Back to winning ways

Inverness got back on track despite the Highland weather and moved back to second place in the SPFL with a deserved 2-1 victory over a resurgent Kilmarnock. A deflected Aaron Doran strike after seven minutes put the home side ahead and they looked to be on easy street when Graeme Shinnie rifled in the second in 52 minutes. But Inverness don't do anything the easy way and Darren Barr ensured a nervy finish for the home fans when he neatly tucked away a set piece to bring Killie back into play, but Inverness saw out the last fifteen minutes plus five minutes of added time to keep the points in the Highlands.

AJS will have a full report for us after he thaws out and the feeling returns to his limbs.

Warming to home comforts in a Highland winter

ICT returned to home soil for the 2nd time in 4 days. Fresh as they could be from the 120 minute quarter final match against Dundee United that saw Terry and the boys reach the League Cup semi final for the second time in a row. With that epic encounter out of the way Premier League priorities were back on the agenda as we welcomed Kilmarnock to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Allan Johnston has found his first job in the top flight a rather rough ride so far with his new look side hovering above the relegation area. However back to back 2-0 wins against Ross County and Hearts would have given the Killie boss a bit of promise going into this one as they went searching for their first win in Inverness since 2010. For Big Terry it would have been all about getting points back on the board. A combination of hard luck against Partick and our near neghbours forgetting to change their light bulbs saw us take no points from October. A barren spell without question but both the victory and the reward for it against United in the cup would have given the players the necessary boost going into this one. 

The starting 11 was unchanged with Graeme Shinnie staying in his unfamiliar role at right back while Marley Watkins and Carl Tremarco made their home league debuts. Amongst Kilmarnock's starting line up were a few recognisable faces. One being Kris Boyd (older and heavier) who has helped himself to several goals against ICT in the past and former Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne. Also on Killies bench was former ICT stopper and fans favourite Antonio Reguero who returned to Inverness for the first time since leaving the club in the summer. 

Despite the torrential weather it was quite an open game to begin with. Kilmarnock probably looked the stronger in the opening stages. Keeping the ball well and putting our defence under a bit of pressure. Their first attempt of note fell to Jackson Irvine. Clohessy's deflected cross was headed up by Meekings as opposed to away and Irvine gathered it before attempting the half volley. From about 25 yards he generated plenty of power but his shot was well gathered Brill as it came straight at the big stopper. 

Despite being on the back foot early on ICT notched themselves an early lead with a combination of good work and the rub of the green. Foran picked out a good pass to Marley Watkins and following a good run down the right he sent the ball in to Billy McKay. His path to goal was well blocked but he held the ball up well before laying it back to Aaron Doran. With time to shoot he didn't hesitate but his effort looked to be heading wide before it clipped off Clohessy to both divert it on target and wrong foot Craig Samson as it rolled into the net. 

Kilmarnock didnt let up though and Kris Boyd came close to equalizing. Tesselaar took advantage of some slack play from Watkins before making a powerful run through the middle. He laid it out to Boyd who cut inside before unleashing a crisp drive that flew just over the bar with Brill at full stretch. Michael Gardyne was next to have a go for the away side who were enjoying a good spell of the ball. He made a weaving run towards the box with Warren and Meekings watching closely. He was forced onto his weaker right foot and saw his effort sail high over the bar. 

Dean Brill almost had another moment to forget as his pass out of the box fell straight at the feet of Gardyne but fortunately he could'nt find a way round the big stopper and he soon had Meekings, Warren and Richie Foran back covering. 

ICT responded to the Killie pressure and nearly doubled the lead in rather bizarre circumstances. Graeme Shinnie flighted in a free kick looking for someone to head it on but with the ball flying high in the air it was caught by the wind, so much so that it had Samson scrambling to his left hand post as it looked likely to drop into the net, fortunately for Kilmarnock's number 1 it fell just wide. With half time drawing near ICT were beginning to see some more of the ball, and Ross Draper, who was the extra time hero during the week had a golden chance to double the advantage going into the break. Some more good work down the right from Watkins saw him get past Tesselaar and eventually lay it back for Draper on the edge of the area. The big man struck it well enough but it flew just over the bar and was straight down the middle, Samson had it covered all the way.

Half Time 1-0

With the 2nd half under way ICT soon doubled their advantage much to the delight of a soaked and frozen home crowd. Graeme Shinnie made the most of his new position and following neat one two between himself and Foran he beat his man and cut inside before striking a sweet, left footed effort across Samson and into the bottom corner of the net. Shinnie's first of the season. Ironically Shinnie scored his first ICT goal in a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock 2 seasons ago. 

ICT seemed to have the better of the second half. Aaron Doran and Billy McKay both had close range efforts that tested Samson's gloves. While Killie were trying from distance with Sammy Clingan's long range effort flying high and wide from about 30 yards.

With about 15 minutes left Kilmarnock pulled themselves right back into the game. Sammy Clingan flighted in a free kick which fell right at Darren Barr who struck it wonderfully on the volley and curled it past Brill. His first goal for the club and in some style. 

ICT's response was almost immediate. A neat exchange between Doran and Shinnie saw the latter put in a wonderful in swinging cross that picked out substitute Danny Williams. He managed to get a decent header on the ball but unfortunately for him with Samson sprawling he saw his effort bounce off the base of the post.

With the match drawing to a close Allan Johnston fired on William Gros to add some extra firepower but it was ICT who looked the more likely to score in the closing stages. Aaron Doran tried his luck from distance but his drive flew wide of the mark. Doran then picked out Billy McKay on the wing. Wild Bill endured another frustrating afternoon in front of goal but this was his best chance. He cut in on his weaker side and had a good sight of goal but saw his effort float over as injury time beckoned.

The back four soaked up what little pressure Killie offered in the final minutes and the match drew to a close.

Full Time 2-1

In summary :- The conditions did not help. High winds and heavy showers are never pleasant but you just have to buckle down and carry on. Our overall play is not as fluent as we would like to see. Part of it I think is down to the box to box presence of James Vincent being absent and the other part is that teams are shoring up defensively to close us down. The fact we can play a game of a scrappy nature and win is in a bizarre way reassuring for me. We can win playing well and win when not quite at our best. Common sign of a top team. As long as we win I'm happy.

AJS MotM :- Richie Foran - Was excellent defensively. Mopped up so much at the back and also did all he could to start attacks. The 2nd goal paid tribute to that as it came from a fine move that he started. A great Captains performance.

 
Inverness CT: 2
Lineup: Brill, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco (Devine 88), Draper, Foran, Ross (Polworth 81), Doran, Watkins (Williams 72), Mckay
Subs (not used): Esson, Greenhalgh, Pepper, Agdestein
Scorers: Doran (7), Shinnie (52)
Booked: Tremarco (74)
Sent Off: none

Kilmarnock: 1
Lineup: Samson, Tesselaar, Irvine, Barr, Boyd, Johnston (Clingan 60), Clohessy, McKenzie (Gros 80), Gardyne (Muirhead 88), O'Hara, Pascali
Subs (not used): Reguero, Fowler, Ashcroft, Kiltie
Scorers: Barr (76)
Booked: none
Sent Off: none