Cove Rangers away

[tm4tj]

Off to Balmoral

 

It's a first League visit to Balmoral Stadium to face Cove Rangers in what will be the sixth ever competitive match between the sides. All games on the Saturday will kick-off at 3:00pm. The only defeat in the five games played came at Cove in a League Cup encounter and that didn't go well. (see report below). The first encounter this season ended with a flattering 4-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium.

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MATCH/TICKET/SUPPORTERS BUS & TRAVEL INFO

 

Only five Competitive Meetings - Click on scores to see previous reports/highlights etc

4 - 1 (H)

1 - 1 (H)

1 - 3 (A)

3 - 2 (H)

2 - 0 (H)

CTO report July 2021: Cove 3-1 Inverness CT - League Cup

Inverness' dismal run of League Cup results continued with defeat at Cove.

This was a must win game for Inverness if they were looking to progress in the competition. Sean Welsh was out after rolling his ankle against Stirling Albion and David Carson missed out after taking a knock against Albion. There were some 'friendly' faces in the Cove ranks with Vigurs, Draper and McAllister in opposition.

Manny Duku had a shot cleared off the line in the tenth minute after intercepting the ball and driving into the box. Ten minutes later Mark Ridgers was called into action to deny Neill after a corner. Play moved to the other end and Gardyne and Doran combined to play Duku through on goal but he shot wide. Half an hour gone and Sutherland and Duku combine to give Allardice an opportunity but he lashed the ball over. Cove opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Leighton McIntosh scored. A couple of minutes later and Cove doubled their lead through Mitch Megginson. Megginson then shot over the bar before Sutherland shot over at the other end and then keeper Gourlay denied Duku after McAlear found him in the box with an excellent ball. Plenty of action but no goals for Inverness at the interval.

Sutherland went close five minutes into the second half after Gourlay fluffed a clearance. Ridgers tipped a Scully shot over the bar as play moved to the other end and Ridgers also saved from Megginson on the hour. Sutherland headed over after Walsh put a tremendous cross into the box with twenty minutes left. With ten minutes left Sutherland headed another Walsh cross onto the post and wide. Walsh himself had an effort scrambled off the line as Inverness pressed for a lifeline. However Yule completed the embarrassment for Dodds duffers with a third goal five minutes from the end after shambolic defending. A penalty to Inverness in the 90th minute offered little consolation for the Caley Jags but Duku duly converted from the spot.

If you have never been before>>>

Last Time Out

Cove's last game was a disappointing defeat at the hands of Raith Rovers as they went down 3-0. Two first half goals from Connolly and Gullan set the tone in this game with Stanton adding a third after the interval. It was doubly disappointing coming after a tremendous 3-1 home win over Dundee four days earlier. Scully (2) and Megginson did the damage that night after Anderson had opened the scoring for Dundee in the tenth minute. It's been a bit of a mixed bag for Jim McIntyre's men. Previous to that they had creditable draws with Hamilton and away to Partick before beating Arbroath and Dundee and looked to be settling in nicely to life in the Championship.

Bily Dodds side picked up their fourth Championship win on the bounce in a TV game last Friday against then leaders Partick Thistle. Billy Mckay was the only scorer as Inverness deservedly beat 10 man Partick who had Turner sent off just before the interval. This run has seen us pick ourselves off the canvas after a heavy defeat to Partick and a dismal loss at home to Morton back in August. Since then we have taken twelve points from Raith, Dundee and Ayr United (all away) and the home game against Partick. Those results have left Cove in eighth place whilst we are challenging for top place. The only downside so far has been our reluctance to score goals although our defence is the best in the league. Touch wood!

Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Partick Thistle 9 5 2 2 21 12 17 2. Ayr United 9 5 2 2 19 11 17 3. Inverness CT 9 5 2 2 13 9 17 4. Queens Park 10 5 1 4 14 18 16 5. Dundee 10 4 2 4 17 15 14 6. Morton 10 4 2 4 14 13 14 7. Raith Rovers 9 4 0 5 11 11 12 8. Cove Rangers 10 3 2 5 14 17 11 9. Hamilton Ac. 9 1 4 4 7 17 7 10. Arbroath 9 1 3 5 6 13 6

FRIDAY 14TH OCTOBER

Queen's v Arbroath

SATURDAY 15TH OCTOBER

Cove Rangers v Inverness CT 

Dundee v Ayr Utd

 Accies v Partick

Morton v Rovers

Latest Team News

Danny Devine missed the Partick game last week and was reportedly seen on crutches, so that's maybe a good indicator that he won't be available along with Sutherland, Walsh, Welsh and Samuels. MacGregor and Ram are getting vital minutes under their belt after playing parts of the last two games.

 

Eric's Cove catch-up.

Squad changes at Balmoral Stadium since last meeting on the 13th August.

Away are Rhys Thomas defender on loan to Keith FC for the rest of the season and once upon a time ICT midfielder Ross Draper made a permanent move to Elgin City at the beginning of September.

Manager Jim McIntyre has expanded his defensive options with the addition of centre backs Jack Sanders on loan from Kilmarnock and Kyle McClelland also on loan from Hibernian FC B. Max Johnston is a right back on loan from Motherwell for the season. He is the son of Allan Johnston, the former Hearts player, and has been capped for Scotland at u16 & u19 level. One time Arsenal FC, Youth through to U23 level, Charlie Gilmour has joined as a defensive midfield player on loan from St Johnstone.

Iain Vigurs is still there but he was on the bench last time out, however, keep the yellow cards handy for the talented but often cynical former Caley Thistle player (he must have learned that at Dingwall). Mitch Megginson does like a goal or two against us and is worth keeping an eye on. Mark Reynolds, Fraser Fyvie and Shay Logan are all on the books at Balmoral, so plenty experience in their ranks.

[The Mantis]

No. 3 or 3A bus to Cove Bay from city centre. If it says Mastrick on the front it’s the wrong bus. Get off at Altens roundabout. Trains from Edinburgh seem to be running ok but not the Sneckie ones?

[Robert]

39 minutes ago, TheMantis said:

 Trains from Edinburgh seem to be running ok but not the Sneckie ones?

It’s not due to a strike this time.

There are no trains between Inverness and Elgin for a couple of weeks due to work at the new Dalcross Station.

I think there may be rail replacement coaches but not certain of that. 

[The Mantis]

1 hour ago, Robert said:

It’s not due to a strike this time.

There are no trains between Inverness and Elgin for a couple of weeks due to work at the new Dalcross Station.

I think there may be rail replacement coaches but not certain of that. 

Aye, I remember hearing that now you mention it

[Hearach]

Supporters Travel Club bus leaves stadium 10.30

[tm4tj]

 

 

 

[Robert]

A winnable game against, but Cove beat Dundee in their last home game so no room for complacency.

If we show the same attitude and desire as we did last week, we should keep our run going and bring the points back along the A96.

[tm4tj]

With Queens Park drawing 1-1 with Arbroath last night, the table now looks like this: Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Partick Thistle 9 5 2 2 21 12 17 2. Ayr United 9 5 2 2 19 11 17 3. Inverness CT 9 5 2 2 13 9 17 4. Queens Park 11 5 2 4 15 19 17 5. Dundee 10 4 2 4 17 15 14 6. Morton 10 4 2 4 14 13 14 7. Raith Rovers 9 4 0 5 11 11 12 8. Cove Rangers 10 3 2 5 14 17 11 9. Arbroath 10 1 4 5 7 14 7 10. Hamilton Ac. 9 1 4 4 7 17 7

[IBM]

We definitely need three points to keep us in the mix at the top. I hope for another clean sheet as well. Don’t think that’s to much to ask for

[Robert]

With last night’s draw, a very unlikely series of results would see a six way tie at the top. It will happen if Cove, Dundee, Hamilton and Morton all win today.

As long as Cove lose, I’ll be happy!

[Satan]

With only Raith, Arbroath & Hamilton scoring less than us we really should look to up our goals for tally.

Tight at the back is one thing, but if the season continues to be so close at the top then goal difference will be very important. 

[Robert]

Unchanged team and bench:

https://twitter.com/ICTFC/status/1581270035317764096/photo/1

[tm4tj]

As Robert said, unchanged from the Partick game.

Vigurs on bench for Cove.

[tm4tj]

Greenock Morton:  That'll be a late finish then.

 Due to traffic issues with the Raith Rovers team bus, today's match will now kick-off at 3:15pm.

[Robert]

1 up. Steven Boyd.

Worrying MacGregor replaced by Doran due to an injury. Hopefully not serious. 

Edited October 15, 2022 by Robert

[Robert]

Half time: Cove 0-1 ICT.

From the BBC app, 59% possession for Cove but we have had 4 attempts to their 1, with the goal the only attempt on target.

An eventful half for Boyd as he also got booked.

Hopefully those at the game can give an indication if the issue with MacGregor having to go off injured. 

[No Shin Guards]

I say,

Mental note, Cove is another ground that is probably best visited in the summer!! Oh wait, dash it, of course we don't play summer football in this tropical country. 

ICT looking good so far. 

Eh what?  

[Robert]

About 10 to play.

Oakley has replaced Mckay. Hyde replaced Allardice at half time: another injury?

Doran and Deas have picked up bookings this half. 

Edited October 15, 2022 by Robert

[Robert]

Shaw on for Boyd late on. 

[Robert]

Job done and a 1-0 win. Still joint top and five wins on the spin, with the chance of going top on Tuesday.

Late bookings for Oakley and Harper whilst Cove had a player sent off in stoppage time.

Roll on Tuesday!

Edited October 15, 2022 by Robert

[Yngwie]

Been following the score from Turkiye and delighted with the result - 5 league wins in a row, 4 of them away from home, that’s a great run.

[Caley Mad In Berks]

Yes, I'll take that.  Table looks very pretty.  Briefly we were top when Hamilton scored against Partick, but alas, they couldn't hold on.  We'll have to avoid any complacency when we play Hamilton at home on Tuesday.  Well done lads, a very encouraging run of league wins, let's keep it going!

[Robert]

Had a text from a friend who’s a Cove fan and was at the game.

He is very bitter and blaming the officials. In his view, Cove’s “goal” should not have been disallowed for offside, whilst the sending off was deserved but one of our players threw the first punch.

If we did get the benefit of a dodgy decision, it makes a change!!

[Jaggernaut]

Superb three points, especially when it looks like there were a couple of injuries. I was watching the scores come through on BBC Final Score, which was very nervy when we were only one goal to the good, but it proved to be good enough in the end. On to Tuesday night now against Hamilton, so let's not fall into the trap of taking the bottom club lightly, as we have tended to do on some occasions, and drop points, let's treat them the same way we treated Partick, and play at high intensity and fight for every ball, then, top of the league will be the reward.

[IcyT]

Not a great display by any means, but we’ll take the three points. Pretty defensive in the second half, breaking out occasionally. Nervy stuff. Great away support.
 

Spoiled by three lads at the back (not part of the main singing group) who were trying out the Ibrox Disaster song, cheering Lizzy in a Box and something about hoping someone dies in their sleep. That is just sick and weird, and embarrassing for the club. Don’t think they were quite the full shilling but even so. There are families in and about with kids wondering what the hell is wrong with some people. They need to be sorted out.