If you like a challenge

 

We host Brechin City this Saturday in the Challenge Cup, or SPFL Trust Trophy if you prefer, but remember to set your alarm clock early as it's a 2:00pm kick-off. This is Brechin's third game in this competition having ousted Hibernian colts and Stirling Albion in previous rounds. Both games went to penalties with City prevailing. Inverness are thrice winners of the Challenge Cup if you include the joint affair with Raith Rovers.

MATCH/TICKET INFO

Over the years we hold a massive advantage over the Hedgers and they now find themselves plying their trade in the Highland League after dropping out of League Two in May 2021 after losing out in the play-off to Kelty Hearts. However, wins breed confidence and they have started this season with a flourish, winning all seven of their Highland League games scoring 17 goals, conceding only twice. Our last fixture against Brechin was a Championship game back in 2018 when Inverness ran out 4 - 0 winners over a side heading for relegation having picked up only four points during the 2017/2018 season with four draws. George Oakley was one of our scorers in that game.

Out of the SPFL:  On 23 May 2021, Brechin lost 3–1 on aggregate to Lowland League side Kelty Hearts in the relegation playoffs, dropping down to the Highland League, the club's first spell out of the national leagues in 67 years. In June 2021, after the departure of player/manager Michael Paton, the club appointed Andy Kirk to the role of club manager. In the club's first season in the Highland League, they secured a respectable third-place finish. (Wikipedia)

Venue

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	10	7	1	2	25	5	+20
Away	8	5	2	1	17	9	+8
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	18	12	3	3	42	14	+28

 

Last Time Out

We had a tremendous result at Dens Park against the background of some powderpuff performances over the previous few weeks. An encouraging 2-0 win at Starks Park in the game before ignited a wee spark of optimism and a hard fought 3-2 win at Dundee followed, despite going behind early doors. Cammy Harper was the hero with two sublime strikes from distance to add to Billy Mckay's penalty just before the break. Chances at both ends in an open game where we eventually got on top and deservingly took all three points.

Our goals at Dundee. BOOM!

Brechin's tremendous start to the season continued with high fives all round. Their last two fixtures saw them trounce Strathspey Thistle 0-5 in the Highland League followed by a 1-5 defeat of Jeanfield Swifts in the Scottish Cup at the Riverside Stadium. Note that former Inverness player Anthony McDonald was instrumental in this game and scored City's third goal. And full back Kevin McHattie is also back playing after his injury problems.

Here's Brechin putting five past Swifts in a second half blitz...

Lenny Wilson: Kevin McHattie, Nathan Cooney⚽, Marc Scott, Grady McGrath⚽, Michael Cruickshank, Fraser MacLeod, Anthony McDonald⚽, Ewan Loudon, Jordan Northcott⚽, Euan Spark⚽

Latest Team News

Usual suspects out for Inverness but maybe an opportunity to give some fringe players some game time and rest some weary legs for the bigger picture. Cammy Mackay may be in line for the keepers gloves.

Eric's Brechin catch-up

" Manager Andy Kirk has made a number of additions over the summer mostly from the junior ranks or lower league sides, he has however secured a loan deal for a promising youngster Aaron Arnott from Raith Rovers. Arnott only transferred on 7th September and has yet to make an appearance for the Glebe Park side"

One or two recognisable names around Glebe Park. Euan Spark formerly with Dundee United and Dunfermline, Anthony McDonald and Kevin McHattie, both former Inverness players. They also have had Rogue defender *Iain Davidson* of Raith Rovers red card fame. *update* Fortunately for the ref and our players, Davidson may have left Brechin recently. Anyway, they have a good blend of youth experience and confidence which may well be enough to see them back in league 2 at the end of the season.

They will have to do it without star midfielder Seth Patrick. The Zimbabwean has returned home for personal reasons after some great performances for City.

It's only the main stand that will be open for this game for home Supporters.

Tickets available now online from ictfc.tickethour.co.uk, the Club Shop (Monday-Friday) 10am – 4pm and over the phone on 01463 222880

Ticket Prices 

Adults: £10. Concessions (Over 65s & Students): £8

Under 12s: Free*

Disabled Carers: Free

 

 

CTO report

 

22 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

Mental anyone thinking this was a good result.

If this is a demonstration of our strength and depth, we are bang ordinary and it'll tell in the league when we get a few injuries or suspensions.

 

 

It is a good result. It's not a great performance. We already have those injuries. We were without Sutherland, Walsh, Welsh, MacGregor, Samuels. Carson and Ridgers never got on the park, Dan Mackay, Billy Mckay and Boyd came on as second half substitutes. That's practically a full team not starting. It's little wonder we were a bit disjointed, but there is a bit of depth to the squad if we can get the injured players back on the park, so it's not all doom and gloom. Surely the wins at Raith and Dundee count for something?

1 hour ago, tm4tj said:

It is a good result. It's not a great performance. We already have those injuries. We were without Sutherland, Walsh, Welsh, MacGregor, Samuels. Carson and Ridgers never got on the park, Dan Mackay, Billy Mckay and Boyd came on as second half substitutes. That's practically a full team not starting. It's little wonder we were a bit disjointed, but there is a bit of depth to the squad if we can get the injured players back on the park, so it's not all doom and gloom. Surely the wins at Raith and Dundee count for something?

As first choice starters they shouldn't even have been needed on the park for part time HL opposition - this is exactly the type of game that every single one should have been rested. As a club we invest enough into a squad and youth development that with good man and tactical management and motivation we should be able to perform at a level that will dispatch such opposition. This is akin to a Premiership top 6 club being held and scraping through conceding 3and having the lottery of pens to rely on while playing a League 2 side.

Think we will just agree to disagree on the merits of the result. It highlights a real lack of depth and ability outwith the starting 11 IMO and I wont be applauding it.

The result speaks for itself. The performance, on the other hand needs addressed. Like most clubs at this stage of the competition we air a few players who might never see the light of day in the Championship. Combined with numerous injuries we struggled for fluidity. The bottom line though, if you take this competition seriously, then we are in the next round. If we see it as an opportunity to find out if fringe players are ready, then job done. Few championship sides are able to produce 20 'first picks', we are at the lower end for finance, so we cant have that amount of top quality players sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

Hopefully we will get a few back sooner rather than later to ease the burden on those filling the gaps. It is what it is I'm afraid. 

I've set my expectations low, it helps to lower the blood pressure. 

We started the game with four (4) centre backs, young boys in both midfield and attack, add to that our backup keeper means it was not going to be a very cohesive or pretty display whether we won 3 nil or 1 nil.

Job done,  gums bumped. We move on.

 

I only caught the second half due to work, but a win's a win, so Long Live King Billy!!

My thoughts on the injury point raised above are as follows:

How many seasons have we now started with a worrying injury list?

How many seasons have we now finished below where it was expected?

How many seasons have we then placated ourselves over those shortcomings by saying it'll be better next season without the injuries?

Maybe if we stopped signing already injured/injury prone players then we might get on a bit better in that regard, no?

Those running the club are as bad as the Tories.  They make a few tweaks, claim everything is new and great, then rinse and repeat when it turns out nothing is any different.  What's worse is that we are all mugs and lap it up without question time and time again.

2 hours ago, Satan said:

We started the game with four (4) centre backs, young boys in both midfield and attack, add to that our backup keeper means it was not going to be a very cohesive or pretty display whether we won 3 nil or 1 nil.

Job done,  gums bumped. We move on.

 

Point is that it wasn't nil - we conceded 3 goals at home to a team made up of butchers, bakers and candlestick makers.

21 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

This is akin to a Premiership top 6 club being held and scraping through conceding 3and having the lottery of pens to rely on while playing a League 2 side.

See my post in the "Are we a Championship side then?" thread.

With 27 places between ICT and Brechin, and 24 teams in each of the three lower English divisions, it's akin to a draw between two teams from adjacent English divisions.  In other words, no great shock.

How long ago was it Brora beat Hearts? Top Highland league teams are tough for anyone - we took a risk with the line up and it showed. Lesson learned you’d hope but that injury list is mental 

On 9/26/2022 at 12:31 PM, tm4tj said:

 

I say,

Did you film this on your Nokia 3310? 

Eh what? 🧐 

11 hours ago, No Shin Guards said:

I say,

Did you film this on your Nokia 3310? 

Eh what? 🧐 

I must have missed this version with the camera, I was too busy getting stuck into snake.

SPFL Trust Trophy Round 4 draw

The draw for Round 4 of the SPFL Trust Trophy will take place at Hampden Park on Tuesday 4 October 2022. 

The draw will be broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube channel at 1pm. 

The SPFL Trust believe that change can be Football Powered, and The SPFL Trust Trophy gives us the opportunity to highlight the enormous difference community trusts, and clubs, can make in their communities.  

Full details on the format of this year’s tournament can be found here.

 

 

4th Round - Hamilton Academical or Rangers B v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Fourth-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of December 10/11

We won't know opponents until 8th November

Edited October 4, 20223 yr by ictewd
extra info

38 minutes ago, ictewd said:

4th Round - Hamilton Academical or Rangers B v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Fourth-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of December 10/11

We won't know opponents until 8th November

Probably cheaper to travel away than switch on the floodlights at home!! Let's hope Rangers B do not prevail and send out a squad that would have attracted a large crowd to the Caledonian Stadium.