Inverness Cardled by Joe 90

Old Caley Girl made the wrong decision this week against her better judgement and went along to East End Park. Here she shares her views on the utter shambles that Inverness Caledonian Thistle have become.

Saturday saw the first Caleyaway of the season. It was a late decision to attend by the Old Caley Girl family. Oh how I regret that decision! At 3pm as I ran into the ground it started to rain. I should have realised then that was an omen for what was to come.  I’m writing this on Monday and still feel angry about what was witnessed.

It’s been a summer of discontent for ICTFC. This culminated last week in the sale of Ross Draper to our neighbours over the bridge. If anyone was still in denial how far this club has fallen lately then surely they cannot be anymore. 

However, back to the match. This was the first league visit to Dunfermline since February 2012. Caley Thistle last lost here in December 1999 and we have won 10 times there since that date. There were two changes following the home defeat to Dundee United last week with the aforementioned Draper away and Raven dropping to the bench. They were replaced by Jake Mulraney and Colin Seedorf. 

Dunfermline were fresh from a 6-0 defeat at Ibrox in midweek. They were without the suspended McManus and injured Nicky Clark. This left Hopkirk and 17 year old Smith leading the line.

Within 90 seconds of the start we were 1-0 down! I had not even reached my seat and watched from the top of the steps as a Matthew Elsdon free kick on the halfway line was pumped to far right where Joe Cardle gathered and fed the ball forward. Smith headed the ball on and when Mark Ridgers came to meet it 20 yards out the ball broke left leaving Smith to slot the ball in the net. 
This brought an immediate response from the Caleyjags with several squandered chances including a Baird shot that was fisted away by Murdoch.  However, disaster then struck again at 14 minutes with Higginbotham sending the ball in from the right to Ashcroft at the right post who glanced a header into the net at the far post.

At 2-0 down we probably had our best period in the whole game.  At 18 minutes Talbot fouled Mulraney 25 yards out and Vigurs hit the ball home into the far left of the net, one of those that bounced all the way into the net deceiving everyone.

There then followed several chances to equalise with chances falling to Oakley, Vigurs, Polworth and Baird but this intense pressure did not end in goals sadly.  In fact worse was to come with Cardle netting shortly before the interval, curling home a beauty. 

Half time 3-1

The second half was more of the same but with Dunfermline always in the driving seat. Zschusschen and Cooper were introduced in the 71st minute with Raven replacing Vigurs in the 81st.  The latter did not look happy at being substituted and seemed a bizarre move given he was clearly our best performer on the day by quite some distance.  Things were to go from bad to worse with Hopkirk making it 4-1. Joe Cardle became a real life Joe 90 as he scored in the ninetieth minute to make it five. The disappointing thing is that it was no more than the Pars deserved.

Steven MacLean dished out 5 yellow cards. 4 of them to ICT players Oakley, Elsdon, Mckay and Polworth. 

Full time 5-1

OCG MOTM 
Not many contenders so it has to be the stand out stand in Captain Iain Vigurs. Joe Cardle was the genuine article though as he sliced through our defence time and time again whilst helping himself to a couple of goals.

This was a totally embarrassing shambolic performance. We have a lot of raw young signings in the team and most looked totally out of their depth. The lack of goals, even two games in, is a real concern. I thought Hamilton away earlier in the year was a low point but this definitely rivals it. Any thoughts of instant promotion need to be filed away on this showing. The sooner Warren and Tremarco are fit the better and I personally would like to see a change of heart from Robbo regarding Owain Fon Williams and Raven. Whether that happens remains to be seen. 

See for yourself. If you are thick skinned, here's extended lowlights from Pars TV.

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