Midweek League Cup action

It's the League Cup third round this week as Inverness travel to Stenhousemuir to take on cup holders Killies conquerors. Tuesday night at 19:45 is the kick off time.

They may be one of the more unfashionable sides left in the competition, but they were magnificent in the last round as they pulled off the shock of the round disposing of the holders Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park, Killie only notching a ninetieth minute consolation to make the scoreline look more competitive. Ferguson and Gemmell had given Stenny a half-time lead which they fully deserved before seeing out a late Kilmarnock flurry to enter the third round draw.

So, what do we know of Stenhousemuir?

It nestles in the Forth valley a few miles from Falkirk and the town takes it's name from the Stone House, a Roman building that resembled a large oven, hence it's more common name in later years of King Arthurs oven. However, the town is probably more famous for McCowans toffee bars. Aye, that's the one with the image of the heilan coo on the wrapper, complete in it's full regalia of long hair and massive horns. The town are host to the Warriors who ply their trade at Ochilview Park, aptly named after the splendid views towards the Ochil Hills twelve miles away, Ben Cleuch reaching 2363 feet skywards.

Back to football and Stenhousemuir have made a solid start to the season with nine points from six games, sitting in fifth spot at the moment with a goal difference of zero. The one black mark on the record shows that Forfar won convincingly 4-0 at Ochilview. They warmed up for this match with an amazing 4-4 draw at Albion Rovers. Stewart Kean notched a hat-trick in that game with Andy Rodgers scoring a spectacular 25 yarder in a see-saw tussle where comebacks were the order of the day. Kean, the former Ayr, St Mirren, Queen of the South and Morton player will certainly be worth keeping an eye on for this game.

We did our own comeback version at Easter Road on Saturday, giving Hibs a two goal start then pegging them back in an exciting game in the capital. Pepper and Foran scoring for Inverness after Doyle and Wotherspoon had put Hibs ahead. That's Richie Forans' third goal in as many games and he seems to be playing like a man possessed just now, long may that continue.

Most of our games against the Warriors have come in Division 2 and Inverness hold the upper hand. At Ochilview, The Muir have one win in four games against us. Oddly enough, the last time we met at Ochilview was in a League Cup match in July 1999 when we came through with a 1-3 scoreline. For those of a nostalgic persuasion, here are the teams from that day, and incidentally, McLeans first goal was timed at 1min 34 secs.

STENHOUSEMUIR 1 (Mooney 83)

Hamilton, Lawrence, Gibson, Armstrong (Banks 70), Graham, Davidson, Lorimer, Fisher, Watters (Mooney 70),

Cummings (McKinnon 52), Wood

INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE 3 (McLean 2 & 12, Wilson 68)

Fridge, Tokely, Golabek, Teasdale, Mann, McCulloch, Wilson, Stewart (Glancy 63), McLean,

Sheerin (Robson 78), Hastings (Christie 74)

REFEREE – G Simpson

ATTENDANCE – 534

Gringo can go back further than most and pre-merger he recalls a 1-4 victory for Inverness Caledonian in a Scottish Cup game many moons ago, January 1992. Hercher, Urquhart, Christie and Polwarth knocked home second half goals to send Caley on their way to that memorable games against St Johnstone, culminating in a replay at Perth, happy days. In fact Caley have played Stenhousemuir four times in the Scottish Cup and you have to go back to 1903 to find a win for The Warriors that was 2-1, but since then Caley have knocked home eleven goals for and five against in three wins.

But it's back to the future for us and Old Caley Girl has written this preview for us as she makes her debut with the pen. She is a woman of few words..........I can't find them yet, so you will just have to put up with my drivel. Hopefully she will tell us what happened with a report.

***Latest Team News***

Inverness have Hogg, Ross, Sutherland and King out injured while Jones sits out another game through suspension. Andre Blackman took a sore one at Easter Road and will be a doubt, but Graeme Shinnie will drop back to cover. Gavin Morrison could be the man to cover the gap left by Jones the red. Conor Pepper did well on from the start and Phillip Roberts looks like he will be an assett with a late cameo in Edinburgh.

Stenhousemuir striker John Gemmell, is back after suspension. Manager Martyn Corrigan will hand late fitness tests to defender Scott Buist and midfielder Brown Ferguson.

Looks like you will have to take yer brolly, it's been teeming down all night and today, let's hope the game is OK, best to check with the clubs prior to heading to the match.

tm4tj prediction:- I will put my head on the chopping block here. Not having seen Stenhousemuir play this season but having read about their fantastic result at Killie, I believe this will be a tight game given the prevailing conditions. We should have enough to squeeze through, but it might require a bit of extra effort. Narrow away win, possibility of extra-time so take a flask, welly boots and a packed lunch with you, it could be a long night.

Come on the Caley Jags