Fifers Swamped in Second Half Blitz

The rain arrived just in time for kick-off in the Highlands after a few days of late Summer sun. The Fifers were in no mood to be turned over by an on form Inverness and made life difficult for their hosts in the first 45. However, David Wotherspoon headed the Caley Jags in front after seventeen minutes. Nathan Austin levelled just before the interval but Wotherspoon scored his second after an hour and a deflected effort by Alfie Stewart added a third minutes later. 99 bonk as substitute Alfie Bavidge completed the scoring in the 99th minute. That win puts Inverness top of the table for now.

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Plenty of posturing in the opening minutes as both teams tried to suss out their opponents. A Brian Easton header from the centre of the box was saved by Ross Munro in the thirteenth minute but five minutes later Inverness took the lead when David Wotherspoon scored with a looping header. Alfie Stewart tried his luck with a header of his own bur Ruairidh Adams gathered it comfortably. Dick Campbell's side were making it difficult for the hosts to create clear opportunities and Spoony shot wide on the half hour. Danny Devine headed wide with chances at a premium. Former Caley Jags striker Nathan Austin squared matters just before half time when he rose high to send a header into the net off Ewan McLeod's looping cross into the six yard box to stun the home crowd.

HALF TIME: 1-1 

Bustling striker Tommy Goss replaced Lewis Latona at the interval for the visitors but it was the hosts that came out like a scalded cat, creating a number of half chances over the next fifteen minutes. Zimba and Easton were both substituted after a clash of heads before the hour, Easton on a stretcher, Zimba still on his feet. The quality of Wotherspoon restored our advantage firing high into the net after a deft flick over the defenders leg and minutes later a deflected strike from Alfie Stewart took the ball behind Adams to increase our lead. Inverness had turned the screw since the interval and were flooding forward and getting their rewards for it. Deep into stoppage time Alfie Bavidge added a fourth in the 99th minute when a slick ball from Billy Mckay saw him run into the box to drill home with pace, power and precision at the keepers near post. Four superb goals and three points. What's not to like!

FULL TIME: 4-1

That combination of results today sees Inverness hit the top of the table on matchday eight. Alloa and Kelty still have a game in hand though and surprisingly Hamilton Accies are the ones leading the chase with Stenhousemuir on the same points as them.

After a towsy first half, the floodgates opened as the hosts pressure paid off once they upped the work rate. Another two goals for Spoony and Alfie Stewart's have a go policy worked in his favour with the deflected strike. Good to see Alfie Bavidge get in on the act with his 99th minute goal. A superb ball through ball from Billy and a great finish by Bavidge.

Next up for Inverness on 4th October could be good indicator to see if we have the cajones to take this League by the scruff of the neck. It's a visit to take on Hamilton Accies at Broadwood Stadium. An early six-pointer if ever there was one with John Rankin's side defying their apparent lack of funding and still getting results,

Good reception for the linesman today. Hope he wasn't too upset and never let it bother him. Mr Ross was his name

Honest as ever, Dick is Sick as a Parrot 🦜

Date:  27/09/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2316 Referee: Cameron Stirling
 
Inverness CT: 4

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod. Devine, Savage, MacIntyre, Longstaff (Alonge 90+6), Wotherspoon (B Mckay 90+6),

• Chalmers, Stewart (Allan 82), Sole (MacKinnon 82), Zimba (Bavidge 58)

• Subs (not used):  Ross; Strachan, Millen, Robertson

• Scorers: Wotherspoon (17, 62), Stewart (65), Bavidge (90+9)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

East Fife: 1

• Manager: Dick Campbell

• Lineup: Adams; McLeod (Newton 77), Munro, Easton (Bah 57), Peggie (Norey 77), Latona (Goss 46), Millar,

• McManus, Culbert, McKenna, Austin 

• Subs (not used): Rollo; Slattery, Jones, Nicol

• Scorers: Austin (43)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none