Butcher Who?

Inverness ended a dismal seven game streak against the bogey boys from Perth with a hard fought 1-0 win in the Highlands. Terry Butcher had not picked a side to beat St Johnstone since April 2011, eight games ago, but Shearer and Kellacher ended that grim sequence by taking all three points in a tension packed game with neither side playing at their best. Carl Tremarco brilliantly set up the goal which Billy McKay duly scored, a gem of a strikers goal. Inverness could not build on that early lead but defences were on top and Brill was not troubled throughout as Inverness held on for another vital win.

Well, this was it, the first game without Terry and Mo and it did not take long for the fans to have something to smile about after the disruptions of the last couple of weeks.

Only four minutes on the clock when Inverness won a throw-in on the left. Tremarco took it to Ross who in turn laid it back to Tremarco. The full back burst between two defenders on the left wing and sped towards the goal line where he unleashed a wicked cross between the defenders in the box. Billy McKay reacted brilliantly to turn the ball into the net from five yards, splitting the defenders and notching his tenth goal of the season.

It was a blistering start by the home side who looked eager to impress with Nick Ross displaying some delightful flicks to entertain the crowd.

Sadly, the fun soon petered out as St Johnstone got to grips with the midfield after the first twenty minutes but they lacked penetration as the Inverness back four mopped up everything they had to offer.

Graeme Shinnie, still deposing fit again David Raven at right back, made one of his now familiar runs forward but this time his rising shot cleared the bar. Doran did manage to keep one down but it lacked power and was easy meat for Mannus. Billy McKay made Mannus work from a tight angle but the keeper was always favourite to claim that one, diving low with an outstretched arm to stop the ball finding the net. McKay was a thorn in the Perth side making darting runs and chasing into channels and his hold up play was a joy to behold.

By half time, St Johnstone were enjoying more of the ball as they started to chase the game, but Meekings and Co were denying them any clear cut chances. Meekings did charge down one such raid from Hasselbaink as he capitalised on some shoddy clearances, but that was about as good as it got from the visitors.

Half Time 1-0

The second half continued where the first half ended, St Johnstone trying to push forward and floundering on the rocks of our back line. This suited us and Draper fired one narrowly over from inside the box when he really should have made the keeper work. Watkins found himself some space in a similar position but his effort floated over the bar as well, another wasted opportunity to kill off the game.

What were Perth doing whilst we did this. Well, erm, nothing really. For all their possession, they could not make Brill work, other than a couple of routine catches and the odd punch here and there. Nick Ross faded in the second half after a bright opening but his job was done.

I could tell you more, but to be honest, the second half was an anti-climax with both sides cancelling each other out, and chances few and far between, especially for the visitors, the dangerous front pairing of Hasselbaink and May being well marshalled by Meekings and Warren. Richie Foran was inspirational on the park, helping out in defence and attack, nothing passed him all day and by the time the 94th minute came, St Johnstone had run out of ideas and Brill celebrated another clean sheet.

Full Time 1-0

tm4tj MotM:- A few candidates for this. Tremarco was superb in the opening half as an attacking option, and defended stoutly in the second. Richie Foran was everywhere putting in tremendous tackles across the length and breadth of the park. Meekings and Warren; thou shalt not pass attitude was evident, Meekings pace shackling Stevie May's prodigious talents. However, my contentious award goes to poacher and striker extraordinaire, Billy McKay. His ball retention was superb, allowing us an outlet from defence when needed and his close control simply frustrated the Perth defenders all day, his goal just reward for his afternoons effort.

Date: 23.11.2013   Venue: Caledonian Stadium    Attendance: 3255
Referee: John Beaton

 
Inverness CT: 1
Lineup: Brill, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Watkins, Draper, Foran, Doran (Greenhalgh 90), Ross (Williams 84), McKay (Devine 67)
Subs (not used): Esson, Raven, Polworth, Agdestein
Scorers: Mckay (4)
Booked: Shinnie (86)
Sent Off: none

St Johnstone: 0
Lineup: Mannus, Miller (Jahic 80), Mackay, Scobbie, Easton, Millar (Edwards 67), Wotherspoon, Davidson, McDonald, May, Hasselbaink
Subs (not used): Banks, Cregg, Wright, Caddis, Kane
Scorers: none
Booked: Hasselbaink (39), Edwards (83), Scobie (90)
Sent Off: none