainger 
 
Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; Brannan, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (McIntyre 78), MacLeod (Alonge 72),

• Allan (Mackinnon 72), Stewart, Bavidge, Zimba (B Mckay 62)

• Subs (not used): Ross; Wotherspoon, Willox, Longstaff,

• Scorers: Bavidge (19)

• Booked: Brannan (70), B Mckay (81), Devine (82), McIntyre (86), Savage (90+3)

• Sent Off: Brannan (77)

Stenhousemuir: 1

• Manager: Gary Naysmith

• Lineup: D Jamieson; Graham, Buchanan, N Jamieson, Bilham, Meechan, Grant (Gray 64),

• Ritchie-Hosler, Whyte, O'Reilly, Cameron (Taylor 60)

• Subs (not used): Lyle; Simpson

• Scorers: Whyte (6)

• Booked: Whyte (22), Taylor (65), Meechan (68)

• Sent Off: none