Inverness edge out Stranraer

Inverness crept into the quarter finals with a low key performance that saw League One side Stranraer take all the plaudits, but not the scalp they wanted. An early ricochet off Nick Ross gave Inverness the lead but they could not build on it and it took a very late strike from substitute Aaron Doran before The Blues became stuck in the mud of Inverness.

Not the swashbuckling performance the fans were hoping for, but constant rain all day almost scuppered the game completely before a second pitch inspection convinced referee Alan Muir it should go ahead.

The heavy pitch looked like it would cause all sorts of problems on a miserable evening as the rain continued to fall on the already saturated playing surface, which had large areas of quagmire in the central sections near the penalty boxes, especially the North Stand side. Tommy's pride and joy looked more like Fir Park on a bad day than it's normally pristine self.

The game was barely three minutes old when a somewhat fortuitous goal got Inverness off to the perfect start as Stranraer tried to clear their lines. Scott Robertson, in attempting to clear a through ball, smacked it off the shins of the fleet footed Nick Ross and the ball spun behind him and goalkeeper David Mitchell. Harsh on Stranraer and a break for Inverness.

The early form continued for the home side as they ploughed their way forward and Shinnie made Mitchell work to deny the wing back. It was looking like the early goal would ignite some flame in the damp Inverness camp, but as the half wore on, Stranraer began to make some headway in the ankle deep mud and made the home side look cumbersome at best.

Sean Winter forced his way into the box but sent his shot straight at Dean Brill when he could have done better.

Nick Ross made one tremendous run down the left flank and then cut across the face of the box, but his parting shot was weak and simply gathered by Mitchell.

Another Ross burst saw him feed McKay, but once again the Blues keeper was equal to the task and kept Stranraer within earshot at the break as Inverness toiled somewhat in the heavy conditions.

Half Time 1-0

Chances were at a premium in the second half as Inverness continued to huff and puff, but Stranraer would not go away and it was the visitors who were playing the slicker football when they got possession.

McKay had the ball in the net just past the hour mark but he was ruled offside and the home crowd groaned.

It took a good diving save by Brill to prevent Steven Bell from levelling the tie as he tried a speculative thirty yard effort which almost caught Brill out, but he dived full length to tip the ball away as his feet seemed to spin in the soggy goalmouth.

The home fans were dreading extra-time but substitute Aaron Doran put us out of our misery as he hit a late winner after a great run by Shinnie. Doran sent a low drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to send the fans home with a smile on their faces, but it could all have turned sour had Stranraer caught us out on a miserable night for football.

Full Time 2-0

Inverness were best served by Nick Ross, especially in the first 45, and Graeme Shinnie who created the burst forward late in the game for the clincher. Greg Tansey showed plenty of graft in the middle and is the one player able to take on the long range shooting job, something  often lacking in some of the other players.

Stranraer should be well chuffed by their teams performances over the two games and they should go on to complete a fine season. Keeper Mitchell was solid and big striker Martin Grehan led the line well, backed up by a pair of flying wingers in Stirling and Winter who troubled Raven and Co on more than just a few occasions.

Inverness CT manager John Hughes: "A lot of the credit has to go to Stranraer. I said to the boys at half-time we've got to get closer to them, to match up, get on the front foot and go press them. "For us on a sticky pitch it was all about getting through, we're thankful that is the case. We left it late, we always seem to make it difficult for ourselves up here. We were in total control in terms of getting on the ball and creating chances, but I've seen us play better."

Stranraer manager Stephen Aitken: "We played well. I thought we competed well, again, over two games. Maybe the wee bit of quality they had over the two legs done us in. But I can't fault my players. "The conditions weren't ideal but I thought the two teams especially tried to make it a cup tie. We fought very hard against a very good side. You don't get to a League Cup final if you're a poor side."


That now leaves the draw looking like this

Aberdeen v Dumbarton
Raith Rovers v St Johnstone
Rangers v Albion Rovers
Inverness v Dundee United

Date: 18.02.2014   Venue: Caledonian Stadium    Attendance: 1458
Referee: Alan Muir

 
Inverness CT: 2
Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Ross (Watkins 80), Draper (Doran 67), Tansey, Foran, Vincent, McKay

Booked: Draper (35), Watkins (90+1)
Sent Off: none

Stranraer: 0
Lineup: Mitchell, Robertson, Docherty, Rumsby, McKeown, Bell, Winter (McKenna 67), Gallacher, Grehan, Longworth (Forde 75), Stirling

Subs (not used): Fahey, McGregor, Kinnaird, 

Booked: Docherty (69), Bell (90+1)
Sent Off: none

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