Sneckboy

I feel that we may need to be particularly adept at 'set plays' this season. It's not been our strongest suit in recent times. I know it's the case for all clubs and they doubtless work on free-kick scenarios in training, but more productivity from dead-ball areas near the 18 yard box would really help our cause. Not to say we won't have our moments from fluid moves in open play, but as IHE observes, we're likely to be seeing a style at polar opposites from the Pele days of high scoring games. Did we not go something like 150 games under Paterson without a 0-0 draw!!! Yet, that's a very likely outcome on Saturday! Sorry - Posted in 'wrong' thread but I'll leave it.

Play is underway at the US PGA golf championship. Russell Knox is one of only 4 Scots in the field. (Scottish no 1 Stephen Gallacher, the now 'senior' Colin Montgomerie and on-form Marc Warren are the others). It's only Russell's 2nd ever Major tournament. His previous being last years US Open - where he did well, and made the cut. So best of luck to him...although he's made an indifferent start! At this moment he's +4 after after 15 holes!

It's interesting to look back at a couple of threads on Billy's valuation. From last year And a poll from earlier this year 97.5% of 'us' opted for a minimum value of £500,000.

From last night: Highland League Daniel Park (Cove Rangers 3-4 Turriff United) Andrew Skinner (pen.) (Wick Academy 3-2 Clachnacuddin) Andrew Greig (Forres Mechanics 0-4 Brora Rangers)

Two players on the move in the East Juniors. Kyle Allison has signed for Fife club, Kelty Hearts while Steve Hislop is now at Bonnyrigg Rose.

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Christie-making-case-to-start-season-opener-for-ICT-04082014.htm

First game of the season at 2pm today - Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. Ryan Christie is suspended but I doubt he was going to be involved anyway.

Or his mate, Garry O'Connor! Incredibly, O'Connor is now at Lowland League 'whipping' boys, Selkirk! What a fall from grace...

Don't know how this story got leaked. We should really pour cold water on this rumour!

Celtic Aberdeen Motherwell Dundee United St Johnstone Inverness CT Kilmarnock Ross County Partick Thistle Dundee St Mirren Hamilton Accies

League Cup – 1st Round Garry Wood (Montrose 1-3 Falkirk) Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Accies 2-1 Arbroath) Highland League Darren Mackie (Strathspey Thistle 0-4 Turriff United) Jay Cheyne (Fort William 1-2 Buckie Thistle) Martin Bavidge HAT-TRICK (one pen.) (Rothes 0-7 Inverurie Loco Works) Andrew Greig (Brora Rangers 6-0 Huntly) Craig MacMillan (Fort William 1-2 Buckie Thistle) Gavin Morrison (Brora Rangers 6-0 Huntly)

Avoch won 2-1. Well done to them. Their 5th win in this competition, only bettered by Caithness club, Pentland United.

pot

Man of many clubs, Aidan Chippendale (who I never actually saw play!) has moved to Stalybridge Celtic of the Conference South - technically a move up from his previous club, Ashton United, of 'level 7'. Also on the move is Steve Williams. He's transferred from Macclesfield Town to fellow Conference National side, Halifax Town.

The 'Tulloch' Caledonian Stadium is hosting a game on Saturday - the Highland Amateur Cup final...billed as the Champions League final for North amateur football! Many, including me, are unable to travel to Birmingham on Saturday for various reasons - but our ground can still provide a football 'fix' that day, for those who are interested in football at this level! Carloway are facing Avoch in a 12.30 kick-off. I've been to two games in this season's competition and will likely head along. There could be a crowd of 500+. Carloway are the reigning Lewis & Harris Amateur League champions and are in the final for the first time. Avoch are consistently successful in this competition - this year they're playing in the Inverness & District Amateur League. An Avoch win would give the 'Inverness League' their first ever winners.

Are you sure you don't mean Ryan Watson We did also have a David Watson - here's a snippet (and coincidently a picture) about him. But I bet Ryan Watson and David Watson have never been seen in the same room together! http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Clach-offers-a-window-of-opportunity-for-ICT-teens-3041.htm

Matt Cooper - sent off on his debut. Own goal in his 2nd game! The only way is up!

Clachnacuddin 2-1 Inverness CT Ryan Baptie had us leading at half-time, but former ICT youth player, David Watson equalised for Clach - who then went on to win with a goal from Andrew Skinner (another of our former U20s). Caley Thistle team: Cammy Mackay Chris Brown Calum Howarth Jason Brown Kane Hull Blair MacLennan Ryan Baptie Struan McArthur Chris Blackett Jaime Wilson Ali Sutherland

Dale Gillespie for Brora tonight in the North Cup. (Thurso 0-4 Brora)

A good bit of business for Dundee United, coining in reportedly £2,850,000 for a player they didn't even have a year ago! Getting Shinnie signed-up has to be the most important off-field business for ICT in the short term. There's the looming danger that he could sign a pre-contract with somebody in January, and he'd be off in the summer - for nothing!!

Shane Sutherland was on target for Elgin City last night, against Strathspey Thistle in the North of Scotland Cup.

Now it's officially Scotland's best ever performance! P.S. A wee message for Yorkshire.....

I can't see Subway being to keen to sponsor Old ham!

(Another new name to get used to!) This thread could be a place to post match dates, venues, KO times, previews, reports, observations etc. for our (U20s) games this coming season. I know the Renegades and caleydawsons (and others) are regulars at these games and it's always interesting to hear their thoughts. CaleyD reported on another thread that 5 'over-age' players may be permitted for this re-branded league. Another change I can see is that there are going to be 17 teams involved - that's a busy 32 game season. The 12 Premiership clubs are supplemented by Hearts, Hibernian, Falkirk and The Rangers from the Championship with League One's Dunfermline Athletic also involved. The season starts (for us) on August 5th - next Tuesday! http://spfl.co.uk/reserve-and-youth/

Although he does seem a prospect, It would be premature to place too high an expectation on the boy. Playing for Canada U19's is maybe not 'a really high level'. With due resect to Canadian football, we've recently had strikers who've played at the same level, or higher, for more 'established' international teams. All of them got punted without really making the grade with us. Toby Agdestein, U21 for Norway; Adam Evans, U19 for Republic of Ireland; Philip Roberts U19 for Republic of Ireland; Curtis Allen, U21 for Northern Ireland.