Scotty

Still in the shadows An exciting first SPL Highland Derby ended with the hosts taking all three points in a pulsating match at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Inverness had taken an early lead when Ross Draper scored from a corner and as the game levelled out Andrew Shinnie stroked the second home near the half hour. An Ian Vigurs free kick brought County right back into the mix but a sensational volley from Aaron Doran sealed the points near the end. A big away support was expected and the County fans delivered as they filled the away end, and the usually apathetic home support came out of the woodwork to welcome those from over the bridge to the SPL derby. It had been a bright sunny day but as the game loomed, rain clouds were getting closer and the match kicked off with a damp atmosphere above, but there was plenty of energy on and around the park. Inverness made one change from the side that trounced Dundee United with big Owain Tudur-Jones replacing Gavin Morrison in the starting eleven where the Welshman's experience would prove invaluable as the game wore on. There was I suppose another alteration, Terry Butcher sat this one out in the stand with his walkie-talkie for company. For County, Richard Brittain and Colin McMenamin were included from the start after missing last weeks games and Derek Adams was looking for a return to winning ways having lost the last two. The half started with a bang inside the first minute. Legendary Inverness man Ross Tokely almost scored an astonishing opener at the wrong end for his new club as he crashed a tantalising cross from Doran against his own bar with Michael Fraser well beaten. And it was the home side that almost broke the deadlock a few minutes later as Jones broke into the box and flicked the ball goalwards with the outside of his boot only for Grant Munro to make a timely intervention to keep the ball out with Fraser once more beaten. At this early stage it looked as though County were going to do well to keep the score down and it was no surprise when Inverness opened the scoring in the ninth minute. A Roberts shot was blocked by Tokely and from the resultant corner taken by Graeme Shinnie, Ross Draper rose highest to nod the ball into the top corner with some part of his body for a deserved opener. County had been stung by this goal and they eventually wandered forward and they almost snatched an equaliser. Mark Fotheringham jinked across the defender and unleashed a superb curling shot that smacked back off the crossbar with Reguero beaten. Brittain struck a free kick narrowly over as County looked more positive now but the second goal was to come at the other end. The visitors had almost weathered the early storm and were beginning to find there way, but it had taken them fifteen minutes to settle and just as the tide looked to be turning Inverness scored a sucker second. Unfortunately for Granty Munro, he won't want to see the video replays of that one again. He missed what looked like a comfortable clearance just inside his own half which allowed Richie Foran to scamper down the right wing. Foran on a great run of form just now unselfishly looked up and picked out the advancing midfield run from Andy Shinnie and he stroked the ball home from fifteen yards for a tidy second goal from the attackers point of view, but a defenders nightmare for County. Munro almost atoned for lapse and turned a shot towards the Inverness goal, but Reguero pulled off a TV save, clutching the ball out of the air to thwart the ex-Inverness captain. The next goal was going to be crucial and as County pressed for an opening, Inverness almost caught them out again. Phillip Roberts released Doran with a brilliant through ball but as Doran entered the box Fraser came out and diverted the ball away from goal with an outstretched leg. Was this going to be another blank day for Doran after yet another one-on-one miss from the Irishman. As a contest, the game was more level now as half time approached but it was Inverness that had the all important statistic, and that was how it finished after the first forty five. Half Time 2-0 I don't know what was said at the interval, but it appeared that the visiting players had the County managers voice ringing in their ears. Referee Brines was to play a vital part as early as the third minute of the half when he awarded a free kick to County some twenty five yards from goal. Josh Meekings clearly had made a clearance and the County striker then collided with the defender. However Brines intervened and County took advantage. No complaints about the standard of the free kick though as Vigurs got it up, down and around the wall to leave a slightly mis-positioned Reguero clutching at thin air. Game On! The Jaggies seemed to have handed the initiative to the Staggies and they now enjoyed the lions share of the game. We looked content to give them the ball and see what they could do, and they tried hard enough but our defence held firm and the County storm eventually blew over. It had been a frenetic second half punctuated by frequent stoppages for free kicks from ever the annoying Mr Brines. Draper could have put the game beyond Dingwall as he latched onto a ball on the edge of the six yard box, but Fraser again stuck out a leg to push the ball away. Quinn made Reguero work with an angled drive, but the keeper was always favourite to block it as County pressed the game. It looked as though an equaliser was coming as the game progressed with the ball fizzing around the Inverness box, the home fans were starting to look through gaps in their fingers when a goal fit to win any competition sealed the victory with three minutes of normal time left. Graeme Shinnie lofted a long free kick forward to diminutive target man, substitute Billy McKay. Now he is not the tallest of players but he has a big heart. He out jumped two defenders to nod a hopeful ball in the direction of Doran who had already missed two glorious chances. He would not miss a third. As the ball dropped from height around twenty one yards out, he volleyed a thunderous low shot that went like an arrow into Fraser's net right inside his post and the keeper had no chance, despite a full length dive, to keep the ball out. Cue scenes of joy at the North Stand as the South Stand began to empty. There was still time for a couple more efforts from both sides and a mazy wee run from McKay, but no further goals were forthcoming and Inverness Caledonian Thistle owned the Highlands once more to keep County in their shadow. It had been a superb advert for the SPL with both teams showing plenty of skill and the wider TV audience were surely treated to some special goals tonight, none moreso than Doran's clincher. Full Time 3-1 5th Oct 2012 Scottish Premier League Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness C.T. 3 - Draper (9), A.Shinnie (28), Doran (87) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Meekings, Warren, G.Shinnie, Doran, Tudur-Jones, Draper, Roberts (McKay 85), Foran (Pepper 60), A.Shinnie (Morrison 75) SUBS: Mathieson, Cooper, Polworth, Oswell Booked: Draper (35), Raven (64), Pepper (89), Doran (90) Sent Off: none Ross County 1 - Vigurs (48) TEAM: Fraser, Tokely, Fitzpatrick, Boyd, Munro, Quinn, Vigurs, Brittain, Scott (Kettlewell 76), Fotheringham (Glen 76), McMenamin SUBS: Brown, Kovacevic, Macphee, Ross, Dingwall Booked: Scott (32), Fotheringham (65), Brittain (89) Sent Off: none Referee Iain Brines Attendance 6766

Inverness open their account for the season First win of the season for Inverness and they did it in style. A four goal hammering of Dundee United lifted the tension at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium ahead of next weeks first SPL Highland derby. United started the game in control but by the end were a bedraggled side as Inverness ran them ragged in the second half. A Richie Foran double in the first half was added to after the break by Andy Shinnie and the excellent Phillip Roberts, who blasted home his first goal for the club. The scoreline did not flatter Inverness as they surged forward after the break and built on their half-time lead. This was just the tonic for the home fans with the Ross County fixture looming and news that the Dingwall club lost again just put the icing on the cake as far as the Inverness support were concerned. So it's smiles all round and this makes the report much easier to compile. ajsict92 will have a full match report ready when he comes down from cloud nine........... Foran, Shinnie and that lad with the dodgy barnet Caley Thistle welcomed Dundee United to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium with both sides in search of an upturn in recent form. The home side were on the back of gaining another defiant point in the capital against Hibernian but were yet to record a win this season while the Arabs were coming into this game with no goals in two games and following a crushing 3-0 defeat at home to Hearts. Despite the recent form from the away side any pessimists doubting any chance of a result would be understandable. ICT hadnt beaten United since August 2010 and last season saw ICT ship 3 goals a game against them in 3 defeats. They also contained some quality players in their starting 11. Young starlet Johnny Russell was partnered by Jon Daly who was back from injury and there was also a place for former County star Michael Gardyne and former ICT man John Rankin. Terry Butcher was forced to make two changes with Ryan Esson and Andre Blackman out with injury. Gavin Morrison made a rare start and Spaniard Antonio Reguero made his first appearance between the sticks. Connor Pepper was dropped to the bench and Phil Roberts was handed his first start. The on-loan Arsenal forward earned plaudits for his mid week performance at Stenhousemuir and despite the Jason Leesque haircut the youngster did not disappoint on his full debut. It was Dundee United who began the strongest and had ICT very much penned in their own half for the first 15 minutes. The first real chance of note fell to the away side. A long ball from Gavin Gunning was poorly controlled by David Raven and Michael Gardyne seized upon his loose touch to cut inside but couldn't get his shot on target and it curled wide of the far post. The Arabs continued to threaten however and Jon Daly was next to come close for the away side, another long ball towards the ICT box was well controlled by Russell and he teed up Daly who from about 12 yards would have been expected to hit the target but fortunately for the home side his effort was high, wide and in all honesty rather lazy. Daly came close again. This time from a corner. Willo Flood floated it in and Daly lost his man and his first time strike was thwarted by Reguero, though he struggled to gather it but was lucky enough to be covered by his defenders. ICT began to grow into the game with Andrew Shinnie having an effort easily gathered by Cierzniak. What soon followed was a moment of true brilliance. Phil Roberts picked up a slack pass from Sean Dillon and fed it to Shinnie who laid the ball nicely for Richie Foran. The Irishman was in a rich vein of form with 3 goals in 3 games and he curled a delightful first time effort into the top corner of the net, leaving Cierzniak with no chance. A superb strike made to look so simple by the ICT skipper who had now doubled his total tally from last season. With ICT in the ascendancy they began to dominate and Roberts continued to be the catalyst with his pace and work rate causing the United defence problems, and this lead to double delight before half time was even near. Some neat interplay between Doran and Morrison found Roberts on the left and his pin point cross saw Foran ghost in at the back post and head in goal number two. It could have been 3 just before the break when Draper found Raven. His deep cross evaded everyone. Including Cierzniak but fortunately for him the crossbar was there to prevent a fluke goal and save the keepers blushes. Half time:- ICT 2-0 Dundee Utd Fully refreshed from the break ICT started the 2nd period the hungrier of the two teams. Andrew Shinnie was the first to try and extend the lead. Foran's through ball found him at the edge of the box but Shinnie's effort curled just wide of the post with Cierzniak routed. Aaron Doran then missed a decent opportunity to give ICT a three goal cushion. Foran reiceved Regeuro's punt and eventually squared the ball back to Doran who attempted a strike on his weaker left foot which went high and wide. United responded with Daly coming close with a looping header from Willo Flood's free kick and this required a finger tip save from Reguero. Keith Watson then attempted a long range effort from about 25 yards for the visitors that was a few inches over the bar. With about 20 minutes left ICT finally got that 3rd goal. Dillons clearance fell straight to Doran who after a neat exchange with Shinnie found Foran at the edge of the area. His pass to Shinnie was slightly misplaced but following a defensive mix up between Watson and Cierzniak, Shinnie was left with the simple task of sliding the ball into an empty net. By this point ICT fans were struggling to comprehend what they were watching. A 3-0 lead against tricky opposition had some thinking they were in dreamland. It got even better 3 minutes later when Roberts topped his fine afternoon off with a fabulous goal. Doran's free kick was brilliantly knocked down by Foran. Warren laid it back to Roberts and from the edge of the area he struck it first time with the outside of his foot into the far corner of the net with the keeper at full stretch yet again. ICT fans had gone from dreamland to delirious delight in those 3 minutes and even the most die-hard pessimist knew that a first win was on its way. With the game drawing to a close tiredness was beginning to creep in to the legs of ICT's players having put in full effort to this game and Foran, Roberts and Shinnie were all replaced by Pepper, McKay and Oswell in the closing stages to standing ovations. The remaining minutes played themselves out and the referee blew his whistle for full time. Full time:- ICT 4-0 Dundee Utd To summarize:- I had a feeling we would win this one. Not by the margin we did but maybe one of these bland 1-0 wins Terry was asking for. There is no question though that it was deserved. We weathered the United storm in the opening minutes and slowly but surely picked them apart with some quality play and clinical finishing. Our key players were all at their best with Doran, Shinnie, and Foran all giving top class displays along with Phil Roberts impressive full debut. At the age of 18 he is a young man with a very bright future. Skillful and dynamic but with a great work rate to back him up, a player with immense potential. Defensively we looked decent despite one or two hiccups and our playing from the back approach was key to our game. Reguero also deserves credit for his late inclusion. Kept a clean sheet and showed some decent handling and distribution... can't ask for much more. Just need to keep this level of performance up. ajsict92's MotM:- Richie Foran. Back to his best and thriving in his role as target man. Both his goals were class, his effort was that of a man playing for the shirt and his leadership was transcending to the rest of the team. It was an easy decision...keep it up Richie. 29th Sep 2012 Scottish Premier League Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness C.T. 4 - Foran (31, 35), A.Shinnie (70), Roberts (73) TEAM: Esson, Raven, Meekings, Warren, G.Shinnie, Foran (Oswell 84), Morrison, Draper, Doran, A.Shinnie (Pepper 81), Roberts (McKay 88) SUBS: Reguero, Polworth, Brislen-Hall, Cooper Booked: Morrison (9), Warren (87) Sent Off: none Dundee Utd 0 - TEAM: Cierzniak, McLean, Dillon, Gunning, Watson, Flood, Ryan (Millar 63), Rankin (Armstrong 46), Gardyne (Dow 46), Russell, Daly SUBS: Banks, Vignal, Hilson, Gauld. Booked: Rankin (37), Millar (72) Sent Off: none Referee Stephen Finnie Attendance 3059