One down, thirty-seven to go


Inverness got off to the best possible start with a second half blitz to blow away St Mirren at a blustery Inverness, although that never looked likely after a terse first forty-five where neither side looked capable of taking control of the game.

A quick fire second half treble from Inverness settled the game with James Vincent scoring from the spot. Aaron Doran capitalised on a defensive blunder and who else but Billy McKay completed the job to give Inverness their best ever start to a season at the top table. St Mirren's day got even worse with 10 minutes to go when David van Zanten was red carded.

Dean Brill started his first competitive game, but the back four were familiar faces. Vincent was added to the midfield alongside Draper, Foran, Doran and Ross with McKay in his lone striker role as per norm.

St Mirren had new boys David Cornell, Danny Grainger and Gary Harkins on from the start to compliment their experienced squad that ended last season with the League Cup in their trophy cabinet.

And it was the Paisley side that made the early running with Gary Harkins prominent from the start, forcing Brill to keep out a couple of efforts from the former Partick man. Aaron Doran almost got his season off to a flyer after he was threaded through on goal by Vincent but his angled drive was wide with the Caley Jags players screaming for a corner.

Marc McAusland snatched at a ball laid back to him some 25 yards out but his half volley sailed over the bar, whilst at the other end some neat interplay between Ross and Shinnie ended with Ross firing a loose clearance just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

A free kick some 25 yards out saw the closest action around the Inverness goal as Goodwin smashed the ball off a diving Dean Brill's left hand post and away to safety and that was as close to a goal in a gritty first half which gave no indication of what was to come.

Half-Time 0-0

The second half was barely underway for three minutes when David van Zanten blocked a shot from Vincent ilegally with a hand, and after van Zanten received a yellow card Vincent neatly slotted home the opener. No sooner had the fans sat down in their seats than they were up again, Doran pouncing on a sloppy clearance after McKay hassled Cornell and Doran side footed the ball home from the edge of the box.

But the entertainment did not stop there and the quick-fire treble was completed within eleven minutes when Raven swung in a tantalising ball and who else but Billy McKay nodded home. Doran did well to free Raven for his assist and he scores when he wants did the rest with his napper.

Meekings could not emulate his Charlton heroics and skied a bouncing ball well over from inside the box and David van Zanten eventually saw red after 80 minutes, but the result was way beyond St Mirren by then and Inverness deservedly started the season in great style. The Buddies on the other hand, would appear to have a bit of work to do.

Full-Time 3-0

An excellent start to the campaign makes a welcome change for Butcher's boys and it was good to see Vincent and Doran get on the scoresheet early. Billy McKay will continue where he left off and with the defence along the same lines then it could be another bright season for Inverness.

MotM from Inverness fans point of view has been taken by newbie James Vincent who could well fill Andy Shinnie's shoes, with Richie Foran showing why we miss him when he is not present with a solid display.

So, it's one game gone and only another thirty-seven to go in what looks like being another entertaining season.



 

Date: 03.08.2013 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 3215
Referee: Kevin Clancy
  
Inverness CT: 3
Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Vincent (Agdestein 82), Draper (Polworth 81), Foran, Doran (Williams 89), Ross, Mckay
Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Greenhalgh, Tremarco
Scorers: Vincent (pen 47), Doran (49), McKay (57)
Booked: Draper (60), Raven (81)
Sent Off: none
St Mirren: 0
Lineup: Cornell, Van Zanten, Goodwin, McGinn (Robertson 64), Harkins, Thompson, McGowan (Brady 64), McAusland, Reilly, Teale, Grainger
Subs (not used): Dilo, McGregor, Kelly, Dillon, Naismith
Scorers: none
Booked: Thompson (27), McGinn (39), McGowan (44), Van Zanten (47)
Sent Off: Van Zanten (80)