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  1. Hearts came into this game on a high after an excellent win against Rangers last week. Caley Thistle on the other hand, despite playing well in spells last week came with a record of 6 defeats in 6 games, the last being a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic. While some may have doubted the appointment of Brewster the manager, no-one had any doubts about his qualities as a player and he showed how valuable he can still be on the pitch with the winning goal against Hearts deep into injury time.... 22/09/07 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CT 2 Wyness (64), Brewster (90) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McGuire, Munro, McBain, Wilson (Morgan 85), Black, Duncan, Cowie, Niculae (Brewster 86), Wyness Subs: D McDonald, Vigurs, A MacDonald, Hastings, Malkowski HEARTS 1 Black (34og) Team: Banks, Neilson, Berra, Tall, Wallace, Zaliukas, Kingston, Ivaskevicius, Driver (Stewart 46), Ksanavicius (Pospisil 69), Velicka (Elliot 46) Subs: Jonsson, Kancelsku, Goncalves, Kurskis Referee Steve Tumilty Attendance 4918 ICT had played some of their best football of the season in the last two outings against Hibs and Celtic but were still to put any points on the scoreboard. We’d gone down 0-3 to Rangers in our opening game of the season and now faced Hearts, who only last week beat that same Rangers team 4-2. We were still chasing our first points of the season and this wasn’t going to be an easy fixture by any stretch of the imagination. Many were surprised when the team lines were read out and they learned that Brewster had kept himself on the bench for this one. A Striker who had proven he knew where the oppositions net was at Aberdeen before joining us as player/manager. The starting eleven had remained unchanged following last weeks defeat – 5-0 at the hands of Celtic FC – but our bench looked like we were going out there with attack in mind. The early action was reminiscent of our last trip to Easter Road where we pressured from the off and won two corners in the opening 5 minutes. All the pressure was on Hearts for much of the half. Cowie was again proving his worth from set pieces – twice he sent in balls that were met with strong headers, one to the head of Munro and the other to Rossco who were both unlucky to go narrowly wide. Cowie and Niculae both had decent long range efforts…Niculae putting his over the bar and Cowie being unlucky to see his saved by Banks…before an unfortunate break at the opposite ends saw Black divert a crossed ball into our own net to put us a goal down, very much against the run of play. Hearts only other efforts from the half were professionally saved by Fraser. In one last push not long before the HT whistle, Niculae knocked a ball down to Wyness who looked poised to stick it in the net – and if it hadn’t been for a last ditch effort by Tall that’s exactly where it would have gone. Half Time: ICT 0 v 1 Hearts A goal down but the chances were there and we just needed to make better use of them in the second half. Caley Thistle started brightly after the break with a shot from Wyness being saved and a header going narrowly wide. We continued to pressure and Hearts didn’t appear to have many answers. Hearts made a couple of surprise substitutions at half time…Driver had been making life difficult for us on the right and looked like one of the few in the Hearts team who was going to be a real threat and he was replaced by a largely ineffective Michael Stewart. This seemed to give Rossco more opportunity to push forward and create a threat. We had to wait until nearly 20 minutes in to the second half for the equaliser. Wilson hit his volley straight at Banks who could only succeed in parrying it. The ball then fell to Wyness who had the simplest of jobs to brush it into the back of the net. 1-1…Come on ICT!!! McGuire, who was lucky to still be on the pitch given the whinging and moaning he had directed at the ref for most of the game, was to come close about 10 minutes later. It was Cowie once again who sent a great ball in from the corner and on to the head of McGuire who couldn’t have done any better and we watched on with frustration as it was cleared off the line. The game was starting to look very much like finishing 1-1, but Kingston came close for hearts with about 10 minutes left on the clock. ICT had conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Kingston send a wonderfully curving ball round the wall only to see it come back off the post. Frustration was setting in among some fans that we had again left it very late in the game before making our substitutions…Brewster and Morgan came on for Niculae and Wilson with barely 5 minutes left in the game. Brewster was immediately in and winning everything coming in his direction and Morgan wasn’t really seeing much of the ball…in fact, I’m not entirely sure he had touched the ball until just before the stroke of 90 minutes when he sent a cross in towards Brewster who caught it on the volley and almost burst the Hearts net. Who knows what happened in the last 2 minutes…and to be honest…who cares!!! Full Time: 2-1 The effort shown by the team in our last 3 outings had finally been rewarded and I don’t think anyone who had watched the match would deny that ICT were the ones who deserved the 3 points. Hey, even if you thought it should have been a draw, then consider it just deserts for having gotten nothing from the Celtic or Hibs games….lol.
  2. Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC travelled to Celtic Park with the tough task of looking to take the seasons first points against the on form Celtic. In a match where Caley Thistle played well in large spells they were, again, unfortunate not to get more for their efforts. Those first points continue to elude us and the 5-0 defeat looks worse than it was. The team, manager and fans should take some comfort that the performances of the last 2 weeks have been good and against lesser opponents we could have witnessed a reversal of fortunes. 15/09/07 Celtic Park, Glasgow CELTIC 5 - Vennegoor of Hesselink (15, 59), Donati (41), Nakamura (56), McGuire (70 og) Team: Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Brown (Sno 63), Donati, McGeady, McDonald (McGowan 72), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Killen 66) Subs: Brown, McGowan, Hartley, Killen, Riordan, Sno, O'Dea INVERNESS CT 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, Duncan, McGuire, Wilson (Rankin 77), Niculae, McBain, Black, Cowie (Proctor 85), Wyness (MacDonald 86) Subs: Malkowski, McCaffrey, McDonald, MacDonald, Vigurs, Proctor, Rankin Referee Craig Thomson Attendance 56,020 Man of the Match . Brewster made 2 changes to the starting eleven used at Easter Road a fortnight ago. McGuire got a start ahead of McCaffrey and he also dropped himself from the squad choosing to start with Wyness and leave room on the bench for more defensive options. Strachan had also chosen to freshen things up as he rested players who had been on International Duty and kept this weeks coming fixture at Shakthar Donetsk in mind. Caley Thistle took to the field in the new away strip and started the brighter of the two teams. Dennis Wyness had a 20yard shot saved on the 2 minute mark and that was followed in 8 minutes by what looked almost certain to be the opening goal of the game - Celtic were struggling to clear a ball from the goalmouth when it fell at the feet of Dennis Wyness who somehow managed to shoot over the bar. The first goal came 7 minutes later when Scott Browns shot deflected off Vennegoor of Hesselink to beat Fraser in the ICT goal. This wasn’t to put a dampener on the fighting spirit of the Caley Thistle lads as they then proceeded to take the game by the scruff of the neck. McGuire was unfortunate not to get a little more on his header from a corner, Niculae shot narrowly wide, Wilson had a 20 yard shot saved and Cowie made Boruc work hard to tip his shot round the post all within the next 20 minutes. Ian Black was to be the first in the book on 36 minutes for a foul on McGeady and Celtic were to stretch the lead to two shortly after as Scott McDonald slid a pass to Donati who stuck the ball into the corner for a tight angle. HT – Celtic 2 v 0 Inverness CT Neither team were proving to be to much of a danger to the oppositions goal for the first 10 minutes of the second half, but that was to change very quickly and very dramatically as Nakamura drilled a 30 yard shot beyond the reach of Michael Fraser and in to the top corner. The fans had barely sat down when Scott McDonald played another inch perfect ball in to the area, this time finding the head of Vennegoor of Hesselink. Ian Black tried his best to imitate that shooting prowess of Nakamura but sent his shot over the bar on 65 minutes. Duncan was next up to try and get ICT on the score sheet. His right-footed drive from 12 yards hit the post and then the ball broke to him again on 18 yards but the on form Boruc denied him with a save. One of Caley Thistles new boys was to get on the score sheet on 70 minutes, but unfortunately it was in the wrong end. His attempts to clear the ball backfired and he was to close the days scoring making it 5 – 0 to Celtic. Full Time: 5-0 Caley Thistle fought till the last minutes for a goal which nobody would have denied them given the performance they put on. Black, Cowie and Niculae all had shots in the last 10 minutes but it was to no avail. I said it after the Hibs again and I’ll say it again now. If Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC continues to play like this, we will not be relegated this season. Our time will come and someone is about to get a hiding…here’s hoping for a result against Hearts at home next week.
  3. 5 SPL games, 5 losses... that's the bottom line at the end of today's game as Caley Thistle made their worst ever start to a season. However, terrible though it is, today there were signs of hope. For long periods of today's game Caley Thistle dominated Hibs and if it was not for some good goalkeeping from Ma-Kalambay, including a penalty save from Marius Niculae, the outcome may have been a lot different. Both Niculae and Brewster had numerous chances but couldn't grab the goal that would cancel out Steven Fletcher's 2nd minute penalty. 01/09/07 Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh HIBERNIAN 1 (Fletcher 2 pen) Team: Ma-Kalambay, Gathuessi, Hogg, Jones, Murphy, Zemmama (Shiels 57), Kerr, Beuzelin, Stevenson (O'Brien 70), Fletcher, Benjelloun (Morais 46) Subs: Lynch, Donaldson, Joneleit, McNeil INVERNESS CT 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey (McGuire 53), Munro, McBain, Wilson (Rankin 84), Black, Duncan, Cowie, Brewster, Niculae (Wyness 75) Subs: McDonald, McAllister, Vigurs, Malkowski Referee Eddie Smith Attendance The day we went to Leith: 9:30am and the Innes Bar Supporters Bus heads off down the A9 en route to Easter Road and Inverness Caley Thistle's first SPL match with Brewster at the helm. After some initial discussion about events of the last couple of weeks and setting the world to rights on all matters regarding Brewster’s appointment we got down to some discussion about the game ahead. Would Brewster play himself? Was he right to play himself? - The general consensus seemed to be that it was a no-brainer and under any other circumstances then Brewster would be the first name on the team sheet. We'd have to wait till nearer kick-off to find out if we had called it right. "CaleyD, what's on the radio"....."Nothing it's screwed". So here we are, heading off down the road and no music to keep us entertained, thinking caps had to go on. Themann4thejob was quick to spot the newspapers and decided we should do all the Saturday quizzes you get in these things. We ran through the TV Quiz with relative ease, and the Telly Addicts were quickly identified. OK, what now...it was TM4TJ again who decided to entertain us by reading out the Dear Deidre with the inclusion of the odd ad-lib and I barely managed to keep the bus on the road through laughing. The crossword was next, but this was abandoned as we crossed the Forth Road Bridge due to the bumps making it impossible to write (and nothing to do with us struggling to complete it). We all arrived safely at Easter Road and were fortunate to find a great parking spot close to both the ground and The Iona Bar. Non-Alcoholic Beer for me, necking pints and shorts for the rest. News then came through that the team bus was late in arriving and the line-ups would be delayed as a result...then further news that it still wasn't here yet. We'd all decided that should the worst come to the worst then we'd have to put out a team made up of those present in the bar. Thankfully news came through very soon after that the team had arrived...and more importantly, that our collective wisdom 4 hours previous had called it right and Brewster would start for Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC. More drink (more Kaliber for me) and a flash of IHE's new tattoo and we were ready to head for the stadium. The walk from The Iona being perfectly timed and us arriving in our seats just as the teams were making their way on to the pitch. Dennis Wyness had been dropped to the bench to make way for Brewster who was partnering Niculae up front. Probably a wise decision when you take into account all 6'6" of Rob Jones at the back for Hibs. Grant Munro returned to the team after being out midweek with a back niggle and once again captained the team. The referee had barely got the whistle away from his lips for the start of play when Caley Thistle launched their first attack which led to a corner within the first 20 seconds of the game. Then it all went a bit pear-shaped at the other end as we had to defend the first Hibs attack. As our defence worked to clear the ball from the box the ball was played against McCaffery who was deemed to have handled deliberately in the area. He had his back to us but it looked a very harsh decision and the spot kick was awarded. Steven Fletcher stepped up and put the ball in the back of the net to make it Hibs 1 - 0 Inverness CT inside the 2 minute mark. Caley Thistle were quick to compose themselves and get on with the game. It was on the 4 minute mark that Caley Thistle got their next corner. Barry Wilson played a ball in to the back post and, Hibs Keeper, Kalambay did well to tip it over. Another corner and shouts were going up for the old school rule of "3 Corners = a penalty". The fourth corner of the match came in 7 minutes and Don Cowies’ delivery was met in the centre of the box by a great shot from Brewster who was unlucky to put it straight at the keeper. The Caley Jags were dominating the game at this stage and were unlucky not to have scored from the next 3 attempts. Wilson had a shot which went straight to the keeper, followed by Brewster going wide left from the penalty area and Black having a chip taken by Kalambay - all before the 20 minute mark. Fletcher then had one of Hibs few chances at the ICT goal when he headed over the bar. We were really stringing some nice play together at this stage of the game and one attacking play by us saw about a dozen one touch passes strung together. It was the kind of play that deserved a better end product and you could have put the "Goal of the Season" stamp on it right there and then, but it wasn't to be. Every one of the ICT players seemed to want a bit of the action as Cowie, Black and Niculae all had shots at goal with a weak Stevenson effort at the opposite end being the only reply. The ICT fans were missing out on much of the action in the first half but you can be sure they weren't complaining and everyone as in good spirits....that was raised through the roof on 35 minutes when Jones took Brewster down inside the box. Some justice for the soft penalty we had conceded at the other end. Niculae stepped up to the mark and after seeing his free-kick against Arbroath you would have bet your house on him putting it away. He struck the ball solid, however it was a little to straight and all 6'7" of Kalambay was put to good use as the ball clipped his trailing foot and went high over the bar. Both teams were to have a further 2 corner kicks before the half-time whistle but neither could capitalise. Michael Fraser did have one decent attempt at goal to save but he covered it well and punched it wide. Inverness go in at the break a goal down which was hard to bare when you consider how much they had dominated in the first half. Opinion among the ICT fans during the break was that if this had been boxing match then the referee would have stopped it long ago as Hibs were struggling to offer up anything. Confidence was high though and if we continued where we had left off in the second half then surely we would get our just rewards. Continue where they left of they did. Barry Wilson was the first to have a go at goal but shot high over the bar. 8 minutes in and Niculae was dealt a harsh blow. Need to see the replay but from where I was sitting it looked like a Hibs player bundled him over in the box. It looked like a strong claim for a penalty, but the referee pulled out a yellow for Niculae - I can only think that he must have thought he dived, but as the player was practically crawling over the top of him I can't for one second believe how he came to that conclusion. Stuart McCaffery had earlier been replaced by loan signing Phil McGuire and Niculae came off with 15 minutes to go, being replaced by Dennis Wyness. With Niculae having received a knock to the head and being on a yellow card this was probably a sensible tactical move by Brewster. We had been dominating the game for long spells and it wasn't long before Wyness was proving difficult for the Hibs defensive to deal with. A shot by Brewster which was set to go wide right was clipped by Dennis Wyness who almost succeeded in re-directing it into the postage stamp top corner. The referee hadn't been too kind to us all afternoon and he again seemed to make a bizarre decision when flashing a yellow at Phil McGuire for a foul on Fletcher. Mike Fraser who had been solid all day had one final save to make about 5 minutes from the end when he comfortably caught a shot from O'Brien. From here on in it was all Caley Thistle as the stepped up the pace and really pushed for the much deserved equaliser. A volley by Cowie was saved by Kalambay whilst Wyness was struggling to keep the ball down and shot over the bar twice. Russell Duncan had the last real attempt on goal just inside injury time when he was unlucky not to have stuck the ball in the top corner from 25 yards out. Full Time: 1-0 A small lapse in concentration in front of the ICT goal was the last of the excitement for the day. It was a hard loss to take when you look at how much of the game we controlled but the end product just couldn't be found and the players just weren't getting the breaks in front of the goal. Every man on the pitch had given it 100% today, they knew it and the fans knew it. Instead of sliding off dejected they remained to clap and cheer the team off the pitch. I had commented on the forum last week that we had lost the team spirit and that we were more used to a team who held their head high - win, lose or draw - and that was back there again today for all to see and for the first time in a long time the players took the time to acknowledge the fans as they left the field...so spot on to the lads for that. Everyone back to the battle bus and we had one extra body (no..not the ref). Kind of Blue was joining us for the return trip. We were quickly under way......to KFC, and then back on the road home. TM4TJ had forgotten his 'Depends' and it wasn't long before I was receiving rather large hints that I may want to stop the bus at the next stop. In fact, these hints had started before we even reached the Forth Road Bridge. Thankfully the Toll Booth attendant couldn't count as I lied through my teeth about the number of seats on the bus in order to save a few sheckles and we were away again. It wasn't long before Tm4TJ was becoming more annoying than a 4yr old and trying to convince me that him needing to pee was an emergency and justifiable reason for stopping on the hard shoulder....lol. He had to wait till we reached the Perth Bypass. We mulled over the days events, agreed that the whole team had a great performance and then had another crack at the crossword. That lasted a little while before the light made it impossible to continue...we were actually managing to answer some questions in this one. A brief pit-stop at Aviemore when I realised that the orange light that had been annoying me on the dash for the last 30 miles was the fuel light and then the last leg home. A thoroughly enjoyable day had by all and even though we never put any points on the board it was obvious to everyone present that this is a team who are making progress. Roll on Celtic!!!
  4. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens (1812-1870) I couldn't have put it any better, so why even try... 25/08/07 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium INVERNESS CT 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, McBain, Cowie, Black (Wilson 61), Rankin, Duncan, Bayne (McDonald 75), Niculae Subs: Wyness, McAllister, Sutherland, Watt, Ridgers DUNDEE UTD 3 (Dillon 46, Robson 58pen, 81pen) Team: Szamotulkski, Wilkie (Robb 85), Dods, Kenneth, Dillon, Kalvenes, Kerr, Gomis, Bauben, Robson, Hunt Subs: Goodwillie, Cameron, Duff, Robertson, Flood, Mclean Referee John Underhill Attendance 4178 Richard Hastings was sidelined today leaving Roy McBain to fill in at left back, a situation in itself that highlights the need for us to be bringing in players to provide competition and cover for places on the back row. Other than that the team lined up pretty much as expected and Caley Thistle got off to the better start playing some nice football and stringing together some great plays. Dundee Utd were the first to record a shot on target in the 11th minute but the half-volley was taken comfortably by Fraser. ICT seemed to take a grip on the game at this stage however and Utd Goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski had his work cut out for him as he was forced in to some brilliant saves. Graham Bayne had a shot tipped round the post; Marius Niculae got his head on a Ross Tokely cross only for it to be saved at the near post before setting up Stuart McCaffery with a ball which should have ended in the back of the net. The players could be forgiven for feeling a little unlucky going in at half-time without having registered anything on the scoreboard. Half Time: 0-0 It wasn’t long into the second half when the deadlock was broken. The ICT fans watched on in disbelief as a Dillon cross into the box failed to find a chasing Robson or Wilkie…unfortunately it didn’t fail to find the net and it was Inverness CT 0 – 1 Dundee Utd. Bayne had a header saved at the other end, but from this point in it was Utd who were in command of the match. The second goal came by way of a penalty in the 58th minute and ICT were lucky not to have a man sent to the stand. Following a foul on Kerr, referee John Underhill seemed to be only too aware of recent incidents of mistaken identity and preferred to keep his cards in his pocket rather than risk sending the wrong man for an early shower. Robson slotted the ball home from the spot, Inverness CT 0 – 2 Dundee Utd. It was a sick feeling of de-ja-vu 20 minutes later when Grant Munro was adjudged to have brought down Wilkie inside the area. Robson stepped up for the spot kick and sent the ball into the net at the exact same spot as his previous one. Inverness CT 0 – 3 Dundee Utd. The game couldn’t have come to an end quick enough for Caley Thistle and other than a run on goal and a well saved shot from Niculae we had nothing else to show for ourselves. Full Time: 0-3 One can only imagine what must be going through the heads of the players right now and we can only call on the fans to get right behind the team on Tuesday Night when they take to the pitch against Arbroath in the CIS Cup
  5. John Rankin and Graham Bayne returned to the side to face St Mirren at Love Street but neither could ensure the three points came back up the A9 from Paisley as the Buddies won 2-1. Franco Miranda and Mark Corcoran grabbed the goals for St Mirren with Don Cowie getting his first for ICT. However, with Gretna gaining a point at Tynecastle, Caley Thistle slumped to the bottom of the table and are now the only team still to win any points. 18/08/07 Love Street, Paisley ST MIRREN 2 (Miranda 19, Corcoran 55) Team: Smith, Van Zanten, Potter, Haining, Miranda (Mehmet 63), McCay, Mason, Murray, Brittain (Reid 63), Corcoran, Kean Subs: Burke, McGinn, Brady, Barron & Howard INVERNESS CT 1 (Cowie 57) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings (Wilson 71), Duncan, Cowie, Black (Wyness 82), Rankin, Bayne, Niculae Subs: D McDonald, McAllister, Sutherland, McBain & Ridgers Referee William Collum Attendance 3309 John Rankin and Graham Bayne returned to the side to face St Mirren at Love Street today with Dennis Wyness and Roy McBain dropping to the subs bench. There was no place in the squad for recent loan signing Steven Watt. In fact, Manager Charlie Christie named a set of subs without a single defender perhaps highlighting how desperate the need is for a permanent defensive signing. FIRST HALF The opening 18 minutes were all Caley Thistle. Graham Bayne attempted an overhead kick in the second minute that went over the bar, John Rankin had a shot from distance well saved by Smith in 7 minutes and Haining cleared another effort from him for a corner in 11 minutes. Ian Black also had an attempt a minute later that went wide. Although it was against the run of play, St Mirren scored in the 18th minute and the pendulum swung quickly in the other direction. A cross from Van Zanten found Franco Miranda at the edge of the box and the young Argentinian, making his debut for St Mirren, struck it sweetly into the bottom left corner. Niculae and Cowie both had chances to equalise soon after the opener but on both occasions keeper Chris Smith was up to the task of saving their long range efforts. As the half wore on it was fairly evenly matched with both sides having chances. Graham Bayne put a header wide in 28 minutes and a minute later forced Chris Smith to concede a corner which came to nothing. At the other end, Richard Brittain hit wide from 25 yards out. Before the half came to an end, Black and Niculae both had chances but they came to nothing and the half ended with St Mirren leading 1-0. Half Time: 1-0 St Mirren went two up in the 55th minute through Mark Corcoran. Corcoran, who was on the end of numerous offside decisions in the first half had an easy tap in after Stewart Kean had done all the hard work on the right flank. Marius Niculae may not have scored in his first two matches but he had some good touches today and setup Don Cowie for his first Caley Thistle goal just three minutes later. A great cross from the Romanian gave Cowie the chance to slide in with his goal. The team went looking for an equaliser and Charlie Christie went for some very attacking substitutions as time wore on. Barry Wilson came on for Richard Hastings and Dennis Wyness then came on for Ian Black. With only three at the back, St Mirren had a few chances to put the game out of reach and it was Stewart Kean who made a mess of one of the best with just over 20 minutes to go. After being setup by Hugh Murray he headed high and wide from only six yards out. Kean would also have another chance in the 88th minute where he beat Mike Fraser and Stuart McCaffrey as they slid on the wet surface and only had to walk the ball into the net... he perhaps didn't realise how much time he had and put it wide. Sandwiched in between these two Kean chances was Caley Thistle's best chance to draw level. A John Rankin shot went inches wide of the post with 10 minutes to go. Full Time: 2-1 That's now three games played, three defeats only two goals scored, one by a midfielder, one by a defender and seven goals leaked. Its not quite a crisis yet but with Gretna getting a point at Tynecastle, and Caley Thistle being the only team in the SPL who are yet to register any points next week's game against Dundee United at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium is most definitely a must win match.
  6. Marius Niculae made his long awaited debut for Inverness and although he had a good game, there was to be no fairytale debut goal. Instead, ICT opened the scoring in the 82nd minute through veteran Ross Tokely but a Phil O'Donnell goal 5 minutes from time and a Ross McCormack penalty right at the death denied Inverness what would have been a deserved victory. 11/08/07 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 2 (O'Donnell 85, McCormack 90pen) Team: Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Paterson, Lasley, O'Donnell, McGarry, Clarkson, Porter (McCormack 76) Subs: Molloy, Smith, Mensing, Corrigan, McLean, Meldrum INVERNESS CT 1 (Tokely 82) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings, Duncan, Cowie, Black, McBain, Wyness (Bayne 63), Niculae (D. McDonald 78) Subs: A. McDonald, Rankin, Sutherland, Wilson, Ridgers Referee Alan Freeland Attendance 4259 Charlie Christie, who was rumoured to have signed a new two year deal before the game, made three changes to the side that lost the previous week to Rangers Out of the squad through injury went Rory McAllister and Barry Wilson and John Rankin were on the bench in favour of Don Cowie and Russell Duncan who started. Marius Niculae, with his work permit situation now resolved replaced Rory up front. Motherwell were the first to attack when David Clarkson went close with a volley from 12 yards out in the first minute. Things settled down a little after that but it was Clarkson again who had the next chance in the game in 16 minutes when he got on the end of a Keith Lasley cross from only six yards out. Fortunately, Mike Fraser was alert and saved with ease. At the other end, Inverness were making chances and Marius Niculae was putting himself about a fair bit but nothing was coming of it. Don Cowie took a succession of free-kicks between the 20th and 30th minute but although he put the Well defence under a little pressure, again they came to nothing even though one did end up at the feet of Niculae who attempted a shot at goal from nearly 30 yards out. On the half hour mark, Caley Thistle had their best chance of the match so far. A Roy McBain corner was met by Ross Tokely but he headed narrowly wide under pressure from the Well defence. 5 minutes from half time, Caley Thistle had numerous chances after a flurry of corner kicks, First Cowie took one that was cleared by Fitzpatrick, then McBain took one which ended with a Cowie shot and a Smith save, then a minute later, after a tipping a Roy McBain effort round the post, Smith saved the resultant corner. Half Time: 0-0 This was a game between two evenly matched sides and the second half had a similar feel to it. However, it was noticeable that Motherwell seemed to have picked up the pace a little and the Caley Jags were not getting as many chances as they had had in the first. Having said that, it was Don Cowie who had the first real chance of the second half .... In 58 minutes, a Ross Tokely through ball fooled Mark Reynolds and Cowie got on the end of it and 20 yards from goal he decided to try and chip the keeper. It went agonisingly close, landing on the roof of the net ! In 62 minutes, Mike Fraser had to look lively to save a Keith Lasley effort. The ICT defence had been split wide open by some good Motherwell passing which resulted in Clarkson releasing Lasley but Mike Fraser saved the effort with his foot. [editors note: one of these quirky little things to keep an eye on !! for two weeks in a row now, Mike has saved a number of shots with his legs/feet as well as his hands] A minute later, Wyness was replaced by Bayne up front and a minute after that, Motherwell again came close from David Clarkson. A Russell Duncan foul on Clarkson resulted in a free kick which Clarkson took himself. He passed it to McGarry who then crossed it back into the box. Clarkson got on the end of it but headed wide from 12 yards. In 70 minutes, Chris Porter came close for the Steelmen. A Mark Reynolds near-post corner was headed just wide from six yards out. It was more or less Porter's last act in the game as he was replaced by Ross McCormack a few minutes later. Marius Niculae was also replaced before the end. Despite working hard throughout this game, it was clear he was not match fit and absolutely knackered so in 79 minutes the chance of a debut goal ended when he was replaced by Dean McDonald. A couple of minutes later and that elusive goal arrived and it couldn't have been more of a contrast than the fans had hoped for or expected. Hoping for a strikers goal from a man making his club debut the fans instead got a defenders goal from a man who holds the club appearance record ... did the fans care ? of course not. it made it 0-1 !!! The goal came from a free kick after Phil O'Donnell had fouled Graham Bayne. Don Cowie - who deserves praise for the effort and level of play he showed in what was also his debut for the club - stepped up to take the free kick and sent it to the far end of the box. Rossco was there to fire it home sweetly into the bottom corner of the net. not a classic goal, but one, so late on, that could and should have been the game winner. The Motherwell of last season may have crumbled at losing a goal so late on, but instead, Mark McGhee's men went looking for an equaliser and it was Inverness who did the crumbling ! In 85 minutes, O'Donnell equalised for Well after he got his head to a Steve McGarry cross and sent it looping past Mike Fraser from close range. If the game had ended there, none of the fans could really have complained at the result, two evenly matched teams sharing the spoils of a game where both had chances to win it. However, the game did not end there and it was heartbreak for Inverness right at the death when Well were awarded a penalty. Skipper Grant Munro was adjudged to have pulled down David Clarkson in the box and referee Alan Freeland awarded a spot kick and booked Grant. Grant has vehemently denied pulling down the player and suggested that the Well man dived but even boss Charlie Christie admitted after the game that it looked like a penalty from where he was. Ross McCormack stepped up to take the kick and made it 2-1 for Well and that is how it finished. Full Time: 2-1 For Caley Thistle, it was very frustrating and in addition to Cowie who was booked early in the game, a flurry of yellows in the last few minutes saw Duncan, Munro and Black also go into the referee' book. With Gretna shipping 4 goals again this week despite leading 2-0 at Hibs, they still lurk in bottom spot on goal difference but both Inverness and St Mirren (our next opponents) have yet to put any points on the board in what is a disappointing start to the season.
  7. Caley Thistle took seven points out of a possible nine from Rangers last season but from the very start it didn't look like this would be repeated. A Barry Ferguson double and a Nacho Novo goal gave Rangers an easy victory in front of a record 7711 crowd. 04/08/07 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium INVERNESS CT 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings, McBain (Hart 70), Wilson, Black, Rankin (McDonald 77), McAllister (Cowie 62), Wyness Subs: Sutherland, Duncan, Morgan, Ridgers RANGERS 3 Ferguson (16,90) Novo (64) Team: McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Thomson, Ferguson, Hemdani, McCulloch, Beasley, Boyd (Novo 49) Subs: Darcheville, Kinniburgh, Lennon, McMillan, Broadfoot, Carroll Referee Kenny Clarke Attendance 7711 Man of the Match Barry Ferguson Caley Thistle took seven points out of a possible nine from Rangers last season but from the very start it didn't look like this would be repeated. A Barry Ferguson double and a Nacho Novo goal gave Rangers an easy victory in front of a new record crowd at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium of 7711. With three potential first choice strikers out - Graham Bayne (broken toe), Marius Niculae (work permit problems) and Dean McDonald (ankle) - Charlie Christie started with a pairing of Dennis Wyness and Rory McAllister up front. There was no place for Russell Duncan in the opening line-up as McBain, Wilson, Black and Rankin formed the midfield line and only the defence was no surprise as the four most senior defenders - Tokely, Munro, McCaffrey and Hastings - took their normal slots. Walter Smith's Rangers are a different prospect than the side were under Paul Le Guen and much of that seems to be associated with the contribution of Rangers captain Barry Ferguson with whom PLG had a very public fallout. Ferguson was at the heart of everything in this game with a goal in each half and an overall performance that meant Rangers never really felt under much pressure. The first attack of the game came in only three minutes when Beasley was put through by Barry Ferguson but he could only smash the ball of Mike Fraser's legs after the keeper came off his line to block the American. In the 11th minute there was a test of temper for Ian Black when he was fouled badly by Kris Boyd. The midfielder who is often criticised for his short fuse and quick temper, reacted well and the result was that it was only Kris Boyd who made it into the ref's book at this stage. Black, to his credit came through the game without any sanction from the ref. In the 16th minute, Barry Ferguson opened the scoring with a move that went from goalie to goalie in about 4 touches. McGregor hit a long ball which was passed into the path of Ferguson by Lee McCulloch and the Rangers skipper hit it from 20 yards where it went into the net off the post. Touch 4 was Mike Fraser picking it out of the net. Ferguson, at the centre of everything, almost assisted with another goal when he put Boyd clear on the half hour mark but once again Mike Fraser was there and managed to get a foot in the way of the ball which then bounced off the ground, struck the underside of the crossbar and somehow spun wide of the post. A Carlos Cuellar snap shot just before half-time was heading in if it had not been for a good low save by Fraser who turned it round the post. Half Time: 0-1 The second half started slowly and the only action in the early portion of it was Boyd hobbling off in the 49th minute to be replaced by Nacho Novo and a tactical change where Charlie Christie replaced the ineffective Rory McAllister with Don Cowie and put Barry Wilson up front. A minute later and it was 2-0 to Rangers. Defensive lapses allowed Lee McCulloch to setup Nacho Novo and he made no mistake from 16 yards Five minutes after this Richie Hart came on and then and only then did Caley Thistle look like something might happen. Richie put in a sterling effort in the final 20 minutes and had two or three efforts that unfortunately came to nothing. 13 minutes from the end, new signing Dean McDonald came on for John Rankin but he couldn't get ICT back into it either. Ross Tokely will probably hope that this game had ended after 84 minutes as the last five minutes were not his best. After managing to escape bookings on at least two other occasions during the match he was finally booked in the 85th and then as the game drew to a close it was his error on a backpass that allowed Ferguson to nip in, lob the keeper and finish the game off. Full time: 0-3 After the game Charlie Christie blasted the side: "Rangers played longer than they have ever done against us and it was very effective. The annoying thing for me is how much of a problem that was for us." "It showed just how important Graham Bayne is to us. There was no passion and not the requisite desire to win. Make no mistake, there will be changes next week."
  8. Stuart McCaffrey started this game in place of the departing Darren Dods and it was his goal that proved to be the winner - his first of the season - in this low key affair. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports on the game from Love St ST MIRREN 0-1 ICT 19th May 2007 Love Street, Paisley ST MIRREN 0 Team: Smith, Van Zanten, Broadfoot, Millen (Burke 76), Reid, Maxwell, Malone (MacKay 46), Corcoran, Murray, Mehmet, Sutton (Kean 80) Subs: Lawson, Brady, Barron & Hinchcliffe INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 1 (McCaffrey 74) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings, Sutherland, Black, Duncan, Hart (Wilson 84), Dargo (Bayne 72), McAllister (Wyness 73) Subs: Dods, Paatelainen, Rankin & Ridgers Referee Dougie McDonald Attendance 4834 This match could have been vital to St Mirren’s SPL survival but that was guaranteed last week and so today was all about pride and league places. Heavy rain and high winds spoiled the spectacle and it took a rare Stuart McCaffrey goal to separate the sides. McCaffrey came in for Darren Dods who made his final appearance for ICT on the bench. He was joined by Dennis Wyness on his return from long-term injury. Roy McBain dropped out through injury, Zander Sutherland made his first start of the season, Rory McAllister partnered Craig Dargo up front and Grant Munro was captain. Richard Hastings made his 300th appearance, the day after he turned 30. It was an emotional day for St Mirren captain Kirk Broadfoot as he played his last match before joining Rangers in the summer. The kick-off for all SPL matches was brought forward to 1230 to avoid a clash with the Chelsea v Manchester United FA Cup final at the revamped Wembley. Russell Duncan was first to try for goal in three minutes but Chris Smith saved easily. Saints then had some good possession which resulted in Hugh Murray and Billy Mehmet both heading wide. Smith saved from Sutherland in 13 minutes then McAllister struck wide. Dargo also hit wide either side of the half hour mark before John Sutton did the same at the other end after an excellent through ball from Andy Millen. In first half added time Dargo was through into the St Mirren box before Alan Reid stepped in with a timely sliding tackle. Half Time: 0-0 Caley Thistle had by the better of the second half and Smith did well to save a Hastings free kick in 54 minutes and to tip over a deflected Ian Black long-range shot in 63 minutes. With 20 minutes left Grant Munro brought down Mark Corcoran as he headed for goal and the home crowd shouted for a red card – the referee did not deem it to be a ‘last man’ tackle and the card was yellow. The goal that proved to be the winner came four minutes later from a Richie Hart lob into the St Mirren box. The normally reliable Chris Smith came out but failed to collect and McCaffrey sent a looping header into the net from six yards out for his first goal of the season. This spurred St Mirren on and they had a good spell of attacking football but could not make it count. There was a real chance two minutes into added time when Broadfoot sent a ball into the box and Alex Burke bravely dived to head goalwards from 12 yards – Mike Fraser saved well and the whistle went to end the season. Full Time: 0-1 Caley Thistle finished an excellent eighth in the SPL with Graham Bayne the only player to feature in every match and Craig Dargo top goalscorer with ten. With a job well done it was time for a rest then reassembly in late June for pre-season training and a return to the Italian sun.
  9. With St Mirren winning at Motherwell, and Caley Thistle scoring a couple of late goals to win this game, Dunfermline are officially relegated from the Scottish Premier League. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. ICT 2-1 DUNFERMLINE 12th May 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Hastings 76, McAllister 88) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro (McAllister 75), Hastings, Hart, Black, McBain (Sutherland 68), Paatelainen (Wilson 61), Dargo, Bayne Subs: McCaffrey, Duncan, Rankin & Ridgers DUNFERMLINE 1 (McIntyre 37) Team: De Vries, Shields, Bamba, McGuire, Muirhead, Mason, Glass (Morrison 81), Hammill (McCunnie 66), O' Brien (Burchill, 81), McManus, McIntyre Subs: Hamilton, Young, Woods & McKenzie Referee Mike Ritchie Attendance 6464 Man of the Match Richard Hastings (ICT) It was a day of high drama as Dunfermline came north hoping to keep their fine run going and at least take the relegation battle to the wire. They brought a large vocal support and the team fought for every ball, but in the end it was not enough. At Fir Park the other possible candidates for the drop, Motherwell and St Mirren, were playing each other and there were many possible permutations after the final whistles. In the event St Mirren fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, but the 2-1 win for Caley Thistle meant it did not matter. Dunfermline were relegated. Two months ago Caley Thistle were 1-0 up on Dunfermline at half time then surrendered the second half to lose 3-1. Today it was 1-0 to the Pars at half time and it was Caley Thistle who came back to win. There were two milestones as Ross Tokely became the first player to reach the 400 appearance mark and Darren Dods played his 100th league match for ICT. The end of the season is often a time to give fringe players a run but, with relegation at stake, it would have been unfair to go down this route. Charlie Christie did shuffle his pack but with no loss of strength - John Rankin, Stuart McCaffrey and Russell Duncan dropped to the bench and Ross Tokely, Ian Black and Markus Paatelainen came back to start the match. The newly-blond Barry Wilson returned from suspension and injury to the bench. It was frantic from the off and play surged from end to end. There was no danger however until the twelfth minute when Dunfermline ’s Jim McIntyre sent a low angled ball skidding past the post from the right. Five minutes later the first ICT effort came when Craig Dargo latched onto a long Grant Munro throw but his angled shot was held well by Dorus De Vries. Caley Thistle began to create openings but could not make them pay. In 28 minutes a Richie Hart free kick from the right reached Graham Bayne but his header from the back of the box was held by De Vries. Three minutes later a clearance from the ‘keeper reached Hart 40 yards out with the goal vacated – Hart hesitated and was closed down before he could try for a spectacular goal. The opening came at the other end in 37 minutes when Tam McManus headed into the path of McIntyre and he volleyed home from just inside the home box. Half Time: 0-1 With St Mirren trailing to Motherwell the Dunfermline fans began to sing ‘We’re staying up’ but their optimism was premature. The second half started bizarrely when a Dods attempted clearance was stabbed goalwards and Mike Fraser had to be alert to tip it over. Nothing came off at either end and Dunfermline began to slow things down to retain their lead. In 71 minutes a poor back pass towards De Vries allowed substitute Wilson to nip in and steal the ball but he was forced wide and could only chip it to the centre of the box with no one following up. With fifteen minutes left Charlie Christie went for broke when he replaced defender Grant Munro with striker Rory McAllister. It was to prove decisive as within a minute McAllister was brought down by Sol Bamba 25 yards out on the right. Richard Hastings took the free kick and its power was too much for De Vries as he dropped it over the line – this was only the defender’s third goal for the club with the others coming in October and November 1995. Zander Sutherland did well down the left in 84 minutes and found McAllister inside – he ran on and blasted just wide from 25 yards. With two minutes of regular time left Wilson beat Phil McGuire to the ball and passed to McAllister who once more struck for goal from 25 yards. This time it took a deflection to fool De Vries and give ICT a 2-1 lead. The three added minutes stretched to four and Dunfermline pushed hard. De Vries joined the attack for the final few minutes to try to make amends for his error but it all came to nothing. Full Time: 2-1 The whistle went and the Dunfermline players slumped to the ground despondent. It had been a brave fight but the Pars were down and out. For Caley Thistle there was a one spot climb to eighth and just one game left away to St Mirren.
  10. Carl Finnigan scored the only goal of this game in the 78th minute. This was a game where the most sustained piece of action came in a three minute spell that saw Falkirk made three substitutions and then score a goal !! Other than that, you would never guess that each league finishing spot was worth a reputed 80K more than the one below as this was typical end of season fare (from both sides) that is best forgotten. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports on the match. FALKIRK 1-0 ICT 5th May 2007 Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk FALKIRK 1 (Finnigan 78) Team: Schmeichel, Ross, Scobbie, Barr, Milne, Lima, Latapy (Uras 77), Craig, Stewart (McStay 77), Finnigan, Gow (Moutinho 75) Subs: O'Donnell, Twaddle, Holden & Lambers INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 0 Team: Fraser, McCaffrey (Paatelainen 82), Dods, Munro, Hastings, Rankin (Wilson 66), Duncan, McBain, Hart, Dargo, Bayne Subs: Tokely, Black, Sutherland, Wood & Ridgers Referee Stephen Finnie Attendance 3129 Man of the Match When these two sides meet you can usually expect goals. In four 2006/07 matches to date they had shared twelve goals but this was to be an exception – just one freak goal separated the sides. Both Barry Wilson and Ross Tokely were free from suspension but could only make the ICT bench as Charlie Christie retained most of the team from Tannadice. Craig Dargo came back from injury to replace Markus Paatelainen in the starting eleven and resume his striking partnership with Graham Bayne. Falkirk made one change with Patrick Cregg being replaced by Vitor Lima. Rangers-bound Alan Gow played for Falkirk but the home supporters were clearly impatient with his performance and it was no surprise when he was substituted with fifteen minutes left. It was not a match to remember but the second half was an improvement on the first. Falkirk ’s John Stewart headed wide in six minutes then two minutes later Richie Hart hit just off target following a knock-on by Bayne. In 13 minutes Mike Fraser saved from Gow after a good run past the ICT defence. Hart was in fine form and in 28 minutes he took a Roy McBain pass but shot wide of the target. Six minutes later Craig Dargo sent a back-post header wide from a Hart cross. In 35 minutes Mike Fraser was called into action when Vitor Lima tried his luck from 35 yards but the ‘keeper touched it over the bar. Half Time: 0-0 Into the second half and Carl Finnigan missed the chance of the match in 48 minutes when Stewart headed into his path and he somehow hit the underside of the visitors’ bar from a few yards out. At the other end a Hart free kick was met bravely by the diving Bayne but his header went wide. Another Hart strong effort on the hour mark went wide from 18 yards. The goal that broke the deadlock came in 78 minutes when Falkirk ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel sent a 70 yard free kick into the heart of the ICT box. Finnigan stuck out a foot and it looped over Mike Fraser and into the net. Paatelainen was sent on for Stuart McCaffrey with eight minutes left to push for at least an equaliser but it did not happen. Full Time: 1-0 A disappointing 1-0 defeat with two games left and a chance to climb the table missed. Falkirk stay seventh and Caley Thistle ninth. The relegation battle goes on with St Mirren taking three precious points at Tannadice and Dunfermline having all to play for against Motherwell on Monday.
  11. In the proverbial 'game of two halves', a graham Bayne equaliser in the 57th minute was enough to grab a share of the points after David Robertson had given Dundee United a well deserved first half lead. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports on the game at Tannadice. DUNDEE UTD 1-1 ICT 28th April 2007 Tannadice Stadium, Dundee DUNDEE UTD 1 (Robertson 41) Team: Stillie, Dillon, Wilkie, McCracken, Kalvenes, Cameron, Gomis, Samuel, Robertson(Duff 75), Daly(Conway 81), Hunt Subs: Goodwillie, Robson, Easton, Mair & Mclean INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 1 (Bayne 57) Team: Fraser, McCaffrey, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Rankin, Duncan, McBain, Paatelainen, Hart(Black 86), Bayne Subs: McSwegan, Soane, Sutherland, McAllister, Duff & Ridgers Referee Steve Conroy Attendance 5273 Man of the Match Morgaro Gomis (Dundee Utd) It is a well-worn cliché but there is no escaping the fact that this was a game of two halves. United dominated the first and deservedly led 1-0 at half time, but it was all change after the break as Caley Thistle fought back for a draw. Sadly Charlie Christie was not able to travel south due to a family bereavement and Donald Park took charge. Craig Dargo missed out due to a hamstring injury and both Barry Wilson and Ross Tokely were still suspended. Ian Black returned to take a bench slot. For United Barry Robson was left on the bench as he is on a suspension knife-edge. The dry spell left the pitch hard despite copious pre-match watering and this led to the first chance of the afternoon in the third minute. Mike Fraser and Jon Daly both went for a through ball and it took a high bounce over the ‘keeper – this also fooled Daly who could only touch it off target. A minute later a John Rankin free kick from the right curled towards the United goal and Derek Stillie had to punch it clear. The lively start continued and in 13 minutes Fraser pushed away a Noel Hunt angled header and it was scrambled away. Sean Dillon crossed from the right in 16 minutes and the ball bounced off the top of the bar. Caley Thistle’s first real effort on goal came in 21 minutes when a Richie Hart 25 yard effort was deflected for a corner. With five minutes of the first half remaining a long Hunt throw from the right was aimed for the towering Lee Wilkie in the box but it was cleared by Stuart McCaffrey for another throw. Hunt looked like repeating the move but instead it went short to Daly and was returned to Hunt. He crossed into the box and David Robertson sent a near post header into the net to give United the lead. Half Time: 1-0 After the interval United stuttered and Caley Thistle came right back into it – but not before Fraser had to tip over a David McCracken overhead kick in 54 minutes. The equaliser in 57 minutes was a beauty. Hart sent a long free kick into the heart of the box and Graham Bayne rose to head it past Stillie from 12 yards. United’s Daly had a header deflected for a corner in 59 minutes then a Dods effort at the other end was similarly sent for a corner. Bayne ran onto a Rankin chip in 75 minutes but a late offside flag stopped play. Hart hit off target from long range in 79 minutes then Fraser held a Stuart Duff angled ball from the left. Ian Black came on for the last four minutes and he was involved in a couple of good moves – his first touch sent Markus Paatelainen down the left but he shot well off target. United had the last chance of the match in added time when a Craig Conway ball from the left curled wide of the post. Full Time: 1-1 United and ICT remain eighth and ninth respectively.
  12. A Dargo double in the first half was enough to secure all three points against Motherwell in a typical 'end of season' match where home keeper Michael Fraser was rarely troubled. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot provides the match report from Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. ICT 2-0 MOTHERWELL 21st April 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Dargo 14,44) Team: Fraser, McCaffrey, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Hart, Duncan, Rankin, Paatelainen, Bayne, Dargo (McBain 69) Subs: McAllister, Sutherland, McSwegan, Soane, Duff & Ridgers MOTHERWELL 0 Team: Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Murphy (Quinn 46), Kerr, Vadocz, McBride (McGarry 20), Paterson, McDonald, Clarkson (Smith 75) Subs: McCormack, Fitzpatrick, Molloy & Meldrum Referee Craig MacKay Attendance 3804 Man of the Match Richard Hastings (ICT) A comfortable win for Caley Thistle in the race to be the best of the rest. Importantly the result of this first post-split match ensured that any lingering relegation worries were arithmetically over. Darren Dods came back from suspension but Ian Black remained in the sin bin and was joined by Barry Wilson and Ross Tokely. Young defender Jamie Duff took a place on the bench for the first time and Graham Bayne became the 27th ICT player to join the 100-appearance club. Bayne’s strike partner Craig Dargo played despite being under the weather and he put the finishing touch to good moves by scoring twice. The first real chance came in 13 minutes when a long Grant Munro throw from the left fell for Markus Paatelainen and he shot strongly through the pack in a crowded box – Graeme Smith saw it late but produced a fine save. Within a minute Paatelainen was the provider for the opening goal when he touched the ball from the centre to Dargo racing in for the right - he took it in his stride and his angled shot took a slight deflection as it went past Smith. The pressure on Smith continued and he did well to hold an awkward bouncing 25 yard shot from Richie Hart. Motherwell were forced into a 20th minute substitution when Kevin McBride limped off and Steve McGarry came on. Close to the half-hour mark Scott MacDonald had two rare Motherwell chances but his shots on the turn were easily collected by Mike Fraser. Five minutes from half time Caley Thistle produced arguably the move of the season. Breathtaking interplay amongst four players resulted in Munro heading into the Motherwell box from the left – unselfishly he laid the ball off to Hart but he blasted over the bar from the penalty spot. A minute from the break a high Stuart McCaffrey free kick into the box was head-flicked by Bayne to the feet of Dargo and he sent an angled shot past Smith for his second goal. Half Time: 2-0 The second half was rather pedestrian and there were few chances. In 52 minutes Smith saved a low shot from Bayne after a fine move then Fraser held an overhead kick by Krisztian Vodocz in the home box on 74 minutes. Ten minutes from time a Bayne back-header from a John Rankin chip sailed over the bar. Six minutes later ICT came close to a further goal - a Rankin high free kick into the Motherwell box was knocked back out to him by Dods and Rankin sent a long range shot just wide of the top right corner of the woodwork. Full Time: 2-0 It ended 2-0 and ICT moved up a notch to ninth place. Bottom club Dunfermline beat Dundee United 1-0 and now sit just a point below St Mirren who play Falkirk on Monday. A very interesting relegation battle but thankfully Caley Thistle fans can watch it from the outside.
  13. A pretty even match finishes as a 1-1 draw. Falkirk scored in the 80th minute but John Rankin equalised 6 minutes later (his 4th against Falkirk this season) to save a point for Caley Thistle. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports on the game from the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. ICT 1-1 FALKIRK 7th April 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 1 (Rankin 86) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (McBain 66), Duncan (McAllister 82), Hart, Rankin, Dargo, Bayne Subs: Paatelainen, Wood, Soane, Sutherland & Ridgers FALKIRK 1 (Finnigan 80) Team: Schmeichel, Ross, Holden (Scobbie 48), Barr, Milne, Cregg, Latapy (Craig 75), Thomson, O'Donnell, Moutinho (Finnigan 68), Gow Subs: Lima, McStay, Uras & Lambers Referee Crawford Allan Attendance 4435 Man of the Match Richie Hart (ICT) Not a great game but it had its exciting moments. Caley Thistle could have had it sewn up by half time but nothing quite came off and it was Falkirk who opened the scoring with ten minutes left. John Rankin came to the rescue with a late equaliser. Ian Black’s suspension continued and Darren Dods missed one game as a result of his red card at Ibrox. Stuart McCaffrey came into central defence, Markus Paatelainen dropped to the bench, Barry Wilson came back into the starting eleven, Richie Hart continued in midfield, Roy McBain returned from injury to a bench slot and young striker Garry Wood joined the squad for the first time. Falkirk striker Carl Finnigan came back from suspension but started on the bench. ICT could have taken the lead in two minutes when an attack led to a loose ball which broke well for Wilson and left him one-on-one with Kasper Schmeichel – his low shot was saved by the legs of the ‘keeper and Wilson hit the rebound wide. A minute later and there could have been a goal at the other end. Alan Gow sent a high free kick from the right and Dean Holden headed goalwards from the back post. It ran parallel to the goal line and over for a goal kick at the far side. Schmeichel once more rescued Falkirk in 14 minutes when he tipped over a 25 yard dipping volley from Hart. In 34 minutes Rankin produced the shot of the match when he sent an angled ball from long distance on the left towards the top right corner. It curled beautifully but went just past the angle of the bar. Half Time: 0-0 Falkirk had clearly been spoken to firmly at half time as they came out with more determination. Despite this Mike Fraser had little to do as the defence held firm under early second-half pressure. In 59 minutes Schmeichel did well to dive and hold a Hart ball across goal then in 69 minutes a good home move led to a blocked Craig Dargo shot from 20 yards. The Bairns took the lead with ten minutes left when substitute Finnigan took a pass on the right wing and was allowed to continue despite strong offside claims. He raced ahead and hit an angled shot low into the net for 1-0. Rory McAllister was sent on for Russell Duncan as the home side played three up front in search of an equaliser. It came in 86 minutes when a long Grant Munro throw from the left was returned to him and he sent a high ball into the box – Rankin managed to get a good touch on it and send the ball into the top corner for the equaliser. There was a hectic finish and Caley Thistle nearly snatched a late winner when Dargo rounded Schmeichel on the left but a defender cleared the danger. Twice in added time Schmeichel had to punch clear but the final whistle went and it ended 1-1. Full Time: 1-1 Caley Thistle moved up one place to ninth. Dunfermline beat Hibs 1-0 and the relegation issue has not quite been settled.
  14. Craig Dargo made a welcome return to the starting lineup and scored the late equaliser that ensured the Caley Jags will finish the season undefeated against Rangers. It all looked so different in the early stages when Darren Dods was sent off for a 'last man' challenge and Charlie Adam scored from the resultant free kick, but the team regrouped and came away with a point after the late equaliser. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from Ibrox. RANGERS 1-1 ICT 31st March 2007 Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow RANGERS 1 (Adam 14) Team: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Papac, Murray, Novo (Burke 67), Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam, , Boyd, Prso (Sebo 81) Subs: Robinson, Thomson, Ehiogu , McMillan & Shinnie INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 1 (Dargo 81) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Duncan, Rankin, Hart (Wilson 72), Paatelainen (McCaffrey 20), Dargo (McSwegan 90), Bayne Subs: Soane, Sutherland, McAllister & Ridgers Referee William Collum Attendance 50278 With two wins already over Rangers this season Caley Thistle were looking for the hat-trick. They did not quite make it but a 1-1 draw at Ibrox with ten men was about as close as it gets. The Caley Thistle side was shuffled as Grant Munro returned from suspension and Ian Black started a three-game ban. Richie Hart came in for Barry Wilson, Craig Dargo and John Rankin returned to the starting line-up and it was back to the bench for Stuart McCaffrey and Gary McSwegan – in McCaffrey’s case for just 20 minutes. Not surprisingly Rangers came at the visitors from the start and Dado Prso sent Barry Ferguson through in six minutes - Michael Fraser was up to the task and he blocked well. Prso then went down in the box but penalty claims were ignored by the referee. In 13 minutes Darren Dods departed early for a last-man foul on Kris Boyd and Charlie Adam netted the resultant free kick from 25 yards. Ross Tokely temporarily moved into the middle of the back four but in 20 minutes Markus Paatelainen was sacrificed for Stuart McCaffrey and there was to be a successful rehearsal of the likely defensive line-up after Dods heads for Tannadice in the summer. Ian Murray took a high ball into the box in 25 minutes but his curling shot went over the bar. As half time approached, Grant Munro headed wide of the Rangers’ goal and a Prso volley went wide at the other end. Half Time: 1-0 Rangers had chances to extend their lead after the break but an Alan Hutton cross was headed wide by Prso then in 62 minutes Fraser blocked a Boyd effort. Boyd blasted over from eight yards in 74 minutes and the visitors began to create chances at the Rangers’ end. Alan McGregor tipped over a Russell Duncan effort, a curling ball from substitute Barry Wilson went over the bar then the home fans were stunned nine minutes from time when ICT equalised. Richard Hastings crossed from the left, Graham Bayne played it from the back post across goal and Craig Dargo knocked it over the line from a few yards out. Ibrox began to empty of Rangers’ fans as the reality of two dropped points hit home. Full Time: 1-1 The whistle went and a happy band of away supporters headed back up the A9. With one game left before the split ICT remain tenth but there is a clear gap between them and bottom clubs St Mirren and Dunfermline.
  15. Stephen Kenny will no doubt enjoy the rest of his St Patrick's day after this victory threw the Pars an SPL survival lifeline !! The Dunfermline manager hadn't seen his side win in sixteen games but this victory had nothing to do with luck as the Pars broke that unenviable record convincingly. Surprisingly enough, this was also Dunfermline's first ever SPL victory against ICT. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot provides the official report from the game. ICT 1-3 DUNFERMLINE 17th March 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 1 (Paatelainen 23) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Dods, Hastings, Wilson, Duncan (Rankin 63), Black, Paatelainen, McSwegan (Dargo 63), Bayne Subs: Hart, Morgan, Sutherland, McAllister & Ridgers DUNFERMLINE 3 (Glass 47, 78pen , McIntyre 60) Team: De Vries, Ross, McGuire, Wilson (Harris 80), S. Morrison, O'Brien, Mason, Glass, Hammill (Muirhead 86), McManus, McIntyre Subs - McCunnie, O. Morrison, Crawford, Hamilton & McKenzie Referee Chris Boyle Attendance 4447 Man of the Match Markus Paatelainen (ICT) Bitter disappointment for Caley Thistle but all credit to Dunfermline for a spirited second half fight back. It was 1-0 to ICT at half time and all looked well. Dunfermline scored two goals in the second half then a very controversial penalty award led to a third and the match was over. Dunfermline are almost down and out of the SPL but more victories like this and all that could change. ICT’s defeat means that a top six finish is impossible and the SPL split is finally decided. With Grant Munro still suspended Stuart McCaffrey again partnered Darren Dods in central defence. Markus Paatelainen continued in midfield instead of the injured Roy McBain and Gary McSwegan started up front. Craig Dargo came back from injury to a bench spot and he came on for 27 minutes. Charlie Christie was scathing in his appraisal: "The players have to take responsibility for performances like that along with myself, we like to take the plaudits when we do well so we must take the brunt of it when we don't do well." A bitterly cold wind dominated the day but Caley Thistle started well. In six minutes strong shots from Ian Black and Gary McSwegan were blocked then four minutes later danger was averted at the other end by Stuart McCaffrey’s timely tackle on Adam Hammill. In 19 minutes a Barry Wilson free kick from 25 yards deflected off the wall and Graham Bayne just failed to touch it past Dorus De Vries. The opening goal came in 23 minutes when a Ross Tokely high ball from the right bounced about in the box before Paatelainen blasted it in from 12 yards. Despite continuing to dominate the home side could not find another goal – an angled Ian Black snap shot was taken well by De Vries in 36 minutes then the keeper tipped over a Wilson cross just before the break. Half Time: 1-0 Just two minutes into the second half Dunfermline came right back into it. A Jim O’Brien cross was volleyed past Mike Fraser from 15 yards by Stephen Glass with the home defence absent. Another O’Brien cross was deflected to Jim McIntyre on the hour mark and he touched it in from close range for 2-1. A Paatelainen ball from the left was tipped over by De Vries in 76 minutes as Caley Thistle tried to claw their way back into the game. The final nail in the coffin came two minutes later when Hammill went down in a clash with Hastings on the edge of the box. The home fans were livid when the referee pointed to the spot. Glass ignored the controversy and hit low into the net despite Mike Fraser guessing correctly and getting a hand to it. In 83 minutes the controversy moved to the other end when Wilson was brought down by Scott Morrison – Wilson landed in the box but the offence was decreed to have happened just outside. The scoring was over but not the drama. A minute over time Tom McManus came in heavily on Black and a straight red was shown. Full Time: 1-3 It made no difference as the match was effectively over. Caley Thistle moved to eighth and Dunfermline gained three points on the rest of lower teams.
  16. Killie and the Caley Jags served up another game with a load of goals but unfortunately - like the last game between the sides - it was Killie who got the higher tally. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot supplies the official report from Rugby Park. KILMARNOCK 3-2 ICT 10th March 2007 Rugby Park, Kilmarnock KILMARNOCK 3 (Di Giacamo 17, 27, Naismith 40) Team: Smith, Murray (Locke 79), Greer, Wright, Hay, Di Giacamo, Fowler, Johnston, Leven (Wales 85), Nish, Naismith Subs: Koudou, Gibson, Quinn, O'Leary & Harpur INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Paatelainen 10, Dods 47) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Dods, Hastings, Wilson (Hart 76), Black (Sutherland 76), Duncan, Paatelainen, Bayne, McSwegan (McAllister 79) Subs: Morgan, Rankin, Soane & Ridgers Referee Alan Freeland Attendance 7630 With Celtic cemented at the top of the SPL this was the day that the top six was determined and the relegation spot assigned to Dunfermline. Barring mathematical miracles Caley Thistle cannot now catch Kilmarnock and must be content with a lower-level but safe position. Dunfermline could only draw with St Mirren so will go down – again barring an extraordinary sequence of results. At the start of the day, seventh placed ICT faced sixth placed Kilmarnock with six points between them. The visitors had Grant Munro suspended and Roy McBain still injured so Charlie Christie had to ring the changes. "I thought we deserved to take something out of the game" said Charlie Christie. "In the second half I thought we pinned Kilmarnock back for the vast majority of it". As expected Stuart McCaffrey came into central defence but there were surprises with first starts for Gary McSwegan and Markus Paatelainen. All three acquitted themselves well but it was the young Finn who particularly caught the eye as he grabbed his first goal for the club in the tenth minute. It was not to prove enough and by half time Killie held a 3-1 lead. This was pulled back to 3-2 but despite great efforts it stayed that way. CIS Cup finalists Kilmarnock attracted a large crowd for this crunch game but it was the small knot of ICT supporters that celebrated first in ten minutes. Richard Hastings powered down the left wing, crossed into the centre and Markus Paatelainen’s looping header from 12 yards defeated Graeme Smith for 1-0. The lead lasted just seven minutes when a Peter Leven long throw bounced high over the defence and Paul Di Giacomo touched it for 1-1. In 27 minutes Killie took the lead when Mike Fraser pushed away a Steven Naismith volley and Di Giacomo hit home the rebound via the bar. Five minutes from the break a Grant Murray cross was partly cleared, returned into the box by Di Giacomo and Naismith spectacularly sent an overhead kick low into the corner for 3-1 to the home side. Half Time: 3-1 That could have been it but Caley Thistle came out fighting in the second half and took just three minutes to make it 3-2. A McSwegan 30 yard shot was tipped over by Graeme Smith and Barry Wilson’s corner from the right was headed in by Darren Dods via a touch off a defender. On the hour mark Dods had a chance but hooked wide of the post then Di Giacomo did the same at the other end. Paatelainen cleared a Gordon Greer header off the ICT line in 72 minutes then the visitors made two substitutions. Zander Sutherland replaced the booked Ian Black and Richie Hart came on for Barry Wilson. Rory McAllister, just named in the Scotland under 20 squad, replaced Gary McSwegan and Killie club captain Gary Locke took the field with Grant Murray departing. Despite these moves a strong ICT finish came to nothing. A Paatelainen shot was saved by the foot of Graeme Smith, Ross Tokely hit over from 25 yards, a Richie Hart corner was headed on by Dods but cleared then another Hart corner went harmlessly for a goal kick. Alan Johnston shot wide at the other end in the closing seconds of the regulation 90 minutes. This took pressure off the Killie defence then there were three added minutes which stretched to four. A long Mike Fraser free kick was taken by Graeme Smith and time was nearly up. After 94 minutes a Richard Hastings free kick was knocked on by Ross Tokely, cleared by the Killie defence and that was it. Full Time: 3-2 Kilmarnock now go into next week’s CIS Cup final with a top six SPL finish assured and Caley Thistle remain seventh.
  17. A Barry Wilson goal right at the death wins all three points for Caley Thistle. The goal came moments after Grant Munro, making his 200th appearance for the club, received a straight red card for a tackle on Barry Robson. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. ICT 1-0 DUNDEE UNITED 3rd March 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 1 (Wilson 90) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Black, Duncan, Rankin (Paatelainen 74), McAllister (McSwegan 64), Bayne Subs: McCaffrey, Morgan, Hart, Sutherland & Ridgers DUNDEE UNITED 0 Team: Stillie, Dillon, McCracken, Wilkie, Kalvenes, Kerr, Gomis, Robson, Robertson (Samuel 46), Daly (Robb 73), Hunt (Goodwillie 81) Subs: McCord, Watson, Mair & Mclean Referee Steven Finnie Attendance 3901 Man of the Match Darren Dods (ICT) Up until the last three minutes this game was totally forgettable – two off-form teams producing very little. The match was punctuated by free kick after free kick and chances were few. With a minute of normal time left Grant Munro tackled Barry Robson on the half way line and the referee deemed it reckless – a straight red card was shown and Munro’s 200th appearance was spoiled. With a full two minutes of added time on the clock Barry Wilson scored dramatically to keep the points in Inverness . This was reminiscent of the closing period of last Sunday’s Celtic game but there the similarity of the matches ended. Roy McBain dropped out of the ICT team from last week due to both injury and suspension and Rory McAllister came in to partner Graham Bayne up front. Charli Christie said: "We weren't at our best today, I think that was apparent to everyone but we showed some great resolve which is vitally important in football". It was Bayne who created some excitement in the first minute when he blocked a David McCracken clearance but it bounced back to a grateful Derek Stillie. With four minutes gone United’s Sean Dillon sent over a cross from the right and Jon Daly hit it first time past the post from close range. In 23 minutes Mike Fraser dived to his right and touched a 25 yard Barry Robson shot past for a corner. Ross Tokely headed over in 32 minutes then, with five minutes of the half left, Richard Hastings came close with a header that was cleared off the line.I think that is only the second game of the season that we have taken more points than we deserved. Half Time: 0-0 Things did not really improve after the break but home hopes were lifted when Rory McAllister robbed a defender inside the United half after 47 minutes but he hesitated and the defence regrouped before he could make the chance count. Robson netted a minute later for the visitors but the whistle had long gone. United full back Christian Kalvenes crossed high from the left in 62 minutes but Noel Hunt just failed to connect at the back post. A repeat of this cross in 69 minutes led to a Collin Samuel bouncing header which went not far wide. With six minutes left Bayne knocked the ball to substitute Gary McSwegan who chested it down and shot on the turn but it was blocked. It went out to Russell Duncan on the left but he shot wide of the target. United’s best effort of the match came in 85 minutes when Robson curled a shot low from 18 yards but Fraser was equal to the task and dived to push it for a corner. Then came the dramatic last three minutes. Munro’s red card seemed to spur on the home side and an excellent move produced a late late winner. An Ian Black chip set Barry Wilson down the right – he cut inside and shot low for goal. Stillie spilled it, Bayne stepped in to touch it Markus Paatelainen and he found Wilson 18 yards out. Despite the pressure Wilson hit it neatly past Stillie to stun the travelling support and grab the points. Full Time: 1-0 Wilson was engulfed by his colleagues and the match was over. As a result ICT leapfrogged United to a healthy seventh place.
  18. MOTHERWELL 1-0 ICT: Scott McDonald scored on the stroke of half-time to give Motherwell their first ever win against Caley Thistle at Fir Park. Overall, Well probably deserved the win and Caley Thistle's once fearsome away record continues to crumble - its now 9 away league games without victory!!! Club Historian Ian Broadfoot supplies the official report from this game. 17th February 2007 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 1 (McDonald 45) Team: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Murphy, Darren Lee Smith (McGarry 85), Kerr, Fitzpatrick, Paterson, Clarkson (McCormack 76), McDonald Subs: Keegan, Molloy, Quinn, Vadocz & Meldrum INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Duncan (Black 70), McBain, Rankin (Paatelainen 71), Bayne, McAllister (McSwegan 75) Subs: McCaffrey, Morgan, Soane & Ridgers Referee Mike Tumilty Attendance 4258 Motherwell’s Fir Park has been a happy hunting ground for Caley Thistle since reaching the SPL but not today. A single Scott McDonald goal on the stroke of half time was enough to give the Steelmen victory despite a second half comeback by the visitors. "There was a lack of composure with some of the chances missed and I think in games like today you really see the value of Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness" - Charlie Christie speaking on Official Site. Christie retained the same starting eleven as last week which meant that, with Craig Dargo still injured – and Dennis Wyness out for the rest of the season – Rory McAllister partnered Graham Bayne up front. Mike Fraser continued to make the goalkeeping position his own in a display that saw him just pipped for the BBC ‘Man of the Match’ accolade by Mark Reynolds. Motherwell’s David Clarkson had the first attempt on goal in the second minute but his header from Jim Paterson’s cross went past the post. At the other end Barry Wilson hit wide in eight minutes then Clarkson had a shot well blocked by Mike Fraser. Scott McDonald fired wide in 14 minutes then in 23 minutes Clarkson went down in the Caley Thistle box while chasing a through ball with Fraser – Clarkson was booked for diving. Caley Thistle’s hopes of soaking up the pressure until half time were dashed just as the fourth official signalled one added minute of time. A high Danny Murphy free kick from the left edge of the box eluded the central defenders and McDonald headed home from six yards. Half Time: 1-0 Despite this blow Caley Thistle came out in the second half in a determined mood but just could not find that accurate final touch. Rory McAllister hit off target in 50 and 56 minutes then in 64 minutes Graeme Smith took two attempts to gather a John Rankin volley. In 70 minutes McAllister had another chance following a free kick but he hit just wide. With ten minutes left Mike Fraser did well to block a shot from substitute Ross McCormack and keep his side in the game. At the other end a Darren Dods header was cleared from the danger area by Stephen Craigan. Eight minutes from time ICT substitutes Gary McSwegan and Markus Paatelainen combined but Graeme Smith did well to block the Finn’s shot. The visitors continued to press for an equaliser but it did not come and Motherwell took the points. Full Time: 1-0 Eighth place was retained but on goal difference from Motherwell (who have two games in hand) and Dundee United who play Hibs on Sunday. Dundee Utd V Hibs finished goalless so ICT slip to 9th and DUFC move up to eighth.
  19. Substitute Michal Pospisil scored with his first touch of the ball in the 81st minute to give Hearts all three points in this match. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot supplies the official report from this match. HEARTS 1-0 Inverness CT 10th February 2007 Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh HEARTS 1 (Pospisil 82) Team: Banks, Tall, Zaliukas, Berra, Fyssas, Kingston, Brellier, Driver, Klimek (Pospisil 81), Jankauskas (Bednar 61), Elliot (Jonsson 73) Subs: McCann, Karipidis, Wallace & Kurskis INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (McSwegan 84), Duncan, McBain, Rankin (Morgan 63), Bayne, McAllister Subs: McCaffrey, Black, Soane, Paatelainen, & Ridgers Referee Eddie Smith Attendance 16631 Not a good performance by either side and it looked for a long time as if 0-0 was on the cards. Michael Pospisil came off the Hearts bench with nine minutes left and he proved to be an inspired substitution as, within a minute, his goal changed all that. Barry Wilson was ICT captain for the day to celebrate his 300th appearance but it proved a sore defeat for the veteran in more ways than one. He collided with Julien Brellier in 20 minutes and, after treatment, came back wearing a head bandage. The one thing you can be sure of when playing against Hearts these days is that you can be sure of nothing. Charlie Christie had no idea of the probable Hearts line-up so could only concentrate on preparing his own side – he fielded the same eleven that started last week against Dundee United. Once the team lines were issued much of the chatter surrounded the fact that Craig Gordon was once more not in the Hearts squad. Stevie Banks continued in the Hearts goal and the substitute ‘keeper was Eduardas Kurskis who arrived from Lithuanian club Kaunas in the January transfer window. The starting eleven included Polish striker Arkadiusz Klimek – another January arrival at Tynecastle. The match kicked-off at 2pm to avoid a clash with the Scotland v Wales rugby international at Murrayfield. Banks was the Hearts’ hero with just one minute on the clock when he parried a net-bound Graham Bayne volley then, at the other end, Klimek shot over the bar. A Takis Fyssas shot went past Mike Fraser’s post in 18 minutes then the ‘keeper blocked an Andrew Driver shot with his legs in 24 minutes. The rest of the half produced little but Banks did save from Wilson and Rory McAllister just failed to connect with a Wilson low ball inside the area. Half Time: 0-0 Into the second half but little of note until the closing period. A Driver volley went wide, Fraser blocked a Roman Bednar shot and a Bednar header went over the bar. In 70 minutes Rory McAllister latched onto a Richard Hastings cross but his header came off the bar – a rare chance for the visitors. Hearts could have scored with ten minutes left when a Calum Elliot cut-back ran across the face of the goal but no one was there to take advantage. With eight minutes left, just when it looked like ending in stalemate, substitute Pospisil popped up and netted with a back post header after a Driver cross from the left. Full Time: 1-0 Charlie Christie responded by bringing on Gary McSwegan as a third striker but despite a surge towards Banks no equaliser was forthcoming. Eighth place was retained but with just a goal-difference lead over Dundee United.
  20. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored the winner in injury time and then received a second yellow for over-zealous celebrating with the away fans as Caley Thistle lost out 2-1 to Celtic at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot supplies the match report. Inverness CT 1-2 CELTIC 28th January 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 1 (Bayne 57) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Duncan (Black 74), McBain, Rankin, Wyness (McAllister 2 (Paatelainen 84)), Bayne Subs: McCaffrey, Morgan, Soane & Ridgers Celtic 1 (Riordan 37, Vennegoor of Hesselink 90) Team: Boruc, Telfer, Naylor, Pressley (O'Dea 38), McManus, Nakamura, Lennon, Graveson, Riordan, Beattie (Miller 45 (Jarosik 60)), Vennegoor of Hesselink, Beattie Subs: McGeady , Sno, Maloney & Brown Referee Iain Brines Attendance 7484 Man of the Match Barry Wilson (ICT) It was twilight robbery! Caley Thistle matched Celtic all the way, had come back from a goal down and were pushing for a second goal when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink stepped in to score the winner with 90 minutes on the clock. The game marked a year (and 46 matches) in charge for Charlie Christie and was Darren Dods’ 100th appearance. With Mark Brown now on the Celtic bench, Caley Thistle brought back Ally Ridgers from Clach on loan to act as back-up to Mike Fraser. It started badly for the home side when, after just 30 seconds, Dennis Wyness went down 20 yards out after a one-two with Graham Bayne – it looked like a foul but nothing was given. There was worse to follow as Wyness left the field with a dislocated shoulder and headed for Raigmore Hospital. Rory McAllister came on and proved to be a fine deputy. He had the first ICT shot in seven minutes when he fired from 25 yards and Artur Boruc had to be sharp to push it for a corner. Dods diverted a Craig Beattie shot for a corner in 16 minutes then Shunsuke Nakamura hit over the bar. Fraser confidently held a low Thomas Gravesen shot in 19 minutes. McAllister hit low past the Celtic goal in 33 minutes and Barry Wilson did the same a minute later. In 37 minutes Celtic carved out an opening goal in strange circumstances. A Roy McBain sliced clearance came off the bar and Derek Riordan had an easy task to score from close range. Five minutes from the break McBain went down in the Celtic box but play was waved on then a Graham Bayne header went wide. Half Time: 0-1 The home side came out fighting in the second half and could have scored in 54 minutes when Wilson robbed Gravesen and raced goalwards – his 25 yard shot was spilled by Boruc, McBain ran onto it but his shot was deflected for a corner – surprisingly a goal kick was given. The pressure was rewarded three minutes later when a quick John Rankin throw on the left found Grant Munro and his cross was headed home by Graham Bayne to the delight of the home fans. It was no more than Caley Thistle deserved and they continued to press. In 70 minutes McAllister robbed Neil Lennon, then ran on and found Bayne on the right – the striker’s shot went wide. A McAllister 22 yard shot in 73 minutes was deflected for a corner then five minutes later Bayne went down in the box to no avail. Vennegoor came close at the other end with ten minutes left when his angled shot from the right was beaten away by Fraser. It rebounded kindly for the Celtic striker but he hit wildly over the bar. Substitute Ian Black hit too high from 25 yards in 81 minutes before the final drama. The fourth official had just signalled two added minutes when an attempted Darren Dods clearance was sliced up in the air, it fell to Vennegoor and he hammered in despite Fraser getting a hand to it. Full Time: 1-2 The scorer ran to the Celtic fans to celebrate, received a second yellow card and was off. It made no difference as the two extra minutes produced nothing and Celtic took the points. Caley Thistle remain eighth and Celtic lead the table by 19 points from Rangers.
  21. Craig Dargo opened the scoring in 20 minutes and Roy McBain and Barry Wilson both scored before half time as Caley Thistle strolled to a comfortable 3-0 victory. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot provides the official report from the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. ICT 3-0 HIBERNIAN 21st January 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 3 (Dargo 20, McBain 30, Wilson 42) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Paatelainen 80), Duncan (Black 77), McBain, Rankin, Dargo (Bayne 70), Wyness Subs: McCaffrey, Soane, McAllister & Smith HIBERNIAN 0 Team: McNeil, Whittaker, Jones, Hogg, Stewart, Murphy, Brown, Thomson (Fletcher 46), Beuzelin (Stevenson 46), Benjelloun, Campbell (Sproule 46) Subs: McCann, Glass, Martis & (Simon) Brown Referee William Collum Attendance 4577 Man of the Match Craig Dargo (ICT) A first half three-goal blitz gave Caley Thistle a well deserved win against a Hibs side that surprisingly created very little. The Hibs/Aberdeen cup tie on Thursday led to this game being postponed by 24 hours as John Collins brought his side to Inverness for the first time. He was without the injured Chris Killen and Merouane Zemmama but, despite a doubt, Michael Stewart played. With Mark Brown having left for Celtic, the ICT goalkeeping position was wide open for the patient Mike Fraser to step in after 165 bench slots, two starts and three substitute appearances. He handled everything confidently but was never seriously troubled. New signing Markus Paatelainen from Cowdenbeath was on the bench and came on for the last ten minutes. The first 45 minutes were some of the best ever seen at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium as the home side swept forward and Hibs did not know what had hit them. In six minutes John Rankin robbed Steven Whittaker on the left, sent the ball across goal and Barry Wilson shot from an angle – Andrew McNeil got a touch and just managed to claw it back before it trickled over the line. McNeil spilled a Wilson shot two minutes later but Craig Dargo’s follow up touch went past. The lively Abdessalam Benjelloun (Benji) was through on the right in 11 minutes but Darren Dods blocked for a corner. Rankin shot over in 18 minutes then two minutes later the deserved opening arrived. The creator was Dennis Wyness who intercepted on the right then found Craig Dargo 15 yards out – he hit it first time into the net with the outside of his right foot as McNeil scrambled back in vain. On the half hour mark it was 2-0 when Ross Tokely intercepted down the right wing, slipped it to Roy McBain in the centre and he sent it neatly past the helpless McNeil for his second goal of the season. The closest Hibs came in the first half was when Scott Brown netted in 34 minutes but the whistle for offside had long gone. With three minutes of the first half remaining Barry Wilson brought the home crowd to its feet when he sent a tremendous 25 yard angled shot past McNeil from the right to make it 3-0. Half Time: 3-0 It was all change after the break as Hibs threw on three substitutes in an attempt to retrieve something from the game. They pushed hard for 20 minutes but the home defence held firm. In 62 minutes there was a moment of alarm as a Steven Fletcher free kick seemed on target but Fraser saw it safely past the post. At the other end a Wyness shot was charged down by Chris Hogg in 64 minutes then a Ross Tokely effort was deflected for a corner. The only black spot of the afternoon came in 70 minutes when Craig Dargo dislocated his shoulder after a simple challenge and he was replaced by Graham Bayne. With four minutes left Mike Fraser punched clear a David Murphy shot then an Ian Black 25 yard drive went wide at the other end. The last action was a long range attempt by Graham Bayne but it was wide of the mark. Full Time: 3-0 A fine victory for Charlie Christie ’s men, eighth place retained and the top six within sight.
  22. This match was Caley Thistle's 100th SPL game and a first ever victory over the Dons was the hope. John Rankin appeared to have achieved this when he scored in the 86th minute but Steve Lovell equalised in the 3rd minute of injury time to salvage a point for the Dons. ABERDEEN 1-1 ICT 13th January 2007 Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen ABERDEEN 1 (Lovell 90) Team: Langfield, Hart, Anderson, Foster, Nicolson, Severin, Clark, Brewster (Considine 44), Maguire (Dempsey 46), Miller (Lovell 79), Mackie Subs: , Touzani, Donald, Smith, Soutar INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE 1 (Rankin 86) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (McCaffrey 89), Duncan, Rankin, McBain, Wyness (Dargo 80), Bayne Subs: Black, Morgan, Soane, McAllister & Fraser Referee Mike McCurry Attendance 10300 Man of the Match As the 100th SPL match played by Caley Thistle this was a milestone, but a second was just missed as once more Aberdeen’s scalp proved elusive. For the third time this season the teams drew 1-1 and, as in November, both goals were late on with Stevie Lovell saving the Dons in the last minute. This time the equaliser was well into added time after John Rankin had made it 1-0 with four minutes of normal time left – this was the club’s 777th league goal and the 118th in the SPL. Richard Hastings was fit again so it was back to ICT’s familiar 4-4-2 formation and Craig Dargo moved to the bench. Aberdeen were missing the suspended Zander Diamond but Craig Brewster made his first start against his former club. It was to be a dismal afternoon for Brewster as he left the field with a dislocated shoulder just before half time and will be out for an extended period. Wild weather throughout Scotland caused a number of postponements but this game went ahead despite a gale-force wind. Barry Nicholson shot over in 11 minutes for Aberdeen then Dennis Wyness had the first chance for ICT in 16 minutes when he hit from 25 yards but Jamie Langfield saved with little trouble. Wyness headed over seven minutes later then Graham Bayne shot over. In 26 minutes Barry Wilson appeared to be brought down by Langfield after a mix up between the ‘keeper and Michael Hart but the referee waved play on despite strong protests from the visitors. Just before half time a Wilson free kick curled past the wall and over the bar. Brewster then sustained his shoulder injury and had to head for hospital. Half Time: 0-0 At the interval he was replaced by Andrew Considine and Gary Dempsey also replaced Christopher Maguire. Aberdeen were looking for a penalty when Lee Miller went down in the box but once more Mike McCurry made no award. Rankin curled a long range shot wide then in 66 minutes Bayne hit over following a Rankin corner. Bayne was the provider in 86 minutes when he stroked the ball into the path of Rankin and he hit past Langfield from 18 yards to make it 1-0. This was no more than the visitors deserved but it was not enough. With nearly three minutes of added time on the clock, substitute Lovell came to the Dons rescue when he lobbed over Mark Brown to make it 1-1. This was a bitter blow for Caley Thistle who richly deserved all three points. Full Time: 1-1 There was no time for a comeback as the whistle went before the match could even restart. Caley Thistle remain eighth on 28 points and Aberdeen stay third on 39.
  23. ICT 2-1 ST MIRREN Goals from Graham Bayne in 5 minutes and Dennis Wyness in the 21st minute were enough to win this game for Caley Thistle. Kirk Broadfoot scored for the Buddies in 77 minutes and Mark Brown made a spectacular save near the end to make sure all three points stay in Inverness. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from the game. 1st January 2007 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Bayne 5, Wyness 21) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (McCaffrey 88), Duncan (Morgan 84), McBain, Rankin, Bayne, Wyness Subs – McAllister, Sutherland, Soane, Dargo & Fraser ST MIRREN 1 (Broadfoot 77) Team: Bullock, McGowne, Potter (Gemmill 87), Broadfoot, Zanten, Reid (McCay 65), Corcoran, Brittain, Brady, McKenna (McGinn 46), Sutton Subs: Docherty, Maxwell, Millen & Smith Referee Alan Freeland Attendance 4246 Man of the Match Graham Bayne (ICT) A good start to 2007 for Caley Thistle, a well-earned three points and revenge for the defeat by St Mirren on the opening day of the season. By half-time they could have been more than two up and were put under pressure when Saints improved after the break. The visitors eventually pulled one back through Kirk Broadfoot and there was a nervous finish for the home fans. Heavy rain throughout the country threatened sporting fixtures but Inverness was spared the worst of it and all was well. Ian Black dropped out of the home side through suspension and Russell Duncan came in. Barry Wilson returned and Alan Morgan reverted to the bench. St Mirren were without Simon Lappin and Hugh Murray. Bullock was under pressure from the start and in just two minutes Graham Bayne sent an angled ball across goal but wide of the mark. The first goal came in five minutes when Bayne passed to Roy McBain, moved to the centre and was there to expertly head home McBain’s cross from the right. This was just what ICT needed and they took control of the game. Saints however nearly pulled one back in nine minutes when Mark Brown dived to push a low ball from David McKenna over for a corner. Dennis Wyness scored his first SPL goal of the season in 21 minutes and it was a great strike. McBain powered goalwards then found Richard Hastings on the left - the defender’s cross reached Wyness in the box, he chested it down then hammered it into the net giving Bullock no chance. A Wilson free kick in 29 minutes troubled the defence as it bounced towards goal but Bullock pushed it for a corner. John Rankin had a chance in 33 minutes from his favourite position 25 yards out but it was on his right foot and he sliced it wide. A Wilson corner in 44 minutes reached Darren Dods at the back of the box but he was off-balance and failed to connect. Half Time: 2-0 Just after the break Bayne went down just inside the St Mirren box but nothing was given. Kirk Broadfoot tested Brown in 52 minutes from wide left but the ‘keeper held it. Bullock saved from Rankin in 55 minutes then pushed the ball for a corner as Wilson closed in for the rebound. Bullock saved well from Bayne in 62 minutes then Wyness hit over the bar in 67 minutes. Saints began to gain confidence and they scored in 76 minutes when Broadfoot ran in to head home Richard Brittain’s corner from the left. Garry Brady nearly managed an equaliser three minutes later but Brown dived to his left to push it away. Mark Corcoran then hit the bar from an angle on the right. With four minutes left Saints were awarded a free kick 19 yards out for hand ball amidst claims that it had been in the box. The kick came to nothing but the ICT fans feared the worst as Saints continued to press. There was an almighty scramble in the home box in the closing minute but Alan Morgan finally booted clear and it hit off a St Mirren player for a goal kick. That was enough to settle things down and the whistle went. Full Time: 2-1 In the topsy-turvy world at the foot of the SPL this win pushed ICT back up to eighth on 27 points. Dunfermline remain rooted at the foot on 14 points.
  24. A 12 minute hat-trick from Anthony Stokes just before half-time and two yellow cards for Ian Black for kicking the ball away after the half-time whistle had gone, sum up this match. It was small consolation that John Rankin scored another cracker right at the death. Official Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from the last match of 2006 which took place at the Falkirk Stadium. FALKIRK 3-1 ICT 30th December 2006 Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk FALKIRK 3 (Stokes 33,37,45) Team: Lambers, Ross, Dodd, Uras, Barr, Milne (Twaddle 65), Cregg, Lima (Thomson 72), O'Donnell, Latapy (Stewart 78), Stokes Subs: McManus, Craig, Scobbie & Higgins INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE 1 (Rankin 90) Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Rankin, Black, McBain, Morgan (Duncan 70), Wyness (McAllister 78), Bayne (McSwegan 76) Subs: McCaffrey, Wilson, Sutherland & Fraser Referee Mike Tumilty Attendance 4516 Man of the Match Anthony Stokes (Falkirk) A disappointing end to 2006 for Caley Thistle and what a difference three days can make in football. The victory over Rangers will never be forgotten but the glow was dimmed somewhat by this defeat at the hands of Falkirk. This was the Anthony Stokes show as the on-loan Arsenal youngster scored yet another hat-trick in a 13 minute spell. The visitors were without the rested Barry Wilson and Alan Morgan came in for his first league start of the season. Goalkeeper Mark Brown made his 200th appearance in just five seasons. Falkirk were without striker Alan Gow due to flu and defender Cedric Uras made his debut. Today was a massive disappointment after Wednesday night. The visitors started well and in the fourth minute an Ian Black 25 yard free kick curled just wide. Darren Dods did well to track back and challenge Stokes in 20 minutes - the teenager did manage a shot but he was off balance and the ball went across the face of the goal. In 28 minutes Grant Munro took the ball off Stokes in a dangerous position after a good Falkirk move involving Russell Latapy. On the half hour mark home ‘keeper Jeroen Lambers tipped over a 30 yard free kick from Morgan. Stokes took over after that and scored his first in 33 minutes. Kenny Milne found Latapy and he sent a neat through pass which set Stokes up on a straight run to goal. He hit it past Brown then repeated the finish from a tight angle four minutes later after a one-two with Vito Lima. As half time approached Stokes completed his hat trick from close range after a cutback from Milne. Half Time 3-0 After the half-time whistle Caley Thistle’s Ian Black incurred the wrath of the referee by kicking a ball away twice and receiving two yellow cards in succession. The first was clearly the match ball but some claim the second was a club warm-up ball. No matter the rights and wrongs of the dismissal it left the visitors to face the second half three goals and a man down. The visitors battled on in the second half but they could have lost a fourth in 68 minutes when Darren Barr hit the bar from 20 yards. Brown parried a Lima shot from 12 yards in 70 minutes when another goal was a strong possibility. There was never going to be a realistic way back but in the last minute John Rankin restored some pride when he took a Gary McSwegan pass and sent a 20 yard dipping shot over the ‘keeper. This repeat of Rankin’s feat on Wednesday was merely a consolation and the points were left behind in Falkirk. Full Time: 3-1 Results elsewhere led to a drop to tenth.
  25. Darren Dods scored just before half time to level an earlier penalty from Rangers (Novo) but it was John Rankin who scored an injury time winner to beat the Gers and end Caley Thistle's 9 game run without a win. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports from Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. ICT 2-1 RANGERS 27th December 2006 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Dods 41, Rankin 90) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Morgan 78), Rankin, Black, McBain, Dargo, Bayne, Wyness Subs: McAllister, Sutherland, McSwegan, Duncan, McCaffrey & Fraser RANGERS 1 Novo (21 pen) Team: McGregor, Hutton, Svensson, Papac, Hemdani, Sionko (Burke 72), Ferguson, Clement, Adam, Novo (Lennon 83), Sebo Subs: Stanger, N'Diaye, Murray, Rae & Klos Referee Craig Thomson Attendance 7522 Man of the Match Dennis Wyness (ICT) A dramatic injury-time goal from John Rankin earned all three points for Caley Thistle, continued their 100% league record against Rangers this season and gave them a tremendous confidence boost after a disappointing run. Pre-match Rangers manager Paul Le Guen made no secret of his desire to avenge the October result at Ibrox but he was to be bitterly disappointed. His side was without the injured Dado Prso and Caley Thistle also had Craig Dargo sidelined. Graham Bayne partnered Dennis Wyness up front and they worked their socks off for the home cause. Otherwise the home side was unchanged. A new record crowd of 7522 settled down to watch the action – a vocal away support expecting to see their side’s revival continue and a home crowd hoping for that elusive win. Caley Thistle started at pace and earned a corner in the second minute. Barry Wilson’s kick came off a defender and hand ball was claimed to no avail. An excellent Wyness flick in four minutes set up a John Rankin shot in the Rangers box but he hit first time over the bar. The first real chance for Rangers came in eleven minutes when Mark Brown had to be alert to beat the ball away from the feet of Nacho Novo. Four minutes later Brown held a low shot from Charlie Adam. The game took a turn Rangers way in 21 minutes when Barry Ferguson went down alongside Roy McBain in the home box. TV pictures confirmed minimum contact but it was a penalty and Novo sent Brown the wrong way for 1-0. The home side continued to hold their own in defence and to create chances at the other end. In 26 minutes Ross Tokely and Roy McBain combined to set up Wilson but McGregor saved his low shot. With four minutes of the first half left Tokely found Darren Dods just inside the Rangers box and McGregor parried the captain’s shot – it fell neatly back to Dods and he hit it high into the net for a very welcome equaliser. Half Time: 1-1 This set up a lively second half with Allan McGregor the busier ‘keeper. In 65 minutes Wilson sent a ball across goal from the right which had McGregor scrambling - it reached Rankin beyond the far post but his effort from an acute angle was not quite on target. Two minutes later Grant Munro did well to rob Filip Sebo as he poised to shoot. McGregor saved an excellent Ian Black angled shot in 69 minutes then seconds later he did the same from Wyness before stopping Graham Bayne’s headed follow-up. Brown took the ball off Sebo’s feet in 76 minutes then a minute later he safely took a Ferguson rising free kick. Ten minutes from time Black sent a long ball to Bayne down the right and McGregor raced out of his goal to clear for a throw-in. Chris Burke had come on as a substitute for Rangers in 72 minutes and he was proving a handful. His speed down the right wing was creating danger but the home defence stuck to its task well. Burke had a chance in 84 minutes but he hit over the bar. With two minutes left, Wyness flicked the ball to Rankin close to the Rangers goal but his low shot was held by McGregor. Into added time and a draw looked inevitable. The away fans started to head for their buses but were stopped in their tracks when Rankin struck. A neat pass from substitute Alan Morgan sent Rankin off from the halfway line towards McGregor’s goal. From 25 yards out he sent a high ball goalwards – the ‘keeper (and most of the crowd) thought it was going to clear the bar but it dipped and nestled in the net. There was still time for one last Rangers attack through Alan Hutton but Munro cleared the ball and the whistle went. Full Time: 2-1 A fine way to end a long run without a victory. Boxing Day results elsewhere had sent ICT down to eleventh but these three points propelled them up to eighth.
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