Robert

I am really looking forward to Saturday’s game. Partick will be no pushovers, have had a good start to the season, and have been a team we have often struggled against. Hopefully we get a good crowd to will the players on to another three points (another 1-0 perhaps?) but for those not able to be there, livestream and PPV details are here: https://ictfc.com/ictv-info-partick-thistle-h

Great result tonight and a really big game against Israel next. If we can win it, we will amazingly be in pole position to finish second in the group and get into the play offs, with away games against the Faroes and Moldova ahead of our last game at home to Denmark.

I also look forward to the previews and reports. Keep up the good work!

Ha ha, I’m not always glued to the club’s activities. Getting MacGregor and Harper on longer contracts is a great bit of business, and we do seem to be getting our act together with our best assets, given the extensions signed by Ridgers, Carson and Allardice over the last few months. I’d like to see Deas join the list of those extending, but this really gives us hope for the future. If they do get the opportunity to join a larger club, the fees we get will be helpful in sustaining the club, so a “win win” situation. Reading this has made my day!

Fair enough about McDonald. I was in the Main Stand so not best placed to see the detail on the far side in the first half so may well have been harsh on him. It will be interesting to see how he does if playing ahead of Carson on the right side given Carson likes to get forward. Hyde was understandably more cautious, particularly in the first half given he was being played out of position. The club’s report on the match is here: https://ictfc.com/match-report-ictfc-4-0-buckie-thistle

Nat Wedderburn now at Stenhousemuir.

Well deserved.

A comfortable score line but it flattered us a bit. When I saw the line up, with only Deas starting from the recent league starting line ups, I was a bit worried that we were underestimating Buckie. We only had three recognised defenders in the team and none amongst only four subs named. Broadfoot, Devine, Carson, MacGregor, Gardyne and Duku were not involved at all, but it meant valuable game time for those coming in. We lined up with Hyde at right back and Duffy alongside Deas at centre half. Mckay was playing the number 10 role with Jamieson the striker. Buckie tested MacKay early on and then hit the post with him beaten in the fifth minute. After that scare, the game settled down with us dominating possession and Buckie typically having all eleven players behind the ball, making it hard to break them down. We tended to play down the left, with Harper and Doran prominent, whilst on the right McDonald was tending to be infield. The opening goal was a finish by Jamieson at the back post. He was looking lively and hit the bar shortly after. After half time, the same pattern continued, with our second coming from Harper. I’d need to see it again to see exactly what happened. Walsh had replaced McDonald by then and he was in on the ‘keeper which was probably enough to ensure Harper’s effort went in. Mckay had been quiet but got two late goals, although the first was heading across the goal until it hit the ‘keeper’s leg and went in. Good to see him back doing what he does best! Really a case of a good job well done, but not our most inspiring performance. Of the players we’ve not seen much of, MacKay had a few saves to make. I thought Hyde did well out of position at right back, growing into the game and getting forward more in the second half. Allardice replaced him late on, continuing our trend of playing central midfielders at right back! Duffy looked solid at centre half alongside Deas, with Deas talking the whole defence through the game. It is good to see Harper back and he got more influential as the game went on. Welsh was pulling the strings in midfield but both he and McAlear were struggling to find passes to break down the defence. Doran had a lot of good touches and was trying to create. I’m not sure if McDonald is fully fit and he was not that influential, although he did have one good effort. He was drifting inside so we lacked an outlet on the right wing at times. Mckay was quiet until he popped up with his goals. That will do for me every week though! Jamieson was busy and deserved his goal. He was probably my pick as our top player on the day. A bigger test awaits next weekend against Partick but we do have strength in depth in the squad now.

Possibly old news but Alex Cooper, who didn’t shine in his time with us, has turned up at Queen of the South.

Sounds like we can expect to see Mckay, McAlear and Harper starting tomorrow: https://ictfc.com/match-preview-buckie-thistle-h

HT 1-0 FT 4-0

Kane Davies for Rothes yesterday to help them to the North of Scotland Cup Final.

PPV details for Saturday: https://ictfc.com/ictv-info-buckie-thistle-h

Defender Harry Nicolson has been recalled from his loan to Elgin. Hopefully that does not mean one of our defenders is out for a spell. Any word on Duffy’s absence?

This may be of interest to some: https://ictfc.com/join-our-matchday-team-at-ictfc

Buckie sitting second in Highland League with 16 points from 7 games and a goal difference if 26.

Yes, Marshall Meadows. This is the sign on the other side of the gate:

An easy one, but which part?

The club’s report: https://ictfc.com/match-report-kilmarnock-0-1-ictfc

McAllister for Cove today.

Was at a wedding south of the border (no face coverings to be seen, people shaking hands, hugging and kissing….) so only catching up now. I sneaked a look at my phone at half time and full time and got two pleasant surprises, and great to read the positivity in the post match comments. I would anticipate we will make changes for the Buckie game, with most of the recent substitutes starting so they get game time. Then we have another top of the table clash at home to Partick, a team we have often struggled against. Hopefully we make it 5 out of 5 then. Noting the comments about MacGregor, when does the Transfer Window shut? Tuesday?

We were never sure of the circumstances surrounding his departure from us, but Matheus Machado has signed for Elgin! https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/sport/elgin-city-sign-brazilian-matheus-machado-on-one-year-deal-248562/

Ticket information for the Buckie game next Saturday: https://ictfc.com/ticket-info-buckie-thistle-h

Forfar @ 1.83 please.

HT 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT Duku Killie Robinson Crowd 4321