Robert

I was nervous when I saw the line up with seven players missing (Duffy, Carson, Devine, Ram, Welsh, Walsh and Sutherland) and only three defenders in the team, all left sided. We came out fast and Samuels’ well finished early goal set us up for as good a 45 as I’ve seen in a long time. I thought Mackay’s shot was goal bound but Doran made sure for the second. We could have had more, with the Cove ‘keeper making several good saves. Our most nervous moment came when Delaney (I think) tried to head the ball wide but instead forced Ridgers to make a great save to avoid an own goal. Cove started the second half with Vigurs on, and scored in their first attack. Ridgers could only parry a shot towards a Cove player who scored. We were then unable to keep the ball and were looking poor for the next 20 minutes or so, with Cove looking the more likely to score, but we gradually grew back in to the game. Mckay set Samuels up for the third, which steadied things and Shaw got the fourth after Samuels came close to a hat trick but the goalie palmed his effort towards Shaw. 4-1 maybe flattered us a bit, but it was in the main a good team performance, with four Academy products starting. Ridgers had a couple of saves, with one down at the post as well as stopping the potential own goal. He was also talking the defence through the game well. Hyde is not a natural full back and it showed at times, but he acquited himself well. Delaney and Samuels both assisted him. I thought Delaney did well, playing on the wrong side of the defensive pairing for a left sided player, whilst Deas steadied everything and got forward a few times, coming close with an overhead kick. Harper has improved from last season, both defensively and with his delivery. Allardice was great in midfield, supported well by MacGregor. Mackay had a couple of decent runs, whilst I thought Doran had a very good game. Mckay was very busy and kept the ball well to bring others into the game. The pick, though, was Samuels, who took his goals well and could have had a third. He had the beating of the defence and made a lot of good runs into space, which seemed to be a deliberate ploy today with players looking for him. What a contrast from his performance against Queens Park. Three subs were used late on with Boyd coming close from a free kick and Shaw being in the right place to get the fourth. All in all, a satisfying afternoon, particularly after the wobble early in the second half. Well done to all, and I hope Douglas Ross “enjoyed” the stick he got.

Short on players. No Carson ir Devine and only 5 subs. Hyde starting: at right back? Ridgers Hyde Delaney Deas Harper Allardice MacGregor Samuels Doran Mackay Mckay A tough afternoon ahead

Whilst it is still early in the season and every team has dropped points, we really need to win this afternoon or we will be slipping off the pace. We have Partick away next Friday so going into that with 5 points rather than only 2 or 3 is important in my opinion. Deas’ return should tighten us up at the back but we need to ensure we don’t get outnumbered in midfield and struggle to keep the ball as a result. I didn’t like Cove’s approach in the cup game a few weeks ago and hope they are coming to play football, rather than be cynical, feign injury and waste time. We need to take the game by the scruff of the neck and ensure it is played on our terms. Three points please!

HT 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT Billy Mckay Cove Megginson Crowd 2056

Good to see three Highland League teams knocking out Colts teams this week. Brora, Buckie and Brechin winning against Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs. However Fraserburgh lost to St Johnstone. Sadly not the same scale of giant killing achievement that Highland League teams used to have in the Scottish Cup. Dundee United, Motherwell and St Mirren also got beaten.

A much longer run than goalie’s normally have to do! Good luck to Ryan and I hope he raises a lot for the Hospice: https://ictfc.com/ryan-esson-to-run-loch-ness-marathon

Another for Andy MacRae as Brora knocked Aberdeen Colts out of the Challenge Cup tonight.

Matheus Machado has left Elgin and joined Rothes.

I joined the Trust last year but am not on the Board, so other than bolstering the membership I’ve not had the opportunity to make a positive contribution, largely due to other commitments. However, and just a thought, with your clear passion for the club, if you are going to Saturday’s game, why not go along to the Caley Club or the Sports Bar before the game and discuss your thoughts and concerns with Board members. Why not join up and look to join the Board at the next opportunity, allowing you to influence the direction of the Trust and the relationship with the club?

Good to see the club supporting the Trust by encouraging new members: https://ictfc.com/supporters-trust-recruitment-drive Hopefully it gets a positive response.

Also Garry Wood for Inverurie, and he missed a penalty.

Dunfermline @ 2.00 please.

This makes the 90 minutes sound more positive than FrontRow’s comments from the ground. One cleared off the line early on and a disallowed goal, but the stats imply we did well to get a point: https://ictfc.com/arbroath-0-0-ictfc-06-08-2022 Draws have been our Achilles heal too often in recent seasons: a win next Saturday is needed or we will be playing catch up in what looks like being a tight league.

Andy MacRae and Josh Meekings scored for Brora at Clach today.

0-0 at full time. Carson booked in stoppage time. Only 4 attempts in the whole game so sounds like a point gained rather than 2 lost but we need to get into winning ways soon. Sportscene didn’t even bother to give a full time report.

Doran on for Mckay after 75 minutes, a minute after our first attempt of the second half.

Samuels on for Oakley after 56 minutes, then Boyd on for Mackay after 67 minutes.

Half time 0-0. Oakley has picked up a booking. From the BBC stats, Arbroath have had 54% of the ball with 5 attempts, 3 on target, and we have had 3 attempts, 1 from Mckay on target. Delaney on for Duffy at the start of the second half: an injury?

Our starting 11: Ridgers Carson Duffy Devine Harper Shaw MacGregor Allardice Mackay Mckay Oakley Our subs are MacKay, Delaney, Nicolson, Hyde, Doran, Boyd and Samuels https://mobile.twitter.com/ICTFC/status/1555906809600294912/photo/1

Time to change that this afternoon!

Harry Hennem has joined Wick on loan.

There is no reason why Board members need to be born and bred Invernessians. In my opinion, what matters is that those involved have the desire to contribute to the Board, to make a positive difference and to work with the club to enhance it, both on and off the pitch. They are giving their time voluntarily for no financial or other gain, so should get our collective support. Having a varied Board with different backgrounds is important for it to work well. I consider myself a local, but only moved to the Highlands when I was 4, spent my school days in Fort William, then ended up in the central belt and I only lived in Inverness (first time round) in 1992. Work then took me away for a number of years before returning 8 years ago. That in no way detracts from my passion for the club.

Devine’s carrying an injury and may require an operation so I think he will be used sparingly. A better option, if he’s sufficiently fit, would be to start him and replace him when he’s done all he can in the game.

HT 1-1 FT 1-2 ICT Billy Mckay Arbroath McKenna Crowd 1648

I agree, I think MacGregor is better when pushed further up, but our injuries meant he was in central midfield with Allardice, and I think that contributed to Queens Park having the upper hand in midfield. I’m not sure how long Welsh is out for, whilst injuries mean Carson has to be at right back. Ideally we’d have two of Allardice, Carson and Welsh in central midfield (with Hyde as back up) and MacGregor playing off Mckay but dropping back to bolster the midfield when required. I think teams know how to play us and as we try to push the full backs up, we end up a bit exposed at times. Once we have Deas back, and Devine and Welsh fit, I’m sure we will be much stronger, and we then have Sutherland and Walsh to come back later in the season. In the meantime, we must sharpen up our passing game, as too often we gave the ball away tamely, with all players really guilty of it, including those regarded to have had good games. Boyd looked lively so is worth more game time, whilst I think Delaney will come good with a more experienced defender alongside him. I like Duffy but he’s not yet the leader that Devine and Deas are, so we didn’t really have anyone marshalling the defence, and it showed at times. Watching Queens Park’s goal again, what a gift to give away. We’d several opportunities to tackle the player but didn’t, then the shot was pretty weak but somehow landed up in the net. We should have snuffed it out in midfield rather than allowing the run. We are already playing catch up so we don’t want to slip up at Arbroath next week and fall further off the pace.