Deveronvale 0-2 Inverness CT - Pre-Season

RiG takes time out again to report on Caley Thistle's friendly match V Deveronvale

I was surprised to see MacAllister starting again after playing the full 90 against Peterhead the previous night but perhaps Charlie was desperate for him to get a goal but his bad luck was to continue in front of the goal. ICT started well and forced a couple of corners from good link up down the right between Parratt and Glass. Harts deliveries were good and often tested the keeper who marshalled his area well. Hart went close with a couple of long range shots with one just dipping over the crossbar and Parratt tried his luck from distance but sent the ball into the crowd. Keogh was also looking threatening from midfield with some surging runs and spread the play well across the line to either flank. While Glass was linking well on the right Golly and Campbell on the left weren't looking so effective. Not really a big threat down the left hand side for us. We took the lead when the ball fell to Russell Duncan at the edge of the area and he calmly stroked the ball into the net from about 25 yards. A well taken goal which was well placed to beat the keeper to his right. Into the second half and ICT continued to press and Campbell missed two glorious chances for us. A ball whipped into the box found Campbell a matter of inches out but he somehow scooped the ball over the bar and worse was to follow for the trialist. Another ball into the area, this time from the left, found him attacking the near post but he only managed to scuff the ball against the post and away from danger. Two astonishing misses that rank alongside Kanu and Batistuta in the Hall of Shame stakes. Proctor came on midway through the second half and slotted in at left back which was bizarre to say the least. He replaced Kerr. Duncan made way for Stuart Soane who made an immediate impact with only his third touch. A corner was not cleared by the Vale defence and Soane took control from the edge of the area cutting inside his man and firing the ball across goal past the Home keeper to send ICT 2 up. Vale had chances too but Mike Fraser was equal to pretty much everything they threw at him. A powerful drive was well gathered and a header tipped round the post.

Further comments from other site users present at the match 

Row S

The two misses by Glass were unbelievable.  He scooped one over the bar from a yard out and then hit the post from six inches.

Rory tried hard up front but was often crowded out by a packed Vale defence. I wasn't sure about what was going on with Proctor playing at left back for the last half hour.  Keogh put in a good shift in midfield and seems to look fitter and stronger than ever.

Michael Fraser looked confident and assured all night.  He had a couple of good saves when Vale were pressing late in the game.

The ref also had to asked that the Vale centre half be substituted or he might have to send him off.  I'm not quite sure why because it happened too far away from us.

And finally, the Banff wind blew as usual throughout the whole game, which did not make for attractive football.  If there was a lasting memory we had of living in Banff and Macduff for 7 years it was the constant wind, even in the height of summer.  At least it was blowing from the south tonight and not from the sea.

Crowd: not quite two men and a dog - about 250 souls and 2 dogs.