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On the Road Again & Back on Top Another away game as we play catch-up at Bayview. The first half passed everyone by as nothing happened. A much better second forty-five saw Inverness build a head of steam before substitute Alfie Stewart lashed home a swerving shot from outside the box. Alfie Bavidge raced clear in time added on to seal the deal and put the Caley Jags back to winning ways and back on top of the table. Good win in difficult conditions.... but that first half needs wiped from the memory. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inverness got the game underway in blue and red on the artificial surface, their first visit in 27 years apparently with Oscar MacIntyre reinstated at left back and Jordan Alonge getting a rare start as well. Michael MacKenna would be a big threat for the hosts. A threatening ball in from MacIntyre on the left brought about a corner, but to no avail as a glanced header soon after bounced wide. Not much goalmouth action in the opening exchanges as defences were mopping up wayward balls forward on the fiery surface. East Fife players look keen to start a scrap in the opening quarter, shoving the visitors around at every opportunity. Untidy game with twenty minutes gone, the hosts in no mood to play attractive football. Too many players in blue not getting on the ball as of yet midway through the half. Zimba, Sole, MacKinnon, Alonge, Longstaff making no headway whatsoever with defences on top. Almost a bit of action as Sole found a yard of space to fire a ball into the box but it just evaded everyone. Ah well, back to sleep then. Twelve minutes before the break Brian Easton was replaced due to an injury with Halsey replacing him. Not sure Easton was injured, he might just have been bored. For a big guy, Zimba was struggling to win high balls forward. Mind you, he wasn't the only one. Liam Sole was unable to beat an egg in this first half as possession was gifted away all too often. Not sure I've witnessed such a poor half of football in my entire life. The BBC stats were not broken this time. It showed no shots on target. Grim stuff. Thankfully the referee called a halt to save our souls. HALF TIME: 0-0 They tried to play highlights at the interval to no avail, alas there were none to show. Let's hope something happens in the second half or the 118 away fans will probably go home as well. And those watching on EFTV. I want my money back.... Early activity in the Inverness box as the defence cleared the ball in the opening minute. Luis Longstaff took a dig after the referee played advantage but his shot was dragged low and wide from the edge of the box. Not sure what it is, but something must be making all these players play so poorly. Biggest cheer so far was Munro slicing a clearance behind for a corner from which Bah tried a McTominay but fired over the bar. There was a corner onto the head of Zimba who should have hit the target but failed as it bounced wide. Danny Devine came in late at the back post off a Chalmers free kick but he stabbed his effort just over the bar. In fairness at least we are seeing some attempts and MacKinnon fired wide from outside the box. The closest effort so far saw McManus head clear off the line from a Devine header before Sole lashed the rebound well wide. The visitors pressure was mounting and after a period of decent possession it ended with Sole's cross being just too high. It had been coming and it was a belter when it did. After the ball broke to Alfie Stewart, he whacked a beauty of a half volley with the outside of his left foot high past the diving keeper from twenty-five yards. What a strike from the wee man. Kieron Willox almost added a second but his low curler missed the post by a whisker. Another effort from Willox was palmed away by the keeper minutes later followed by a blocked effort. A ball from a corner went vertical and when it dropped to Devine two yards out he missed the target. Should have been number two. Since the visitors upped the tempo with the introduction of Stewart and Willox there was only one side in it. And into time added on the points were safe when substitute Alfie Bavidge raced clear to finish at the second attempt after Hemfrey had blocked his initial effort. FULL TIME: 0-2 Oh well, they can keep the money after a much better second half where the visitors dominated. That result put the Caley Jags back on top of the table on goal difference after an incredibly dull first half. It also broke our poor run of results with a first win in four League games It appears that wind was a major factor in the quality of the game in the first half but after that we had the wind behind us and it was one way traffic. A couple of home games coming up next: League1 v Alloa on Saturday 24th January KDM v Stenhousemuir on Tuesday 27th January Alloa beat Montrose 4-1 tonight Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 😃 ICTFC 20 22 37 2 StennY 21 12 37 3 QueenS 21 4 34 4 Alloa 21 13 33 5 P'Head 20 -12 26 6 E Fife 20 -10 25 7 Monty 20 -12 24 8 Acciesl 20 13 19 9 Cove 20 -4 17 10 Kelty 21 -26 13 Two for the price of one! Here's how Mantis saw the action: Everyone's dream night out. A cold, windy January night in Methil Docks. The first half was like Spartans all over again. Devine-Savage-Devine-Chalmers-Devine-Savage, 70% possession etc etc. We started with a bit more purpose second half and meanwhile the wind seemed to have picked up although we now had it behind us. Kicks from Hemfrey in goals were struggling to reach the halfway line. If anybody scored it was going to be us but although the pressure was building, a goal wasn't a formality. Kel has taken stick for his use of subs but the changes after an hour transformed the game as the pedestrian Chalmers and the 'tricky but ineffective' Longstaff gave way for Stewart and Willox. We upped the tempo as the Fifers tired. Alfie Stewart's goal was a sight to behold. The celebrations from the management team were wild and joyful as well as relieved. The pundits always say that a tight game is settled by a quality player showing a bit of quality. What about Willox? Well if you remember the first time you clapped eyes on Alfie Bavidge, that's what it was like. Electric pace as you would expect from a man from Nairrrrrn and great teamwork with Oscar down the left flank. It has to be said that EF were woeful and are the worst team I have seen all season (I missed the 9-0 game in person), and resorted to the physical at times. The hardest Munro had to work all night was in dealing with passbacks. I think Dick risked a half fit Brian Easton who will hit 38 about 6 months before Billy, and he had to go off. Munro and Newton were both booked and flirted with second yellows at times. It's traditional after a result like this for people to get carried away so beware the men from the Recs on Saturday. 👀 Date: 20/01/2026 Venue: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 0601 Referee: Cameron Stirling East Fife: 0 Manager: Dick Campbell Lineup: Hemfrey; Bah, Easton, Munro, Newton, Millar, McManus, Rowe (Healy 68), Latona (Trouten 68), Culbert (Elharek 84), McKenna Subs (not used): Rollo; Halsey, Linton, Fairley, Nicol, Scorers: none Booked: Munro (50), Newton (57) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, MacIntyre, Sole, Alonge, Chalmers (Willox 59), Longstaff (Stewart 59), MacKinnon (Allan ), Zimba (Bavidge 88) Subs (not used): Ross; Robertson, MacLeod, B Mckay, Wotherspoon Scorers: Stewart (70), Bavidge (90+2) Booked: none Sent Off: none