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Bore Draw Stenhousemuir came North for the first time since 1998 on League business when a Mike Teasdale brace won the day after Ian Little had opened the scoring for the Warriors in front of 1414 fans. Brian Thomson has been our all time top scorer against them with seven goals including a hat-trick in a 5-1 rout in 1997. Hope he has taken his boots along for this one. In an instantly forgettable first half, the only highlight was a brilliant penalty save from Musa Dibaga to keep the score level with opportunities non-existant for both sides. The closest we came was when Davidson shot just wide when we broke forward. The second half produced more of the same with neither side able to find the finishing touch. Another point and another game without a goal. Whatever way you spin it, it's another dire performance which won't encourage many fans to come back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A chilly afternoon with the threat of rain dampened the atmosphere and to be honest it must have got to the players who produced a dire first forty-five only brought to life by a superb penalty save from Dibaga. Nothing wrong with the strike, but the keeper guessed right as he dived full length low to his right to deny Matty Yates. The rest of the half was disjointed and Jake Davidson was the only other one that went close ten minutes before the interval. Half Time: 0-0 The second half was no better with half chances and missed opportunities. Anderson glanced a header a yard or two wide and Yates shot wide as the Warriors threatened to take control. However with defences on top it was unlikely that anyone would score and James Nolan lifted a shot over the bar after good work down the right flank by Longstaff and lay-off's from Billy Mckay and MacKinnon. Nobody could hit the target and Brooks dragged a long range shot two or three yards wide. MacKinnon had an effort blocked from close range from the edge of the six yard box. Highlight of this half was a tremendous block by Jake Davidson as Ross Meechan looked favourite to score. Unfortunately it was the same old same old as we struggled badly to create enough and take any chances that did come our way. Full Time: 0-0 Poor fare at the Caledonian Stadium as we huffed and puffed our way around the park to little effect. Great save from MotM Musa Dibaga to deny Matty Yates but that was all there was to cheer. We did have an early penalty claim brushed aside, as Billy Mckay seemed to be barged off the ball and another in the second half when Duffy appeared to be pushed in the box going for a cross. Either way, a draw was about right, but two poor teams on display. OCG on CTO: Well that was dire possibly even worse than last week. Does DF ever try to play football that suits the players he has? Does he even know that we need to win anymore? Most exciting bit was good natured banter with the Stennie keeper! Finding it harder and harder finding any positivity these days. Can you imagine what it will be like watching football like this when it's minus 3 and dark by full time!! More match reaction to follow Big Musa with a big hand <<caleyjags.com>> Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Queen of the South 8 4 14 2 Alloa Athletic 8 3 14 3 Montrose 8 4 13 4 Kelty Hearts 8 5 12 5 Stenhousemuir 8 0 11 6 Inverness CT 8 0 9 7 Arbroath 8 -1 9 8 Cove Rangers 8 -3 8 9 Annan Athletic 8 -9 7 10 Dumbarton 8 -3 6 Date: 28/09/2024 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1601 Referee: Peter Stuart Inverness CT: 0 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Dibaga; W Duffy, Davidson, Devine, Savage, Longstaff, Gilmour, MacLeod (Allan 69), Nolan, MacKinnon, B Mckay (Brooks 68) Subs (not used): Newman; Strachan, Ferguson, Ewan, C Mackay, Thompson Scorers: none Booked: Devine (17), B Mckay (56) Sent Off: none Stenhousemuir: 0 Manager: Gary Naysmith Lineup: D Jamieson; Meechan, Buchanan, Bilham, Wedderburn (Alston 55), Berry, Ewen (Tomlinson 75), Aitken, Banner, Anderson, Yates (O'Reilly 88) Subs (not used): Trialist A (Hogarth), Trialist B (Cameron). Scorers: none Booked: Berry (45) Sent Off: none a

Warriors up for the Battle The second home League1 game in a row has Stenhousemuir visiting for the first time since 1998 when we won 2-1. Mike Teasdale scored both goals as we came from behind to win that relegation battle after Ian Little had opened the scoring early in the first half. It's a standard 3:00pm kick-off this Saturday afternoon apart from Cove v the Smokies which can be seen on BBC Alba at half past five. The revamped 94' Bar will be open at mid-day for both sets of fans with Supporters Trust members and helpers at your service and if you are free around 10:30am on Saturday morning, pop over and help with the tidy up around the Stadium. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info Livingston Date Ch Cup ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Venue Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 3 3 0 0 11 3 +8 Away 5 3 1 1 10 5 +5 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 8 6 1 1 21 8 +13 Brian Thomson We have only met Stenhousemuir eight times in total, winning six and losing once, a 3-2 reverse at Ochilview in August 1997. Our top scorer of all time against Stenny is Brian Thomson who has scored seven times in all competitions including a hat-trick in a league cup encounter in 1997 at the Caledonian Stadium. Get yer boots on Brian, we need someone to put the ball in the net. Alas, Brian can't make it, he's washing his hair this weekend. Signed from Huntly - Position: Forward Previously with Fraserburgh, Motherwell, Peterhead & Arbroath Debut Played: 16 Dec 1995 - Last Game: 2 May 1998 Third Division Championship medal 1996/97; Joint top Second Division goalscorer 1997/98 (20 goals) Scored a barrowload, including the vital goal v Stenhousemuir which gained access to Rangers in the Scottish Cup in 1996 and he was a star in that quarter final at Tannadice as well. He made a stunning debut v Ross County in the Inverness Cup Final in December 1995. First Goal: January 13th, 1996 - Alloa Athletic 0 - 2 Caley Thistle (Div 3 "The first goal came in 30 minutes - a header by Brian Thomson after a cross from Richard Hastings) Born: June 19th, 1966 (Fraserburgh) Height: 1.83m Position: inside forward Signed: July 1st, 1995 Left Club: May 31st, 1998 Career Stats: 93 appearances, 34 goals Full Debut: December 16th, 1995 - Cowdenbeath 0 - 0 Inverness CT (League - ) First Goal: January 13th, 1996 - Alloa Athletic 0 - 2 Inverness CT (League - ) Also Played For: Arbroath, Buckie Thistle, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Motherwell, Peterhead Season so Far INVERNESS CT: D L D D W D D Our season got off to a slow start with a draw at home to Dumbarton followed by a penalty defeat at Annan. Another two draws against Montrose (h) and Kelty Hearts (a) before our first win of the season over Queen of the South at the Caledonian Stadium. We beat Stirling Albion 3-0 to send us into a fourth Rnd tie away to Livingston thanks to a brace from Adam Brooks and a strike from Adam MacKinnon. That was followed up by us throwing away a two goal lead at Alloa to end up with a 2-2 draw six minutes later. A Danny Devine volley and Calum MacLeod with his first goal for the club were the scorers at Recreation Park. Last time out we had a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Cove Rangers who opened the scoring through Adam Emslie. James Nolan on loan from Manchester United's youth squad levelled the game before the hour with his first goal for the club. The optimist said it's only one defeat in seven games. The pessimist said FFS, we've only won one game out of seven. Billy Dodds said folk have been sacked for less... Stenhousemuir: W L L W W L D Having been promoted as Champions in season 23/24, the Warriors opened their account in League1 with a 2-1 home win over Arbroath but lost the following week at Kelty (2-0). Another loss followed at Alloa (1-0) before a 3-2 home win over Cove Rangers. The highlight of their season so far was a 5-1 thrashing of Annan Athletic at Ochilview. Bilham, Anderson and a Blair Alston hat-trick did the damage as Stenny took their chances whilst Annan only took one of their many opportunities. Montrose brought them back down to earth in the next League game with a 3-0 win at Links Park. Last week a no scoring home draw where Queen of the South dominated the game as Darren Jamieson earned the Warriors another vital point. They also knocked Falkirk out of the Challenge Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Jamieson was again a standout for Stenhousemuir denying Falkirk half a dozen times. Blair Alston is their top scorer in the League with three goals followed by midfielder Michael Anderson on two. Former Hearts defender Gary Naysmith is the Warriors manager. It's difficult to assess the teams this early in the season with everyone capable of pulling off wins over all the other challengers.... except for us with our waltzing slowwww slowwww slowwww slowwww slowwww approach to the game which must be easy to set up against and our lack of penetration in the final third. Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Table ahead of this weekends game with Stenny two points above Inverness. 1. Alloa Athletic 7 3 4 0 8 5 13 2. Montrose 7 3 3 1 7 3 12 3. Q.O.S. 7 3 2 2 6 4 11 4. Stenhousemuir 7 3 1 3 10 10 10 5. Kelty Hearts 7 2 3 2 9 7 9 6. Inverness CT 7 1 5 1 6 6 8 7. Cove Rangers 7 2 2 3 10 11 8 8. Annan Athletic 7 2 1 4 6 12 7 9. Dumbarton 7 0 6 1 10 11 6 10. Arbroath 7 1 3 3 6 9 6 Saturday 28 September 2024 Inverness CT v Stenhousemuir Kelty Hearts v Annan Athletic Montrose v Alloa Athletic Queen Sth v Dumbarton (BBC Alba) Cove v Arbroath (17:30) Latest Team News Flynn Duffy, Lewis Nicolson and Ethan Cairns are still out and Keith Bray has not trained all week. We remain toothless up front with Billy in a withdrawn role and little other attacking options available. Striker for the weekend anyone? Here's Dunc talking about his young team, strikers (or lack of), grass, defence and goals; the hardest part of the game isn't it>>> <<<This was the Stenhousemuire starting XI that Gary Naysmith went with in the home draw against Queen of the South. Nat Wedderburn was a sixth minute sub for the Warriors as Kyle Jacobs went off injured. With six yellow cards last week, looks like the Warriors will be up for the battle. Last week was an open game with Queens more than matching their hosts who were thankful for keeper Jamieson pulling off a handful of great stops. Assistant manager Brown Ferguson bemoaned a number of injuries during this game and was pleased with the battling point against a full time team in QotS. Alston, Taylor, Steele, O'Reilly and Jacobs were all substituted against Queens. Maybe Alston for his own good having just been booked in the closing stages of the game. Ayr United midfielder Scott Tomlinson has recently signed on loan for the season at Ochilview.

Drab Draw Inverness hosted Cove Rangers and were without Flynn Duffy, Lewis Nicolson and Ethan Cairns. Paul Allan and former Cove players Luis Longstaff and Charlie Gilmour had returned to the squad with Gilmour and Longstaff starting. Cove had won their last two outings and put three past Kelty Hearts last weekend with Mitch Megginson always a threat up front. Adam Emslie tapped in at the back post to open the scoring after twenty minutes. Substitute James Nolan levelled five minutes after the restart following a corner. A replacement official was required to complete the game and even with fifteen minutes added on, there was no further scoring. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An overcast but calm afternoon greeted the players and a freshly painted bar area greeted the fans at the stadium. After a slow start, Adam Brooks was first to have a go, in fact a double go as his first effort was saved at the expense of a corner, the second fired over the bar. Cove opened the scoring after twenty-minutes following a quick break forward involving Marshall, Adam Emslie the scorer and Megginson after he missed the ball at the front post and Emslie had the simple task of tapping in at the far post. Brooks missed a great opportunity to level matters but headed over from close range at the near post. Scully shot over from the edge of the box five minutes before the break. It had been a poor first half for the hosts who trailed at the interval with Brooks the biggest sinner in front of goal. HALF TIME: 0-1 James Nolan came on at the restart and five minutes later he was scoring his first goal for the club after his initial shot was saved but his follow-up found the net. Keeper Suman was replaced by Demus when he went off injured minutes later. Duncan Ferguson appeared to pick up another yellow card after an angry exchange when Gilmour was booked. An injury to the referee prompted a tannoy call for a replacement from the crowd as the game was halted. One of the assistants took control of the game and a substitute linesman was sourced from the stand and duly appeared to run the line as assistant Will Pare took centre stage. On resumption, Emslie was denied a second goal by Dibaga. Megginson was blocked brilliantly by Calum MacLeod as he looked favourite to add a second for Cove as the game approached the ninety-minute mark. However, there was plenty time added on for the replacement of the referee and Jake Davidson fired wide deep into added time. 15 minutes of additional time came and went before Will Pare brought the game to a halt and the points were shared with opportunities at a premium. FULL TIME: 1-1 The only positive to take from today was Caley Jags fan Jamie Mackinnon stepping in to save the game being abandoned and running the line after the referee went off having made too many wrong decisions... Or maybe he was injured. Apparently the tannoy announcement was so successful the club will do the same at next weeks game with Stenhousemuir and will ask the fans if there is a manager in the stands willing to step in and do Dunc's job. There you go Jamie. This week running the line, next week running the club. The world is your lobster. <<<Jamie can be seen here jogging past Remi Savage after assuring him that the offside law has been cancelled. Well done you. <<image from Caley Jags.Com >> Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Alloa Athletic 7 3 13 2 Montrose 7 4 12 3 Queen of the South 7 2 11 4 Stenhousemuir 7 0 10 5 Kelty Hearts 7 2 9 6 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 7 0 8 7 Cove Rangers 7 -1 8 8 Annan Athletic 7 -6 7 9 Dumbarton 7 -1 6 10 Arbroath 7 -3 6 Date: 21/09/2024 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1505 Referee: Stewart Luke Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Dibaga; W Duffy (Nolan 46), Devine, Savage, Davidson, Longstaff, Gilmour, MacLeod (Allan 90), MacKinnon, B Mckay (Thompson 90), Brooks (Bray (82) Subs (not used): Newman; Strachan, Ferguson, Ewan, C Mackay Scorers: Nolan (51) Booked: Gilmour (60) Sent Off: none Cove Rangers: 1 Manager: Paul Hartley Lineup: Suman (Demus 55); Doyle, Gillingham, Darge, Parker, Harrington (McAllister 61), Scully, Yule, Megginson (Gaffney 90+6), Marshall, Emslie Subs (not used): Demus; Murray, McGrath Scorers: Emslie (21) Booked: Doyle (39), Darge (42), Yule (43), Marshall (85) Sent Off: none a

Bring your own curry oot Cove Rangers are the visitors on Saturday for a League 1 encounter at the Caledonian Stadium with a kick-off time of 3:00pm. Unfortunately curry is off the menu due to lack of interest, let's hope that malaise does not transmit onto the field of play. Inverness will be without Flynn Duffy, Lewis Nicolson and Ethan Cairns. Paul Allan and Charlie Gilmour are back in the squad after injury and Ferguson is still looking for a striker on loan. It's just the ninth meeting between the clubs with Inverness in the driving seat with six wins, one defeat and one draw. The last four games all went the way of the Caley Jags when Cove popped up into the Championship in season 2022/2023. The pick of that games was a 6-1 win for Inverness at home with Billy Mckay notching a hat trick. More of this would be dandy: Happy New Year: Inverness began 2023 with a crushing win against Cove. Two from Billy Mckay and one from Danny Devine countered the opening goal from Jack Sanders. Two quickfire own goals within five minutes of the restart put the hosts 5-1 ahead. Mckay notched his hat-trick from close range as we ran away with the game. Big win to start the year, just what we needed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info Challenge Cup Fixture Date ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Season so Far INVERNESS CT: D L D D W D Our season got off to a slow start with a draw at home to Dumbarton followed by a penalty defeat at Annan. Another two draws against Montrose (h) and Kelty Hearts (a) before our first win of the season over Queen of the South at the Caledonian Stadium a fortnight ago. Last weekend we beat Stirling Albion 3-0 to send us into a fourth Rnd tie away to Livingston thanks to a brace from Adam Brooks and a strike from Adam MacKinnon. That was followed up by us throwing away a two goal lead at Alloa to end up with a 2-2 draw six minutes later. A Danny Devine volley and Calum MacLeod with his first goal for the club were the scorers last weekend. COVE RANGERS: L L D L W W Cove got off to a poor start in the league with defeats at home by Annan (3-1) and Queen of the South away (2-1). A 1-1 draw at home to Dumbarton was followed by another loss away to Stenhousemuir (3-2). However, they are on the up now after winning their last two games oner Montrose (1-0) and a good win at Kelty by 3-1. Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Table ahead of Saturday's game with Cove 1. Alloa Athletic 6 2 4 0 7 5 10 2. Q.O.S. 6 3 1 2 6 4 10 3. Kelty Hearts 6 2 3 1 9 6 9 4. Montrose 6 2 3 1 6 3 9 5. Stenhousemuir 6 3 0 3 10 10 9 6. Inverness CT 6 1 4 1 5 5 7 7. Cove Rangers 6 2 1 3 9 10 7 8. Annan Athletic 6 2 1 3 6 10 7 9. Dumbarton 6 0 6 0 10 10 6 10. Arbroath 6 0 3 3 4 9 3 Fixtures for Saturday 21st September 2024 Inverness CT v Cove Rangers Alloa v Kelty Arbroath v Annan Ath Dumbarton v Montrose FC Stenhousemuir FC v Queen of the Sth LATEST TEAM NEWS INVERNESS will be without Flynn Duffy, Lewis Nicolson and Ethan Cairns. Paul Allan and Charlie Gilmour coming back will be a boost to the squad after injury and Ferguson is still looking for a striker on loan. Dunc likes the grass, doesn't he... Cove Rangers <<< Cove's starting XI last weekend in that excellent 3-1 win at New Central Park, Kelty. Megginson had given Cove a half time lead but Cunningham squared the game just after an hour. Yule blasted in five minutes before the end and Marshall added the third in stoppage time to complete the job. Mitch Megginson and Blair Yule are always a danger and Captain Fraser Fyvie has been around with Connor Scully part of the fixtures and fittings. Midfielder Findlay Marshall is top scorer with three goals. Megginson and Adam Emslie have scored two apiece. Marshall and winger Emslie joined this season from Aberdeen and are great acquisitions for manager Paul Hartley. Here's the strike from Blair Yule at Kelty. Boom! We failed to score at Kelty and are once again one of the lowest scoring teams in the league with the best defensive record. Nothing changes really. Cove are one of the high scorers but have one of the worst defensive records thus far. However, we need to be aware of the threat from Megginson and Yule.

Wasps Sting Back Inverness were without Charlie Gilmour, Flynn Duffy, Paul Allan, Ethan Cairns and Lewis Nicolson for the trip to Alloa although Jack Newman, Luis Longstaff and Keith Bray have returned to the squad after injury. Alloa have plenty experience in their ranks, notably Conor Sammon and Kevin Cawley and went in to this encounter off the back of a superb win over Partick Thistle last weekend in the Challenge Cup. Sammon started on the bench with Cawley joined by Luke Donnelly up front. Danny Devine gave Inverness an early lead with a tremendous birthday boy volley into the corner. After the interval, Calum Macleod added a second, drilling home, but a few minutes later we were level when substitute Sammon and Luke Donnelly scored for the Wasps. Despite a frantic last twenty minutes, that's how it ended. (2-2) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once the early posturing was over, it was a birthday gift from Danny Devine as he lashed in the opening goal from twenty-two yards in the seventh minute to give the visitors the perfect start. What a strike from Danny into the corner off the post. Boom and Happy Birthday! Musa Dibaga saved from Cameron O'Donnell two minutes later at the expense of a corner and Billy Mckay put a header wide after fifteen minutes. Adam MacKinnon was denied by PJ mid-way through the half when the keeper parried his strike away for a corner. On the stroke of half time Adam Brooks went through at an acute angle but his effort was saved at the near post and Mckay was then blocked before MacKinnon shot over from a tight angle. Alloa were seeing plenty of the ball in the opening half but it was the visitors that went in at the break a goal to the good and good value for that lead. HALF TIME: 0-1 No changes at the interval and it was a lively re-start two minutes in when PJ had to deny Mckay from a tight angle. Following an Alloa corner, Big Musa had to deny Morgyn Neill and at the other end Calum MacLeod burst forward and saw his effort tipped onto the post before the rebound was cleared. Billy Mckay went close again after the hour before substitute Stefan Scougall forced Big Musa into a good save. A minute later MacLeod gave us some short lived breathing space following a swift break forward as he drilled the ball across the keeper into the bottom corner, however Conor Sammon quickly pulled a goal back with a great header three minutes later into the top corner finishing a well built move from back to front. Moments later it was all square when Donnelly looped a ball behind Dibaga after a long throw from Taggart and a touch from Sammon. Having been well in control we were now under the cosh but despite some hairy moments towards the end it finished all square. FULL TIME: 2-2 Disappointing to throw away a two goal lead after being in control for over an hour. Two great goals scored but we will be not be happy with our defending at Alloa's goals. Most of us would have taken a draw before kick-off, but the manner in which we capitulated will need addressed. Both managers appeared to be yellow carded in the final minute. Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Table after todays games 1. Alloa Athletic 6 2 4 0 7 5 10 2. Q.O.S. 6 3 1 2 6 4 10 3. Kelty Hearts 6 2 3 1 9 6 9 4. Montrose 6 2 3 1 6 3 9 5. Stenhousemuir 6 3 0 3 10 10 9 6. Inverness CT 6 1 4 1 5 5 7 7. Cove Rangers 6 2 1 3 9 10 7 8. Annan Athletic 6 2 1 3 6 10 7 9. Dumbarton 6 0 6 0 10 10 6 10. Arbroath 6 0 3 3 4 9 3 Date: 14/09/2024 Venue: Recreation Park Alloa Attendance: 0778 Referee: George Calder Alloa Athletic: 2 Manager: Andy Graham Lineup: Morrison; Taggart, McKay, Neill, Thomson, Hetherington, Virtanen (Sammon 64), O'Donnell, Buchanan, Donnelly, Cawley (Scougall 64) Subs (not used): Ogayi; Graham, Nevans Scorers: Sammon (70), Donnelly (73) Booked: Virtanen (54) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Dibaga; Nolan (C Mackay 82), W Duffy, Devine, Savage, Longstaff, Davidson, MacLeod, MacKinnon, B Mckay (Bray 69), Brooks (Ferguson 86) Subs (not used): Newman; Strachan, Ewan, Keogh, Thompson Scorers: Devine (7), MacLeod (67) Booked: MacLeod (31), Nolan (78) Sent Off: none a

A bit of Recreation at the Indodrill Matchday 6 has Inverness travelling to Clackmannanshire to face one of the top sides in the table and a team we often struggled against away from home through the years, especially in more recent times. With events off the field of play casting further dark shadows over the future of the club, it's a tough ask for the players to remain focussed when their futures are at stake thanks to the incompetence and now unrivaled power hunger of our former tyrannic leaders. Flynn Duffy, Charlie Gilmour, Paul Allan and Ethan Cairns are still out but Jack Newman, Luis Longstaff and Keith Bray return to the squad. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Bus (10:00 am) Info Investment Topic on CTO Payer Sponsorship on CTO Hospitality v Cove Rangers ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Are you a budding Picasso, Constable or Vincent van Gogh? If so, the ICT Supporters Trust are looking for volunteers this weekend to help brighten up the bar area at the Stadium with a paintbrush or roller to make it more inviting and less Gulag in appearance. Oh, not that kind of painters then...unless you fancy doing a mural... We have accepted the challenge to bring the bar up to date and hopefully make it a destination venue for all fans pre (and hopefully in the future post) games. We have already stripped out the bar and started the prep work but to ensure we get the bar open in time for the Cove game we are seeking help from our members this Sunday to get some fresh paint on the walls. We have all the materials we just need hands to tackle the job and many hands make light work. If anyone is able to help then please be at the sports bar from 11am this Sunday. Can’t stress enough that we need plenty of painters please. We also need joiners who can spare a few hours, doesn’t need to be Sunday. There are some jobs that won’t take long with the right level of expertise. Please contact us on [email protected] and we can sort out a time that suits you and to look over what needs done. Venue H2H v Alloa Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 20 8 10 2 36 22 +14 Away 22 11 5 6 45 22 +23 Neutral 1 0 1 0 4 4 0 Total 43 19 16 8 85 48 +37 We do have the edge over Alloa, but that was in a previous life before Gardiner & Co decimated our club. Our new look squad will find a battle hardened Wasps a difficult byke to cycle, like we often did over the years and they will no doubt have a sting in their tail. Our last meeting was in the Championship in season 20/21, and we have lost twice and drawn three of our last five encounters. Last 10 Competitive Meetings 1 - 1 (A) 2 - 2 (H) 1 - 2 (A) 0 - 2 (A) 1 - 1 (H) 3 - 2 (A) 2 - 0 (A) 2 - 2 (H) 3 - 0 (H) 2 - 1 (A) Who could forget the dramatic ending in the 1999 Challenge Cup Final when 4,043 fans were at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie to watch a Martin Cameron inspired Alloa lift the Challenge Cup after a 3-3 draw, extra time and penalty shoot-out. All this despite a Paul Sheerin hat-trick and an unikely hero in Alloa Keeper Mark Cairns who scored the fifth penalty then saved the clincher from Teasdale. Starting XI Mark Cairns Jimmy Boyle Derek Clark Paul McAneny David Beaton Craig Valentine Ian Little Gary Clark Martin Cameron Willie Irvine Mark Wilson Les Fridge Richard Hastings Ross Tokely Mark McCulloch Stuart Golabek Charlie Christie Mike Teasdale Barry Wilson Paul Sheerin Davide Xausa Dennis Wyness Gregor McKechnie Max Christie Mark Donaghy Kevin Byers Martin Bavidge Martin Glancy It was bitter disappointment for Caley Thistle as they lost their first ever senior cup final on penalties. They came from behind three times in normal play then again in extra time to take the game to a penalty decider. Alloa took the lead in 20 minutes when Gary Clark hit a low ball past Les Fridge from 15 yards. Barry Wilson equalised in 29 minutes with a neat chip over the keeper. A defensive error let in Mark Wilson to score Alloa's second in 33 minutes but Paul Sheerin equalised from the penalty spot just after half time. This lasted 2 minutes before Martin Cameron made it 3-2 with a 15 yard angled volley. Another penalty goal by Sheerin made it 3-3 in 56 minutes. 14 minutes into extra time Alloa again took the lead when Martin Cameron beat the defence and ran on to score. Paul Sheerin completed his hat trick 8 minutes from time with a 16 yard shot. It was 4-4 on penalties after the regulation 5 attempts each. Alloa keeper Mark Cairns was the hero when he scored to make it 5-4 then saved Mike Teasdale's penalty. The Cup was on its way to Alloa after an exciting match. Alloa Pens (Irvine, Boyle, Cameron, Little, Cairns) Beaton miss. Inverness Pens (McCulloch, Tokely, Byers, Wilson) Sheerin, Teasdale saved. Report by Ian Broadfoot The Season so far ALLOA Athletic: D D W W D Alloa are unbeaten and they began the League campaign with draws at home to Queen of the South and away to Dumbarton followed by a home win over Stenhousemuir and another win away to Annan at the same ground we lost 1-0. Last time out they drew 0-0 at Gayfield. Last week was Challenge Cup action and Alloa pulled off a shock 1-3 win over Partick Thistle who had opened the scoring through our olde 'friend' Brian Graham. However, three second half goals from Kevin Cawley (65', 76') and Scott Taggart (90'+5 pen) gave the Wasps a tremendous result and a home tie against Arbroath in the next round. That was Cawley's 79th & 80th goals for Alloa. INVERNESS CT: D L D D W Our season got off to a slow start with a draw at home to Dumbarton followed by a penalty defeat at Annan. Another two draws against Montrose (h) and Kelty Hearts (a) before our first win of the season over Queen of the South at the Caledonian Stadium a fortnight ago. Last weekend we beat Stirling Albion 3-0 to send us into a fourth Rnd tie away to Livingston thanks to a brace from Adam Brooks and a strike from Adam MacKinnon. Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Table ahead of Matchday Six 1. Kelty Hearts 5 2 3 0 8 3 9 2. Stenhousemuir 5 3 0 2 10 7 9 3. Alloa Athletic 5 2 3 0 5 3 9 4. Q.O.S. 5 2 1 2 4 3 7 5. Inverness CT 5 1 3 1 3 3 6 6. Montrose 5 1 3 1 3 3 6 7. Annan Athletic 5 2 0 3 5 9 6 8. Dumbarton 5 0 5 0 9 9 5 9. Cove Rangers 5 1 1 3 6 9 4 10. Arbroath 5 0 3 2 3 7 3 League 1 Fixtures all @ 3:00pm Alloa Athletic v Inverness CT Annan Athletic v Dumbarton FC Kelty Hearts v Cove Rangers Montrose FC v Stenhousemuir Queen Sth v Arbroath Latest Team News Alloa Manager Andy Graham has a wealth of experience at his disposal. Alloa's line up in their recent league encounter with Annan Athletic shows some well experienced players in there, notably strikers Conor Sammon and Kevin Cawley. Former Morton defenders Calum Waters, Scott Taggart and midfielder Luke Donnelly are now at Recreation Park. Stefan Scougall is also well experienced having been at St Johnston and Carlisle United in more recent years. Inverness have one or two filtering back into the squad. Jack Newton has returned from Dundee United after getting injections in his knee without requiring a major operation. Keith Bray and Luis Longstaff will also join the squad again after injury. I would imagine Big Musa will retain the gloves whilst Newman proves his fitness on the bench with the other two returnees joining Jack on the sidelines.

Trust Trophy Triumph It's a couple of years since we edged past Stirling Albion in a Scottish Cup tie at the Caledonian Stadium and they were back today for a Challenge Cup 3rd Round tie against a Caley Jags club in crisis and ravaged by injury. Wallace Duffy was fit enough to start as did our two recent loan signings of James Nolan and Connall Ewan. In a first half dominated by the hosts, Adam Brooks scored twice to give the Caley Jags a comfortable lead at the interval. After the break Adam Mackinnon added a third after an hour with another deflected effort to kill the tie as Inverness cruised into the fourth round. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reslpendent in our new away kit, Billy Mckay was first to make a keeper work when Derek Gaston saved his low effort. Inverness had a goal disallowed for offside before Adam Brooks backheeled to Mckay, but his shot from the edge of the box missed the target. Inverness had been knocking on the door in the opening stages and it was no surprise when Adam Brooks opened the scoring on the half hour after being fed through by Adam MacKinnon to slot behind the keeper. Musa Dibaga took a knock soon after but was able to continue after treatment as our medical staff held their breath. When Brooks was brought down thirty-yards out some ten minutes before the break he took the kick himself and with the aid of a deflection the ball nestled behind Gaston for his second of the afternoon. HALF TIME: 2-0 Lewis Milne replaced Aaron Weir at the break for the visitors. However, it was the hosts that added to their lead through Adam Mackinnon with deflection now topping the assist list after James Nolan's shot had been brilliantly blocked by Gaston. After a spate of substitutions the game became a bit more disjointed and Ally Roy brought a save out of Dibaga ten minutes from the end before shooting over moments later. Brooks failed to get his hat-trick as Gaston saved in the final minute and that was it for the first outing of the 30th Anniversary shirt. FULL TIME 3-0 With Duncan Ferguson red carded last week, Gary Bollan was in charge against the Bino's and a 3-0 win is a good way to hand the team back. Great for Brooks to grab a couple but my MotM was Adam MacKinnon who set up the first and scored the third goal. His general play between the boxes was one of our main driving forces and he capped it with the shot for his goal. Date: 07/09/2024 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 0000 Referee: Ryan Lee Inverness CT: 3 Manager: Gary Bollan Lineup: Dibaga; W Duffy, Devine (Strachan 63), Savage, Ewan, Nolan (Thompson 61), Davidson (Keogh 74), MacLeod, MacKinnon (Ferguson 73), Brooks, B Mckay (C Mackay 61) Subs (not used): Rebilas; Corner Scorers: Brooks (29, 38), MacKinnon (60) Booked: none Sent Off: none Stirling Albion: 0 Manager: Alan Maybury Lineup: Gaston; McGeachie, Kerr, Davidson (Knox 66), Sula, Roy, Brown, McKinley, Weir (Milne 46), Waugh (Howe 80), Crane (Dall 66) Subs (not used): McTavish; Featherstone Scorers: none Booked: Sula (41), Roy (64), Waugh (69) Sent Off: none a

First win for the Caley Jags Another controversial week in the life and death of the Caley Jags culminated in a home fixture against Queen of the South at the Caledonian Stadium. A couple of new faces were acquired prior to kick-off with four faces missing, Newman, Longstaff, Bray and Cairns. In came Connall Ewan and James Nolan. Kai Kennedy was in the Doonhamers squad. A first half goal from Billy Mckay in a turgid encounter was enough to secure all three points. A bit of pinball around the visitors goal ended with Billy scoring from close range. Referee Gavin Duncan was the focal point of many a strange decision as he ignored two big penalty claims for the hosts, and a brilliant goalline clearance from an Adam Brooks effort kept Queens in with a chance. Despite a late flurry from Queens we held on for our first win of the League 1 campaign. The downside of these industrial challenges today was that both Duffy's left the field injured, Flynn on a stretcher. Duncan Ferguson was also redcarded for continuallly questioning the referee's decisions. One in particular when Brooks was booked for simulation instead of being awarded a penalty. Baffling incompetence from the ref! On the plus side, the pitch looked in fantastic condition. Full Time: 1-0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The points were more important than the performance. However, it was encouraging to kick-start our season today and put us only three points off the pace in the table. Billy Mckay beavered away on scraps and got his reward in the first half and Brooks was unfortunate a couple of times. Musa Dibaga did not have too much to deal with, but he seemed to read situations well and took the pressure off the defence with some good catches under pressure, especially when Queens were hurling massive throw-ins into our penalty box in the final quarter of the game. Devine and Savage were solid in the heart of the defence but it was disappointing to lose both full backs to injury. Todays scores on the doors in League 1 Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Kelty Hearts 5 5 9 2 Stenhousemuir 5 3 9 3 Alloa Athletic 5 2 9 4 Queen of the South 5 1 7 5 Inverness CT 5 0 6 6 Montrose 5 0 6 7 Annan Athletic 5 -4 6 8 Dumbarton 5 0 5 9 Cove Rangers 5 -3 4 10 Arbroath 5 -4 3 Date: 31/08/2024 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1703 Referee: Gavin Duncan Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Dibaga; W Duffy (Nolan 67), Devine, Savage, F Duffy (Ewan 75), Davidson, Gilmour, Allan (MacLeod 46), A MacKinnon, B Mckay, Brooks (C Mackay 79) Subs (not used): Rebilas; Strachan, Thompson, Ferguson, Keogh Scorers: B Mckay (19) Booked: Brooks (48), Devine (63) Sent Off: none Queen of the South: 0 Manager: Peter Murphy Lineup: Stewart; Hewit (Johnston3 43), MacIntyre, Hannah, Douglas, Lyon, Dickenson, Kennedy (Doherty 85), Luissint (Walker 58), McKechnie, McIntosh. Subs (not used): Hogarth; Willis, Church, Rogerson, McLinden, Ross Scorers: none Booked: McKechnie (19), Johnstone (70) Sent Off: none a

Back to Life after Death It was another quiet week in the life and death of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, as we died a few times before Alan Savage once again applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation to breathe new life back into our lifeless soul. Having mentioned administration earlier in the day, his next statement shortly after was much appreciated by the fans. An "Amicable deal has been struck that saves club from administration all stakeholders should be delighted" quote from Sir Savage, or as we now call him around these parts Sir Alan Salvage, a title bestowed on him by one of our more astute forum members. Meanwhile the revelations keep coming, but at least Mr Savage has caught the attention of the fans with his transparency and speed at which he has conducted his "forensic audit", struck "amicable deals" and removed bad eggs. Nothing short of a miracle to be honest as he has strived to correct five years of wrongdoings in five days of scrutiny and integrity. The freedom of the City awaits Sir Salvage. In the meantime, we still have a team to support and olde adversaries Queen of the South come North on Saturday for a League 1 encounter. Queens are the only other 'full time' squad in the division with genuine aspirations of getting back into the Championship and we last played them at the end of season 21/22. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Shop/Bar Info Connall Ewan loan James Nolan Loan Oh No! Oh Yes! Challenge Cup 7th September ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Venue Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 21 12 3 6 38 26 +12 Away 20 8 7 5 34 22 +12 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 41 20 10 11 72 48 +24 Home advantage is usually a good indicator as to the outcome of these encounters. However, given our plight this will negate that advantage and we will be looking for our defender heavy squad to keep us interested. Last 10 Competitive Meetings 1 - 2 (A) 2 - 2 (H) 2 - 1 (A) 2 - 1 (H) 1 - 1 (A) 0 - 1 (H) 3 - 0 (A) 3 - 1 (H) 2 - 0 (A) 2 - 0 (H) Our first ever game against Queen of the South was a Scottish Cup tie in December 1994: An indifferent display saw Caley Thistle lose their first Scottish Cup match to a competent Queen of the South side. The second division team were first on the attack and Bell nearly connected with a Jackson cross. In the 10th minute Wilson Robertson was set up by Charlie Christie but he shot over the bar. Both sides had further chances with the home side's best effort being when a Mike Andrew drive was well saved by Purdie. In the second half Purdie again saved well from Noble & Robertson. At the other end McRitchie made a tremendous save from Kennedy and from the kick out found Robertson in space - he ran towards goal but his 25 yard drive thundered off the upright. In 73 and 83 minutes the game was settled when the visitors scored 2 identical goals - direct shots from free kicks on the edge of the area by Bell & Bryce. McAllister scored a consolation goal in the last minute for the home side. Starting XI Mark McRitchie Dave Brennan Mark McAllister Mike Andrew Mike Noble Sergei Baltacha Steven MacDonald Norman MacMillan (McKenzie 56) Charlie Christie Alan Hercher Wilson Robertson Subs: Jim Calder, Paul McKenzie, Colin Mitchell. Queen of the South: Purdie (gk) B. McKeown, D. McKeown, Campbell, Hetherington, McFarlane, Bryce, Bell, McLaren, Kennedy Jackson FULL TIME: 1-2 Scottish Cup - Rd 1: Saturday, December 17th, 1994, 3:00 PM Telford Street Park, Inverness Attendance: 1,100: Referee: S Dougal Report by Ian Broadfoot ************************************************************************ Season so far Inverness: 1-1 v Dumbarton, 0-1 @ Annan Athletic, 1-1 v Montrose, 0-0 @ Kelty Hearts. QotS: 0-0 @ Alloa, 2-1 v Cove, 2-0 v Annan Athletic, 0-1 @ Montrose. Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Those results show the table like this after four games 1. Kelty Hearts 4 2 2 0 6 1 8 2. Alloa Athletic 4 2 2 0 5 3 8 3. Q.O.S. 4 2 1 1 4 2 7 4. Montrose 4 1 3 0 3 2 6 5. Annan Athletic 4 2 0 2 4 4 6 6. Stenhousemuir 4 2 0 2 5 6 6 7. Dumbarton 4 0 4 0 7 7 4 8. Inverness CT 4 0 3 1 2 3 3 9. Arbroath 4 0 2 2 3 7 2 10. Cove Rangers 4 0 1 3 5 9 1 All 3:00pm Fixtures this weekend Arbroath v Alloa Ath Cove Rangers v Montrose Fc Dumbarton v Kelty Hearts Inverness CT v Queen South Stenhousemuir v Annan Athletic Latest Team News Inverness: Four players are out for around the next month. Keeper Jack Newman out for another three to four weeks, as is Luis Longstaff, who is awaiting news on a scan for his thigh injury and Ethan Cairns. The latest set back for the Caley Jags is is that Keith Bray is out for two to three weeks with a hip flexor issue. Hopefully see all these guys around November then. Jack Walker has been loaned out to Nairn County until January 2025. That no doubt came about as a result of the young County prospect, centre back Connall Ewan signing a one year loan from our neighbours. The Caley Jags badly need a proven striker, and with that in mind, they have managed to bring in midfielder Paul Allan who played as a sub at Kelty and defender Connall Ewan from Dingwall. Is this a sign from Johndo as he watches over us. James Nolan, who was born in Chorley, has come to us on a season long loan from Manchester United youth. He's a versatile player from defence to attack. Queens Team v Montrose last weekend Queen of the South: Queens suffered a surprise defeat at Montrose last week and to add insult to injury, defender Harry Cochrane, who was celebrating his 100th appearance, got his marching orders in the 91st minute moments after Brydon had left the field with a possible hamstring injury leaving just nine on the park at the end for Queens. Despite having favourable stats it was Montrose that took the points when Craig Brown shot into the bottom corner from outside the box in the twenty-first minute. Cammy Gill made a couple of great saves for Montrose to keep their noses ahead. Cochrane will miss this one after his red card. Fraser Brydon might miss out and Lewis O'Donnell took a heavy knock. Note that Kai Kennedy is at Palmerston and he looked a dangerous player when at Inverness a few seasons ago. View full article

Mar0-0ned Table toppers Kelty Hearts welcomed the Caley Jags to New Central Park, and this was not just for a training session. Musa Dibaga retained the golves with Jack Newman possibly requiring surgery on his knee and Luis Longstaff is out for a month with a thigh injury. New signing Paul Allan was on the bench. Some 0-0 draws are not as dull as the scoreline might suggest. Well, unfortunately this was not the case here as both sides were reluctant to take the game to their opponents which resulted in a game as dull as dishwater. The visitors did look marginally more industrious, but it would be stretching the imagination somewhat to suggest that we should have won. Billy Mckay shot over from the edge of the box in our best only moment of the first half. Musa made a couple of routine saves and one from a fierce shot but he was not overly exerted. Adams in the Kelty goal had even less to deal with although part of that was down to our inability to get shots on target. In truth, neither side deserved to win, and in the same vein, neither side deserved to lose, so stalemate it was and a point apiece. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thankfully, the wee social club was the focal point of the Johndo Awayday as olde faces gathered to remember our fallen comrade. Great to meet up with Isla and Gareth and remember the past and also some well kent faces from better times, Iain Coia, the Wyness Shufflers and many more. Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Matchday 4 1. Kelty Hearts 4 2 2 0 6 1 8 2. Alloa Athletic 4 2 2 0 5 3 8 3. Q.O.S. 4 2 1 1 4 2 7 4. Montrose 4 1 3 0 3 2 6 5. Annan Athletic 4 2 0 2 4 4 6 6. Stenhousemuir 4 2 0 2 5 6 6 7. Dumbarton 4 0 4 0 7 7 4 8. Inverness CT 4 0 3 1 2 3 3 9. Arbroath 4 0 2 2 3 7 2 10. Cove Rangers 4 0 1 3 5 9 1 Date: 24/08/2024 Venue: New Central Park, Kelty Attendance: 0692 Referee: George Calder Kelty Hearts: 0 Manager: Michael Tidser (player manager) Lineup: Adams; Mercer, O'Ware (Thomas 46), Flatman, Paterson, Allan, Tidser (B Owens 47), Cunningham, McCarvel, Johnston, Williamson Subs (not used): Adamson; Miller, L Owens Scorers: none Booked: Paterson (37), Mercer (45+4), B Owens (90) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Dibaga; W Duffy (Brooks 63), Devine, Savage, F Duffy, Davidson, MacLeod (Allan 73), Bray, Gilmour, B Mckay (Ferguson 85), A Mackinnon, Subs (not used): M MacKinnon; Walker, Strachan, Corner, C Mackay, Thompson Scorers: none Booked: W Duffy (31), Gilmour (68), F Duffy (75) Sent Off: none a

This is NOT a Training Drill This away day is not a training drill as our binned regime might have once thought about, but this will be a fans celebration of the support, leadership and friendship of one extraordinary fan, Johndo Mackenzie, otherwise known on CaleyThistleOnline as The Immortal Howden Ender. Johndo was a regular at home and away games for many a season, befriending everyone he met, olde or young, it mattered not to Johndo. With his amiable larger than life character, he could be found leading those with the best of intentions astray on occasion. He was partial to a cheeky wee conga, one example at Rugby Park and he was not shy when it came to starting chants, easily recognisable in his kilt and often tastefully coloured beard and mullet: O2-O2B-O2BA-JAGGY... GIVE ME AN I... OH INVERNESS, IS WONDERFUL... WHO PUT THE O AND THE Y IN COUNTY...... rant chant rinse repeat. Johndo gained the respect and legendary status within our support and this weekend we are dedicating this away day to him, as a mark of respect for his unstinting services to supporting our club, his cameraderie, his genial presence and most of all to show our love for his family friends and the man himself. Respect & Rest in Peace Johndo, we will carry on your work here whilst you sip a large voddie & coke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Johndo Special info & Supporters Bus Heart Foundation Donations for Johndo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alan Savage has steadied the ship since removing Scot Gardiner and going through the books with a fine toothcomb. He has done in one week what the entire board and CEO failed to do in five years of tyranny. Give this man the freedom of Inverness. Of course, there is the minor matter of a game of football to deal with on Saturday as well when we take on table toppers Kelty Hearts at our training ground away venue of New Central Park, Kelty. So who is playing for Kelty these days? Former Inverness defender Brad Mckay's loan ended at the close of last season and he now plays for Brechin City. Scot Allan is a new recruit joining from struggling Arbroath. Michael Tidser, once of Ross County is also at Kelty as is robust defender Tam O'Ware who has been at Morton and Partick Thistle. The hosts season so far Kelty Hearts top the League table at the moment with two wins and a draw. They opened their campaign with a draw (1-1) at Montrose followed by a 2-0 home win over Stenhousemuir and then a convincing 3-0 win at Arbroath. Ross Cunningham has scored three, with Scott Allan scoring twice and Scott Williamson with one strike. <<< That was their starting XI at Arbroath. Players In: Callum Flatman, defender (Hearts); Murray Thomas, forward (Hearts); Brody Paterson, defender (Hartlepool United); Scott Allan, midfielder (Arbroath); Scott Mercer, defender (Bonnyrigg Rose); Murray Miller, midfielder (Stirling Albion); Liam Brown, midfielder (East Kilbride); Ryan Adamson, goalkeeper (Cumbernauld Colts); Luke McCarvel, forward (Cumbernauld Colts); Robbie Cole, midfielder (Civil Service Strollers). Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Table after Matchday three 1. Kelty Hearts 3 2 1 0 6 1 7 2. Q.O.S. 3 2 1 0 4 1 7 3. Annan Athletic 3 2 0 1 4 3 6 4. Alloa Athletic 3 1 2 0 4 3 5 5. Dumbarton 3 0 3 0 5 5 3 6. Montrose 3 0 3 0 2 2 3 7. Stenhousemuir 3 1 0 2 2 4 3 8. Inverness CT 3 0 2 1 2 3 2 9. Cove Rangers 3 0 1 2 3 6 1 10. Arbroath 3 0 1 2 1 5 1 Latest Team News Inverness are interested in young Aberdeen striker Alfie Bavidge. Alfie, 18, is the son of former Caley Jags striker Martin Bavidge who made 96 appearances for the Caley Jags. That makes him the grandson of Mitch Bavidge, the former Caley player. Incidentally, Alfie was on loan at Kelty Hearts last season scoring nine goals in twenty-five appearances and has been capped at u16, u17 and u19 level for Scotland. Jack Newman will be missing after going back to Dundee United for now with a knee injury which means that Musa Dibaga will get his second start. Luis Longstaff is out for a month with a thigh injury, Ethan Cairns has been out with a health issue recently. and there is no mention of his condition.

New Start Same Problems The first game after the olde CEO was prized from his oligarchy bubble saw a decent crowd turn out in appreciation of the efforts of Alan Savage to right the wrongs. It won't happen overnight, but the first steps have been taken to put some life back into the ailing Caley Jags. On the park, Musa Dibaga replaced the injured Jack Newman in goal with emergency loan keeper from Clach Martin MacKinnon on the bench. Keith Bray kept his place with Adam Brooks on the bench. Montrose were the visitors and they are a more settled side although Michael Gardyne was suspended with former Inverness youth player Matheus Machado starting. Both teams were looking for their first win of the League campaign. Kane Hester scored after twenty minutes but on the interval Montrose were reduced to ten men when Sean Dillon was sent off. After the break it was one way traffic against the ten men and no surprise when Adam MacKinnon equalised. However the winning goal eluded us and it was a point apiece. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was an overcast, breezy and somewhat chilly afternoon with an Autumnal feel about it as the teams emerged from the tunnel, Inverness in their new strip, the visitors in white tops with black shorts. Prior to kick off Captain Billy Mckay was presented with a wee memento on reaching 300 appearances for the Caley Jags, not to mention his 112 goals for the club. The first action saw Keith Bray's shot deflected at the expense of a corner when he spun on the edge of the box and tried to get his shot away in the seventh minute. Twenty minutes in and what a finish for the opening goal. Former Elgin player Kane Hester opened the scoring with a tremendous strike into the top corner from a tight angle after his miscontrol seemed to deceive Danny Devine to give the visitors the early advantage. Machado was booked a minute later. Billy Mckay came close to levelling the scores after half an hour when Cammy Gill turned his shot across the keeper onto the post with his fingertips. It was a half littered with fouls and Luis Longstaff shot over ten minutes before the break. Sean Dillon headed over at the other end before he received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Billy Mckay. How dare he on his 300th appearance! That was on the interval to leave the visitors to face the second half a man short but a goal to the good. HALF TIME: 0-1 Mathew Strachan replaced Flynn Duffy at the start of the second half and Gill denied Longstaff shortly after. The other Duffy was hooked for Callum MacLeod ten minutes into the half and Mckay was again foiled by Gill as he shot from inside the box. It was turning into a procession towards Cammy Gill and Longstaff and Gilmour had a go before Adam Mackinnon equalised just after the hour, drilling home from outside the box. He almost scored a second momnents later. Mckay would not find that elusive strike as Gill saved again and Gilmour was blocked before Davidson should have done better at the back post. MacKinnon had another couple of attempts ten minutes from the end and Mckay was denied for the 300th time by the keeper in the top corner. We plugged away until the end but try as we did, the winning goal eluded us and it ended all square. FULL TIME: 1-1 A disappointing result but we did create enough chances to win three games. However, as has been our downfall over the last few seasons, we struggle to get the ball in the net. Great for Adam MacKinnon to get his first goal, and with a bit of fortune he could have scored another couple. Overall the concensus of opinion is that it is a bit of improvement on recent dire performances but we still have a long way to go. Let's not forget we played against 10 men for the whole of the second half. Doofers Dad summarised neatly: Of course it is very disappointing to not to beat a 10 man part time team at home, but I felt there were a lot of positives yesterday. We laid siege to their goal for lengthy periods in the second half and created more chances than we have for a long time. It got the crowd going and was quite exciting to watch. (Dunc, please take note.). A mixture of very narrow misses and weak efforts meant we couldn't find the winner but it could just have easily have been a victory by 3 or 4 goals. How that would have changed the mood! Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Table after today's draw with Montrose 1. Kelty Hearts 3 2 1 0 6 1 7 2. Q.O.S. 3 2 1 0 4 1 7 3. Annan Athletic 3 2 0 1 4 3 6 4. Alloa Athletic 3 1 2 0 4 3 5 5. Dumbarton 3 0 3 0 5 5 3 6. Montrose 3 0 3 0 2 2 3 7. Stenhousemuir 3 1 0 2 2 4 3 8. Inverness CT 3 0 2 1 2 3 2 9. Cove Rangers 3 0 1 2 3 6 1 10. Arbroath 3 0 1 2 1 5 1 If you can make out what is being said, you are better than me... Sort this out, the wind did the same last time. Can just about make it out in the interview, but it sounds like keeper Jack Newman has gone back to Tannadice for treatment. Sounds like he could be out for some time. Date: 17/08/2024 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1902 Referee: Alastair Grieve Inverness CT: 1 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Dibaga; W Duffy (MacLeod 55), Davidson (Thompson 86), Devine, Savage, F Duffy (Strachan 46), Bray, Gilmour, A MacKinnon, Longstaff (Brooks 77), B Mackay (Ferguson 86) Subs (not used): M MacKinnon; Walker, Keogh, C Mackay Scorers: A MacKinnon (63) Booked: F Duffy (40), Gilmour (45) Sent Off: none Montrose FC: 1 Manager: Stewart Petrie Lineup: Gill; Williamson, Quinn, Masson (McKenzie 59), Steeves, Hester (Maciver- Redwood 70), Dillon, Lyons (Trialist 70), Hannah (Shrive 58), Brown, Machado (Smith 77) Subs (not used): Mathews; Scorers: Hester (20) Booked: Machado (22), Dillon (34 & 45+1), Masson (38), Steeves (72), Smith (87) Sent Off: Dillon (45+1) a

Gable Endies Trip North A week is a long time in the changing faces of Caley Thistle. Montrose are the visitors this weekend as news of a Savage intervention overpowered the extra sensory perceptions of fantasy that were wafting around the Caledonian Stadium as if they were going out of fashion. Not since the early days of LSD have we been subjected to such psychedelia and hallucinatory fables that we were experiencing at the moment as philanthropist or fantasist Ketamine McWannabe attempted to pull the wool over the eyes of those we once trusted to lead our club in search of the holy graill. He did manage to bluff his way through a few clowns, but sense and sensibility will now take over as the prodigal son, Alan Savage, returns to stabilise the club. The club motto is 'Pride of the Highlands'. It was about to be altered to 'Laughing Stock of the North'. But wait! There is a God afterall, his name is Savage, Alan Savage. Was it written in the stars... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info Savage Intervention Supporters Trust Forensic Audit topic on CTO Safety Message ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On hearing the news, the fans turned a Whiter Shade of Pale: To be honest, it was akin to a scene from the Wizard of Oz with the Munchkins showing much merryment. We skipped the light fandango, turned some cartwheels across the floor, I was feeling kind of seasick, when the crowd called out for more. The room was humming harder, and the ceiling flew away when I called out for another drink the waiter brought a tray... Apologies for the lack of Football information on the preview this week. Unfortunately a lot has happened in a very short space of time and it's difficult to keep abreast of the situation as it changes everytime you log in to the laptop. What we do know is that Alan Savage will conduct a 'forensic review' of all that is concerning the club in these difficult times. Scotty has started a topic on CTO to discuss this. Scot Gardiner has been shown the door and with Alan Savage at the helm we can be assured that all will be upfront and integrity will return. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg and the deeper they dive, the more we will know about our plight. We are not out of the woods by any means, but it is the first positive step forward in what will be a long arduous trek after years of self inflicted decline from within. Last Time Out Inverness lost out again at Annan as they did on League Cup duty when a Tommy Goss penalty was the difference between the two sides. Goss also scored the only goal in the League Cup game. A disappointing result on the back of a 1-1 draw against Dumbarton in the League opener at the Caledonian stadium. Danny Devine opening our account on half time but a resurgent Son's perked up after the break and got a deserved equaliser. Billy Mckay makes his 300th appearance for Inverness tomorrow. What a legend sitting on 112 goals. Note to Dunc. Billy is a striker, so let's see him strike please. Montrose have drawn their opening two fixtures in the League. A 1-1 draw at home to Kelty was followed by a goalless draw at Arbroath. Craig Brown scored the goal on the hour against Kelty who hit back soon after through Cunningham. Surprise surprise, but Michael Gardyne was sent off after an hour against Arbroath and will be suspended for the trip North. We will find Montrose a stubborn team and our last encounters with them saw us scrape through the play-offs at the end of last season. That's sort of irrelevant now with our playing staff decimated and morale at rock bottom. <<<That was their starting XI against Arbroath last week. No massive squad changes from last term but Gardyne suspended. In: Ben MacIver-Redwood, forward (Stirling University); Craig Smith, defender (Heriot-Watt University). Loan in: Blair McKenzie, defender (Aberdeen); Callum Hannah, defender (Raith Rovers). Out: Liam Callaghan, midfielder (Arbroath); Ben Hermiston, forward (Deveronvale, undisclosed); Craig Batchelor, forward.

Too Little Too Late Inverness added their two new signings to their squad which meant Keith Bray was benched with Wallace Duffy returning to the starting XI and Musa Dibaga as back up keeper on the bench. Annan had one change with Josh Dixon replacing Paul Smith in midfield. Jack Newman had the only notable save of the first forty-five denying Aidan Smith after ten mintes. Other than that it was Annan on top without overly threatening. After the interval Annan were awarded a penalty after fifty minutes and Tommy Goss duly scored from the spot. That was the difference between the sides as Annan took all three points despite a late charge from the visitors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plenty of early posturing and the first action for the keepers saw Jack Newman save brilliantly from an Aidan Smith header in the tenth minute as Annan came close to the opening goal. Inverness' first effort followed soon after as Adam Brooks shot over from a tight angle. Annan were controlling the pace of the game in the first quarter and forced three corners to no avail. Smith again went close on the half hour when he shot just wide. Josh Dixon shot over from the edge of the box ten minutes before the break and Wallace Duffy picked up a yellow for abruptly stopping an Annan attack. Half Time: 0-0 Danny Devine gave away a penalty five minutes after the restart when he fouled Tommy Goss who got up to slot home the spot kick into the bottom corner. Luis Longstaff fired a free kick over the bar and Billy Mckay was denied by the keeper after a turn and run from Longstaff. Almost a tap in for Smith but for a great interception by the defence. Devine headed wide from a Charlie Gilmour free kick as we tried to get back on level terms. A double denial for Inverness as Gilmour's effort was well saved then Devine hit the underside of the bar from the recycled ball as we entered the final ten minutes. Bray shot wide as we pushed for an equaliser with Annan looking for the final whistle. Annan were by now hanging on by a thread and a couple of late corners for the visitors came and went before the final whistle ended the siege. Full Time: 1-0 More detail to follow>>> Date: 10/08/2024 Venue: Galabank Stadium Attendance: 0386 Referee: Alex Shepherd Annan Athletic: 1 Manager: Wullie Gibson (player manager) Lineup: J Smith; Gibson, Dixon (K Fleming 89), T Muir (Quintongo 70), McGowan, Todd, R Muir, Goss (Stevenson 89), Kilsby, A Smith, Zaid (Barnes 79) Subs (not used): G Fleming; Maxwell, Quigg Scorers: Goss (50 pen) Booked: McGowan (51) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Manager: Duncan Ferguson Lineup: Newman; W Duffy (Thompson 83), Davidson, Devine, Savage, F Duffy (Strachan 83), Mackinnon (Bray 74), Gilmour, B Mckay (Ferguson 74), Brooks (MacLeod 46), Longstaff Subs (not used): Dibaga; Walker, Keogh, C Mackay Scorers: none Booked: W Duffy (37) Sent Off: none a

30 years On... Thirty years on from our entry into the Scottish League system when we were then known as Caledonian Thistle, we head to Galabank Stadium, Annan, for a League 1 game, having already lost there this season in the League Cup group stages. This will be only the fourth meeting between the two clubs having won the first two 8-1 and 4-0 many moons ago before losing 1-0 last month. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Bus Info Thirty Years Ago Today ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Not much has changed since we played Annan a month ago. Ethan Cairns is still out with a health issue. Trialist keeper still not signed up. Spoke to the 'Owner', hopeful of adding another couple of players. Wallace Duffy is also still a possibility. Annan beat Cove Rangers last week in their opening League fixture. Second half goals from Max Kilsby, Josh Todd and Malik Zaid gave Annan a 3-1 win over Cove. That win put Annan at the top of the table on goal difference. The League cup encounter was a close affair against Inverness and Tommy Goss got the winner despite a promising display from Inverness where Ferguson felt we were unfortunate not to take something from the game. Whilst Annan were beating Cove, we were drawing with Dumbarton in a game of two halfs. An opening headed goal from Danny Devine put us ahead just on the interval in a lively opening 45'. Alas we went back ito our shell after the break and the Sons capitalised on that to draw level. The Good Old Days Who remembers this one? Four days before the legend that was Alan Hercher scored that opening day League hat-trick against Arbroath at Telford Street in a 5-2 League fixture, we faced East Stirlingshire in the Coca Cola Cup first round and came away with a 2-0 win thanks to first half goals from Wilson Robertson and Alan Hercher. Report by Ian Broadfoot: A fine performance by Caledonian Thistle in their first competitive match won them a second round tie against Dundee. The home 'keeper Moffat denied both Hercher and McAllister but the deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when Wilson Robertson scored after a 1-2 with Paul MacKenzie. Just on half time they went two ahead - Hercher distracted Ian Lee and a Scott corner ricocheted into the net off the defender. Alan Hercher was credited with the goal. In the second half the result was never in doubt and both MacDonald and Hercher nearly increased the visitors' lead. East Stirling did come close seven minutes from time when John Scott was forced to clear from his line. A few minutes later Robertson and Noble had shots saved by Moffat. In the last minute a Geraghty shot nearly gave East Stirling a consolation goal but it came off the bar. League Cup - Rd 1 Tuesday, August 9th, 1994, 7:30 PM at Firs Park, Falkirk Attendance: 899 Referee: M Clark Starting XI Mark McRitchie Dave Brennan Mark McAllister Mike Andrew Mike Noble John Scott Danny MacDonald Graeme Bennett Alan Hercher Paul McKenzie (Smart 66) Wilson Robertson Subs: Jim Calder (GK), Martin Lisle, Allan Smart

League 1 we're here Our first game in the third tier of Scottish football for twenty six years begins on Saturday with the visit of Dumbarton FC. We seem to have avoided playing Dumbarton often with only eight encounters overall. We did spend a season with them in the Championship in 2017/2018 and we also lifted the Challenge Cup in Perth thanks to a late Carl Tremarco strike in March 2018. However, times have changed and not for the better at the Caledonian Stadium and we will be looking for our youngsters to get us out of trouble against a seasoned Dumbarton FC. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Interim Chairman Match/Ticket Info Investment Topic on CTO Keogh, Rebilas, Corner Immortal Howden Ender 6th minute ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Venue Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 4 4 0 0 11 2 +9 Away 3 1 0 2 3 4 -1 Neutral 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 Total 8 6 0 2 15 6 +9 IrnBru cheer for Inverness: 1 - 0 Inverness lifted the IrnBru Cup at McDiarmid Park Perth after a narrow 1-0 win over Dumbarton. It took a stoppage time goal from Carl Tremarco to settle the tie with Dumbarton putting up stiff resistance before substitute Daniel Mackay fired a challenging low cross into the box. Carl added the finishing touch to take the silverware North. This was Dumbarton's first crack at a national trophy for 121 years. Alas for them, it might take a bit longer to get their hands on a Cup, but it was not for the want of trying. Most of the hype in the build up was centered around the Rock with the Dumbarton marketing team winning hands down and that ensured a good following when the circus came to Perth. The Highland reserved approach tempted the regular followers along to watch Inverness in their fourth Challenge cup final, Robbo's second in charge. The merryment prior to kick off was held in hostelries in the Fair City and the Tulloch Institute hosted a pre-match gig which was well patronised by both sets of supporters in jovial mood with plenty of shouting juice passing over the lips. Happy Days All Competitive Meetings 1 - 2 (A) 1 - 0 (A) 5 - 1 (H) 1 - 0 (N) 1 - 0 (H) 1 - 2 (A) 3 - 1 (H) 2 - 0 (H) This summary from Immortal Howden Ender is also on that report. And finally, our resident seer Immortal Howden Ender was in a feelgood mood; he must have seen that coming, surely? Well I enjoyed yet another memorable ICT away day. Those who I expected to see I met and saw. Nowt wrong with the atmosphere. As fer the game it was poor but both teams set up defensively. Loads of positives to me. Ridgers has cemented his place and really is a solid keeper. Donaldson was immense, Tremarco is the Duracell Bunny, Polworth ran his socks off as did Oakley and we appear to have unearthed a wee cracker in MacKay - simply has to be signed up - with sell on clauses - and given some real game time. We never looked troubled, defensively we kept it tight and shaped, thought we played some pretty stuff a times BUT as all season lacked the killer touch in the last third and lack of a proficient striker. We deserved to win. Our heads could have gone down after that deplorable penalty kick but we kept to the age old adage of keeping going to the final whistle. Respect to the team and the loyal away support. Just need to get out of the play off spot and start planning for next season. Cant believe that so many are whingeing. To me it was a last gasp winner, just as stimulating and enjoyable as the Vincent clincher at Hampden - and giving most fans a well deserved, albeit wholly unexpected cup winning experience in the worst season in years. We are still alive and kicking and the only way is up dudes. Have a nice day RIP Johndo Join us to celebrate Johndo's Last Conga. Dumbarton FC Aberdeen beat Dumbarton 6-0 last weekend in the League Cup group stages. All square at the interval, the Dons pulled away in the second half to record a big win over the Sons. <<< Sons squad last Saturday v Aberdeen. In: Joel Mumbongo, forward (Hamilton Academical); Mouhamed Niang, midfielder (Cove Rangers); Matty Shiels, defender (Cove Rangers); Craig McGuffie, midfielder (Queen of the South); Cammy Clark, defender (Stirling Albion); Michael Miller, defender (Broomhill). Out: Blair Malcolm, midfielder (Forfar Athletic); Ross MacLean, forward (Forfar Athletic); Sean Crighton, defender (Queen's Park, coach); Harry Broun, goalkeeper (Stranraer); Callum Wilson, midfielder (Cumbernauld Colts); Marc Kelly, midfielder (St Cadoc's); Luca Vata, midfielder. Loan ended: Gallagher Lennon, defender (St Mirren); Jay Hogarth, goalkeeper (Rangers); James Graham, forward (Rangers); Aaron Healy, midfielder (Queen's Park); Cian Newbury, defender (Hamilton Academical). Inverness have signed on Academy graduates Shae Keogh, Goal Keeper Szymon Rebilas and Ben Corner. We have also signed two recent trialists in Adam Mackinnon and Flynn Duffy. Adam, a 21 year old midfielder has signed a two tear deal whilst left back Flynn (20) has secured a one year deal with further options.

Dundee at The Hedge We travel not to Dundee, but Brechin to face the Dark Blues in our final Group D game with little to no hope of progressing. Dens Park is still recovering from closed season work and the tie will be held at Glebe Park, Brechin. It's been a sombre week amongst our fanbase with the sad passing of Johndo Mackenzie, or as we know him on here, The Immortal Howden Ender. Tributes to Johndo can be read on the forum by clicking on the link below. News of investment came through this afternoon but it's too early to decide if this will be a sustainable solution for the Caley Jags. You can read the official statement from the club and our thoughts on the CTO forum by clicking the links below. We will post more on this subject as the investment story gathers pace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/ Bus Info Investment Statement Investment discussion on CTO Johndo Tributes on CTO Nikola Ujdur off to QP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our opponents, Dundee, had this squad on duty on Tuesday night against Annan Athletic. Dundee eventually won 3-1 with a couple of late goals to see off Annan. Simon Murray opened the scoring after half an hour but Annan levelled less than ten minutes later. Murray got his second with five minutes remaing and Seb Palmer-Houlden sealed the win in the 90th minute. Dundee top Group D table having thumped Bonnyrigg Rose 1-7 before easing to a 2-0 away win over Arbroath. It would be nothing short of miraculous should we qualify for the knock-out stages, although that might not be enough given our Head 2 Head defeat to Annan. Danny Devine should be fit and Jack Walker has recovered from a head knock sustained against Arbroath. Duncan Ferguson talking ahead of the Dundee game Last time out saw us lose a penaly shoot-out to Arbroath but football took a back seat that night as news of Johndo's departure filtered through on that day. RIP my friend, you will be missed by all who crossed your path and I will miss your colourful match reports when you offered them on away visits to far flung places. Who remembers this one at Killie with the cheerleader making an appearance at 1:40...

Comfortably Numb Pink Floyd wrote this song about the club we have followed since it's inception in August 1994. The first two verses (Hello & Come on Now) are about the fans speaking to the club and getting no replies, then asking through the Trust if everything is OK. Relax is the board questioning the fans about the hurt that has been caused by mis-management and not listening to our views and then replying and stating our insignificance. OK & Stand Up are the solutions to our problems. The final verse in bold is about the board ignoring the warning signs and that is why we are on the verge of disappearing into the abyss. Hello Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me Is there anyone at home? Come on now I hear you're feeling down Well, I can ease your pain Get you on your feet again Relax I'll need some information first Just the basic facts Can you show me where it hurts? There is no pain, you are receding A distant ship smoke on the horizon You are only coming through in waves Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying When I was a child I had a fever My hands felt just like two balloons Now I've got that feeling once again I can't explain, you would not understand This is not how I am I have become comfortably numb I have become comfortably numb O.K. Just a little pin prick There'll be no more ah! But you may feel a little sick Can you stand up? I do believe it's working, good That'll keep you going through the show Come on, it's time to go There is no pain you are receding A distant ship smoke on the horizon You are only coming through in waves Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse Out of the corner of my eye I turned to look but it was gone I cannot put my finger on it now The child is grown The dream is gone...... We have become comfortably numb Listen for yourself, it's all in here>>> The hurt, the pain, the reluctance and pig-headedness to listen to the fans asking what is going on, the lack of communication, the lack of ambition, the stench of mismanagement, the concert company, the battery farm, the demise since winning the Scottish Cup in 2015, the lack of passion, the lack of commitment, the dwindling fanbase, the lack of leadership. It has left the fans comfortably numb: a state of severe alienation and burnout. When the pressures of life and the evils, insanity and corruption of the outside world are too much and you build a mental wall and you shut yourself out from everything and everyone. You just want to retreat by watching TV or listening to music a LOT to take you from your inner pain but your attention span is so minimized you may wind up on the couch looking up at the ceiling and constantly changing TV channels with the remote. Certain scenes or sounds may bring up painful emotions and make you cry. (urban dictionary) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Parking Info Naelifts it's a 17:30 kick off ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A bit about the game: We lost 2-1 at New Douglas Park on Wednesday night. An incredibly inventive goal from Kevin O'Hara or a comedy of errors from an Inverness point of view saw us go one down in the sixth minute. Another dubious goal saw us two down with Ridgers claiming he was being impeded. We could have lost a third in that first half horror show had Graham Grainger spotted Wallace Duffy blocking a shot with his arm. Enter Samson Lawal and suddenly things began to look better, and even more better when Aribim Pepple scored with his first touch after 68 minutes. Game on and all to play for on Saturday as we start the game one goal down. Danny Devine won't take part after rolling his ankle on the halfway line. All are in agreement that Lawal and Pepple should play a bigger part, but will anyone listen to us. I won't hold my breath. It's our final game of this season, win or lose. It could be a defining game in the history of this club. What on earth have we become... Less of this>>> Off the post, off the head of Ridgers and into the back of the net! Hamilton take the lead! pic.twitter.com/WY6JtjdaCh

  Play-Off Final 1st Leg   Having scraped into the play-off final, we find our route to Championship survival blocked by a two leg play-off encounter against a team we often struggled against, Hamilton Accies, one of lifes great relegation dodgers. They did eventually make the drop into League 1 a season ago but will fancy their chances against a struggling Caley Jags. They seemed to hold the Indian sign over us in season 2022/2023 with four wins out of five encounters, albeit one was a Challenge Cup game at NDP when we fielded a team of youths and Mark Ridgers during one of our worst peroids for injuries. We did win at NDP towards the end of that season with Billy Mckay scoring three minutes from the end. Overall, the stats are even, Accies one game to the good out of 31 meetings. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Accies Access: Admission: Adults £20, -18 & +65 £10. Accies season ticket holders 1/2 price on production of their cards at the gate. Cash only at turnstiles. Card payments at shop Venue Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 17 5 4 8 25 23 +2 Away 14 7 2 5 20 18 +2 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 31 12 6 13 45 41 +4 He Scores When He Wants:  2 - 1 A long trip on a Tuesday night to face your bogey team is not ideal, especially when it gets to the business end of the season. That's what faced the Caley Jags as we looked to win our sixth game on the bounce against struggling Hamilton Accies who have already beaten us four times this season. Inverness could go third, but Accies would be hoping to put some distance between themselves and bottom side Cove Rangers. As it turned out it remained goalless at the interval with Deas seeing a header saved by Fulton just before the break. Connor Smith scored direct from a free kick after the interval but Nathan Shaw equalised three minutes later. Billy Mckay won all three points with a poachers goal in off the post with three minutes left and that's how it ended. Phew! Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Accies 2 - 1 (A) 1 - 2 (A) 0 - 3 (H) 0 - 2 (A) 0 - 1 (H) 4 - 0 (H) 1 - 1 (A) 1 - 2 (H) 1 - 2 (A) 2 - 1 (H) How did we get into this mess Our demise has been well documented this season in the Championship where we got off to a poor start before relieving Billy Dodds of his duties after winning 1 point in our first six games. In comes our saviour, Big Dunc. However all is not well and we just kept our heads above water thanks to Arbroath being rubbish. Onto the play offs and an insipid performance at Links Park left us all wondering if our time has come to drop into oblivion. Our performance certainly would not look out of place in the lower leagues. We clung on for a 0-0 draw away from home and scraped a 1-0 win at Inverness with Billy Mckay saving our blushes with his 112th goal for the club and most important to date. Everything about the club has negative undertones at the moment. Well travelled and long suffering Caley Jags fan Gringo said:  "That was my first game of the season and my first chance to see with my own eyes how gash ICT have become. That was one awful unentertaining game and by far the worst I've seen from the team I support. No passion, no urgency, no desire, no creativity...nothing. Square balls across the back line time after time. Can't keep possession. Can't shoot. Two game against a part time outfit and we can only bag one goal. There needs to be drastic improvement against Hamilton and I fully believe Dunc is incapable of doing that with this bunch of players. Hamilton will be a tough hurdle to overcome and I fear the worse".  John Rankin's Hamilton Accies on the other hand are rightly in a positive mood after an excellent season in League 1 finishing second to all conquering Falkirk and conceding the same amount goals as the Champions. Hamilton's stats for their League campaign with (ict in brackets). Won 22 (10) Drawn 8 (12) Lost 6 (14) Goals for 73 (41), Goals against 28 (40)  Top Scorers Kevin O'Hara 16 Euan Henderson 10 Ahkeem Rose 7 Lewis Smith 5 (Lewis also tops the assist chart with 11) Kyle MacDonald 5 Reghan Tumilty 5 ICT loan player Jake Davidson has also bagged a couple of goals for Accies but will be ineligible to play. Hamilton did face Championship opposition in the Challenge Cup, losing 4-1 to Raith Rovers. That game was nicely poised at 0-1 until Lee Kilday was red carded after 54 minutes. Raith capitalised and scored a further three goals with Zanatta netting for Accies. Let's not forget, Accies also have an artificial surface which is something Ferguson bleated about after the Montrose game at Links Park. Accies team v Alloa: Lyness; Longridge, Kilday (Owens 68 ), Barjonas (Rose 68 ), Henderson (Hastie 78 ), Martin (Murray 84), O’Hara, L. Smith, McGowan, Tumilty, Williamson (Davidson 45). Subs Not Used: J. Smith; Redfern, Winter, Hendrie.   Inverness latest Team News Here's Dunc's briefing: Sean McAllister out with recurring injury. Sounds as though the rest will be as you were and Charlie Gilmour is hopefully fit to play some part. Don't look for any drastic changes.    

  Play-Off Second Leg   It's only Half-Time in the League 1/Championship semi-final play-offs. Both games are finely poised, Inverness v Morton scoreless and Accies v Alloa level at 2-2. Inverness had a shocker at Links Park on the artificial surface. However, the reality of the matter is we showed no urgency whatsoever and played second fiddle to Montrose throughout the game. Many fans have said this is the worst team they can remember in the clubs short history. No passion, no swashbuckle, nothing, just completely flat and zero dimensional. Only Lawal and Ridgers were given pass marks by the less than impressed Caley Jags support. As much as we have criticised the Caley Jags performance on Tuesday night, let's not lose sight of the fact that Montrose are a decent League 1 side with a good blend of experience and talented prospects. For our part, let's keep them as a good League 1 side and that means no room for faffing about. Time has run out now, there's no hiding places and no room for shirkers. Ditch the sideways passing or put goal posts in front of the Main Stand and tuck shops. Gardiner, Morrison and the rest of the suits. Are you listening to the fans, because nothing seems to have changed and the standard of football on display is driving people away from the Stadium. Here's a selection of comments from the forums on CTO, have a gander: An utterly shameful performance tonight. Mortifying to be in this position but to approach the game with such little intent or urgency is unforgivable and up there with one of the most insipid performances I can recall in such a crucial game. Genuinely one of the most depressing experiences in 30 years of watching ICT. I simply cannot see us staying up with this group of players and management. Just got home and realised that instead of travelling to Montrose and enduring that p1sh, I could’ve stayed at home and watched the Eurovision semi-final! Awful game.  Caley were outplayed and outfought all over the pitch.  As others have said, only Lawal gets pass marks - the only one to show a bit of urgency and desire. (perhaps Samuel, too, but he was just so isolated).  Lawal's run down the left with a great little turn gave us the only thing to cheer about, and then his shot off the bar, of course.  That was it.  Imagine if we had a former Scotland U21 midfielder who had played for the club on over 100 occasions, born and bred in Inverness and brought through our youth system. Imagine he’d been available since January. I doubt he’d be as good as the loanees though so no point imagining anything apart from life in League 1  Not really shocked by the result it’s the same old crap week in week out bar the odd lucky result .And by odd I mean ODD  Simply not good enough. Can’t believe a former (striker) manager plays a team the way he does! We are a disgrace to the jersey so far. Absolutely honking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Latest Team News Not much has changed since Tuesday, but word has it that Danny Devine is a doubt. However, it's at the other end of the park where most of our troubles lie. Carragher and McAllister are available, Devine a doubt as suggested, and Charlie Gilmour training on grass. Think we all need some after Tuesday night...    Mark will be a vital player for us on Saturday.   Montrose have three strikers who have totalled over thirty goals between them, so danger all around the box. We can not afford to be complacent, and we need to show more urgency, passion and quality than we displayed at Links Park.  

1st Leg Play-Off As Dunc said, "It is what it is, isnt it". The dreaded play-offs are here and we find ourselves with more work to do if we want to retain our Championship status. Standing in our way are Montrose. A side we have not played against since 2009, prior to that we locked horns with them in the lower divisions until we were promoted after 1997. A man we all like to hate, Michael Gardyne has been a prominent player for them and Kane Hester is top scorer at Links Park. A mixture of old heads, journeymen and promising players against our bunch of mercenaries. The return leg is this Saturday at the Caledonian Stadium. Who will make it into the final showdown. Accies or Alloa are the other options. We will do well to not underestimate a Montrose team who do not lack some very experienced players. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket/Streaming Info ***AWAY FANS: Entry is strictly by online ticket only £17*** Supporters Bus Second Leg v Montrose ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Venue H2H Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 5 2 1 2 6 10 -4 Away 4 2 1 1 6 5 +1 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 9 4 2 3 12 15 -3 We don't have that great a record against Montrose to be honest, albeit our last meeting with them was a Challenge Cup game in 2009 which went to penalties before Inverness progressed scoring all five spot kicks. Summary: In the end, it was a set of 5 flawless penalties from the home side that forced the tie in their favour. Rooney, Tokely, the captain Munro, Duncan and Djebi-zadi scoring for Inverness, while Ryan Esson saved well from Hegarty. Davidson, Crighton and Gemmell all dispatched their penalties for the Gable Endies, but in the end it proved fruitless. For many the final whistle and the final penalty was the highlight of the match, although Lionel’s celebratory dance certainly forced some entertainment into a poor showing from the 1st division side. The home gathering left grateful to have snatched victory from their surprisingly tough 3rd division opponents, while the small but vocal away support left with heads held high. Montrose put up an admirable fight but a ring rusty ICT eventually forced their way to the end of the match and into the next round for a home tie against Stranraer. All nine Competitive Meetings v Montrose ***click on first score on left for full report on above game, or any other. 1 - 1 (H) 3 - 2 (H) 2 - 0 (A) 2 - 0 (H) 2 - 2 (A) 0 - 3 (H) 1 - 0 (A) 0 - 4 (H) 1 - 3 (A) Prior to that early season Alba Cup game, our encounters with Montrose started in October 1994 up until we left them behind in 1997, a 3 - 2 League win, Promotion, an Iain Stewart hat-trick and a customary lob in front of 3036! On our Way Up: A great day for Inverness as the home side won promotion with a superb hat trick from Iain Stewart. They started well and Charlie Christie hit the bar in 4 minutes. They took the lead in 13 minutes when Iain Stewart took a pass from Daisy Ross and slid it home from 8 yards. It all began to go wrong in 23 minutes when Colin McGlashan equalised from the penalty spot after Mike Noble pushed Craig Mailer. Shaun Smith made it 2-1 for Montrose in 42 minutes with a shot from 6 yards after a cut back from David Fisher. The home side came back strongly in the second half and were rewarded in 67 minutes - a Brian Thomson free kick from the left was turned in by Iain Stewart at the far post. The winner came in 81 minutes - a Brian Thomson through ball found Iain Stewart who ran 20 yards before chipping it over Jim Butter under severe pressure from Mark Haro. The Division Championship can be won next week - the only team that can overtake them is local rivals Ross County. Inverness find themselves in the play-offs after one of our most frustrating seasons ever, with many believing this is our worst ever squad. Injuries have been a big part of our last couple of seasons and this one was no different. Billy Dodds was relieved of his duties after winning just one point in our opening six games. Big Dunc the celebrity came in and it looked like we might be saved, despite his shocking track record in management. However, we soon reverted to type and constantly struggled to gain points at home, and on the field that is one of the main reasons we are up to our eyes in sh1te. Add in the continuing off field antics of our board and CEO, then the mismanagement from above is dragging us down. These play-offs are not about them though. This is about the players and the fans who have tried to lift us out of this gloom. Should we avoid the drop, and unless anything changes higher up the chain, then the same problems will exist within the club next season wherever we find ourselves. We did end the regular season with a home victory, unfortunately a bit of a hollow one with QP confining us to the relegation zone despite amassing 42 points and a positive goal difference (just). Montrose are here by virtue of an excellent season and finishing fourth in League1. 53 points; 15 wins, 8 draws and 13 defeats with 58 goals scored and 57 conceeded, that was enough to qualify for the play-offs despite a less than impressive end to the season with only two wins from their last six games L D L L W W . They look likely to have rested some legs once safe in fourth, the likes of Gardyne not used last week in the 3-2 comeback win over QotS. Familiar names in their ranks are Michael Gardyne, much hated around here. Matheus Machado the young Brazilian prospect once at Inverness and Kane Hester formerly at Elgin City. Sean Dillon, the former Dundee United defender is a player coach at Montrose, plenty experience there. No surprise that Gardyne tops the assists table with 10. Three players are well in front of the rest in the goals scored department: Kane Hester: 11 Blair Lyons: 10 Graham Webster: 10 Here's their team lines from the home defeat to Hamilton Accies three games ago. Starting XI: Gill; Williamson, Steeves (c), Graham, Dillon, Quinn, Gardyne, Shrive, Lyons, Batchelor, Webster Subs: Hester, Hermiston, Emslie, Callaghan, Craig, Matthews, Brown, Machado, Davies. Latest Team News Inverness: I doubt Ferguson has much wiggle room within his squad. Alex Samuel took a heavy knock last Friday and might be a doubt, will have to wait for Duncs pre-match spiel, and here it is: Sean McAllister is struggling as is James Carragher. The good news is Alex Samuel is fine, he only got a whack on the face so he is good to go. Longstaff is also ready after feeling a twinge in his knee. Much of these knocks are dependent on their plastic pitch. Montrose: They appear to have a solid squad and I have no news of any issues within. (and it's a bank holiday) Play Off Schedule Tuesday May 7th Championship play-off semi-finals, 1st leg Montrose v Inverness CT Alloa Ath v Hamilton Saturday May 11th Championship play-off semi-finals, 2nd leg Inverness CT v Montrose Hamilton v Alloa Ath Wednesday May 15th Championship play-off final, 1st leg Lowest-ranked team at home in 1st leg Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 8.05pm Saturday May 18 Championship play-off final, 2nd leg Highest-ranked team at home in 2nd leg Live on BBC ALBA, kick-off 5.30pm