Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

ICT 2-1 Aberdeen

Caley Thistle once again went 2 goals up in a match at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, but this time, unlike the Dundee Utd game, they didnt throw away three goals and a victory .... just the one goal this time.

It means ICT still havent had a clean sheet all season, but there is a pre-Xmas present of three valuable points.

Christmas shopping was on hold as Inverness Caledonian Thistle had more pressing business, the collection of three points from some very benevolent Aberdonian's..............that'll be a first.

The Xmas spirit was in full flow in the pre-match bars as the Dons support came in numbers to support their idols, unfortunately their team were not quite so responsive and could only offer a dire performance in return for the vocal backing and Inverness were the benefactors on a blustery Christmas Eve at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Dons and there was to be no repeat of the dramatic collapse that saw Dundee United come back from the dead to snatch all three points.

In truth, the weather ruined any hope that there would be an entertaining game on display as the blustery conditions made kicking the ball in the air a lottery. However, that did not stop some of them trying, and failing miserably. Epic Fail! On that note I can describe the first half as like the weather; grim. Ross Tokely and Andy Shinnie were absent for Inverness, both suffering late injuries, but captain Richie Foran made the start before his yellow card tot-ups come into play. Aberdeen made four alterations, Youl Mawene, Andrew Considine, Chris Clark and Josh Magennis coming in, while McArdle, Fallon and Fraser Fyvie made the bench with Mohamed Chalali sitting this one out.

Not really much to report about the first half but Esson was the first keeper called upon to thwart Magennis as he parried his effort wide. Tade was giving the Aberdeen back four some grief as he tore down the wing, leaving defenders trailing in his wake, but there was no takers for his tantalising cross into the danger area, in all honesty nobody could keep up with him. Arnason put a header wide as Aberdeen started to get to grips with the weather, but Esson remained untroubled for the half, as was Aberdeen keeper Brown as Shinnie blazed a shot over and a Golobart header went high over the bar; better things were to come in the second half though.

Half Time 0-0

24/12/11 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium - Referee Alan Muir - Attendance 5888

Inverness CT 2 - Golobart (64), Tade (69)

TEAM: Esson, Piermayr, Golobart, G.Shinnie, Gillet, Cox (Tansey 79), Hayes, Davis, Tade, Foran, McKay (Sutherland 90) SUBS: Tuffey, Ross, Morrison, Doran

Booked: Golobart (1), G.Shinnie (85)

Aberdeen 1 - Fallon (76)

TEAM: Brown, Jack (Megginson 86), Mawene, Considine, Foster, Clark, Milsom, Osbourne, Arnason, Magennis (Mackie 70), Vernon (Fallon 70)

SUBS: Gonzalez, McArdle, Robertson, Fyvie

Booked: Considine (88)  

Conditions remained the same in the second period and play restarted with not much cheer in the stadium as hot food was at a premium. With Inverness playing into the South stand, it was nearly twenty minutes before anything happened, Jason Brown making an excellent save as Davis latched onto a ball on the angle and drove goalwards only for the keeper to replicate Esson's first half save. From the corner, Hayes bulleted a wind assisted cross onto the soaring Spaniard's napper and Golobart directed the ball easily into the net for a deserved first goal for Inverness. Ole Ole Ole Senor Golobart.

Billy McKay spooned an effort over the bar which would have helped matters but we were soon to double our advantage. Almost on the seventy minute mark, Gregory Tade pounced on a loose ball in the Dons box to drive home a second goal for Inverness. Game over you would have thought, but no, we don't do anything the easy way. (remember United).

Seven minutes later and it was twitchy bums time as Fallon scored a sloppy goal for the clean sheet to disappear and give the Dons a bit of hope that they barely deserved.

If truth be told, Aberdeen hardly troubled the resolute Inverness defence and we saw this game out more comfortably than it appeared. The fans being more troubled than the players on the park. The Dons did produce a couple of late corners and throw-ins, but with Golobart commanding his box and Foran having his best game of the season, there was no way Aberdeen were going to get a second.

Full Time 2-1

Some great contributions from Foran, Davis and Tade in some very trying conditions, but one man was literally head and shoulders above everyone else and that was 19 year old Roman Golobart, the sponsors MotM and most other peoples as well.

EsplÃndido espectÃculo Senor Roman!

This result keeps us clear of Hibs and Dunfermline at the wrong end of the table and only two points behind Aberdeen.

Hibs at Easter Road on wednesday evening is the next game followed by St Johnstone at home in the new year.

Merry Xmas.