Scotty

Bogged Down Inverness and County tried their best to play football, but the weather and pitch were the real winners as the final derby of the season ended in stalemate. Marley Watkins scored a superb opener, guiding a low shot beyond an outstretched Reguero, and despite a few efforts being cleared off the line they could not find that elusive second goal. A debatable equaliser saw the ball squeezed into the net and it looks like Gary Warren has been credited with scoring an own goal in a six yard stramash. With Billy Mckay off to Wigan it was Marley Watkins that started in the strikers role with Nick Ross retaining his starting slot. Dean Brill was out after damaging his knee last week and Ryan Esson was in goals for his first game this season. Ryan Christie and Aaron Doran warmed the bench. There was a Mackay on the substitutes list, but that was the Caley Jags young keeper. County had new signing Ruben Palazuelos on the bench alongside Jake Jervis, with Liam Boyce and Tony Dingwall in the starting X1. Heavy rain, sleet and snow had been forecast and it didn't disappoint. The game survived an early inspection but it was clear to see the weather of the last week had taken it's toll with massive areas looking a bit boggy and plenty of water still sitting on the surface. The staff had done wonders to ensure the game went ahead, but it wouldn't be a day for the purist. County started with a flourish and forced a couple of corners to no avail and Inverness responded in similar fashion with the same result. Reguero flapping at one of the corners but as the ball dropped kindly for County it was booted clear. First close shave went to County as Liam Boyce fired a long range effort that was only a foot or two wide with Esson struggling to cover his post. That one came about after Ross Draper missed a ball headed back towards the home end, he would make another three or four gaffs as he struggled on the heavy surface looking as though he was wearing lead boots. Inverness responded with a header from Gary Warren but Reguero pushed it away before an agricultural clearance saved the day. The game was getting bogged down on the heavy surface and Inverness had abandoned their passing game in favour of keeping the ball off the moor. Best chance so far fell to Tony Dingwall as the ball fell to him some ten yards out. He gathered the ball and shot before being shut down, but Esson used some fancy footwork to keep the low drive out. The hosts opened the scoring out of the blue. A flighted ball down the left side was won by the Inverness midfielders after some tenacious tackling with Watkins and Williams getting stuck in aided by Tansey. The ball was eventually rolled into the path of Watkins again who drifted forward and guided a superb low curling strike beyond Reguero from 25 yards. As the interval approached, County were being forced onto the back foot and were fortunate to get to the break without conceding again. Half Time 1-0 The second half started where the first left off and Gary Warren again showed his strength at cross balls, almost scoring with a header that beat Reguero but was hacked clear on the line by Reckford. That elusive second goal was not coming and we paid the price for not being more clinical. Carl Tremarco might look back and think he could have done better as he challenged for a ball in midfield with Jackson Irvine. The County man tamely won the ball and sent a long cross into the area. Sub Jake Jervis challenged for the ball with legs and arms flailing as Esson and Warren looked set to clear the danger but the ball came off body parts and ended up in the net. It's unclear who did what, but Warren has been given the nod and it's an own goal. County almost added another right after scoring but when Jervis found himself with acres of space on the left side of the box he lashed his shot high into the side net stanchion to miss a glaring opportunity to the make the keeper work. Another headed clearance off the line denied Inverness a certain goal and a retaken Tansey free kick was easily plucked out of the air by Reguero as play became more frantic. It was now a midfield battle which the visitors were winning by keeping some width while we resorted to pinging balls forward by-passing the blockage, ignoring our possession game. The last throw of the dice saw Watkins sprint onto a Christie chip, but as he poked the ball round Reguero the keeper seemed to catch his foot. Unfortunately for Marley, his tumble to the deck was somewhat theatrical and that seemed to make up Beaton's mind to ignore the dive and wave play on. The game finished in blizzard conditions which summed up the days play. Not a classic by any manner or means, plenty of effort from both sides but the conditions ensured that it would be energy sapping rather than smooth and silky.　 Full Time 1-1 A draw was about right although Inverness will rue the chances they spurned when on top. Credit to County for their resillience, some great goal line clearances kept us at bay and they ended up holding the ball better than us during the second half as we went more direct. tm4tj MotM goes to Danny Williams. He darted around and caused County plenty of problems in the first half. Quieter second half as the pitch took it's toll but as likely as anyone else to make the breakthrough. Watkins scored a corker and ran himself to a standstill, maybe that's why he fell over so easily and Tremarco plugged away, although his missed tackle for the equaliser was crucial. Date: 31/01/15 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 4021 Referee: John Beaton Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Esson, Tremarco, Warren, Meekings, Raven, Tansey (Doran 88), Draper, Shinnie, Ross (Christie 77), Williams, Watkins Subs (not used): Mackay, Vincent, Devine, Horner, Polworth Scorers: Watkins (38) Booked: Warren (24), Ross (52), Tansey (61) Sent Off: none Ross County: 1 Lineup: Reguero, Fraser, Quinn, Boyd, Reckord, Dingwall (Carey 66), Kiss (Palazuelos 61), Irvine, Woods, Boyce, Curran (Jervis 75) Subs (not used): Brown, De Vita, Saunders, Ross Scorers: Warren (og.76) Booked: Boyce (78), Jervis (78) Sent Off: none