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Buddie Hell Inverness and St Mirren played out a 2-2 draw on a brisk Spring afternoon. The visitors took the lead soon after the start and the home fans feared the worst but they went in at half time ahead. It was a lead they could not build on and the Saints equalised with Inverness playing the final twenty five minutes with ten men. It was a bright afternoon, but don't cast yer cloot till May is oot. A biting North East wind and a pitch more suited to playing kerbie killed any hopes of watching a classic encounter. Ryan Christie and Liam Polworth started for Inverness who had Doran and Foran out. St Mirren stunned the home fans after only three minutes when slackness allowed Naismith to rattle the ball home from close range following a driven cross from John McGinn, David Raven seemingly getting the final touch. That hurt the home fans and it was looking grim as St Mirren kept the early pressure around the Inverness area and our defence seemingly never learned the harsh lesson from Tannadice by passing the ball back to Brill on a hard and bumpy surface, not the best option if you ask me. After ten minutes Chris Dilo tipped over a powerful header from Meekings as Inverness looked for a way back into the match. A goal was coming and it came from the head of Ross Draper when Shinnie played a deep cross for the big midfielder to nod home. This one as I thought at the time might go down as an own goal with Draper reluctant to accept the plaudits, rather sheepishly celebrating the fact the defender probably scored it. Oh well! Billy McKay can't buy a goal just now and he passed up a glorious chance to put Inverness ahead. Slack defending on the half way line saw McKay sprint clear with only the keeper to beat. But Billy scores when he wants, unfortunately he didn't want to do it yesterday and the wee striker sclaffed his shot high and wide to put the home fans back in their seats holding their heads in utter dismay. I believe a nasty wee bobble was the reason for the error. McKay bounced back though and he set up Greg Tansey with a header from Polworth's cross for Greg to fire Inverness ahead from ten yards with a low drive. This was a brilliant move involving the boys in blue and set up nicely for Tansey to score. It was a somewhat towsy affair not helped by the pitch and the swirling wind and Inverness went in at the break nursing their lead. Half Time 2-1 The quality in the first half was low, and the second half was probably even poorer with the surface playing havoc, but Shinnie tried his luck just after the break but his shot missed narrowly. Nick Ross replaced Greg Tansey after he went down injured and that seemed to give St Mirren the urge to try and create more with Inverness almost content to hold what we had. The game was opening up now and just after the hour St Mirren equalised after our defenders rode their luck a bit. Sean Kelly headed high past a helpless Brill. Our run of red cards continued. Josh Magennis powered forward and Josh Meekings had little alternative but to bring him down just outside the box as the burly Buddie burst goalwards. Willie Collum saw that as a foul and last man challenge and promptly sent off Meekings. Down to ten men the game looked beyond us now and St Mirren sensed a welcome three points were on offer. Nick Ross almost stole it for us after a scramble in the box, but the ball would just not fall for us. Dean Brill has been the butt of some joke keeping recently but he saved the day late in the game with a tremendous block to keep the game level and that's how it finished. Full Time 2-2 A bitterly cold afternoon with the wind chill and bumpy pitch ensuring that defenders had to be on their toes. A big well done to Brill who got on with the job today despite some edgy back passes early on, maybe that was the plan. Willie Collum is off most peoples Xmas cards list, for reasons I will keep to myself. tm4tj MotM:- Is going to Ross Draper. The big man did plenty of grafting yesterday and popped up to nod a goal into the bargain. Solid display from Ross who held the midfield together in the absence of Foran. Moan of the match for me was Vincent remaining on the pitch when substitutions were being made, I thought he was a prime candidate for being replaced. Note to Yogi; he is not a winger. Date: 29.03.2014 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 3032 Referee: Willie Collum Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Vincent, Warren, Meekings, Mckay (Watkins 71), Draper, Tansey (Ross 50), Polworth, Christie (Devine 68) Subs (not used): Esson, Tremarco, Williams, Evans Scorers: Draper (16), Tansey (34) Booked: none Sent Off: Meekings (67) St Mirren: 2 Lineup: Dilo, McGregor, Goodwin, McGinn (McAusland 49), Thomson, McLean, Campbell (Magennis 63), Kelly, Naismith, Newton, Wylde (Teale 63) Subs (not used): Mathers, Van Zanten, Reilly, Djemba-Djemba Scorers: Naismith (3), Kelly (62) Booked: McAusland (73) Sent Off: none

More gifts for United Inverness continued their run of midweek games with a visit to Tannadice where United would start as firm favourites to take all three points after the thrashing they gave Inverness in the cup two weeks ago. The visitors were the architect's of their own downfall with two slack moments defensively which United punished with second half goals from Ryan Gauld and Ryan Dow, both of them looked almost embarrassed to tap the ball in after extreme generosity from our defence. Liam Polworth scored an absolute screamer to reduce the deficit, but it was too little too late. Aaron Doran missed out again for Inverness and Marley Watkins started as the wide midfielder with Danny Williams on the bench in an otherwise unchanged side from the one that beat Partick last Saturday. Josh Meekings was sporting a massive elastoplast on his head after the knock he received against Partick. For United, Mackay-Steven and Keith Watson made the bench with Ryan Gauld starting. A tentative opening by both sides was interrupted in the fifth minute as McKay took a ball from a Meekings surge and got a weak shot on target but Cierzniak saved comfortably. Gauld did likewise at the other end and Brill scrambled it away. Soon after Armstrong tried his luck from distance but fired high over the bar. Ciftci showed his strength again, this time shoving people out of the way but Foran burst forward only for McKay and Tansey to be foiled in the box. United swept to the other end but Brill blocked the effort easily. Fifteen minutes gone and a decent opening for Inverness with Foran prominent and breaking up play as required instead of breaking up legs. A good burst forward by Foran and Watkins saw the cross fall just behind Raven and the opportunity was lost and at the other end Meekings mopped up a United foray. Cierzniak gathered a side footed effort from Foran after some neat build up play but it never troubled the keeper as the rain fell. Brilliant play from Vincent and Tansey set Watkins in on goal but his flick was cleared off the line by Gunning. Best chance of the game so far after half an hour as Inverness imposed themselves on the game. Armstrong tried a wee overhead after a corner fell to him at the near post but he knocked it over and then Vincent played himself into bother along the edge of his own box, and after some untidy play Ciftci fired one narrowly wide as our defence showed the first signs of creaking five minutes before the break. A stirring run forward by Shinnie set up Draper for a dig at goal but his shot from twenty yards lifted over the bar and that was the last action of the half. Half Time 0-0 McKay almost profited from an error at the back but lacked any drive or conviction to finish the job and shot very weakly wide of the target. Ryan Gauld though made no mistake as we gifted United the opener from close range despite the chance to clear before he prodded the ball home. Shinnie sent a long ball into the box and it was knocked down to Vincent who never got over the ball as it fizzed over from fifteen yards. Scrappy play ensued with Inverness making most of the running, but the final ball just not good enough or simply not there. Foran was given a word from the ref after a bit of mouthing and Yogi became animated on the touchline, Raven getting booked for blocking Rankin, Ciftci firing the free kick just over. Foran's mouthing was his last action as he was replaced by Polworth shortly after, possibly carrying an injury. Chances were thin on the ground for both sides as Inverness continued to take the game to United with little success, and just over the hour mark United changed scorer Gauld for Gary Mackay-Steven. Oh dear! Dean Brill was guilty of this at the weekend and once more he gave the game away with as horrendous a cock-up as you will see, banging a pass back once more off the legs of a United player and goal number two it was as an apologetic Ryan Dow tapped in. Simply not good enough from the big keeper. Too often closed down quickly prior to clearing his lines and this one was way over the limit. Ryan Christie came on for Watkins for the last ten minutes and sparked Inverness back to life, but it was Polworth who made the biggest impact when he lashed a thirty five yard effort into the top corner. What a goal that was, and a great way to start your account. It gave the away fans something to hope for, but Brill's kicking display did for us, and not for the first time this season errors have cost us dearly. With five minutes to go, Polworth and Shinnie fed McKay, but his diving header went wide when he should have netted. Not our night, but errors apart, we matched United. Brill continued to fluff his lines and in the end left his team mates with too much to do. Full Time 2-1 Inverness were best served by Richie Foran, always available to break up play, especially in the first half and Marley Watkins was also prominent, but Ross Draper put in a good shift and just gets the nod. Some massively disappointing performances also, and Dean Brill tops that list, followed by a tired looking Billy McKay who never had the energy to kick the ball hard enough. Date: 26.03.2014 Venue: Tannadice Stadium, Dundee Attendance: 6754 Referee: Euan Norris Dundee Utd: 2 Lineup: Cierzniak, Wilson, Robertson, Paton, Dillon, Gunning, Dow, Rankin, Ciftci (Graham 77), Gauld (Mackay-Steven 70), Armstrong (Gomis 89) Subs (not used): McCallum, Watson, Souttar, El Alagui Scorers: Gauld (49), Dow (76) Booked: Rankin (79) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Foran (Polworth 64), Warren, Meekings, Tansey, Draper (Ross 87), Mckay, Vincent, Watkins (Christie 79) Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Williams, Evans Scorers: Polworth (81) Booked: Warren (32), Raven (64), Christie (90) Sent Off: none

Thistle Do It really was the proverbial game of two halves. The first half was Dean Brill versus Partick Thistle but we were transformed into a football team in the second half and Billy McKay got back on the score sheet to give Yogi his first home league win of the season, just. Despite the offer of free and cheap tickets, it was another paltry attendance that saw Partick Thistle take the game to Inverness. Partick, as always had a healthy following of around 400, which means that only around 2,600 bothered to turn up and welcome our League Cup heart breakers back home. As expected, Aaron Doran missed out and Carl Tremarco, Nick Ross and new talent Ryan Christie started on the bench. Report by AJS...................... Steps in the right direction It was a return to home comforts for ICT as they welcome Partick Thistle back to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium for a 2nd time this season. The home side were looking to end a barren run of form that had seen them go 492 minutes without scoring and 3 months without a victory at home. Following the mid week defeat to Motherwell Yogi shuffled the pack with Gary Warren returning to the starting 11 in place of Danny Devine and saw Danny Williams get a 2nd consecutive league start, Marley Watkins again had to settle for a place on the bench while Aaron Doran missed out through injury. Partick went into this one with just defeat in five, including and impressive home win against Aberdeen and were unbeaten against Caley Thistle in the previous two encounters this season. They had strengthened well during the Transfer window. Bringing in Lyle Taylor and Prince Bauben on loan from Sheffield United and Carlisle, both players had enjoyed successful spells in Scotland previously while they also re signed winger Chris Erskine on loan from Dundee United. The match itself was proving to be a real non event in the first half but it was clear from very early on that Partick were in the ascendancy. The home side seemed tentative going forward and were being forced well into their own half by the visitors with Erskine, Taylor and Kallum Higginbotham finding pockets of space to exploit. Despite this it was the host who had the first sight of goal. Williams throw found Greg Tansey out wide, he turned Higginbotham neatly and laid the ball back across the box, Mckay and Vincent let it run to Draper at the edge of the area, the big man struck it first time on his left but his shot lacked any real conviction and was easily gathered by Paul Gallacher. Partick's dominance was beginning to show and they were very close to breaking the deadlock through Lyle Taylor. Piccolo's long ball was missed in the air by Warren and saw Taylor get in behind the back line, bearing down on Brill he seemed sure to score but he could only poke the ball straight at ICT's big stopper and he gathered the ball gratefully in what was the first in a number of individual battles between Brill and Taylor. The hosts responded through Danny Williams , Raven picked out Tansey from a throw in and he fed the ball to Williams, the dynamic winger cut inside onto to his stronger left foot but again the effort lacked the necessary power to really trouble Gallacher and it was a routine catch for Particks keeper. Partick were beginning to crank up the pressure however. Higginbotham, who has been one of their standout players this season was finding lots of space and had a couple of efforts himself though none of them really troubled Brill. However the big stopper was soon to be properly tested. Higginbotham found Taylor on the edge of the area, he showed Warren inside and found space and time for a shot. It was well driven and it was heading in but Deano was alert and got down to his right nice and quick to parry it wide. The away side were continuing to dominate, ICT could barely get out of their own box, let alone their own half and the battle of Taylor v's Brill went into round three. Partick won a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Taylor stepped up and curled it towards the bottom corner but Deano was again on hand to thwart him, getting down low to claw it away on his left, Bannigan went for the follow up but was denied but a wonderful challenge by Josh Meekings but Partick's dominance was being felt and it was beginning to create unease amongst the players and in the stands as the home side looked to relieve the pressure. Lyle Taylor was continuing to cause problems, a neat bit of inter change between Gary Fraser and Piccolo found Taylor again lurking. He got a show away once again but this time he couldn't keep it down and much to the relief of ICT's defence it flew over. With half time coming near ICT finally managed to search out another effort through Greg Tansey. The big Scouser took advantage of a bounce to try the speculative volley from the edge of the box but it spun wide. HT 0-0 ICT came out at half time having no doubt received some stern words from Yogi. They came out with more urgency, energy and were beginning to find more openings. A long ball from Brill was poorly dealt with by Piccolo. It fell to Vincent who steered his header into the path of Billy McKay and his neat ball over the top found Tansey through on goal against and advancing Gallacher. He went for the lob and seemed sure to score but while his effort went over him, sadly it also went over the bar, a guilt edge miss. His miss was soon to be topped though by Billy McKay. His recent form has not been much to shout about, he certainly hasnt been scoring when he wants with just 1 goal in 11 going into this one and with the miss that followed you could see why. Warren picked out Tansey in midfield and his surging run towards the box had the Partick defence back pedalling, his pass split the defence open and found McKay one on one with Gallacher. He steadied himself and went for the shot on his left foot but he struck it like a man lacking confidence and for where it was and who he is you know it should have been in but it flew harmlessly wide. After that I was beginning to think it was going to be another 0-0, or fancied Partick to sneak a win but that all changed very quickly. Lyle Taylor had a goal chalked of for offside but ICT fans were about to witness a long lost aspect of football matches...a goal. Lee Mair was judged to have fouled McKay and the referee awarded a free kick. Graeme Shinnie dispatched it to the back post where the ball found the head of Ross Draper and his looping header fell nicely at the opposite post for Billy McKay who made no mistake this time, nudging his header over the line to put ICT into the lead and give the home fans something to shout about for the first time in five games. Partick sent on George Moncur and Stephen Lawless looking to add some extra flair and chase an equaliser but the ICT defence held firm in the 2nd half, set pieces were well handled by Deano who was determined to hold onto a third straight clean sheet. ICT fans also got to see further glimpses of Ryan Christie's ability, the local lad has been given a few substitute appearances in recent games and has been pushing for a start. Some neat touches and a good vision for the pass was on show yesterday in spells, more to come from him and looking forward to seeing it. As the game got into the closing stages both sides were slugging it out, Partick were being closed off by ICT's back four while going forward they were not looking to leave themselves too exposed in search of a 2nd goal. 1-0 full time To summarise - Not a classic and was a major non starter in the first half. Partick were given far too much time to knock the ball about in dangerous areas and were it not for Dean Brill it could have been a very different story at half time. We got the response we wanted from the players in the 2nd half which was pleasing. We moved the ball around better, created openings and despite missing two wonderful chances beforehand we took an opportunity that came our way and had something to celebrate. A win, a clean sheet, a goal to celebrate and a first home win for Yogi and while it may not have been pretty we cant really ask for much more. These are all steps in the right direction. AJS's motm - Dean Brill - Mugged off Lyle Taylor with three fantastic saves, kept us in the game when we were under pressure and handled Partick's set pieces late on superbly. One of his best displays this season. Date: 22.03.2014 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 3093 Referee: Kevin Clancy Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Tansey, Foran (Christie 80), Draper, Williams (Ross 71), Vincent (Watkins 82), Mackay Subs (not used): Esson, Devine, Tremarco, Polworth Scorers: Mckay (62) Booked: Raven (33), Foran (47), Tansey (68) Sent Off: none Partick Th: 0 Lineup: Gallacher, O'Donnell, Mair, Piccolo, Sinclair, Fraser (Baubin 72), Bannigan, Higginbotham, Erskine (Lawless 76), Doolan, Taylor (Moncur 80) Subs (not used): Fox, Craigen, Elliot, McMillan Scorers: none Booked: Higginbotham (13) Sent Off: none

The Drought Continues Inverness went with the same players that came so close to lifting silverware on Sunday, with the exception of Marley Watkins being replaced by Aaron Doran. Greg Tansey was first to make a keeper work but he fired straight at Nielsen from a Doran cut-back with less than five minutes gone. Billy McKay was next to try his luck after Vincent played a ball in to him, McKay volleying the ball at the keeper, and the same again after twenty minutes, Nielsen winning this duel so far, but Inverness are the side threatening to open the scoring at the moment. Twenty four minutes gone and Well are slowly getting to grips with the game and speedy wide player Lionel Ainsworth has an excellent shot tipped wide by Brill off a Vigur's cross. Ainsworth would not be denied though and he burst into the box a minute later to drive the ball low beyond Brill and into the net. 1-0 to Motherwell, slightly against the run of play but Well were now on the front foot. With Inverness left chasing the game, Motherwell took full advantage to score a second goal as John Sutton nodded in Hammell,s pinpoint cross just after the half hour. Inverness leaving themselves open at the back and paid the consequences despite their bright start to this game. Inverness still tried to take the game to Motherwell before the break but despite plenty of possession, failed to get a foothold in the game and the whistle blew to end the half with Motherwell in control and two goals ahead. Half Time 2-0 Inverness scarcely deserve to be 2-0 down but it's difficult to see a way back into this game given the rigours of the weekend, but Yogi has introduced Ryan Christie for Aaron Doran as the second half gets underway. Shaun Hutchinson glanced a header across the face of the goal as Motherwell looked for a third to kill the game off, but Inverness broke to the other end and almost scored as three attempts were blocked before Hitchinson clears off the line with his knee from Tansey. A let off for Well, and more misery for Inverness. For all Inverness' good forward play, it's Motherwell that look dangerous as we leave the door open at the back, McFadden always a handful for defenders, but firing well over on this occasion. Vigurs get's the break of the ball and tries to catch Brill out with a lob, but misses the target, however it's Inverness that continue to press with Tansey prominent and McKay and Shinnie have efforts on goal. Young Christie is giving a good account of himself once more and his future is bright, getting involved in plenty of moves and not afraid to get stuck in. Richie Foran once more is running a very fine line between staying on the park or getting booked, and in fact he ends up getting one, yellow carded. Marley Watkins enters the fray to replace James Vincent with fifteen minutes left. Christie showed fantastic skill to get a shot in but it just misses the target, the ball flashing across Nielson. Get this lad on a long contract now! Inverness were giving it a go and some might wonder how they never scored, but when your luck is out, there's not a lot you can do as Motherwell sit in and seem content to repel the visitors without looking to add to their tally. Full Time 2-0 The game eventually became too much for Inverness to chase and it petered out with Inverness drawing yet another blank, which could be a new record for the club, something approaching 8 hours without scoring. An entertaining game nonetheless, but Inverness left themselves open to counter attacking with some naive soccer tactics and despite Dean Brill being a virtual spectator in the second half we failed to make the most of our own opportunities and the result was never in doubt as soon as Sutton scored the second. MotM for me goes to Greg Tansey who worked tirelessly and probed well in forays forward and special mention to Ryan Christie who did his chances of a start no harm at all. Date: 19.03.2014 Venue: Fir Park, Motherwell Attendance: 3432 Referee: Alan Muir Motherwell: 2 Lineup: Nielsen, Reid, Hutchinson, McManus, Hammell, Carswell, Lasley, Vigurs, Ainsworth, Sutton, McFadden (Francis-Angol 74). Subs (not used): Stewart, Moore, Murray, Leitch, Thomas, Cadden Scorers: Ainsworth (26), Sutton (34) Booked: Carswell (69) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Devine, Meekings, Shinnie, Vincent (Watkins 75), Draper, Foran, Tansey, McKay, Doran (Christie 46). Subs (not used): Esson, Warren, Tremarco, Ross, Williams Scorers: none Booked: Foran (69) Sent Off: none

Inverness Pay the Penalty Firm favourites Aberdeen lifted the Scottish League Cup, but as Stewart Milne said on national radio, it took 19 years, extra time and f***ing penalties to enable the Dons to claim the prize. As cup finals often are, this was certainly not a classic, devoid of much goalmouth action and with defences on top it took penalties to separate the sides, as Milne pointed out. Inverness hit-man Billy McKay and Greg Tansey were the sinners as firstly Billy dollied his penalty goalwards, Langfield guessing correctly and then Tansey flashed his spot kick over the bar. That was virtually game over for Inverness as the Dons tucked all four of their spot kicks away effortlessly, despite Nick Ross and Aaron Doran hitting the net for Inverness, ironically Adam Rooney, once idolised by Inverness fans put the final nail in our coffin and Aberdeen it was that won their first trophy in 19 years. The stage was set for Inverness Caledonian Thistle's big day. Caley Jags Together, the Trust, the ticket staff, the team, Scot Rail, Parkhead, Harley's Bar, The Innes Bar Bus and many more had all worked so hard to make this happen. What could possibly go wrong? It was trepidation that occupied the Inverness supporters heads as they set off for Glasgow to witness our first attempt at winning a major trophy, no doubt instilled in the brain after a couple of recent maulings, one of them at the very stadium we were about to visit. Liquid refreshments were to be imbibed to whet the appetite, Harley's Bar being our choice, and an excellent one at that, the boss ferrying us to Parkhead ready for our big day. Prior to kick off, a colourful display from the Dons fans told us that it was 1903 that they united to form the current side. Our mere twenty years in existence was about the same length of time that Aberdeen have been trophyless. That would change for one of these teams. As suggested, there were a couple of notable absentees from the starting line-ups. Peter Pawlett missed out completely, despite Aberdeen suggesting that he would be fine and Aaron Doran, as expected was still suffering from his overstretch against Hibernian on Wednesday night and had to settle for a place on the bench. The Dons had three ex-Inverness players in their starting line up, but that would change after just five minutes when Jonny Hayes left the field in tears. He launched himself at Josh Meekings and landed awkwardly on his shoulder. He tried to play on after receiving treatment but his day was ended when he had to leave the arena to be replaced by Cammy Smith. It was a sad day for Hayes, but it was all of his own making, no need for such a rash challenge so early in the game. I'll leave it there, but AJS will tell you about his day and how the game panned out............. Living the Dream I woke up Sunday morning knowing today was like no other. A sense of anticipation, excitement and probably anxiousness flooded my mind. It was a step into the unknown as for the first time ever my home town team, Inverness Caledonian Thistle were in a major final. We were living a dream by just being there. So many times we had come so close yet fallen short but this year it was different. We were there, we had our chance to lift major silverware on what would be our 20th anniversary as a football club. It would all be so perfect. All my superstitions had gone the right way and I had put together a playlist of motivational tunes for the journey down. I was buzzing for this game and I was going to be lucky enough to share the moment with my family and best friends. On arrival at Parkhead the atmosphere was something to savour. Everybody was so positive about it. Some had a burning desire to win, some were looking to enjoy the occasion for what it was and some were probably just relieved to be there. I'd heard of people who had come from as far as Canada, New Zealand and Qatar. Whatever the story or approach to the game there was a passion that would transmit to those players When I saw the teams I really fancied our chances, especially upon reading Pawlett had pulled up injured over the weekend. The dropping of Doran indicated we were looking to go out and frustrate Aberdeen, it was a tactic that had worked when we won at Pittodrie earlier in the season and it was understandable that we were going with that approach once again. The roar of the crowd was electrifying as the players walked out onto that pitch. Richie Foran came across to the crowd raising his arms up trying to get that extra shout that the players needed, it was well received. The match was barely in when it had its first major incident. Our former hero Jonny Hayes had his game ended seconds in when he came out worse for wear in a 50-50 challenge with Josh Meekings and appeared to suffer an injury to his shoulder. Jonny always gets a mixed reaction from ICT fans but I have to admit I did feel a bit gutted for the lad. To miss out on a final in that fashion must have been devastating for him. It was very clear early on was that space and fluent play was going to be a rarity. Both sides had good defences and were proving tough to crack. There was a friction to the game. Nerves were playing a part as well as the way we had set out to combat Aberdeen's attackers. It was the Dons who had the first real chance of the game. Cammy Smith had come on to replace Hayes and he was on the receiving end of a wonderful cross from Niall McGinn but his header was high and wide. Aberdeen were seeing more of the ball and looking more likely to break the deadlock and they came frightfully close through skipper Russell Anderson. From a free kick Mark Reynolds back post header resulted in a pin ball effect around the area and Anderson tried his luck with a volley, it clipped the inside of the post before being hooked clear on the line by Foran. Adam Rooney was next to come close, stabbing the ball over from the resultant corner. ICT's only real moment of note came when Marley Watkins got in behind Andrew Considine and his cut back seemed destined to find Billy McKay at the back post only for it to be deflected past for a corner. The first half was proving to be a non spectacle with neither side really finding a clear cut opening. Adam Rooney, another former ICT hero had a penalty appeal waved away when he went into a challenge with Meekings just inside the box, but with Meekings clearly taking the ball first, it was a non starter. Half Time 0-0 Having been on the back foot for most of the 1st half, ICT began the 2nd half in a more dominant mood. Watkins and Billy were seeing more of the ball up top and the likes of Graeme Shinnie were beginning to move further forward and try to get in behind Aberdeen's back four. Jamie Langfield came close to a blunder in the Aberdeen goal when he spilt a cross from Raven and Richie Foran was closing in on an effort at goal but Anderson beat him to the challenge and punted the ball clear. Marley Watkins found himself in space to try a shot soon after and ICT's attacking prowess was well summed up on the day when he lined up the shot only to lost his footing and strike fresh air, the ball clipping his standing leg first. Doh! Greg Tansey tested Langfield's gloves with a well executed free kick which curled towards the top corner, but the keeper saw it early and held it comfortably. The game was beginning to get cagey again, no one was giving an inch. Ryan Jack was fed the ball by Robson and he steadied himself before having a dig from distance, it stung Brills gloves and he was quick on hand to punch it clear before Adam Rooney could get his head on the rebound. Shooting from distance was proving to be Aberdeen's main outlet, Barry Robson tried his luck from about 25 yards, his shot took a slight deflection off Devine but Brill did well to get down low and parry it away. ICT's best chance of the game fell to Richie Foran with about 3 minutes to go. Shinnie's corner was met by Foran's head but it flew over. Foran was livid at the referees decision not to award a penalty and having seen it back on replay he had a shout as Considine had both hands on him. With normal time drawing to a close Niall McGinn had the chance of the game, Tansey misjudged his back pass and McGinn was bearing down on goal and was about to get a sure winner before Meekings made a terrific last ditch challenge to deflect the effort over. Despite Meekings' touch, the referee awarded a goal kick, much to the relief of the ICT crowd. Full Time 0-0 Extra time kicked off but the trend of play was no different. Both teams struggled to find space and struggled to create openings and there was an essence of unease in the air as penalties loomed larger on the horizon. Niall McGinn tried the speculative effort from about 25 yards out but it curled wide. It was clear that legs were beginning to tire. Aaron Doran tried a similar effort for ICT from distance and while it was creeping wide it forced a save from Langfield. The rest of extra team seems a merciful blur now and with that it was down to penalties. After Extra Time 0-0 After the epic display at Easter Road I really fancied our chances in the shoot out while also bearing in mind that Aberdeen have some of the best penalty takers in the league, two of whom were once heroes in our colours. With Billy first up I knew this would be 50-50. His penalties are either perfect or easy saves. Unfortunately it was the latter, and at a time when perfect was needed. Langfield guessed right and made an easy save. Barry Robson stepped up and made no mistake, smacking it in the bottom corner and putting Brill the wrong way. With ICT already up against it I fancied Tansey to at least get us level and keep our chances going. He found the top corner against Hearts but unfortunately he overcooked it this time and the ball was lost in the stands and our chances were all but gone. Nicky Low was next up for the Dons and his spot kick was a carbon copy of Robsons. Nick Ross fizzed one down the middle to keep our chances alive, while Scott Vernon was next to send poor Deano the wrong way. Aaron Doran found the bottom corner for ICT but after that it was down to the next penalty and it just had to be Adam Rooney didn't it. In all his ICT days he only missed 3 penalties, 2 of which he converted the rebounds and the other he made up for by scoring another penalty in the same game. I knew he'd score, he was always so composed from the spot when with us and he wasn't going to make any mistake here. He took a few steps back, ran up and smashed it down the middle, sending a see of red into raptures and left the Lisbon Lions stand in a wall of silence and feeling blue. The ICT boys were applauded for the efforts and rightly so. The character and quality shown in the road to the final was nothing short of amazing and something that we can all look back on with pride. Penalties are a cruel way to decide any game, especially a final, they're a lottery and nothing more. It was devastating to see us come so close yet lose the way we did but that is the reality of it and I left there knowing that now we have made a final we can do it again...our time will come, of that I have no doubt, as our bus got closer in on Inverness my playlist tripped onto arguably the most perfect song to sum up what I was thinking as the day drew to a close...Don't stop believing. Cheers AJS, great day out apart from the score........... The Innes bus was in sombre mood, the music on the way home matching the feelings of the supporters on board as Neil Young wailed his way through an unplugged album three times. It was either that or Boxcar Willy droning on about freight trains and dying dogs, and don't mention the Out Now 96 CD (where did it come from) as very few of our pre-recorded CD's functioned on the player. Sod's law, not even the new ICT song could be played, maybe it just wasn't Toby, or not to be. Date: 16.03.2014 Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow Attendance: 51,143 Referee: Steven McLean Aberdeen win 4-2 pens AET Aberdeen: 0 Lineup: Langfield, Logan, Anderson, Reynolds, Considine (Vernon 107), Robson, Jack, Flood, Hayes (Smith 5 (Low 69)), McGinn, Rooney Subs (not used): Weaver, Tate Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Devine, Meekings, Shinnie, Watkins (Ross 80), Draper, Tansey, Vincent (Doran 63), Foran (Christie 100), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Tremarco Scorers: none Booked: Foran (26), Shinnie (111), Draper (116) Sent Off: none This post has been promoted to an article

Butchered Inverness all but secured their top-six place with a draw against Hibernian in a low key match ahead of Sundays League Cup final. In truth this was a poor game not helped by the recovering pitch which made ball control almost impossible. The ball was butchered from one end of the park to the other and would have been as pleased to hear the final whistle as the crowd. John Hughes made mass changes for this game with three players suspended and Ross, Williams, Polworth, Tremarco and Devine starting. Gary Warren played as needs must with so many out and Devine played at centre back with Meekings at right back. Rested were Shinnie and Raven. Dean Brill looked nervy against United but he made the only save of the first half, and a good one at that tipping over a close range Ryan McGivern effort. Neither side mastered the tricky conditions and the ball bypassed the midfield for long spells. Hibs did look livelier when going forward but the final ball usually floundered on the first defender. Half Time 0-0 The second half matched the first for boredom and Aaron Doran tested Williams from the angle but the keeper blocked his shot well. Billy McKay latched onto a long ball into the area and took a touch before firing wide but that was about it as far as attempts went. A football match threatened to break out after Ryan Christie entered the field of play but despite his tenacity, he too floundered on the last defender. Aaron Doran was subbed after stretching for a through ball, let's hope it was just a precaution, but Aaron was feeling his hamstring as he left the field. I would like to tell you more, but there was nothing to tell. Full Time 0-0 tm4tj MotM:- with so many regulars missing it was difficult for Inverness to get any continuity going and we struggled to create much for most of the game. The bonus tonight was a confidence boost for Brill, the introduction of Christie and nobody badly injured or sent off. my MotM goes to Nick Ross, one of the few players who could hold the ball and find a team mate with his pass. The rest of the team were poor to be honest, but Christie did his chances of regular footie no harm at all with a nice wee cameo. Danny Williams tried hard and Devine did OK. Let's hope they were all wary of inflicting damage on themselves before Sunday. Aaron Doran looked to be the player most likely to unlock the Hibs defence before he came off. Yogi was left with little choice for his team selection and he probably got it right, but one or two seem destined for the bench on this display. Not sure where BBC found 5 minutes of highlights from, but there you go.......... ) Date: 12.03.2014 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2537 Referee: Stephen Finnie Inverness CT: 0 Lineup: Brill, Meekings, Devine, Warren, Tremarco, Foran, Ross (Christie 78), Polworth, Williams, Doran (Evans 78), McKay Subs (not used): Esson, Shinnie, Vincent, Greenhalgh, Pepper Scorers: none Booked: Tremarco (28), Foran (60) Sent Off: none Hibernian: 0 Lineup: Williams, Forster, Nelson, Hanlon, McGivern, Cairney, Taiwo (Heffernan 90), Stanton, Watmore (Stevenson 70), Haynes (Craig 76), Collins Subs (not used): Murdoch, Maybury, Handling, Cummings Scorers: none Booked: McGivern (63), Forster (90) Sent Off: none