Heart Breaker

Inverness suffered a heart breaking defeat at the hands of the Jambo's after a dramatic penalty shoot-out favoured the Hearts team when young Phillip Roberts was entrusted with the vital tenth penalty.  The previous nine penalty's had unerringly found the back of the net with neither keeper getting near the ball when up stepped Roberts.  Unfortunately the substitute who had stepped up to the plate in a previous round at Ochilview blazed his penalty high over the bar right into the mass of Caley Jags fans gathered behind the goal and it was game set and match to the delirious Hearts team who had played the latter stages of the game with ten men after Scott Robinson was sent off for a rash tackle.

There were chances to win this game, none better than the Billy McKay one in extra time, but he inexplicably delayed his shot and the chance went abegging.   

Andy Shinnie and Mr Ngoo scored the goals to take this tie into extra time and penalties in front of an excellent and noisy crowd at Easter Road, but sadly for Inverness it will be Hearts that go to Hampden, good luck to them.

The only thing that can save us now is Danny Wilson

 Capital Caley will have a full report for us after the dust settles...........................

The dust has not settled yet.

Especially since the day has been preoccupied with Wilson Gate.  The Caley Jags fans descended to Edinburgh in good spirit for what would be a heart breaking game.  The Four in Hand was the pre match destination for many of the ICT faithful – until it got too busy and many of us went to the usual away day Hibs venue the Iona.  The atmosphere was electric in the ground.  The pre match anticipation was high……

Caley Thistle started with their strongest XI.  Antonio Reguero (who still hasn’t a clue where Tain is) was behind the back line of Raven, Meekings, Warren and Graeme Shinnie.  In midfield, Aaron Doran, Ross Draper, Owain Tudur-Jones, Andrew Shinnie and Richie Foran.  Billy Mckay (Who sometimes) scores when he wants led the charge. 

Hearts new signing Michael Ngoo started and proved a thorn in Caley Thistles side all afternoon.  Mr Magoo also fielded potentially ineligible defender Danny Wilson.  For Wilson Gate you can get more information on the Caley Thistle forum.  For now, we’ll stick to the match! 

The game started slowly with both teams looking sluggish.  Richie Foran picked up a soft yellow card just after 15 minutes.  A few long distance shots from both teams didn’t give Reguero and MacDonald too much of a test in the ICT and Hearts goal respectively.  Around the 20 minute mark, after persistent fouling by Ngoo he got involved in a tussle with Gary Warren and both received yellow cards. 

On 25 minutes Danny Wilson crossed in the box and Ngoo rose above the Caley Thistle defence and headed the ball off the post.  Most Caley Thistle chances at this point were very much long distance and crosses that didn’t trouble Jamie MacDonald at all. 

Half Time 1-0

Two minutes after the restart Caley Thistle took the lead.  Billy McKays cross found Andy SHINNIE who drilled the ball low into the corner of the net.  There wasn’t much between the two teams and Hearts levelled on 64 minutes.  Josh Meekings had fouled Jamie Walker and received a caution.  Fraser Mullens cross found Michael NGOO who’s powerful shot was hit first time and gave Reguero no chance.  Caley Thistle nearly took the lead 4 minutes later.  Another clumsy challenge by Ngoo on Meekings resulted in a long free kick finding McKay who was immediately brought down by Zaliukas.  Graeme Shinnies swinging cross found Richie Foran who’s header went just wide. 

With 14 minutes left Caley Thistle were given an advantage when Scott Robinsons reckless 2 footed lunge at Owain Tudur-Jones resulted in a straight red card.  Luckily OTJ came out of the challenge unharmed.  With this 1 man advantage the Caley Thistle fans urged the players on.  With ten minutes to go McKay was booked for a late challenge as the game started to get very edgy.  Just before full time Philip Roberts replaced Aaron Doran who had an unusually quiet game.  ICT were not to find a winner and the game headed to extra time.

A few minutes into the first half of extra time Captain Richie Foran was replaced with the fresh Shane Sutherland.  With the game going from end to end ICT should have gone 2-1 up just before the end of extra time 1^st half.  A great through ball by Philip Roberts found Billy McKay who looking flat footed delayed for a spilt second whilst the Hearts defence crowded round him.  He really should have hit it first time.  He then passed to Andy Shinnie but his shot was brilliant saved by MacDonald and Shinnies overhead kick from the rebound went agonisingly over the bar. 

Here's the moment the game slipped away.  Andy Shinnie's face says what we were all thinking...........

Into the second half of extra time and both teams still pushed for the winner.  Despite the 1 man advantage to Caley Thistle, Hearts were playing better football.  But again, Inverness came close to winning the game.  Graeme Shinnies swinging cross found McKay who hit the ball over the bar from a few yards out.  Penalties beckoned.

Full Time 1-1 (120mins)

Antonio Reguero was booked before Hearts first penalty for apparently ‘time wasting’.  Zaliukas stepped up for Hearts first, before Graeme Shinnie equalised for Inverness.  Ngoo put Hearts 2-1 up with Andy Shinnie responding.  Andy Webster restored the Jambos lead and finally McKay chose to score to make the score line 3-3.  OTJ equalised for Caley Thistle after Novikovas had scored.  Taouil restored Hearts advantage making it 5-4 before Philip Roberts stepped up.  We all know what happened next.  Here’s hoping young Roberts bounces back with a goal soon. 

There was severe disappointment within the Caley Thistle ranks.  It had been a below par performance but with the chances that came our way we should have won.  Credit to the players for getting to the Semi Final and we share their disappointment that we could not get to Hampden.  Lets look forward to the rest of the season.  The management and players are still doing a magnificent job but we need to bounce back quickly.  In the mean time, lets listen out for what happens with Wilson Gate….................

26th Jan 2013	Scottish Communities League Cup Semi-Final	Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh
Hearts win 5-4 on penalties
Inverness C.T.	1 - A.Shinnie (49)
	TEAM: Reguero, Raven, G.Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Doran (Roberts 87), Draper, Tudur Jones, Foran (Sutherland 97), A.Shinnie, McKay
	SUBS: Esson, Ross, Devine
	Booked: Foran (18), Warren (22), Meekings (65), Mckay (85), Raven (120), Reguero (120)
	Sent Off: none
Hearts	1 - Ngoo (66)
	TEAM: MacDonald, Mullen, Webster, Zaliukas, Wilson, Tapping (Taouil 97), Holt, Robinson, Walker (McGowan 112), Ngoo, Driver (Novikovas 67)
	SUBS: Ridgers, Sutton
	Booked: Ngoo (22), Zaliukas (99), Taouil (110)
	Sent Off: Robinson (77)
Referee	Euan Norris
Attendance	16,336