Robert

Dunfermline tweeted it at 1457 so presumably the inspection was complete about 1445 so maybe we had not set off given the restrictions in place for teams as it would be around a three hour trip. The pitch looks bad in the picture they used. As they are also out of the cup, 22 January is a logical date for it being rescheduled.

Thanks for doing these articles. They are always spot on and entertaining. I see the Ayrshire derby due next Sunday has been delayed until February in the hope restrictions have been lifted. Based on that, I hope we move our game against Queen of the South back a week to beyond the current restrictions. Back to tomorrow’s game, I hope none of the players were badly hit by Covid and they are all available. Goodness knows what our line up may be, but whoever plays they get us the three points and revenge on Dunfermline. It is being played behind closed doors as Dunfermline are not letting the permitted 500 in: https://www.dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=DAFC_Board_Statement_&ID=13512

Jordan White for County and Nathan Austin for Kelty yesterday as their teams lost 2-1 and 5-1. Andy MacRae got two for Brora today in a 4-4 draw at Formartine.

I see Queen of the South are also affected by Covid. Their game on Wednesday has been postponed as well as their game today. I wonder where we stand in terms of our game on Wednesday as it is still on as things stand today.

I agree Lizi, it’s a big outbreak but hopefully their symptoms are mild and no one is seriously Ill. I assume that the club means that only 8 out of our 19 current players would have been available and that the figure does not take account of the 7 youngsters out on loan. I’m just a bit surprised we weren’t required to recall them and field a weakened team! Hopefully common sense by the SPFL for once. I read the statement as the SPFL agreeing to the postponement so there ought to be a new date for it at some point.

But that’s how the system is set up and highlights why vaccine passports are a good thing for large gatherings.

And presumably Wednesday’s game at Dunfermline will also be a casualty as a result.

When you register the rest result you have the option to get a text or e-mail confirmation. I assume that is what is accepted in venues as the alternative to vaccine passports.

Do we know how many season ticket holders we have? As our reported crowds are typically 1800-2200, I’d guess at around 1500, so we’ve around a 33% chance in a ballot. Without getting political, as the sanction is to avoid pressure on the emergency services, none of which are involved in our games or, indeed, games out with the top flight, it would be better if we could go back to the maximum capacity with 1m distancing as that would easily accommodate all season ticket holders. Once again, worry about the small number of big crowds at sporting events has resulted in all clubs being penalised, the majority for no obvious reduction in the risk of transmission.

Hate to say this, but County look to have turned a corner. Looking at their recent form, they’ve only lost twice in their last nine games, to Rangers and Celtic. They’ve won four and drawn three, so have taken 15 of their 18 points in that run. If we want Highland derbies next season, it looks like we need to get promoted!

Indeed, but no harm in moving the date in the hope that the restrictions don’t get extended or increased. It would be a positive statement to supporters. I wonder, though, if clubs will let 500 in or play in empty grounds given the livestreams, as they will be better off not having any crowd in.

Looking at our fixtures, we will have 5 games with restricted crowds, 3 of them at home. As Queen of the South are also out of the cup, it would be good if that home game could be moved from 15 to 22 January so fans are allowed in as normal.

We’re second, behind Arbroath on goal difference. Today’s restrictions are hopefully temporary and we get back to “normal” in the second half of January. However, it should act as an incentive to win points in case there is a curtailment at some point.

Watching the “highlights”, did Ridgers think the first header was going wide as he seemed to react late. For the second, if we’d had someone on the back post it would have been an easy block. We let ourselves be bullied to defeat. The club’s report: https://ictfc.com/match-report-ictfc-1-2-hamilton-accies-18-12-2021

That’s harsh on McAlear as I thought he and Allardice did pretty well. We need to work out how to fit MacGregor into the team so we get the best out of him. He should be a first pick, and if we didn’t have Sutherland I think he would be in the no 10 role. We missed Welsh today after we went in front as I think he would have helped avoid us getting hemmed in. Carson had a torrid time in the first half but we got through that and our downfall was our failure to keep the ball once we took the lead. For me, Harper was a revelation in the wide left role and should have earned a start next week.

Recently we seem to have played players on the opposite side from their natural foot. Doran comes back onto his stronger right foot but is generally played on the left. Sutherland has had games playing wide right. He who cannot be named was right footed but played on the left. When Harper came on today, he was trying to get beyond the right back and cross with his left foot, and it seemed more effective. Walsh seems equally capable with both feet. Do we need to get back to left side players on the left and right sided players on the right so we can hit the by-line and get crosses in?

Thanks Jack. We do seem to have some stewards who have no empathy for fans. Today I tried three times to ask a Steward to move back as he was blocking the view of the critical part of the pitch for me and those around me, and he just looked across and ignored the request. Fortunately the lady at the end of the row behind me went and spoke to him and he got the message!! They seem to forget we are paying customers who want to see the game without having to try to look round them or miss what is happening.

Robbie Thomson scored for Clach today. With Omicron, I hope I’m wrong but I suspect we will need our youngsters back in the new year and some may get game time as well as making our squad. Elsewhere, Rory McAllister scored for Cove and Nathan Austin got two for Kelty. And a shout out for Gary Warren, who scored for Tiverton today.

What was going on in the West Stand around the time of Hamilton’s goals? From where I was, it looked like a Steward was manhandling at least one fan, and there seemed to be a lot of Stewards there at the time. An over reaction or was something going on?

What you doing next Sunday??

Poor first half with few chances. We started the second half much better, and Harper was instrumental to that as he was effective playing wide left. We deservedly took the lead when Harper finished a cross after good work from Mckay. Sutherland nearly got a second shortly after but the ‘keeper’s outstretched leg saved Hamilton. After then, we were shocking and couldn’t keep the ball. Hamilton pressed us hard and had us pinned back for an eternity with a series of corners that rattled us. They basically outmuscled us and once they equalised, I felt we were going to lose. Their striker was a handful, and we struggled to cope with their quick breaks, particularly down the left in the first half. That’s a game we shouldn’t have lost, but we could not manage it after going ahead so in many ways we got what we deserved. We need to be more consistent.

I’m looking forward to this one. Hopefully we kick on from the Kilmarnock and Morton league games and win the three points with a convincing performance.

That was some header! Pity he was trying to miss the target. Couldn’t happen to a more annoying player!!

An ex ICT player, Gary Wood, missed one of the Brechin penalties. For me, I’d rather be in the cup than out of it, but this season is all about getting promotion. We now have no distractions, so it is our best chance in recent years, so let’s focus and get the job done. As mentioned elsewhere, with the Omicron risk, staying on top is vital in case the virus intervenes again and caused a curtailment.

At least they are under contract so if they get the chance of a bigger club, we will get a transfer fee. Having these guys, and the likes of Carson, on decent length contracts may turn out to be a great move by the Board.