Caley Jags to the Four

David Wotherspoon took a knock in midweek against Tranent but was fit enough to start this one which showed the same starting XI as the Scottish Cup tie against Tranent. Lee Kilday and Scott Robinson missed out for Accies with Newbury and McLuckie coming in. The visitors looked to have a strong starting XI with interim boss Mackinnon on the bench.

It was a damp and windy afternoon in the Highlands as the teams took to the park with eight points separating the sides ahead of kick-off.

At the end of the day it was a convincing win for the table toppers with goals from Mitchell Robertson, Chanka Zimba, his 13th of the season, substitutes Alfie Bavidge and Billy Mckay. Boom!

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It was a day that A A Milne would have been proud of as the game got underway but there was an early breakthrough for the hosts through Mitchell Robertson who is making a habit of scoring goals as he headed home in the third minute from Adam MacKinnon's cross towards the back post. The ever impressive Calum MacLeod went close after ten minutes as he shot from just outside the box. Chances were at a premium as the blustery conditions took it's toll, however, Robertson headed over following a corner after the half hour and the pressure was mounting in the approach to the interval. That pressure paid off and soon after Liam Sole shot over, Chanka Zimba teamed up with Calum MacLeod to fire into the bottom corner five minutes before the break, similar to his goal in midweek.

HALF TIME: 2-0

Alfie Bavidge replaced Chanka Zimba during the interval and Accies brought on Gallacher and McKinstry for McLuckie and Loughrey. Oli Shaw volleyed over two minutes after the restart from inside the box. However, it was substitute Alfie Bavidge that made the best impact after a David Wotherspoon assist allowed Alfie to slot into the bottom corner to give the hosts a three goal cushion. Shaw went closer with his next effort on the hour as his shot went by the post. It's a great day for impact subs as no sooner was Billy Mckay on the park, he got in front of the defender to volley the ball behind Jamie Smith from ten yards to make it four off Paul Allan's cross into the box. Billy went close to another and Paul Allan was denied by Smith before Oli Shaw was blocked as Accies looked for a consolation that never came and it was a comprehensive win for the hosts at the final whistle.

FULL TIME: 4-0

Superb result on a poor afternoon weather-wise.

Robertson, Zimba, Bavidge and Billy Mckay, #125, with the goals that cemented our position at the head of the table as others around us drop points. Alloa and Stenhousemuir both losing with East Fife, Montrose and Peterhead winning.

This result sets us up nicely for our KDM Trophy tie against Dumbarton at the Rock on Tuesday night where the winners will face either Cove Rangers or Partick Thistle away.

Both games will go ahead on Tuesday for a place in the last sixteen

Superb stuff

No Listen!!!!

Date:  13/12/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2150 Referee: Grant Irvine
 
Inverness CT: 4

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod (Millen 70), Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (B Mckay 70), Allan, Chalmers,

• MacKinnon (Stewart 77), Wotherspoon (Longstaff 62), Zimba (Bavidge 46)

• Subs (not used):  Ross; MacIntyre, S Thompson, Alonge

• Scorers: Robertson (3), Zimba (41), Bavidge (54), B Mckay (74)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Hamilton Acc: 0

• Manager: Darian MacKinnon (Interim Head Coach)

• Lineup:  J Smith; Hutton, Trialist. Loughrey (McKinstry 46), Hendrie, C Smith, MacDonald (Eadie 89),

• Newbury (Shiels 65), McLuckie (Gallacher 46), O'Hara, Shaw (Cameron 89)

• Subs (not used): Marks; MacKinnon

• Scorers: none

• Booked: MacDonald (27), Hendrie (57)

• Sent Off: none