Banana Skin Dodged

At the fourth time of asking, the Scottish Cup 3rd Round tie against Tranent FC eventually got underway some eight miles further down the A1 at the neutral venue of Millfield Park, Haddington. Constant monsoon conditions over the last fortnight saw this tie postponed three times due to a waterlogged pitch. However, Millfield Park, less than ten miles away, has been deemed fit for purpose and the game kicked off eleven days late under the floodlights in Haddington in front of what was left of an original sell out crowd from 29th November.

Former Hibs player Danny Handling was on the bench for Tranent with Cammy McKinley and Harry Girdwood spearheading the Belters attack. Scott Kellacher was taking no chances and had a strong bench to back up a solid starting XI as he looked to avoid the banana skin. Chanka Zimba and Liam Sole were up front. Returning from injury, Billy Mckay and Ross Millen were on the bench with Alfie Bavidge and Luis Longstaff.

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At last, the long awaited kick-off got underway and Liam Sole was first to fire a warning shot across the boughs as he fired wide in the third minute after cutting in from the right. The first action for either keeper saw Kelby Mason save from Calum MacLeod a couple of minutes later before Sole was denied by the keeper. Paul Allan was next to have a go after quarter of an hour from a free kick with Mason dealing well with the efforts so far, tipping this one round the post. From the resultant corner, Danny Devine went close to opening the scoring. An early change for Tranent with Euan Greig replacing Robbie McIntyre through injury. A minute later Mitchell Robertson opened the scoring after Adam MacKinnon's initial effort was saved and Robertson was on hand to fire into the net. Tranent responded with a hat-trick of corners and Ben Miller fired wide. Inverness never heeded that warning and in the 25th minute Sam Jones levelled the tie ramming the ball into the net from two yards at the second attempt. Work to do here, banana skin back on! MacLeod shot over after half an hour but ten minutes before the break, Chanka Zimba shot low into the net to restore the visitors lead after great work by MacLeod in winning the ball and pushing forward before feeding the big striker to shoot home. Robertson shot over as the interval approached. Tranent were far from out of this one and Jones shot wide as half time arrived.

HALF TIME: 1-2

No changes at the break and it was an untidy start to the second half as sleeves were rolled up and tackles were abundant. Jones had an effort blocked as the Belters looked to level the tie and at the other end Zimba and MacKinnon also saw their efforts blocked. Luis Longstaff replaced the injured David Wotherspoon on the hour. Jones missed the target again, but the chances were still coming for Tranent as well as a wee penalty shout for hand ball. The persistent Jones let fly again as did Sole just before being replaced by Alfie Bavidge. Alonge also entered the fray as we struggled to put this game to bed. A triple substitution by Tranent brought Handling, Watson and McGarry into the tie. Big save by the keeper into the last ten to keep Tranent within touching distance off a Longstaff shot plus the follow up. Always edgy when there's just a goal in it, but after four minutes of time added on it's Inverness who will play Spartans in the next round, despite another late penalty shout.

Credit to Tranent who were up for the battle and made it difficult for the Caley Jags all night. They can be well pleased with their nights work.

FULL TIME: 1-2

More match reaction to follow>>>

Mantis on CTO: We were absolutely woeful second half and Tranent never tired. They pretty well dominated the whole half. They were screaming for a penalty right at the end when Munro seemingly battered their player, but we were down the other end. It’s a win though.

The only thing that got battered was our Supporters Bus 🚍🥺

Date:  10/12/2025  Venue: Millfield Park, Haddington Attendance: 1007 Referee: Colin Steven
 
Tranent FC: 1

• Manager: Robbie Horn

• Lineup:  Mason; Young, Grigor, Bauld, Brett, Miller (Watson 73), Jones (Aitchison 89), Doan,

• McIntyre (Greig 16), McKinley (Handling 73), Girdwood (McGarry 73)

• Subs (not used):  Hayward; , Mullen, Gordon,

• Scorers: Jones (25)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 2

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

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

• MacKinnon (Alonge 70), Wotherspoon (Longstaff (59), Zimba

• Subs (not used): Ross; Millen, Macintyre, S Thompson, Kerr, B Mckay

• Scorers: Robertson (17), Zimba (35)

• Booked: Allan (72)

• Sent Off: none

The Clean Sheet Derby No More

Midweek at the Indodrill saw the two best defences in League1 battle it out for three points. Inverness made three changes with Liam Sole, Chanka Zimba and David Wotherspoon on the bench and Luis Longstaff, Alfie Bavidge, and Alfie Stewart starting. Billy Mckay and Ross Millen made the bench after their injury lay off. Both sides looked to have strong benches with plenty experience in reserve.

It was a chilly night at the Recreation Park but unlike last weekend, the first half was pretty even with little of note up for discussion as defences were on top in a mainly midfield battle. Both keepers made a couple of routine saves with Adam MacKinnon having our best effort and Cameron O'Donnell's header being denied by Munro seven minutes before the break. However, just on the whistle, up popped Luis Longstaff to break the deadlock as he shot into the bottom corner from a Paul Allan assist after we moved the ball across the park from the left side. Four touches later Longstaff shot across the keeper who got a hand on it but neither he nor the defender on the line were able to keep the ball from bouncing into the net.

HALF TIME: 0-1 

 Kalvin Orsi replaced Lewis Stewart at the start of the second half but it was the visitors that went about their business with intent as Paul Allan and Alfie Bavidge both missed the target from a tight angle five minutes into the half. MacKinnon followed suite minutes later. The Wasps hit back with Callum Burnside and Luke Rankin having a go before Kurtis Roberts shot over and was replaced moments later by Andrew Clarke. With twenty-five minutes remaining, Chanka Zimba replaced Alfie Bavidge. Alloa won a couple of corners and it was the visitors turn to concede a goal as Cameron O'Donnell levelled the game, knocking in following a corner. The visiting defence posted missing as O'Donnell tapped into an empty net. It was scooped away on the line but it was adjudged to already be over the line. Billy Mckay had an effort blocked near the end and a penalty shout for handball in the Alloa box went unanswered. The sort of appeals that VAR would have given. Meh!

FULL TIME: 1-1

Never an easy place to take points from and tonight was no exception.

A point apiece was probably a fair reflection on the game although a last minute penalty claim for handball was ignored by the referee.

Match reaction from CTO>>>

tm4tj asked: Not sure why we felt the need to make three changes to the side that rolled Queen of the South over.

Mantis answered: At one point we had Saturday’s XI back on the park after the subs and finished strongly. A draw was fair though, Alloa are no mugs.

How the table looks tonight

Superb image of Recreation Park taken by Mantis on CTO

From Alloa TV

No Listen!

Date:  25/11/2025  Venue: Recreation Park, Alloa Attendance: 0581 Referee: Euan Anderson
 
Alloa Athletic: 1

• Manager: Andy Graham

• Lineup:  MacFarlane, Taggart, Devine, Dewar, O'Donnell (Mckay 87), Roberts (Clarke 64), Hetherington, Scougall (Donnelly 75), Rankin (Sammon 74), Burnside, Stewart (Orsi 46)

• Subs (not used):  Ogayi; Buchanan, Foster, Gallagher,

• Scorers: O'Donnell (74)

• Booked: Dewar (36)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Longstaff (Wotherspoon 74), Allan, Chalmers, MacKinnon (B Mckay 89), Stewart (Sole 74), Bavidge (Zimba 66)

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

• Scorers: Longstaff (45)

• Booked: MacKinnon (38)

• Sent Off: none

Sole Stunner Sets the Scene

The late game this week saw the Caley Jags who were on a three game winning run face Queen of the South who had lost two of their last three. The covers came off the pitch early and the frost had given up to reveal a pitch in perfect condition for this tea-time fixture. The earlier games saw Stenhousemuir record a big win at Peterhead to move level at the top with the Caley Jags on 23 points. Next Tuesday's opponents Alloa were held at Cove and are on 24points and Oli Shaw scored twice to keep Accies in touch on 21points with East Fife who lost at Montrose 4th on 22points.

Ross Millen was on the bench after returning from injury. Chanka Zimba started with Alfie Bavidge on the bench. Supplier Kai Kennedy started with Kurtis Guthrie the big danger up front for the visitors.

A couple of early opportunities for the hosts with Ross Stewart having to save from David Wotherspoon in the opening exchanges but we didn't have to wait long for the opener, and what a strike it was from Liam Sole. Chanka Zimba set it up with a superb spin on the left wing to leave the defender in his wake. He drilled his cross back to the edge of the eighteen yard line where Liam Sole met it without breaking stride 15 yards out to volley spectacularly behind the keeper. Great goal, great start for the Caley Jags. A Paul Allan free kick was tipped round the post by Stewart as we looked for a second in the twentieth minute. After a bit of a lull, we eased further ahead after half an hour when Sole won a free kick wide right. Joe Chalmers found Adam MacKinnon's head and he flicked it on for Zimba to react quickest to put the ball into the net a la Lawrence Shankland. Calum MacLeod went close as he met a ball inside the box but the keeper and defender managed to divert it just wide for a corner. It remained that way to the interval with Inverness dominant and Queens sporadic in their forays forward.

HALF TIME: 2-0

After the break the Caley Jags continued their possession game before extending their lead after some patient ball retention. Paul Allan and Mitchell Robertson combined for the latter to drill a low ball across the face of the goal where MacKinnon met the ball at the back post to punch it high into the net to give us the cushion to relax. No relaxing for Alfie Bavidge though as one minute after coming on he got on the end of a neat reverse pass from MotM MacKinnon to clip the ball behind the keeper. Queens were bedraggled by now and had we scored another four they could have no complaints. MacIntyre almost manufactured a last second goal for himself after getting through a couple of tackles, his parting shot bobbling across the face of the goal and just wide.

FULL TIME: 4-0

A totally dominant performance from the Caley Jags with Queens in disarray. Great all round display with quality goals. 

 Adam MacKinnon was the TV MotM and few could argue with that. However, there were no failures tonight and this win should put us in fine fettle for the trip to Alloa on Tuesday night.

We go back to three points ahead of Stenhousemuir who easily disposed of Peterhead at Balmoor.

Scott Kellacher was delighted with this

Date:  22/11/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2003 Referee: Jamie Wilkie 
 
Inverness CT: 4

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, Robertson (MacIntyre 78), Sole (Longstaff 74),

• Allan, Chalmers (S Thompson 83), MacKinnon (Stewart 78), Wotherspoon, Zimba (Bavidge 74)

• Subs (not used):  Ross; Clark, Millen, Alonge

• Scorers: Sole (8), Zimba (35), MacKinnon (65), Bavidge (75)

• Booked: Zimba (31)

• Sent Off: none

Queen of the South: 0

• Manager: Peter Murphy

• Lineup:  Stewart; Mackenzie, Douglas, Hannah, Dickenson (Johnstone 76), Luissint, Smith (Charters 46),

• Lyon, Stott, Kennedy (Rogerson 69), Guthrie (Gray 82)

• Subs (not used): Green; Leslie, Ross

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Luissint (79), Mackenzie (85)

• Sent Off: none

Stinging in the Rain

Dundee United B came North knowing that only a win would be good enough to give them any chance whatsoever of progressing. Scott Kellacher was adamant that he wanted to continue our winning ways at the top of the KDM Trophy table ahead of the knockout stages draw which was due to take place on Wednesday, but has now been postponed as the Dumbarton v Stenhousemuir fixture has been called off because of a waterlogged pitch at the Rock. Inverness were in no mood to sit back and hit United with a sackful of goals.

With a few players rested tonight, Chanka Zimba opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Adam MacKinnon's ball played him in to find the net. He added a second after 20 minutes, assisted by Jordan Alonge. We then hit the woodwork twice through Bavidge & MacKinnon before Zimba notched his hat-trick just before the interval having been played through on goal by Alonge.

HALF TIME: 3-0

Kai Hutchison, who had a goal disallowed in the first half forced Ross into making a couple of quick saves at the start of the second half. Normal service was restored though when Alfie Bavidge fired high into the net for number 4 before Jordan Alonge with a great finish made it 5-0, James Clark with the assist. A raft of substitutions on a damp night disrupted the flow somewhat after the hour and stemmed the tide to stop the floodgates opening with Inverness. Substitute Archie Kerr had an effort saved by keeper Richards, as did fellow sub Liam Sole. Ross denied Hutchison before the end but alas for the youngsters, Bavidge got his brace to make it six with an assist from Kerr.

FULL TIME: 6-0

What a glorious feelin,

I'm happy again...

Do, do-do-do
Do, do-do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do-do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do-do

Three from Chanka Zimba, two from Alfie Bavidge and one from Jordan Alonge!

What's not to like as we end the group stages on a high.

Date:  11/11/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: **** Referee: Alastair Grieve
 
Inverness CT: 6

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Ross; MacLeod (Clark 46), Robertson, Savage (Sole 73), McIntyre, Longstaff,

• Allan (Thompson 46), Alonge, MacKinnon (Harkness 52), Bavidge, Zimba (Kerr 52)

• Subs (not used):  Munro; Devine, Wotherspoon

• Scorers: Zimba (7, 19, 43), Bavidge (50, 89), Alonge (51)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Dundee Utd 'B': 0

• Manager: Alex Cleland & Andy Payne

• Lineup:  Richards; Mudie, Gilligan, Buchanan (Shields 58), Reynolds (Lee 58), Forrest (Beverly 74),

• Leiper, Beattie, Hutchison, Anderson (Franczak 63), Welsh

• Subs (not used): Zerebecki;

• Scorers: none

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Cove Carbon Copy

Bottom side Cove Rangers poor season continued at the Caledonian Sarens PSG Stadium as the Caley Jags remained top of the table. Billy Mckay and Ross Millen were out for Scott Kellacher's side with last weeks match winner Chanka Zimba leading the line and Calum MacLeod continuing at right back. Paul Hartley was without Fraser Fyvie, Mikey Doyle, Declan Glass and Mitch Megginson. After an impeccably observed minutes silence for the fallen and those that gave their all, we were ready for kick-off. Considering it was the first week in November, the inclement weather had relented and it was a calm Saturday afternoon as the teams took to the pitch. Oh no it wasn't said the pantomime voices as a constant heavy shower that lasted for the whole first half engulfed the stadium and then continued to p!ss down after the break. It was a Carbon Copy of last weeks squeaky bum game against Montrose where failure to put the game to bed almost resulted in dropping points. In a half dominated by the hosts, Chanka Zimba missed a sitter early on with just the keeper to beat, firing high over the bar from ten yards. We only had a solitary goal to show for our endeavours when Mitchell Robertson met an inswinging corner by Joe Chalmers in the six yard box to crash the ball into the roof of the net. Calum MacLeod came in from the right but Mutch was equal to his parting shot to keep the Caley Jags player out. Soon after, a blow for Cove when captain Aaron Darge was replaced by Mackenzie Strachan. Just on the half time whistle, Adam Mackinnon was denied by keeper Mutch who pulled off a superb low save from a thunderbastard of a daisy cutter on the sodden surface.

HALF TIME: 1-0

Similar to last week, the visitors started the second half brighter than they did in the first but without troubling the home defence. Inverness gradually got themselves back on top and Robertson headed over, as did substitute Alfie Bavidge. Ten minutes from the end Liam Sole eventually got a decent shot away as he cut in from the left but again Mutch was able to keep the ball out. As keekie winkers started to twitch, Adam Emslie was able to make his way out of Calum MacLeod's back pocket and found himself shooting goalwards. However, Ross Munro kept focussed on the job in hand and was able to usher the slippery ball over the bar as we all held our breath. We saw out the game mostly on the front foot and MacLeod was unfortunate to be nudged off balance after cutting in from the right before his effort sliced wide of the target. Still time for the gangly and awkward David Eguaibor to shoot over the bar to bring proceedings to an end. The stats will show something like 70%/30% possession for the hosts, but to be honest, once again we made hard work of putting away a poor Cove side who were there for the thrashing. No bogies were harmed in the making of this result... Well, at first we thought it was a bogie.... but it's not

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We shouldn't complain too much really, but that's another nervy ending to a game we were well in control of. But 1-0 is never enough going into the final few minutes when the opposition suddenly get forward in numbers. Maybe that says more about the fear we are putting into other teams, but it would be nice to get a comfortable victory to ease the nerves.

Calum MacLeod was immense again today only letting Emslie out for air on a couple of occasions. And that's no mean feat against a tricky, pacy winger.

More match reaction to follow>>>

No Listen!

Date:  08/11/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2102 Referee: Gary Hanvidge
 
Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup: Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Sole (MacIntyre 88), Allan,

• Chalmers (Alonge 88), MacKinnon (Stewart 72), Wotherspoon (Longstaff 72), Zimba (Bavidge 63)

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

• Scorers: Robertson (18)

• Booked: none

• Sent Off: none

Cove Rangers: 0

• Manager: Paul Hartley

• Lineup: Mutch; Bisland, Darge (Strachan 37), J Eguaibor, Parker, Harrington, McAllister, Yule,

• O'Donnell (Donaldson 83), Emslie, D Eguaibor

• Subs (not used): Demus; Milnes

• Booked: Yule (33)

• Sent Off: none

Precious Points

Despite some heroics from Montrose keeper Harrison Sharp, especially in the first half, it was the hosts that took all three points thanks to a low strike from Chanka Zimba shortly after the break. Paul Allan, Liam Sole and David Wotherspoon were all denied by the Montrose stopper in the first five minutes with some great saves. Euan Louden might have done better but appeared to scuff his attempt allowing Ross Munro to eventually pull off a brilliant save after Graham Webster scooped the ball to him inside the box. Spoony was foiled again by the keeper before he hit a stunning 25 yard shot that smacked the bar, before Sole had another effort saved and there was still fifteen to go before the break with Zimba denied before the Interval. He wouldn't be denied five minutes after the restart after a bit of pressure around the visitors box ended with Sole keeping the ball alive for MacKinnon, then Robertson to drill a low ball into the box where big Chanka met the ball first time to divert low and hard, wrong-footing Sharp from six yards. Here we go we all surmised. Wrong. We seemed to lose our focus and Montrose were invited to come forward. Fair play to the Gable Endies as they ended the game looking more like the full time team with their endless supply of energy whilst we failed to create much more meaningful contributions with misplaced passes and losing out on so many second balls. We failed to put the game to bed which would have encouraged Montrose to have a go and they did. We were left hanging on precariously for the last quarter of the game. Mitchell Robertson might wonder how he missed the target with a header at the back post. The fans certainly did. We all held our breath when Webster's shot from distance ultimately curled just wide as we waited for the net to bulge behind a diving Munro.

A game we should have wrapped up before the interval but ended the game a bit bedraggled after a revitalised Montrose realised they were still in with a shout. At the end of the day, whilst it was not aesthetically pleasing, it was a great three points as we hit the top of the table with Stenhousemuir drawing at Palmerston.

FULL TIME: 1-0

Paul Allan was the sponsors MotM, but for me, Calum MacLeod did a great job at right back breaking up numerous attacks, especially in the second half. Lack of clinical finishing at home once more took the gloss off what should have been a routine win. And, we looked like we were playing in slippers, falling around all over the park. Sort it!

Cove up North next week. Let's do this!

Date:  01/11/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2144 Referee: Sean Murdoch 
 
Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Robertson, Savage, Sole (Longstaff 66), Allan, Chalmers,

• MacKinnon (Stewart 66), Wotherspoon (MacIntyre 88), Zimba (Bavidge 73)

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

• Scorers: Zimba (49)

• Booked: Wotherspoon (33), Devine (40)

• Sent Off: none

Montrose FC 0

• Manager: Stewart Petrie

• Lineup:  Sharp; Bertie (Towler 89), Dillon, Williamson (Machado 80), Steeves, Webster, Masson,

• Gibson (Lyons 72), Freeman, Stevenson (Sandilands 72), Louden (McClenents 80)

• Subs (not used): Millar; Brown, May, Waddell

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Louden (58), Gibson (68)

• Sent Off: none

Billy's Balmoor Birthday Present

With Peterhead's home form and current three game winning streak, this was always going to be a tough test of Scott Kellacher's promotion aspirations. Storm Benjamin was due to disrupt at some point and that might have an impact on the way this game pans out. With Alloa hosting leaders Stenhousemuir, could there be the possibility of points being dropped at the top end. In saying that, we have to get our own game back on track after two less than convincing performances.

For the hosts, midfielders Peter Pawlett, Adam Carnwath, Andrew McCarthy and Cieran Dunne have all been under treatment recently and will sit this one out. Cammy Smith, Max Barry and top scorer Kieran Shanks will be ones to watch. Billy Mckay and Chanka Zimba were the preferred up front options for Scott Kellacher. MacIntyre, Wotherspoon and Bavidge started on the bench with Mitchell Robertson and Adam Mackinnon starting.

A bit breezy at Balmoor as Peterhead got the game underway. The first half offered little in the way of goal scoring opportunities, Billy Mckay dragging a shot wide fifteen minutes before the break, but there was little to enthuse over as neither side got to grips with the elements. The hosts would have the benefit of the wind in their sails after the break but Chanka Zimba went close just after the restart, hitting the side netting. Billy Mckay broke the deadlock in the 67th minute with a close range finish after Paul Allan's cross/shot was cleared away from goal by a clumsy defender. Ross Munro tipped over a fierce wind assisted drive from Max Barry as Peterhead looked to salvage a late leveller. Inverness were now mostly on defensive duties as the hosts tried their utmost. Alfie Bavidge did well bursting into the box and chipping across goal with Alfie Stewart denied on the line before Billy was wrongly adjudged to have dived as he clipped the ball over the defenders legs before being brought down. Anyhow, we saw out the game to frustrate the Blue Toon and moved up to within a point of Stenhousemuir who drew with Alloa.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That is massive!

Billy's goal the difference as we withstood a late charge to come away with all three points.

Wonderful from Billy Mckay as his Birthday present to us was the winning goal and MotM performance at Balmoor just after his 37th Birthday. Banging them in for us since he was 23 years old back in 2011. 124 goals in 355 appearances for the Caley Jags.

Booked for diving in this game. Not a chance! It was a stonewall penalty. We were also denied one when Liam Sole appeared to be wiped out as he burst into the box along the bye line in the first half.

Montrose and Cove at home in the next two games. Bring it on...

Date:  25/10/2025  Venue: Balmoral Stadium, Peterhead Attendance: 0671 Referee: Daniel Graves
 
Peterhead: 0

• Co-Managers: Ryan Strachan & Jordon Brown

• Lineup:  Newman; Goldie, Steele, Jas Brown, Duffy, Forrest, Jack Brown (McGinn 82),

• McGuffie (Horn 75), C Smith, Barry, Shanks

• Subs (not used):  Oluyemi; R Strachan, D Strachan, Mackie, Jor Brown

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Forrest (35), C Smith (58), Jason Brown (64), Goldie (65)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Robertson, Savage, Sole (Alonge 89), Allan, Chalmers,

• MacKinnon (Stewart 79), B Mckay (Wotherspoon 88), Zimba (Bavidge 65)

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

• Scorers: B Mckay (67)

• Booked: Zimba (8), Chalmers (30), Allan (52), B Mckay (87)

• Sent Off: none