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300 fans, half a stream & a broken corner flag. James Keatings opened the scoring midway through the first half after Miles Storey broke forward before squaring to Keatings who calmly stroked a low shot into the net from fifteen yards. We had hit the woodwork twice in the first half through Storey without actually dominating. Scott Allardice doubled the lead after the hour. There was no further scoring but it turned out to be a comfortable win for the hosts with keeper Mark Ridgers restricted to catching crosses as Raith failed to trouble him. Jamie MacDonald at the opposite end kept Raith interested with three or four great saves coupled with some wayward efforts from our busy forwards. After matchday five, Dunfermline now head the table after their win over Hearts on Friday night coupled with Raith Rovers losing at Inverness. Ayr united dumped Dundee as well so the league table now looks like this with the Caley Jags climbing to the middle of the table. Hearts do have a game in hand against Alloa Athletic. It was the first game that fans were allowed into the stadium since the start of the covid19 pandemic. The North and South Stands were used to comply with social distancing and Raith Rovers were the visitors. Inverness still had a number of absentees through injury including David Carson, Lewis Toshney, Kevin McHattie and Wallace Duffy. We welcomed Aaron Doran and Miles Storey back to the squad over the last couple of games and Shane Sutherland who scored the winner last week against East Fife. Sean Welsh made the bench and Brad Mckay returned at right back with Duffy injured. Here's the managers speaking on BBC Sport: Inverness CT manager John Robertson: "Everything was great today. It was great to have fans back. Credit to both sets of player, they put on a very good show for them. It was a great game of football between two good teams."We took our chances well. We played really well but we had to because Raith Rovers are a very, very good side. It was a very, very good performance." Raith Rovers assistant manager Paul Smith: "We've had a fantastic start to the season but today we weren't quite at it. I thought Inverness deserved to win the game over 90 minutes."Jamie MacDonald had a couple of fantastic saves to keep us in the game. We had a lot of ball in the first half but our final ball wasn't good enough to create many chances." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The two sides met almost a couple of weeks ago on League Cup duty, the game ending all square at 3-3 in Kirkaldy. Would it be another goalfest or would the Championship fixture be a more sedate affair with the priority being not to concede. Not an easy task with Manny Duku in the opposition team. The game kicked off at 3:00pm for those in the stadium. For those streaming, it was more likely that they were steaming as the SPFL failed to get round technical difficulties and the whole of the first half was missed. With a small percentage of fans in the ground the Caley Jags played towards the South Stand in the first forty-five. After ten minutes of posturing the game exploded onto the Raith Rovers bar as Miles Storey broke through the middle before moving right to unleash a ferocious shot that rocked the frame of the goal. What a strike that was and he was unlucky not to open the scoring with a sensational goal. The hosts were restricting Rovers to fleeting glimpses of the Inverness penalty box with Mark Ridgers untroubled other than a weak shot from Kieran MacDonald comfortably saved a couple of minutes after Storey's blistering strike. When Scott Allardice broke down a Rovers move in the centre circle, Storey sped forward like an express train. He held the ball up on the eighteen yard line before squaring to Keatings who was lurking around the penalty spot where he swept the ball home with ease to the delight of the South Stand. Not often you can say that at the Caledonian Stadium. Half an hour gone and Storey hit the woodwork again as the ball found him in space ten yards from goal. He looked a stick on for a tap in but he somehow got under the ball and hit the top of the bar with his effort when it looked easier to score. He had another go five minutes before the break as we looked to double our lead, but his shot was wide of the mark. Manny Duku was being well policed by Danny Devine and the most he saw of the ball was an effort blocked by our defence just before the break. Half Time 1-0 We came out of the blocks fast at the start of the second half, maybe trying to impress the streamers who now had access to the game after missing the first forty-five. A Storey cross was cleared to Roddy MacGregor who fired a shot across MacDonald but the keeper saved the low shot well. Storey again tested MacDonald but he stood up to the barrage and kept the ball out at the expense of a corner. All action now and a Keatings corner was close to crossing the line as it honed in on goal and minutes later the skillful Kai Kennedy set up Shane Sutherland but again the keeper did well to make a tremendous reflex save. Kennedy left a couple of Raith players needing to pay to get back into the ground as he sent them the wrong way down the left before cutting along the line, however his cross come shot was deflected behind for a corner. Would we rue these missed opportunities as Raith briefly threatened to get a grip on the game, Ridgers making a couple of routine stops. A bizarre booking for Armstrong after he threw away the broken corner flag before taking a free kick, yellow card for something he did or said. The free kick fizzled out and soon after we scored a second. Kennedy popped up on the right and went for the byeline before pinging an inviting cross into the box. Storey collected and then Allardice picked up the ball from him in the box and slotted neatly into the bottom corner. Another goal could have come two minutes later when the ball fell nicely to MacGregor on the edge of the box but he slashed his shot well wide from an inviting position. Storey and Harper combined to give Sutherland the chance at the far post but he slipped at the wrong time and the chance was gone. Kennedy sent a great ball into the path of substitute Daniel Mackay but once more MacDonald saved well as Raith ran out of ideas and we finished the game strongly. The full highlights on Caley Jags TV Overview: Comfortable win ultimately but despite squandering a few great opportunities we were never really troubled by Raith. Our defence was superb today with Devine and Brad Mckay on top. Harper was wayward with balls from defence but we never got punished for it and he got better as the game went on. Allardice is the find of the season, great engine and an eye for goal. Keatings showed his class at times and Miles Storey had a day of less bloopers. He really should have scored when he skimmed the top of the bar. His first effort which was also missed by our own twitter feed was a spectacular shot from 25 yards which crashed back off the bar. MacGregor sliced badly with the goal at his mercy but put in a great shift. Shane was maybe the quieter of our front men today. The wee man with the wee legs was again outstanding. He has the ability to beat any defender he wants. Tremendous close skill. A tanner ball player in olde money. Although we led 1-0 at half time, in terms of possession and ascendancy, we were not out of sight despite hitting the bar twice. Out of the blocks early at the start of the second should have seen us coasting but missed chances and good saves kept it close. Overall, we were worth the three points and good to see Welsh back on as a sub. Here's the goals only, enjoy! OFFICIAL REPORT FROM ICTFC Date: 21/11/2020 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 300ish covid Referee: Alan Newlands Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Ridgers; B Mckay, Deas, Devine, Harper, MacGregor, Allardice, Keatings (Welsh 82), Kennedy (Doran 88), Sutherland, Storey (D Mackay 82). Subs (not used): C Mackay; Vincent, Todorov, Nicolson. Scorers: Keatings (19) Allardice (68) Booked: Allardice (53) Sent Off: none Raith Rovers: 0 Lineup: MacDonald; Tumilty, MacDonald, Benedictus, Armstrong, Hendry, Duku, Mathews, Musonda, Tait (Spencer 75), Ross (Lokotsch 55) Subs (not used): Thomson; Mendy, Ugwu, Arnott, Coulson. Scorers: none Booked: Armstrong (60) Sent Off: none a

Willie Wonka and the Goalden Tickets Raith Rovers are the visitors this weekend for Matchday 5 in the Championship, and it will be the first game at the Caledonian Stadium to allow fans in during the covid pandemic, albeit restricted to around 300 tier one season ticket holders. It's a step in the right direction for football and hopefully it will be a successful occasion on and off the park. The game kicks-off at 3:00pm on Saturday November 21st, a date for the diary. It might be a bit like Willie Wonka, but from little acorns and all that stuff... The good news for streaming fans is that last weeks offering for the East Fife game was a marked improvement from the first couple of Pixie Lott efforts. This time a camera operator was apparently in place and aided by a lack of sun from the west, the live pictures came across much better without any following of the lineman's follicly challenged head. So credit where it's due, well done to whoever took note of the many unhappy viewers from previous games although it would have been nice if they could have let us know what was happening and that they were going to do something about it. Anyway, sorted for now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Matchday Protocol Video Fans return Ballot £10 PPV option for this game £10 Ian Broadfoot - Milestones & Memories ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The two sides met eleven days ago in the League Cup group stages at Stark's Park Kirkaldy. It was an entertaining game which finished 3-3 with Raith taking the bonus point after winning the penalty shoot-out 3-2. Manny Duku was a menace throughout and scored the opening goal before Shane Sutherland levelled for Inverness. A Danny Devine own goal put Raith back in front after Ethan Ross broke on the left before cutting the ball into the box and off the unfortunate Danny boy. Two quick goals for us from James Keatings (pen) and Roddy MacGregor, his first for the club, put us in the driving seat but Duku sent the tie to penalties in time added on. It was a good work out for both sides who will no doubt have some different personnel this weekend. Brad Mckay and James Vincent were both injured at Raith to add to out lengthy list of casualties. We played East Fife last weekend in the same competition and laboured to a 1-0 win in true Scotland style. We had Cammy Mackay to thank for that as he saved a penalty in stoppage time from Jack Hamilton. Shane Sutherland gave us the lead in the second half with a powerful header. Good points to come out of the game were a debut for Harry Nicolson and Miles Storey came off the bench on his return after injury. Also Cammy Mackay was in brilliant form with a super save earlier in the first half and ended his day with that superb penalty save. Rovers had a Fife derby to contend with and they also made life difficult for themselves but they saw off Cowdenbeath 1-0 with Manny Duku again on the scoresheet. I'm sure both sides will be stronger for this game with Dylan Tait back for Rovers and Lars Lokotsch available again. Jamie MacDonald will probably be between the sticks although Robbie Thomson did well against us and defender Kieran MacDonald could also return. That's seven goals already for Duku and he will need to be shackled if we are to take anything from this game. Here's a few words from Kai Kennedy John Robertson saw Miles Story return against East Fife and was able to rest one or two others with Aaron Doran and James Keatings coming on from the bench. Sean Welsh has missed a couple of games recently, let's hope he's just resting his fragile body as he's required for crucial games. Anyway, Robbo just wants to see this game out so we can regroup and hopefully get more players fully fit before the next round of Championship games on December 5th for us when we visit Palmerston on the Friday night. David Carson, Lewis Toshney and Kevin McHattie have been longer term casualties and time will be a great healer for them. Other Championship games this weekend & Table prior to Dunfermline v Hearts Dunfermline 2 - 0 Hearts (Friday night 7:45) Arbroath Fc -V- Morton Ayr United -V- Dundee Fc Queen Sth -V- Alloa Ath *** LATEST TEAM NEWS*** From the Official Preview: John Robertson said “I don’t think Wallace Duffy will make it, he’s still injured from last week.” “We’ve got players back in training this week, James Vincent has started to train, Sean Welsh has started to train but he’s still a bit tender, Miles Storey has done a bit more training, David Carson has started his running programme.” “The squad will be virtually the same as last week with the players with the possibility of one or two senior lads maybe on the bench. They’re still miles off it unfortunately due injury and fitness but it may well be that they can do something for us off the bench.” So there you have straight from the horses mouth. Latest from Raith with Paul Smith looking ahead to this game

Keeper in the spotlight again Inverness won the game but all credit to East Fife for making this a tough tie. It took a penalty save by Cammy Mackay in stoppage time to keep us ahead after Shane Sutherland had opened the scoring in the second half. We had Mackay to thank for a wonderful save in the first half as well and he was my MotM. The final Betfred League Cup group A game was played out at an empty Caledonian Stadium with East Fife the visitors in our tier 1 covid restricted tie. The Fifers came North after losing narrowly to Hearts in midweek whilst we drew 3-3 with Raith Rovers. Hearts would progress to the next round from this group with Raith Rovers just missing out, let's find out what happened here.... The stream for todays game was free for everyone with Andy Bannerman on commentary and a cameraman controlling the camera. What a difference this made to the viewing experience. Well done ICTFC for getting this sorted. Brad Mckay, James Vincent, Wallace Duffy, Lewis Toshney, Kevin McHattie and Sean Welsh were all missing. Miles Storey made the subs bench after injuring his hamstring over a month ago. In comes Cammy Mackay and Harry Nicolson makes his competitive debut as Shane Sutherland gets more game time up front with Nicolay Todorov. East Fife's danger men were up front in Jack Hamilton and Ryan Wallace with eight goals between them this season. East Fife got the game underway in a vacant stadium, kicking towards the North Stand. Almost six minutes on the clock when a tidy dummy saw Kai Kennedy take the ball into the box but he couldn't get enough power on the shot and the keeper smothered the ball. Toddy was next to break into the box but was crowded out as he tried to get the ball away. Cameron Harper headed a dangerous ball to the back post behind for a corner in East Fife's first foray forward, but the defence cleared comfortably. Shane Sutherland snatched at a shot on the right side of the box but he dragged it across the goal and wide. A flurry of activity by the visitors saw Scott Allardice head clear but the follow up volley by Ryan Wallace was lashed well over the bar, high and wide. Good spell for the Fife side and they fired another long range effort a couple of yards over the bar. Toddy was thwarted on the eighteen yard line by a strong challenge by a Fifers defender. Series of good blocks by the Fife defence denies Inverness and it ends with MacGregor's shot taking a deflection and looping into the keepers arms. What a save from Cammy Mackay from point blank range to keep the score level. A header by Chris Higgins from six yards in a crowded box looked certain to score, great reactions from Mackay kept the ball out. Kai Kennedy was roving around the flanks causing problems for the defenders, winning free kicks wide right, but there were no takers for the crosses into the box as East Fife defend well. Aaron Doran did well to step inside his marker five minutes before the break but his shot from the edge of the box was well over. Most of the pressing coming from the home side but the Fife defence standing firm so far. Despite having plenty of the ball, it was the visitors that had the best chance of the half when they were denied by Cammy Mackay. In truth, Inverness looked void of ideas in trying to get behind a well drilled East Fife bus. Half Time 0-0 Striker Ryan Wallace was replaced at the interval by Thomas Collins. Probably bored by the game. Sutherland got a shot on target three minutes into the second half but it was too easy for the keeper then up the other end the Fifers headed narrowly over with a looping effort. Kennedy shot wide from around twenty-five yards but it fell away to the keepers left. Annoyingly, East Fife looked more dangerous than us at the start of the second half. However, the deadlock was broken when Sutherland rose highest to send a powerful header into the top of the net off a Cameron Harper corner. Back came the Fifers and a ball bobbled around our box before Mackay was able to gather. Mackay was quick off his line to save at the feet of the oncoming forward as the visitors stormed forward once more. The hosts then looked to get on top of the game and Kennedy sliced a volley over before he was replaced by James Keatings. Miles Storey made a complete arse of an effort when he went through looking suspiciously offside, but he sand danced around and lost the opportunity. What a numpty. A curling effort by Davidson went just over the bar as East Fife kept plugging away, still looking likely to get something out of this game. It's beginning to look a bit like watching Scotland play. We ended the game on the back foot, throwing bodies in the way and scrambling the ball away for a corner. But all was not lost as they were awarded a penalty in the 91st minute when Jack Hamilton was brought down by Robbie Deas. As I said, just like watching Scotland. And just like Scotland, the keeper saved the penalty from Hamilton brilliantly. What a save by Cammy low down to his left, similar to David Marshall, to earn the points as the game ended. Keepers are big news this week and Cammy Mackay was our hero with a crucial point blank save in the first half and a tremendous penalty save in time added on. Brilliant from young Cammy. Good performance from birthday boy Cameron Harper as well and a well taken header by Shane Sutherland won the game for us where we toiled to create for long spells. Facebook link for Robbo interview post match Date: 14/11/2020 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 0000 Referee: Chris Graham Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: C Mackay; Deas, Nicolson, Devine Harper, Doran (D Mackay 65), Allardice, MacGregor, Kennedy (Keatings 78), Sutherland, Todorov (Storey 65) Subs (not used): Ridgers; Fyffe, Hyde, , Keatings, Scorers: Sutherland (64) Booked: none Sent Off: none East Fife: 0 Lineup: Hart; Higgins, Murdoch (Watson 69), Dunlop, Denholm (Dunsmore 61), Slattery, Smith (Watt 69), Agnew (Newton 75), Hamilton, Davidson, Wallace (Collins 45). Subs (not used): Long; McLaughlin Scorers: none Booked: Agnew (33) Sent Off: none a