A Perfect Storm

Caley Thistle took a huge leap closer to the league title tonight with a 3-0 victory over Ross County.

For the first time this season, ICT are now clear in top spot and no longer need the chasing pack to lose or draw their games in hand to maintain that position.

Destiny is now in our own hands...  

Caley Thistle have taken a huge leap closer to the league title tonight with a 3-0 victory over Ross County (whilst Dundee were going down 2-1 to the Pars at East End Park).

A Perfect Storm

Inverness gained some revenge for dismal showings earlier in the season when they trounced Ross County 3-0. The game was over as a contest before tea break as goals from Richie Foran, a Jonny Hayes super assist for Eric Odhiambo, and Jonny on his own sent the upstarts from over the bridge homewards tae think again.

The weather caused some concern for the officials, who had threatened to call off the game if the severe weather conditions caused the match to degenerate into a farce. The wind was the main culprit and the driving sleet, hail and snow flurries were just a sideshow, as the game did descend to a farce, but for different reasons.

County were reduced to ten men when Alex Keddie was adjudged to have taken out Richie Foran as he bore down on goal. He was red carded for his troubles, although those of a dark blue persuasion will tell you otherwise.

The game started amid scenes from a holocaust type movie, the vicious wind driving the elements horizontally across the park towards the A9. The full effects of the weather not so evident until you went for your half time cuppa.

The opening exchanges were tit for tat as both teams probed for an opening. Foran had the first notable effort on target as he forced McGovern into a diving save from the right side after he fired from a slight angle, the keeper parrying the ball round the post for a corner. Number thirteen proved to be the County’s downfall as Keddie was given a straight red for his challenge on Foran, much to the chagrin of the Dingwall hordes behind the goal. One minute later, when the dust had settled, Foran took the resultant free kick and from 19 yards he nestled the ball behind a diving McGovern, with the aid of a slight deflection. Up stepped little Jonny a couple of minutes later, our very own pocket rocket. He had been harshly booked in the sixth minute for clattering Morrison, but he produced some tantalising wing play as he danced a fandango on the right wing, before laying the ball onto Eric’s boot and he made no mistake from close range, burying the ball behind an exposed keeper.

County were in disarray, their promotion dreams evaporating in a blur of anti-football and it was no surprise when a rampant ICT notched a third before the break. Lee Cox, who was having a superb derby, won the ball in midfield and threaded through super sprinter Jonny Hayes darting towards the spot where Keddie was missing from. He showed a clean pair of heels to the floundering pack and delightfully curled the ball behind the outstretched keeper from the edge of the box. That old cliché about boxing matches was coming back to haunt the County management.

Half Time: 3 (three) – 0

If the first half was the climax, then the second was an anti-climax, as Inverness were prepared to sit on their lead and not push forward in a gung ho fashion. A fifth consecutive clean sheet was on the cards and our defence coped well with the meagre offerings that County scraped together. We still found time and space to hit on the break and squandered a couple of great chances to put them to the sword. Eric skiffing the top side of the post when he tried to chip a close range ball home, but it drifted agonisingly wide in the hurricane. Even the lights blinked in amazement at that miss.

Lee Cox tried his luck with a long range strike, but McGovern earned his corn with a great save. Rooney almost scored as he raced in on goal, but he lifted his lob onto the roof of the net when he should have done better. Look away Ian Stewart. The last close shave was when Munro rolled a ball across the six yard box, unfortunately and inexplicably, about four ICT players left it for everyone else and the chance was wasted.

Full Time 3-0

This was just the result that Inverness had been looking for. What a difference a week makes as Inverness have turned a four point deficit into a four point lead at the top of the table. For County, who have been having their best season yet, the fixture schedule was starting to take its toll and they looked a tired lot at the final whistle. Still, they have a semi-final game to look forward to at Hampden and I am sure they will enjoy that. But this game was about trying to win promotion to the SPL, and so far, wilsononourwing has got it spot on, he believed when all those round about him scratched their heads and looked at him as if he were mad. Fifteen games unbeaten now, whereas Dundee are in freefall and County look to be finding it hard going with their small squad. Queens are still hanging on and the Pars are not out of it yet.

The fat lady has not sung her song yet, but I’m sure I can hear her humming!

Tm4tj MoM There were quite a few contenders for this accolade. The defence never put a foot wrong and snuffed out County, even with the threat of Andy Barrowman warming the bench. The strikers were once again playing great on a miserable night. Richie Foran, sorely missed in the Dingwall derby showed his class and energy, Adam Rooney ran the channels again, and could have added to his seasons tally, and little Jonny showed us why he has a sing song in the home stands, with a mickey taking performance. Russell Duncan once more put himself about, but this week, his understudy usurped him, and Lee Cox probably had his finest moments tonight as he broke up play, tackled ferociously, pushed forward, and had a rasper of a shot bang on target, and but for McGovern’s save it would have been a stunning goal. So, take a bow Lee Cox, you are my MotM.