Five Games left to find our best XI

With our lead down to a solitary point and just six League1 games left we have a home fixture against Queen of the South on Friday evening under the lights at 7:45pm. It's also on the telly if you can't get down to the stadium so tune in to BBC Alba and have your Gaelic phrasebook handy. Last time we aired with Queens we ran away with the points in a resounding 4-0 win back in November. Zimba and Sole scored on that occasion but they are both on the naughty step and will not be allowed out to play this time. Points are now getting hard to find as every team is fighting for their lives at both ends of the table with Stenhousemuir the form team with the impetus at the moment.

Is our rotation system affecting our run for promotion? Is the size of our squad a hinderance or a bonus? Many fans have voiced their opinion on this as some are left baffled by the decision to change a winning side on numerous occasions. We all understand that injuries will affect who is selected, but it's often for no apparent obvious reason the tinkering occurs. Suspensions will certainly alter our starting XI this week and Danny Devine came off in the second half at Alloa and is a major doubt.

Fixtures against Queen of the South this season have yielded seven points so far with Queens only taking one to date. A 2-0 win for the Caley Jags in the first encounter at Palmerston back in September followed by a runaway 4-0 televised home fixture in November. A point apiece at Palmerston in a 2-2 draw at the end of January takes us up to the present with points in the promotion race getting harder to come by.

Stenhousemuir were the only League1 team to get maximum points last weekend and they face East Fife at Methil at 2:00pm on Saturday afternoon just one point behind. Possibly the last chance for Alloa to keep in touch as they are at home to Peterhead and sit ten points adrift of top place.

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Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar94/Info

KDM FINAL TICKETS

Chanka Zimba Call Up

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🚍 💰🚍

With the introduction of a £2 maximum fare on bus services in the Highlands this week, the fare on the Matchday Bus Service has been reduced from £2.70 to £2 from this week.

For Friday's game against Queen of the South, Bar 94 will open at 1730, with last orders at 1915 (the bar must be fully vacated by 1930). The bar reopens at full time, when we hope to be joined by some of the players.

Operated by Stagecoach, the bus will leave the Bus Station for the Stadium at 1900, returning from the Stadium to the Bus Station 10 minutes after the full time whistle.

The bus fare is £2 single (contactless payments or cash accepted), and Over 60 / Disabled and Under 22 Concession passes are valid, giving free travel on the service to passholders.

This was the guys we trusted to get the points at Recreation Park. Alas we had to battle for a point, literally, with Chanka Zimba scoring and also being red carded with over twenty minutes remaining. To ease his pain, he has been called up to the Zambian squad for an international fixture against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 31st March. It will coincide with his suspension. How thoughtful.

• Last Six League1:

• D D W D W D

The last six started with a tough 1-1 draw against Stenny when we had Ben Brannan sent off with 20m left. (On the Tuesday after we beat Ayr Utd 1-2 to progress into the KDM Trophy Final). A disappointing no scoring draw at Kelty followed where we struggled to create enough clear chances and allowed the pack to close in again before a 3-1 home win over Montrose. With Stenny drawing and Alloa losing in midweek, we had a smidgeon of breathing space going into the home game against Cove but that was taken away by a goalkeeper. Balint Demus headed in an equaliser because we failed to put the game to bed when on top. A common theme throughout the season and one which Stenhousemuir took full advantage of by snatching a last minute winner. We bounced back in midweek with a good 3-1 home win over Peterhead with as bizarre an 'offside' goal as you will see gifting the Head their consolation. Zimba x2 & Alonge were our scorers in that one, three going on six. Zimba was Hero to Zero at Alloa scoring the equaliser before being sent off ten minutes later with the game ending at 1-1.

Zimba and Sole are suspended this weekend for a lack of discipline which could prove costly. That's a pity with Zimba scoring three in his last two games. Zimba and Alfie Bavidge both have ten League goals. Kellacher has the usual smokescreen ongoing that we have a few carrying knocks (Devine a doubt) but is keeping that close to his chest for now so you will have to make your own starting XI up for yourself.

Queen of the South drew 2-2 with a battling East Fife on Saturday. Reece Lyon with both goals but the Fifer's battled hard for a point with Gaffney & Culbert scoring. That has no doubt scuppered automatic promotion but Queens are clinging on to the fourth promotion play-off spot ahead of Peterhead and Montrose.

• Last Six League1:

• L L L D W D

Queens run started with three defeats in a row, kicking off with a valentine's day loss at home to Alloa 2-1. A Kai Kennedy brace was not enough to stop them losing 3-2 at Montrose followed by another home defeat to Peterhead by 2-0. A 1-1 draw with Stenny then the solitary win away to Accies by 3-1 and that takes them up to the 2-2 home draw with East Fife.

The Doonhamers are the second highest scorers in the League with 47 goals. Conceding 41 goals has been their downfall and that has them 13 points off the pace in fourth position, Reece Lyon has eight goals to his name in League1 with former Caley Jag Kai Kennedy bagging seven. Jack Stott and Matty Douglas are both on five.

Queens still have four or five players getting back to match fitness after injury. Jack Hannah, Jack Stott, Jordan Allan and Mikey Hewit are the main ones still nursing injuries.

Saturday 28th March

East Fife v Stenhousemuir kick off 14:00

Alloa Athletic v Peterhead kick off 15:00

Hamilton Accies v Kelty Hearts kick off 15:00

Montrose v Cove Postponed due to International call-ups

Pos	Team	Pld	Gd	Pts
😟	ICTFC	30	32	57
🙂	Stenny	30	19	56
3	Alloa	30	15	47
4	QotS	30	6	44
5	P'Head	30	-10	39
6	Monty	30	-13	38
7	E Fife	30	-25	30
8	Cove	30	-5	28
9	Accies	30	12	25
10	Kelty	30	-31	19

Peter Murphy bemoans missed chances against East Fife>>>

27.03.2026/19:45 - Queens (H) TV 📺

05.04.2026/16:10 - Raith Rovers (N) (TV) KDM FINAL 📺

11.04.2026/17:30 - Stenny (A) TV 📺

14.04.2026/19:45 - Peterhead (A) TV 📺

18.04.2026/15:00 - Kelty Hearts (H)

25.04.2026/15:00 - East Fife (A)

02.05.2026/15:00 - Hamilton (H)

Changed mantra for me for tonight’s match.

Instead of ‘Must Win’ it’s going to be ‘Mus’nt Loose’.

I expect a different QoTS to the team that weakly surrendered to a 0-4 thumping by ICT last Nov. They will know we’re all a bit nervous with Stenny on our heels. May be a tight drawn out match. Looking forward to it!

bc

WILLIAM HILL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS

Tuesday May 5
William Hill Championship play-off semi-finals, 1st leg
4th in League 1 v 9th in Championship
3rd in League 1 v 2nd in League 1
Kick-offs 7.45pm

Saturday May 9
William Hill Championship play-off semi-finals, 2nd leg
9th in Championship v 4th in League 1 
2nd in League 1 v 3rd in League 1
Kick-offs 3.00pm

Walked into town at 11.30. Crossing the bridge was a tough gig with the wind blowing. Couldnt keep a straight line to the other side.

Walked home at 14.00. Wow, crossing the bridge I was getting buffeted from rail to barrier. I walk it most days and that was the toughest for a while.

With the wind forecast to still be gusting in the mid 30’ s mph for the game, not expecting a classic tonight. Here’s hoping the pitch being lower than the bridge things are a bit calmer.

XC weather Inverness

Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom

Today     Fri 27 Mar GMT1 hr3 hr

Hour

Wind

Avg.

Gust

Temp.

Rain 1h

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17:00

WSW

20 mph

to

36 mph

4 °C

0.1 mm

80 %

1008 mb

18:00

WSW

18 mph

to

36 mph

3 °C

0 mm

77 %

1009 mb

19:00

WSW

18 mph

to

36 mph

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0 mm

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1009 mb

20:00

WSW

18 mph

to

35 mph

2 °C

0.1 mm

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21:00

WSW

17 mph

to

32 mph

2 °C

0 mm

98 %

1009 mb

22:00

WSW

17 mph

to

36 mph

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1009 mb

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WSW

21 mph

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39 mph

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1008 mb

Take a kite with you just in case

53 minutes ago, tm4tj said:

Take a kite with you just in case

Can I borrow your bowler hat.

2 hours ago, bishbashbosh said:

Walked into town at 11.30. Crossing the bridge was a tough gig with the wind blowing. Couldnt keep a straight line to the other side.

Walked home at 14.00. Wow, crossing the bridge I was getting buffeted from rail to barrier. I walk it most days and that was the toughest for a while.

With the wind forecast to still be gusting in the mid 30’ s mph for the game, not expecting a classic tonight. Here’s hoping the pitch being lower than the bridge things are a bit calmer.

XC weather Inverness

Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom

Today     Fri 27 Mar GMT1 hr3 hr

Hour

Wind

Avg.

Gust

Temp.

Rain 1h

Cloud

Press.

17:00

WSW

20 mph

to

36 mph

4 °C

0.1 mm

80 %

1008 mb

18:00

WSW

18 mph

to

36 mph

3 °C

0 mm

77 %

1009 mb

19:00

WSW

18 mph

to

36 mph

3 °C

0 mm

19 %

1009 mb

20:00

WSW

18 mph

to

35 mph

2 °C

0.1 mm

88 %

1009 mb

21:00

WSW

17 mph

to

32 mph

2 °C

0 mm

98 %

1009 mb

22:00

WSW

17 mph

to

36 mph

2 °C

0 mm

85 %

1009 mb

23:00

WSW

21 mph

to

39 mph

2 °C

0.1 mm

45 %

1008 mb

Sounds like you had the wild shot in going home

The usual tombola for team selection again tonight. Hopefully the manager gets it right. Personally. I think it's pretty poor that Millen is reported as being captain.

6 minutes ago, Huisdean said:

The usual tombola for team selection again tonight. Hopefully the manager gets it right. Personally. I think it's pretty poor that Millen is reported as being captain.

It's pretty poor Millen is even in the starting line up. It amazes me that Macleod has been taken out the team.

Edited March 27Mar 27 by SteveA2

Is Millen signed up for next season? Only thing I can think of why he is being brought back in over him.

HT 0-1

Lively game, but how on earth are we behind?

Just now, Yngwie said:

HT 0-1

Lively game, but how on earth are we behind?

Seems to be a case of the same old story

2 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

HT 0-1

Lively game, but how on earth are we behind?

Watching on Alba. Nobody on the end of crosses. Poor passing. Need a big turn around in the second half.

1-1 FT

Yet another 2 points dropped.

Stenhousemuir can now go 4 ahead of us by the time we play our next league game…..v Stenhousemuir

2 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

1-1 FT

Yet another 2 points dropped.

Yep, For all the criticism of Millen he had a good game IMO and put a lot of dangerous crosses into the box. Simply no striker getting onto them properly. Our penalty looked very soft, but you have to take what comes your (our) way.

For me it was important we did not loose tonight. A case of we are a bit fragile just now and a defeat may have cut deep at a time when we can’t afford to feel sorry for ourselves.

Draw was the right result IMO. We did not have anyone that could raise their game to control the match.

Last point - Why leave Spoony to a couple of minutes to the end to bring on???

bc

Edited March 27Mar 27 by big cherly

Why oh why didn't we make some more substitutions when it was clear we were going nowhere?

Billy should have been off long before he was taken off.

Wotherspoon should have been on much earlier, to use his experience to make things happen or find a way through.

Alonge was useless all through the the game.

And I still don't rate Savage. At fault for Queens' goal, and nearly caused a second. Too many lazy short passes to someone who has one of two opponents closing in on them. Looks superficially good and boosts his pass completion stats, but gets us nowhere.

I no longer have any confidence.

Loads of balls into the box and Zimba didn’t get onto the end of any of them. 😡

I’d agree that the manager should have made subs much earlier. We offered nothing of note in the last 20 minutes or so.

Robertsons passing going forward was rushed and lazy tonight. The subs didn’t get into the game really. Willox came on and kept slipping. I did feel without Zimba who was going to come on to shake things up? Bavidge maybe needed to move into the middle maybe, how long is Sole out for? We need him back.

Poor Paul Allan, he should have had some part in this game?

We were so lucky with that penalty. Should never have been awarded (a rare refereeing error in our favour recently), the very saveable penalty was saved and the sclaffed rebound attempt creeps in via the keeper and defender I think.

BBC have it as an OG but it should actually be credited to Millen because it was on target and going in before the attempts to stop it.

Massive Disappointment

Disgruntled much!

With games running out and every point a prisoner, the Caley Jags would be looking to take advantage of this game under the lights against Queen of the South to get ahead of the pack before the rest play on Saturday afternoon. The last time Queens were here under the lights and on the telly the Caley Jags were untroubled as they ran out 4-0 winners. The scene is the same tonight although lambing snows and a chill wind might play a part in events tonight. Danny Devine was out injured and Liam Sole and Chanka Zimba were suspended. Mitchell Robertson was at the heart of the defence with Ross Millen at right back and Billy Mckay up front. Queens had their own injury worries but they still had big players like Reece Lyon, Kai Kennedy and Kurtis Guthrie in their starting XI.

Oscar MacIntyre rattled the post and we had one or two close moments but Nicky Clark opened the scoring with a cute flick in the first half and the points were shared when Ross Millen bundled home following his spot kick being saved ten minutes after the break. A massive disappointment following a less than impressive performance where we went flat ten minutes after equalising. We have now opened the door for Stenhousemuir to step in tomorrow should they beat East Fife.

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

Inverness got the game underway on a chilly night in the Highlands with maximum points the aim for both sides. Luis Longstaff almost broke the deadlock in the third minute when he got the break of the ball on the edge of the box but his chip just cleared the bar to land on the top of the net. Shortly after Billy Mckay was just inches away from connecting with a long free kick into the box as he headed wide. Queens were taking no prisoners early on dishing out some rough treatment. Alfie Stewart brought out a save from his namesake after driving forward from midfield following an interception. Following a swift break forward on the right, Alfie Bavidge dragged his parting shot across the keeper but just wide of the post after fifteen minutes. Oscar MacIntyre did brilliantly on a run into the box but his left footed shot smashed against the post and bounced out to safety with possibly a touch from the keeper. Ross Munro flopped onto a low shot from Hannah from the edge of the box but it lacked the power to trouble the keeper. Moments later Queens took the lead mostly against the run of play when a ball into the box was flicked into the net by Nicky Clark. Smart sucker punch and all to do now. A lot of petty fouls disrupting play ten minutes before the break but a good ball into the box from Millen was flicked just past the post by Billy Mckay. Jordan Alonge burst onto a pass on the left side of the box but the keeper pulled off a great save to deny him and we were unable to keep the follow up on target.

HALF TIME: 0-1

No changes at the break but five minutes into the half Billy Mckay was barged over as he chased a ball into the box. After deliberating with himself, the referee awarded a spot kick. Ross Millen took it but the keeper made a great save only for Millen to follow up and bundle the ball into the net, just. And breathe. Alonge headed in but a wee niaff of a linesman flagged him offside. Almost a blooper in our box as Savage slipped but he recovered sufficiently to see the ball out for a throw in. Joe Chalmers had a pot shot from range but it went harmlessly over. A bit of a lull ensued with some looking jaded as we opted for sideways soccer. In a rare moment, MacKenzie shot well over for Queens as Inverness looked tired as the game deteriorated over the final twenty minutes. Kai Kennedy shot across the face of the goal in the 90th minute. Looks like Peter Murphy was red carded in the next minute. A late corner for the visitors saw Kennedy swing in the ball as we nervously gave the ball away numerous times in the final moments. The ref saved us all from crumbling into nervous wrecks by bringing the game to a conclusion with as poor a performance as we have seen at home all season.

FULL TIME: 1-1

Really good crowd on a freezing Friday night, and we get this dross served up. Last half hour no pace, no urgency, only one team looked like winning and it certainly wasn’t us. I have no idea what the Wotherspoon substitution with two minutes to go was meant to achieve. Doing a great job of steering us into the playoffs from a winning the league position.

Goodbye League title. Goodbye

38 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

I’d agree that the manager should have made subs much earlier. We offered nothing of note in the last 20 minutes or so.

Absolutely.

Is the pressure/inexperience getting to Kellacher ? Think he made a few wrong calls tonight.