Robert

Yes, we have 11. They can’t have updated it for the penalty shoot out result.

My interpretation is that STFU is stating that the club lost £1m due to the concerts earlier this month, whilst others are asking the source of his information. To my knowledge, nothing has been said publicly, but I’m happy to be corrected on that if the figure has been stated and is correct.

I agree, our goal was excellent. Good play by Oakley to put Shaw free and a great cross for MacGregor to score with a rare header. Cove’s equaliser came when we were temporarily down to ten as Duffy took a heavy knock and we seemed disorganised at the back as a result and it was too easy for the Cove player to hit the target. Cove had the best of the early part of the second half but we finished more strongly. I felt we just about shaded it but a draw was probably fair enough. It was good to at least win on penalties. Unfortunately that was not enough and we will be unseeded in the draw. I was disappointed with Cove’s approach. They approached the match in a cynical manner, trying to buy free kicks with play acting. They also tried to run the clock down when even. We have enough teams like that in the Championship already and I had expected more from them. I think our medical staff had to give treatment to players at least four times, generally due to the aggression of Cove. Some of their big names were worst, such as Logan and Fyvie, so justice was done when Fyvie‘s penalty was saved by Ridgers. Shortly after Samuels was harshly booked, a Cove player blatantly dived to try to get him sent off. The ref gave a foul but at least did not produce a red card. Of the new signings, I thought Oakley’s holding up play and distribution was good. Shaw was lively and could develop into an important player for us. Delaney is a calm defender despite playing on the wrong side for a left sided defender. Boyd had a couple of efforts when he came on. At times it felt like a pre-season game again, so hopefully when the league starts next week we get if you a winning start. The squad looks decent but we need to tighten up a bit and ensure we score when on top. Hopefully Devine is nearly ready to be part of the squad. Is there any update on Ram or Welsh?

Looks like Carson in midfield this afternoon, unless Harper’s being played further forward and Deas or Delaney at left back. This may not be the actual formation: Ridgers Duffy Delaney Deas Harper Carson Allardice Shaw MacGregor Mackay Oakley No Devine again but he is being put through some routines on the pitch by one of the back room staff so hopefully he’s close to fitness.

Can I change first ICT scorer to Oakley, please.

Cove in this cup is a bit repetitive, particularly with us having them in the league in a few weeks. However, I’m looking forward to it and hoping for a home win to see us qualify with full points and maybe even a seeding. I’m also looking forward to Vigurs getting some stick. He’s the only one of their three former ICT players who seems to be being used from the start. McAllister has been used off the bench and there’s been no sign of Draper so far.

He was there last season and was highly regarded so hopefully he continues to improve.

HT 1-0 FT 3-1 ICT Mckay Cove Megginson Crowd 945

Oh help, and I can’t edit the post either! At least I got the date right in the heading!

Hibs penalty loss to Morton has been changed to a 3-0 defeat after they were found guilty of playing a suspended player. That’s at least three of the seven top league teams failing to get out of the group stages: Hibs, St Johnstone and St Mirren.

Ticketing information for Saturday’s game: https://ictfc.com/ticket-info-cove-rangers-h-23-07-2022 Given we can win the group, and maybe even secure a seeding for the next round, hopefully there is a good crowd.

Good to see Lewis Nicolson extend his contract. I’ve liked what I’ve seen of him and he could become a real asset to us: https://ictfc.com/lewis-nicolson-signs-new-contract

Who’s getting negative? Moog commented on his situation, which is understandable and I commented that I will miss the livestreams of our away games. Both comments were factual rather potential negatives.

Gringo, BBC reporting the crowd as 871 rather than 571. I’m sure it was 8xx they announced in the ground last night.

I really enjoyed being able to watch our away games on the livestreams as I can seldom make those games. However, we are back to where we were before Covid, so the combination of the BBC Sport app, this site and open all mikes keeps us in touch with how games are going until we hear feedback from those present. Don’t give up Moogthurso, we all need your optimism from last season!!

I agree in part. When we were 1-0 up, Albion tested us and created a few chances, with MacKay making a few saves. Had they scored, it would have been interesting to see how we would have responded. The second goal came at the right time and made it a comfortable evening, particularly when we got the two early goals in the second half. We kept possession relentlessly in the second half, trying to engineer an opening, which was good to see. I still think we need a natural right back. Carson is a big player for us, but on occasions it is clear he is playing out of position and the Albion sub who came on and played on the left wing had the beating of him in the latter stages last night. I’m optimistic for the season ahead, but think the Championship is very open this season. A good start is essential, and avoiding anything like “Gardyne-gate” and a bad slump at any time is key. There is still a risk that teams come in for some of our assets, Deas being a prime example, although I think we have planned for that risk by bringing Delaney in. Anyway, I can’t wait for the first league game.

The club’s report along with the goals and interviews is now on line. Harper’s free kick is definitely worth seeing again, whilst Duffy’s run and Harper’s pick out of him for the third must be a move off the training ground. And what was Harper doing that far up the pitch when Duffy’s long ball found him for the fourth? Good goals and hopefully a lot more to come this season! https://ictfc.com/match-report-ictfc-4-0-albion-rovers-19-07-2022 And my apologies to Cammy MacKay: rather than the 6 I said last night, there were 7 Academy Graduates involved in the match: MacKay, Harper, MacGregor and Mackay started, with Hyde, Cairns (for his debut) and Nicolson coming off the bench.

Nathan Austin for Kelty tonight.

A great start with Mckay’s early goal, but Albion were competitive in the first half and we needed Harper’s excellent free kick to make things comfortable at half time. The two early goals made the second half very routine (Duffy’s came from an excellent set piece and his run into space was brilliantly picked out by Harper),and we must have had 80% of possession in the second half. We looked like we wanted more but the changes broke the game up a bit, and we were lucky when Albion hit the woodwork twice in one rare foray forward. A job well done on what turned into a very wet night. Harper was the pick for me whilst of the new players, Delaney looked comfortable and Shaw looked a tricky player. Cairns and Nicolson will have enjoyed their game time too, and brought the number of Academy Graduates used in the game to six. Next up Cove and a chance to get full points in the group. Our goal difference got a boost too, so the group is there for the taking.

I believe there is, but got that second hand.

Ross Gunn has joined Brora from Rothes.

HT 1-0 FT 3-0 ICT Mckay Albion Paton Crowd 748

The seeded teams for the last 16 are the five clubs in Europe plus the three group winners with the best records. The other five group winners plus the three runners up with the best records are unseeded.

Iain Vigurs for Cove and Andrew Shinnie for Livingston today.

Two away wins today with 10 man (again) Livi coming from behind to beat Cove 2-1 and Albion Rovers going to Kelty and winning 2-0, a bit of a surprise. We can’t be complacent about Tuesday’s game against Albion as they’ve run Livi and Cove close before today’s win, but three points will have us in pole position to get out of the group.