The Training Ground Derby Returns

 

Had our previous incumbents got their way, this would have been known as the Training Ground Derby at New Central Park, Kelty. As it turned out, we were having none of that nonsense and went down the administration route and it's simply another away day for the Caley Jags. Our last visit incorporated the Immortal Howden Ender Memorial trip in memory of the much missed Johndo, and it ended on the park goalless. Kelty are having a decent season and we are trying to come to terms with our points deduction with our young side doing their utmost to keep us in this League.

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Match/Ticket/ Info

Supporters Bus

Ben Brannan

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Venue: Just the 3 fixtures

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Away	2	1	1	0	1	0	+1
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	3	1	2	0	2	1	+1

The only win was a League Cup tie in 2022 when a last minute George Oakley goal was enough for a hard fought win: By George! We are off and running: The first ever fixture between the sides ended with a 1-0 win for the visitors. It took a late strike from George Oakley to separate the sides as the Inverness pressure eventually paid off. Billy Mckay hit the post with a header in the second half and keeper Darren Jamieson pulled off a string of saves to deny the eager Inverness side. Agyeman came close in the first half when Delaney cleared away from goal but that was as close as it got for the hosts with Ridgers making some routine stops.

2024

Nov 2nd	League (League 1)	1 - 1	H	1,502
Aug 24th	League (League 1)	0 - 0	A	692

2022

Jul 9th

League Cup (Group Stage Group G)

1 - 0

A

601

 

INVERNESS CT  The Season So Far

D L  D D W D D D L   / W L(11)D W W W L  W L  

W W L  W W L  

Since Scott Kellacher was handed the reins in game 11, there has been a more positive approach to our matches which has resulted in improved performances and a more enjoyable matchday experience all round. Alas we were brought back to earth with a disappointing result in our last game of 2024, a crushing 1-4 defeat at home to Cove Rangers. We'll have to put that one down to a bad day at the office. However, we bounced back in our first game of the second half of the season in the six pointer against Dumbarton with a hard fought 2-0 win. That win over Dumbarton was a vital one and the introduction of Alfie Bavidge was a welcome one as he opened the scoring early in the first half. Charlie Gilmour slotted in the clincher in the second half to give us a cushion over the Sons and to narrow the gap on Annan to seven points. We took part in the only League1 game last weekend and came away from Annan with a resounding 3-0 win, Alfie Bavidge netting again with Keith Bray and then Billy Mckay from the spot.  *It was then on to Palmerston on the Tuesday night but in a five goal encounter we went down 3-2. Alfie Bavidge notched his third goal in three games and Keith Bray added a second but goals from Adam Brooks (2) and Jordan Allan kept the points in Dumfries. We bounced back with a resilient 1-2 win at Alloa in our third away game on the bounce, Dunfermline bound Keith Bray with his fourth of the season and Alfie Stewart. We got our revenge at home to QotS (1-0) with Alfie Bavidge scoring his fourth goal in five appearances. Alas it was a bridge too far at Arbroath last week and we went down losing three without reply. Last weeks game v Stenhousemuir was postponed and it's off to Kelty this weekend.

No news is good news so we will assume that there are no fresh injury worries.

Pos	Team	Pld	Gd	Pts
1	Arbroath	23	13	40
2	Cove	24	12	38
3	Stenny	24	9	38
4	Alloa Ath	25	5	34
5	Queen of Sth	25	-6	32
6	Kelty Hearts	23	5	31
7	Montrose	25	-4	30
8	Annan Ath	25	-18	27
9	Inverness CT	24	0	22
10	Dumbarton	24	-16	08

 

Last Six: W L  D D L  L  

An early Xmas present for the Maroons as they beat Queen of the South with Cunningham scoring twice. However, their next game they drew a blank going down 2-0 at Dumbarton. Two draws followed at Montrose and Stenhousemuir with no goals in either game. Into February and defeats to both the Athletics has seen Kelty slip up somewhat as they now sit nine points off the top of the table. Only one win in six for Kelty. Ross Cunningham is top scorer in League1 with 11 goals. Scott Williamson has 7 goals but he has returned to Queens Park. Scott Allan is still at Kelty.

January Sales In: Charlie Mulgrew, head coach; James Lyon, midfielder; Jamie Watson, defender. Loan in: Blaine McClure, midfielder (Rangers); Liam McLeish, forward (Queen's Park).

Out: Michael Tidser, midfielder/manager. Loan ended: Samuel Cleall-Harding, defender (Dundee United); Scott Williamson, forward (Queen's Park).

Neither team will be happy with the first half performance but we upped our game in the second half by enough to secure the win.

Thankfully Kelty didn't seem like they could hit a barn door with a tractor and had a lot of wayward shots.

A win is a win and we close ground on the three teams above us.

Great win and well done Alloa for late winner v Annan.  I don't think we will make play offs at top of league, but avoiding relegation will be a good achievement after 15 point penalty.

Well done lads. Onwards and upwards

Massive 3 points especially with Annan losing 👌 

It’s been a hugely important afternoon, not the least because a landmark has been reached, although I’m not sure how to define it….. “it” being that for the first time since the 15 point penalty, Caley Thistle’s game in hand alone is enough to take the team out of the bottom two. 

But what an day! At 0-0 and Annan (and Dumbarton) winning, the gulf is potentially heading for seven points. But then Alfie Bavidge, plus the other two games turning on their heads, created one of these superb and dramatic  “Six Pointer Afternoons”.

1 minute ago, Charles Bannerman said:

….. “it” being that for the first time since the 15 point penalty, Caley Thistle’s game in hand alone is enough to take the team out of the bottom two.

Or, to put it another way, in theory we don't have to rely on other results any more.  Win all our games and we'll be safe.

In practice, of course, it won't happen like that - we will drop points - but it's an infinitely better situation than just a few months ago.

3 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

Or, to put it another way, in theory we don't have to rely on other results any more.  Win all our games and we'll be safe.

In practice, of course, it won't happen like that - we will drop points - but it's an infinitely better situation than just a few months ago.

Yes, that’s the bit I struggled with too, that winning all games would do it - but wouldn’t happen. But imagine- as it looked round about 4:30 - if it had gone to seven points adrift. Completely different scenario.

If we keep up our current form which includes our defeat at Arbroath we will be fine.  The league table and showing our current form.

Surprising result given that Kelty are able to attract all those players from the Central Belt.

42 minutes ago, Starscape said:

Surprising result given that Kelty are able to attract all those players from the Central Belt.

It’s only costing us 20 points to get them up the road

If things had been different and we’d not entered administration and still had Ferguson, in points per game we’d only be 5 points better off than we are just now, so we’d be well and truly in the relegation mix.

We got 12 points in 10 games under Ferguson.

We’ve got 28 points in 15 games under Kellacher.

On that basis, under Ferguson we’d have taken 18 points in the next 15 games so we’d now have 30.

We have 25 despite the 15 point penalty.

What’s also telling us that we drew 6 of our first 10 games under Ferguson.

Under Kellacher, we’ve only drawn 1 and we’ve not drawn any of our last 13, winning 9.

We’ve had blips, but they are being offset by the winning mentality we now have, whereas before we’d have played for draws.

We’ve a real chance to climb to 8th next week and will do if we beat Montrose and Annan don’t beat Arbroath.

Edited February 22Feb 22 by Robert

You have been busy Robert   Next month is a big one for us starting on Saturday with six games in including a Tuesday night fixture our postponed game against Stenhousemuir.  We have four home games to look forward to.

 

 

12 hours ago, Robert said:

If things had been different and we’d not entered administration and still had Ferguson, in points per game we’d only be 5 points better off than we are just now, so we’d be well and truly in the relegation mix.

We got 12 points in 10 games under Ferguson.

We’ve got 28 points in 15 games under Kellacher.

On that basis, under Ferguson we’d have taken 18 points in the next 15 games so we’d now have 30.

We have 25 despite the 15 point penalty.

What’s also telling us that we drew 6 of our first 10 games under Ferguson.

Under Kellacher, we’ve only drawn 1 and we’ve not drawn any of our last 13, winning 9.

We’ve had blips, but they are being offset by the winning mentality we now have, whereas before we’d have played for draws.

We’ve a real chance to climb to 8th next week and will do if we beat Montrose and Annan don’t beat Arbroath.

I never think of yesterday. Can't do anything about it.

Lee Trevino

12 hours ago, Robert said:

if  Annan don’t beat Arbroath.

It’ll be a real shock if they do. Arbroath will have their tails up after losing yesterday. Can’t imagine how crushed Annan must feel after putting so much into yesterday’s rollercoaster and getting nothing. It was certainly entertaining for us on the terracing following it on our phones 😎

A different story at 4.55 or thereabouts compared to half time. We were very poor first half although as Kell says we had the best two chances. Defensively, Devine and Savage were in total control and Kelty, minus Cunningham, never really looked like breaking us down. Will be interesting to see Kelty’s penalty claim on the highlights.

Second half we started at a decent tempo with Bray and Longstaff causing a lot of problems down the right, and you could feel the pressure building. We spurned a few chances before finally scoring.
We might have tied the game up as we then had to endure a nervy few minutes at the end, during which Devine and Savage were both booked. Meanwhile the Annan game, which was a few minutes ahead of us, ticked on past the 97 minute mark. Thought Billy was more effective in his deeper role than in recent weeks and very happy that nobody snapped up Charlie in the transfer window. He even avoided a booking this week…

 

🙌 Alfie Bavidge’s goal to give us all three points yesterday! pic.twitter.com/bgGZ9ekfDV

— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) February 23, 2025

As the manager says, 'Well done to the travelling fans' from those of us cosy at home. Thank you.

No replays of action, you have to rewind yerself.

 

 

Keep up the good work boys

Also, I suspect that this progress will have not gone unnoticed by any potential buyers, whom I'm sure would rather take on a league one club.

An awful lot of wasted tape on the highlights. Could have cut it into three minutes.

Another good win though, that's the important bit.

46 minutes ago, tm4tj said:

An awful lot of wasted tape on the highlights. Could have cut it into three minutes

Seven minutes of “highlights” for that first half!

On 2/22/2025 at 5:57 PM, Yngwie said:

The goal came from a clever pass into the box from Gilmour I think, which then got played back across goal for Bavidge to tap in.

My mistake, it was Billy who played the clever pass, to Gilmour who then played it across goal.

22 hours ago, Starscape said:

Surprising result given that Kelty are able to attract all those players from the Central Belt.

Part timers, so...

With Kevin Holt just signing for Derry City we will no doubt look back on the last transfer window (s) as ones where we could have lost key experienced players.

I thought it was a pretty average game but quite open at the same time so there was plenty of opportunities to get excited about even if most efforts didn't trouble the respective keepers. Kelty played some nice stuff in the first half, lots of quick one touch passes which had us chasing shadows. Their pressing was quite intense as well. A pal commented it was quite similar to how QotS played against us in the recent midweek defeat. McIntyre was roasting Stewart at LB for us so it was puzzling when Mulgrew moved him into the middle of the pitch for most of the second half. That said his final ball was poor so even when he did beat Stewart he tended to cross it straight to Musa. We definitely got lucky with the penalty shout. At the time I thought it was a foul so happy to get away with one there if the highlights show it was a spot kick.

We were much better in the second 45. Looked like Kellacher really encouraged our full backs push right up, helped by McIntyre leaving the Kelty right side for the centre. The first 10 - 15 minutes was probably our best spell of the game even though we didn't score. Fortunately Bavidge did eventually pop up with a close range winner. Nice dink into the box from Mckay to setup Gilmour who played a nice ball across goal for Bavidge to tap in. I've been very impressed with him in the few games I've seen. Think I read 7 goals in 5 games which is outstanding form.

Decent setup at Kelty. All the portacabins are a bit naff but the social club is pretty good and the food was surprisingly enjoyable as well. Would go back again.

Talking to a couple of locals and even with their humble setup there's some fear that they have major financial issues. They were of the view that the money from us was budgeted for getting them through the season.