Duku Derby

 

First home game of the year has third placed and fellow title contenders Raith Rovers coming North to face second place Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday. The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:00pm, but given the recent weather and covid restrictions, don't hold your breath. This game has a restricted crowd of 500 Willy Wonka golden tickets allocated. Fear not if you failed to get a hold of a ticket as ICTV will be streaming the game at a mere £15.

MATCH INFO

OFFICIAL PREVIEW

LIVE STREAMING £15

Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Arbroath 20 10 8 2 33 14 38 2. Inverness CT 19 10 5 4 26 14 35 3. Raith Rovers 20 9 7 4 27 19 34 4. Kilmarnock 19 10 3 6 24 14 33 5. Partick Thistle 18 9 4 5 30 16 31 6. Hamilton Ac. 20 6 5 9 22 34 23 7. Ayr United 19 4 6 9 18 32 18 8. Q.O.S. 19 4 5 10 19 29 17 9. Dunfermline 19 2 9 8 18 31 15 10. Morton 19 2 8 9 17 31 14

Full fixture list scheduled for Saturday 8th January, all 3:00pm.

Ayr Utd v Arbroath

Accies v Partick 

Caley Jags v Raith Rovers

Queens v Killie     

        Morton v Dunfermline

Venue - Head 2 Head

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	18	13	3	2	36	13	+23
Away	14	7	4	3	27	17	+10
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	32	20	7	5	63	30	+33

The stats are stacked heavily against Rovers who we seem to hold the Indian sign over. All of their wins came in the early years, their last triumph over ninety minutes was a 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium back in October 2000. Ian Broadfoot had this report on the game: Injury-hit Caley Thistle lost this game because of a poor first half display. Despite this they nearly took the lead in 13 minutes when a David Bagan shot was blocked by Greig McCulloch and spun over the bar. Raith scored first in 16 minutes when Jim Calder failed to hold a Shaun Dennis cross and Jay Stein hit home the loose ball from six yards. In 21 minutes a poor headed clearance by Stuart McCaffrey was picked up by Andrew Clark and he set up Ivan Mballa and the Frenchman slammed the ball into the net from 12 yards. ICT had a penalty claim turned down in 38 minutes when Charlie Christie was brought down by Paul Browne. After the break the home side improved but Guido Van de Kamp denied them on several occasions. Paul Sheerin pulled one back in 79 minutes when he netted from close range after a good cut back by Roy McBain. Four minutes later Sheerin watched in frustration as Van de Kamp saved his low shot. As time ran out he came close twice more but Raith held on to win.

This seasons encounters show that a superb Roddy MacGregor strike was the difference between the sides back in August. MacGregor Stunner: Inverness maintained their winning start to the league campaign, but it took a stunning half volley from substitute Roddy MacGregor to settle the points. It had been a relatively even game with the hosts having slightly the better of it throughout. Jamie MacDonald had pulled off three or four decent saves before Roddy struck from 25 yards, the ball flashing into the net past an outstretched keeper after some neat interplay outside the box involving Sutherland and Duku. Six points from two games, we could not have asked for a better start to the Championship.

The return fixture at Starks Park ended all square. And the wait goes on: Plenty of endeavour in the first half at Starks Park but little quality in the final third resulted in a game void of goalmouth action over the first forty-five minutes for both sides. Biggest talking point was the sending off just before the break of Ross Mathews for what looked like a rash studs up challenge. Contentious maybe, but straight red dished out. After the break more space saw more chances created but it was Raith that broke forward and scored through Aidan Connolly. Inverness struggled to get back on level terms but eventually did ten minutes from the end when Sean Welsh drilled home from the edge of the box and that ended the scoring. Raith's quest for a win over Inverness goes into a 22nd year. Killie were the only winners in the Championship and closed the gap to three points but Inverness remain top.

There was also a Challenge Cup game at the end of November where both sides made numerous changes. That went to a penalty shoot-out which Raith won 5-4 after a goalless ninety minutes.

Last time out

Inverness drew at Gayfield in a game dominated by the wind which made the pitch virtually unplayable. Prior to that we have not played since the shambles of the 2-1 home loss to Hamilton Accies on the 18th December.

Raith drew 0-0 with Dunfermline on 2nd January as we were being blown around Gayfield. Raith have not won in their last three games with their form taking a dip recently.

So, fairly uninspiring stuff from both sides ahead of this clash at the top.

Latest Team News

Billy Dodds has been without Sean Welsh since he was injured in the Scottish Cup tie versus Morton on the 7th December. We will hopefully have more players available after covid struck and isolations hit the club. Aaron Doran has been added to the injury list and will be out for a couple of weeks. One man who will be seen no more is Michael Gardyne who has left the building by mutual consent following some alleged misconduct which had an upsetting effect on the morale in the dressing room. He has appropriately joined the 'Table Endies' at Links Park. Also leaving the club but on better terms, Anthony McDonald's loan deal has expired and after only five appearances he has also left the building.

Raith Rovers have signed Hibs forward Jamie Gullan on a two and a half year deal. The 'Hammer' has been on loan at Starks Park three times previously making fifty appearances and already has 14 Rovers goals to his name. Christophe Berra should return to action for Raith.

Here's Billy - Where's Wally?

 

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45 minutes ago, RiG said:

Where would Allardice fit in here?

I pondered that. He picked up a couple of knocks today and did not seem his usual self. If fit, he should be a first pick.

The combination of him and Carson did not work in the first half, with Carson having perhaps his poorest performance for us.

I accept that we may still be suffering a bit from the Covid outbreak, but we had a pretty strong bench today so have to assume those starting were fully fit.

It may come down to whether we play 3 or 4 at the back.

I just think we need to try something different as the current plan is not working. 

Edited January 8, 20223 yr by Robert

1 hour ago, Robert said:

I pondered that. He picked up a couple of knocks today and did not seem his usual self. If fit, he should be a first pick.

The combination of him and Carson did not work in the first half, with Carson having perhaps his poorest performance for us.

I accept that we may still be suffering a bit from the Covid outbreak, but we had a pretty strong bench today so have to assume those starting were fully fit.

It may come down to whether we play 3 or 4 at the back.

I just think we need to try something different as the current plan is not working. 

You are right Robert the current plan is not working and it's up to Billy Dodds to sort it out pretty quick for next week.

We did well to recover a point even though only played with any purpose in the last 10 minutes. Carson  Sutherland and Walsh were the main culprits in the first half. Duffy was actually playing okay. Interesting that Dodds at long last resorted to 3 at the back. Broadfoot was also playing left midfield before our goal.

Have to win next week to restore confidence in the team and faith of a lot of our fans.

Any word on ticketing arrangements for the QoS match?

7 hours ago, Row S said:

We did well to recover a point even though only played with any purpose in the last 10 minutes. Carson  Sutherland and Walsh were the main culprits in the first half. Duffy was actually playing okay. Interesting that Dodds at long last resorted to 3 at the back. Broadfoot was also playing left midfield before our goal.

Have to win next week to restore confidence in the team and faith of a lot of our fans.

Any word on ticketing arrangements for the QoS match?

The ticketing arrangements for the Queen of the South match will ve the same as for Raith Rovers with 500 available on a first come first served basis for season ticket holders.

Restrictions on numbers almost certain to be lifted or at least very considerably eased on 17th January.

11 hours ago, Row S said:

Any word on ticketing arrangements for the QoS match?

Nothing out yet. I’d imagine we should hear tomorrow what the arrangements are for getting tickets. I’d guess they will be available from the shop from Tuesday but time will tell!

We had 478 there yesterday so not sure if there were “no shows” (quite likely with the number of people having to isolate) or whether all 500 were not snapped up. 

 

Game was a bit rubbish on Saturday and not to mention COLD! I think they were all asleep until 80th minute! The young boy in the North Stand could of ruined it with his stupidity throwing the ball on the pitch,,lucky we didn't have a goal scoring opportunity. Peoples feeling were made known from what I could hear  

 

Onwards and upwards to Queen Of The South this weekend. fingers crossed for a better game & result.  Arbroath V Raith & Partick V Killie on Friday night. It will be an interesting weekend.

The club’s report:

https://ictfc.com/match-report-ictfc-1-1-raith-rovers-08-01-2022