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Inverness Cup 'Final' The Inverness Cup has been revived and there will be a 'one off' game to decide who will look after this substantial trophy for the next year when it will all be done again between the Caley Jags and Inverness Clachnacuddin. It's a whopper of a trophy capable of holding many a dram and it was first played for in 1895 when Caledonian won the inaugural event. Last played for in season 2005-2006, Forres Mechanics are the current holders. The 'Can Cans' are the oldest association football club in the North of Scotland and are one of only two original teams to play in the Highland League since its first season in 1893, the other being Clachnacuddin. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It's the Inverness Cup this Tuesday at Grant Street Park, 7:30pm kick-off. Pay at the Gate (Cash or Card) £10 Adults, £5 Children/Concessions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Am Baile: The Inverness Football Memories Project has warmly welcomed the revival of the historic Inverness Cup, which was first played for in 1895 when Caledonian lifted the trophy. Caledonian would go on to win the trophy 19 times, a record equalled by local rivals Inverness Thistle. The trophy was introduced by the Highland Football League for teams resident within the burgh of Inverness – namely Caledonian, Citadel, Clachnacuddin and Inverness Thistle. Both sides have got off to a poor start in their respective league campaigns so this game will offer the managers the chance to experiment a bit. As far as Inverness are concerned maybe the opportunity to give youth an opportunity to establish themselves and also some much needed game time for those returning from injury. Adam Brooks has missed out recently with bruising and swelling so maybe he will be able to make an impact. I would expect more game time for Keith Bray and surely Cammy Mackay will get the gloves. Anyway, it will surely be an enjoyable occasion with the added incentive of a Trophy at the end of the game. Usually a great surface at Grant Street. Come along and support this event. BARRY WILSON: “We’ll make plenty changes from our last game against Ayr. It’s important for the boys who were on the bench and some of the younger boys to get game time. We’ll make plenty changes but we’ll still have a good strong squad out.”

Ayr Dump Caley Jags Notable absentees for Ayr were last seasons Championship top scorer Dipo Akinyemi who has gone to York City and long time servant Michael Moffat who spent eleven years over two spells at Somerset Park scoring 77 goals in 263 appearances. Dodds was without Roddy MacGregor and Lewis Nicolson with knee injuries. Sean Welsh has a groin injury and also missed out again as did Austin Samuels and Max Ram. Adam Brooks returned to the bench and Danny Devine replaced the missing Wallace Duffy. New sensation Keith Bray started with Inverness down to only six on the bench. Injuries starting early this season already it would seem with six missing.. Ayr got off to the perfect start after just eight minutes when Francis Amartey, Dempsey and Sam Ashford combined for Amartey to slot home the opening goal. Mark Ridgers saved on his line from Nick McAllister as Ayr looked to double their lead. Keith Bray was blocked going into the box and from the follow up Albinson saved from David Carson at the expense of a corner. Plenty of half chances for both sides to score in the first half with Devine going close for the visitors but Albinson tipped over. Longstaff also went close on the break but his shot bounced just wide. Billy Dodds fell foul of the referee on the interval and had to watch the remainder of the game from the stands. (See how he likes it!) HALF TIME: 1-0 Longstaff saw his header saved ten minutes after the interval as Inverness looked to get back into the game. A spate of substitutions on the hour for Ayr and Harry Lodovica replaced Bray for the visitors before a Jake Davidson cross found Nathan Shaw, but his effort came back off the post. With twenty minutes remaining Shaw was blocked in the box as we chased for a leveller. Substitute Aiden McGeady shot wide approaching the final ten minutes and Cammy Harper failed to hit the target at the other end. Aaron Doran fired a free kick wide from a tight angle and McGeady missed again as time was running away from us. Ridgers tipped over from Pendelbury in the 90th minute and the as so often, the game slipped away from us to leave us bottom of the table with Arbroath. FULL TIME: 1-0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Another defeat leaves Inverness pointless at the foot of the table with Arbroath as Ayr got their first win of the campaign thanks to an early goal from Francis Amartey. Not for the want of trying, but Inverness could not find an equaliser and that will pile more misery on under fire boss Billy Dodds. Our injury situation seems never-ending and we could only muster six on the bench. Dodds watched from the stand in the second half and will now know why we are concerned... The natives are no happy on CTO with many asking for a total clearout from top to bottom, questioning the length of contract offered to Billy Dodds. The buck stops at the very top and that is a massive concern for all. Top scorer Billy Mckay was a forlorn figure and was not best pleased at being subbed. Something is wrong that's not right. Sort it now before we leave this league at the wrong end of the table. Date: 12/08/2023 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1989 Referee: Peter Stuart Ayr United: 1 Manager: Lee Bullen Lineup: Albinson; McAllister, Stanger, McGinty, Reading, Amartey (Pendelbury 58), Smith (Musonda 82), Dempsey, Ashford (Rose 58), McKenzie, Bryden (McGeady 58) Subs (not used): Mutch; Ecrepont, Tomlinson, Watret, Ahui Scorers: Amartey (8) Booked: Smith (74), McAllister (89) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Davidson, Devine, Delaney, Harper, Longstaff (Doran 73), Carson, Gilmour, Bray (Lodovica 58), Shaw, B Mckay (Brooks 66) Subs (not used): C Mackay; Hyde, Thompson Scorers: none Booked: Delaney (28), Longstaff (45+1) Sent Off: none a

Ayr Away Matchday two will see us head to Somerset Park Ayr for a tough game against the Honest Men. It's a standard 3:00pm kick-off and both clubs will be looking for better results after drawing blanks in the opening day fixtures when Ayr went down 3-1 at Morton and we lost 2-1 at the Caledonian Stadium to Queens Park. Like us, Ayr have brought in five new faces for this campaign and lost some familiar faces. Notable outs are the Championship's top scorer Dipo Akinyemi who has gone to York City and long time servant Michael Moffat who spent eleven years over two spells at Somerset Park scoring 77 goals in 263 appearances. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match /Ticket/Bus Info (£20) 3 For the Future Official Preview ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ayr United have advised that there will be no cash gates in operation and tickets must be purchased online. ICT supporters can purchase tickets HERE (West Stand only) Adult – £22 Concession – £15 (Over 65s and Students) Juvenile – £15 (13-17-years-old) Child – £6 (Under 13s) Venue - H2H v Ayr United Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 24 10 11 3 39 26 +13 Away 25 12 6 7 47 31 +16 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 49 22 17 10 86 57 +29 Last seasons Competitive Meetings: Ayr finished 2nd last season, we finished 6th. 1 - 2 (H) 2 - 1 (A) 2 - 2 (H) 1 - 0 (A) Two away wins last season but the final game ended our interest in promotion: The final game of the regular season would decide who went into the play-offs and who ended their league campaign now. It couldn't be tighter across the Championship on Winner Takes All Weekend. David Carson was a surprise omission from the starting XI after his Cup suspension with Wallace Duffy retaining his place at right back. Billy Mckay was hoping to be a record breaker as he searched for his 101st goal for the Caley Jags. Only a win would be good enough for Inverness who could finish third or sixth, depending on results elsewhere. A win would end speculation and put Inverness in the play-offs. As it turned out we ended the season in sixth place and Ayr, Queen's Park and Partick Thistle will battle it out in the play-offs for a Premiership place alongside Champions Dundee. Ayr United never read the script properly and deservedly took the plaudits in a 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium. A first half goal from Josh Mullin who looked close to being offside and Nathan Shaw in a crowded box with ten minutes left looked to be enough for the Honest Men. However Mark McKenzie ensured it would be Ayr's night with an 88th minute strike to shatter our hopes after such a strong finish to the season. Alas we fell at the last hurdle and now have a month to wait for a Scottish Cup Final appearance. SATURDAY 12th AUGUST 3:00pm Airdrie v Partick Ayr United v Inverness CT Dundee Utd v Dunfermline Queen's Pk v Arbroath FC Raith v Morton Team News Inverness CT will be without Roddy MacGregor and Lewis Nicolson for the first few months with knee injuries. Sean Welsh has a groin injury and will miss out again. Adam Brooks missed the Queens Park game whilst Danny Devine remained on the bench after injury. New sensation Keith Bray has a bright future ahead of him and will be difficult to keep out of the starting XI given his performances off the bench recently and Billy Mckay will be eager to add to his record breaking exploits at Inverness. We have frailties in defence and errors are costing us big time at the moment so we'll have to see if Billy Dodds will address those issues as rumours abound on new recruits. Here's our latest signings from the Academy Sam Nixon, Calum MacLeod and Jack Walker have all signed 2-year full-time Apprenticeship contracts with the club. Good luck to these guys as they sign their first professional contract. Ayr United have done some shrewd business in the summer, Aiden McGeady and Jamie Murphy signing on, but have also lost some quality; Akinyemi, Moffat, Mullin and keeper McAdams departing. McAllister and Murdoch both took knocks at Cappielow but are hopeful making the squad. Here's Lee Bullen with the Billy Dodds script after the game at Morton:- Ins & Outs @ Ayr In: Jamie Murphy, forward (St Johnstone); George Stanger, defender (Alloa Athletic); Olly Pendlebury, midfielder (Aldershot Town); Francis Amartey, forward (Aldershot Town); Robbie Mutch, goalkeeper (Edinburgh). Loan in: Elicha Ahui, defender (Lincoln City). Out: Dipo Akinyemi, forward (York City, undisclosed); Daire O'Connor, midfielder (Glentoran); Josh Mullin, midfielder (Raith Rovers); Jordan Houston, defender (Queen of the South); Michael Hewitt, midfielder (Hamilton Academical); James Dolan, midfielder (Stranraer); Kinlay Bilham, defender (Stenhousemuir); Michael Moffat, forward (Glenafton Athletic, loan to permanent); Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, midfielder; Chris Maguire, forward; Aidan McAdams, goalkeeper; Alex Jeanes, defender and David Bangala has also left the club, he had been on loan at Cove Rangers. Loan ended: Alex Kirk, defender (Arsenal); Reece McAlear, midfielder (Tranmere Rovers). Loan out: Lyall Holding, defender (Glenafton Athletic). Ayr United team in 3-1 defeat at Cappielow: Albinson McAllister (Ahui 45) Musonda McGinty Reading Amartey (Rose 70) Dempsey Murdoch (Pendelbury 40) Murphy McKenzie (Ashford 81) Bryden (McGeady 70) Subs not used: Mutch; Smith, Ecrepont, Tomlinson.

Matchday One Bogey side from last season Queens Park were the visitors on Matchday One with a much changed side and a new manager in Dutchman Robin Veldman. We had a few changes ourselves but the man in charge is still Billy Dodds. Roddy MacGregor and Lewis Nicolson were long term casualties before a ball has been kicked in earnest and Sean Welsh and Danny Devine were nursing knocks. Billy Mckay received his award for his record breaking exploits before kick-off and it was game on. Queens domination on this fixture continued as they went in at half time one goal up through Dom Thomas. Tommy Robson added a second just after the break and in a late push Jake Davidson scored for the hosts. Keith Bray was denied a last minute leveller by McKenna. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Same old same old: In a brisk opening to the game Jack Thomson flashed a volley just wide after a sclaffed clearance from Jake Davidson. Wallace Duffy headed over from a corner in the second minute and at the other end Mark Ridgers was brought into action to deny Jack Thomson. Nathan Shaw also had an effort from the edge of the box saved comfortably by Callan McKenna. A good move forward ended with Charlie Fox blocking Charlie Gilmour as he pulled the trigger after seventeen minutes and Billy Mckay went close but he dragged his effort wide of the mark. Queens were enjoying the majority of the possession and on the half hour we gifted them an opportunity when Harper got mugged. Barry Hepburn then fed Dom Thomas who scored into the roof of the net. Inverness responded and Shaw saw McKenna save his free kick. Ridgers then saved from Jack Spong as Queens dominance continued. However we were still able to carve out chances and McKenna did brilliantly to deny Mckay just on the interval from a Jake Davidson cross. HALF TIME: 0-1 Austin Samuels shot into the side netting from five yards at the start of the second half but it was Queens who added a second three minutes into the half through Tommy Robson, rolling the ball into into the bottom corner to leave us chasing the game after a comedy of defensive errors offered Queens the opening. Delaney was the main culprit this time. Thomas had an effort saved minutes later as Queens dominated play. Ridgers then saved from Louis Longridge at the expense of a corner kick as Queens Park threatened to run away with the game. Robson was then denied by the overworked Ridgers as QP looked to kill the game off. Substitute Keith Bray was denied by McKenna's legs as we probed for a way back into the game. Samuels blazed another shot high and wide and that brought about the introduction of Harry Lodovica. With time slipping away Davidson scored with a close range header from a Cammy Harper corner, the ball going in via the underside of the bar. Alas it was too little too late for Inverness who went down to an opening day defeat. FULL TIME: 1-2 Disappointing result to start the campaign. Robert on CTO: That was a very disappointing afternoon. We started fast but from about the fifth minute Queens Park started to dominate possession and just seemed sharper than us. Both teams had chances before we gifted the goal. The early goal in the second half really killed it and we only started showing some urgency after Bray and Hyde replaced Gilmour and Longstaff. Davidson got what turned out to be a consolation. Both ‘keepers had good saves and on another day there would have been more goals. As others have said, Bray was the pick of the players, followed by Shaw, Mckay and Duffy. Date: 05/08/2023 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2030 Referee: Graham Grainger Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Davidson, Duffy, Delaney, Harper, Samuels (Lodovica 70), Carson, Gilmour (Hyde 58), Longstaff (Bray 58), Shaw (Doran 78), B Mckay Subs (not used): C Mackay; Ram, Devine, Thompson Scorers: Davidson (86) Booked: Bray (78) Sent Off: none Queens Park: 2 Manager: Robin Veldman Lineup: McKenna; Longridge, Tizzard, Fox, Robson, Hepburn, Turner, Thomson, Spong, Thomas, Paton Subs (not used): Ferrie; Bannon, Healy, Bruce, Fugaccia, Williamson, Reid, Jarrett, McLeish Scorers: Thomas (31), Robson (48) Booked: Tizzard (16), Robson (28), Thomas (90+6) Sent Off: none a

  Let's Do This!   The Championship kicks off on Friday night with title favourites Dundee United visiting Arbroath. For the rest of us mere mortals, it all begins on Saturday at 3:00pm and we are at the Caledonian Stadium to host Queens Park, a side we never got the better of last season. Five attempts to beat them on the park and our only 'success' came off the park in the Scottish Cup when Queens were turfed out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player. Thank you Euan Henderson, you saved last season from being a complete failure to just a failure! We start the season with five new players and our major departures were Scott Allardice and Robbie Deas. Loan players Dan Mackay and Jay Henderson were also returned to their parent clubs.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info Harry Lodovica Mathew Strachan Harry Hennem Ethan Cairns OFFICIAL PREVIEW ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     Last seasons Meetings including 0-2 Cup Loss at Home 1 - 2 (A) 0 - 2 (H) 0 - 0 (H) 1 - 2 (A) 1 - 1 (H)   FRIDAY 4TH AUGUST   Arbroath v Dundee Utd SATURDAY 5TH AUGUST Dunfermline v Airdrieonians Morton v Ayr Utd. Inverness CT v Queen's Park Partick v Rovers Team News Inverness signed five players during the summer. Defender Jake Davidson, midfielder Charlie Gilmour, forwards Adam Brooks, Luis Longstaff and Harry Lodovica, a work in progress, being the last signing. Unfortunately we have lost young left back Lewis Nicolson to what seems to be a fairly serious knee injury. Promising youngsters Ethan Cairns, Harry Hennem and Mathew Strachan have all been loaned out to Highland League sides until January ahead of the start of the Championship. Roddy MacGregor is going back under surgery for his knee and will be out for possibly three/four months. Lewis Nicolson is out with a knee injury. Danny Devine and Sean Welsh will be touch and go but Adam Brooks should return to the squad. Keith Bray looks likely to be the breakthrough kid this season. He showed up well in pre-season and League Cup encounters. Hear from Dodds ahead of the Queens Park game   Caley Jags No1   Where's Harry? Here he is>>>     Queens Park are a much changed side from the one that toyed with us last season. New head coach Robin Veldman comes in from Anderlecht. Simon Murray left last January and is now scoring over the Bridge, and the giant defender Stephen Eze is away. In: Sam Kane, goalkeeper (Rangers); Will Tizzard, defender (Southampton); Jack Spong, midfielder (Brighton); Jack Turner, midfielder (Southampton); Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia, forward (Livingston); Ruiri Paton, forward (Queen of the South). Loans in: Barry Hepburn, midfielder (Bayern Munich). Out: Owen Coyle, head coach; Jake Davidson of course who joined ICT,  defenders Lee Kilday, Callum Yeats, Stephen Eze, Liam McQuaid and Max Gillies; midfielders Liam Brown, Calum Biggar and Lewis Moore; forward Gregor Nicol, Loan ended: Marcel Oakley, defender (Birmingham City); Malachi Boateng, midfielder (Crystal Palace), Josh McPake, midfielder (Rangers); Connor Shields, forward (Motherwell); Euan Henderson, forward (Hearts). Queens Park lost out 1-2 to Queen of the South in their last League Cup game and like us they failed to progress to the next stage of the competition. They were reduced to ten men when Fox was red carded just after the interval. They did miss a late penalty through Ruari Paton and Aaron Healy scored a last minute consolation for QP who won only 4 points in their group games with one win and a draw. They had scored six goals for the loss of three. Ruari Paton was the top scorer with four goals against Elgin City in a 5-0 thrashing with Charlie Fox scoring the other. Dom Thomas is credited with a couple of assists and he likes to wind us up. A 0-0 draw with East Fife was followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat at Motherwell where QP gave a good account of themselves. Queens Park team v Queen of the South: McKenna   Longridge   Bannon   Fox    Robson   Thomson (Healy 78)   Spong   Turner (Tizzard 49)   Hepburn (Bruce 64)   Paton   Thomas (McLeish 78)       If you need something to cheer you up, watch all of record breaker Billy Mckay's 102 Inverness CT goals>>>