Another Blank

Massive financial hurdles were put to one side as we went down to the Greenversity Stadium, or Gayfield as we all know it, for this Scottish League 1 fixture against Arbroath. With both sides getting off to a cautious start in the league this fixture between last seasons relegated pair might give an indication if either of them are capable of challenging for a play-off place at the top end of the table or will it be a few seasons in the doldrums, or administration or worse. Flynn Duffy, Lewis Nicolson and Ethan Cairns were missing. Charlie Reilly came in on loan from Dundee this week met his new team mates today for the first time and Started up front with Billy Mckay. Arbroath were without Scott Stewart and Tam O'Brien with co-manager David Gold and Ross County's young on loan defender Dylan Smith in their starting XI. The other co-manager Colin Hamilton, Ali Spalding and Calum Gallagher were all on the injured list. After a goalless first half where Inverness were looking the more likely, Reilly opened the scoring. Unfortunately it was Gavin Reilly for Arbroath. Another Saturday, another game slips away.

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An early shout for a penalty in the first minute when Watson brought down debutant Charlie Reilly but nothing given. A recycled ball after a corner in the eighth minute offered Paul Allan a chance but Aidan McAdams somehow clawed away his header destined for the bottom corner. Charlie Reilly looked eager to please and the keeper had to deny his effort from outside the box. Billy Mckay might have done better after getting behind the defence but the keeper made a good block to deny the ageing striker. Arbroath's first effort of the game came in the 28th minute with a powerful Fraser Taylor shot from the centre of the box but it was straight down Musa Dibaga's throat. Ten minutes before the break, Luis Longstaff was next to have a go after cutting in from the right, but his shot was kept out by McAdams assisted by his post before the resultant corner was cleared. Just before the break Mckay missed the target and Charlie Gilmour had a shot blocked as the visitors finished the half with a flourish having had the better of the first forty-five.

HALF TIME: 0-0

Substitute Quinn Coulson went close minutes after coming off the bench as he bent an effort just wide. Ryan Dow's reverse pass allowed Gavin Reilly to score with a tidy curling shot from the edge of the box to open the scoring for the hosts. Minutes later, Charlie Reilly hit the post for Inverness with twenty minutes remaining. Everything in our favour seems to be against us. Reilly and Mckay had both been substituted for the final throws of the game and as it slipped from our grasp Cameron Ferguson saw an effort from outside the box blocked and he shot wide in the 90th minute. Keith Watson was given a second yellow in time added on, and that brought about a yellow card for Arbroath coach Jimmy Boyle as well. It was just another Saturday as we failed to score again and after 96 minutes the full time whistle ended another disappointing day for the Caley Jags.

That's three wins on the trot for the Smokies and, erm, just one win in nine for us.

FULL TIME: 1-0

From CTO

• Heartbroken and Embarrassed. A totally broken club.
• How long has it been since anything to do with ICT brought a smile to your face?
• Missed chances and lose a goal,  same old story.
• Desperate, miserable, awful. What a mess.
• We play mostly part time teams with a pro squad and we still can't score.
• The buck rests with the manager.

That's the first round of nine games played ------- And we sit second bottom of League 1.

Highlights from Arbroath FC TV

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