Inverness CT -V- Arbroath 11th April

[tm4tj]

Five to go

 

Down to the last five league games starting with the visit of Arbroath on Tuesday night for a 7:45pm kick-off. After successive victories over Partick, Morton and Raith Rovers, we have brought our own fate back into our own hands with a late run. It's still a big ask, but win our remaining games and we will be in the play-offs. Who saw that coming a month ago? Mind you, we still have to play Hamilton, and that gives me the fear.

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Match/Ticket Info

Scottish Cup Tickets

AGM 2023

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Venue

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	23	16	4	3	57	19	+38
Away	22	10	6	6	30	23	+7
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	45	26	10	9	87	42	+45

We hold the overall advantage over the Smokies but four of the last five games ended all square after ninety minutes. They are now fighting to avoid relegation and will be a tough nut to crack as Dundee found out at the weekend in a scoreless draw at Gayfield. We surprised our own fans with a 4-1 win out of the blue at Arbroath in January.

Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Arbroath

4 - 1 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

0 - 0 (A)

0 - 0 (A)

0 - 0 (H)

3 - 0 (H)

0 - 0 (A)

0 - 1 (H)

1 - 0 (A)

1 - 0 (H)

From CTO 4 - 1 win January 2023: Smokies Smoked: Both clubs had big wins in the first games of 2023 and it was Inverness that continued in style with a 4-1 win at Gayfield. Billy Mckay, who scored a hat-trick last week, opened the scoring at the back post in the ninth minute but Ben El-Mhanni levelled fifteen minutes later when he slotted into the bottom corner. Jay Henderson put us ahead just before the break as he lifted a shot high into the net from inside the box. Twenty minutes into the second half Dan Mackay shot into the bottom corner to double our advantage. Substitute Lewis Nicolson concluded the scoring in the 86th minute with a header from sub Steven Boyd's cross. Great win on the road for the Caley Jags that moves us into sixth place in the table, eleven points behind table toppers Queens Park. Great start to 2023 for the Caley Jags with two big wins on the bounce.

Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Three fixtures on Tuesday night 1. Dundee 31 15 9 7 54 32 54 2. Queens Park 32 16 6 10 58 45 54 3. Partick Thistle 32 15 6 11 58 40 51 4. Ayr United 32 14 8 10 57 41 50 5. Inverness CT 31 12 9 10 44 42 45 6. Morton 31 11 11 9 43 38 44 7. Raith Rovers 31 11 8 12 42 41 41 8. Arbroath 31 6 14 11 28 41 32 9. Hamilton Ac. 31 7 8 16 28 56 29 10. Cove Rangers 32 6 9 17 35 71 27

Tuesday 11th April

Dundee v Rovers

 Inverness CT v Arbroath FC

Morton v Accies

Last Time Out

We won our third game on the bounce with a comfortable 2-0 win over Raith Rovers. Jay Henderson played after being injured at Cappielow the previous week and opened the scoring before Nathan Shaw crashed in a second ten minutes later. With Raith Rovers looking like their season was already over, the Caley Jags did just enough without over exerting themselves and keeping themselves fresh for the coming busy April schedule culminating in the Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk at Hampden on the 29th. W L W W W 

Arbroath, unbeaten in their last seven league games, have eased themselves clear of Hamilton and Cove at the bottom of the table after two wins and a draw in the last three. However, it's still tight at the bottom and they will be in no mood to gift three points to us. A win over Queens Park  was followed by another over Ayr United before the goalless draw against Dundee on Saturday. D D W W D 

Latest Team News

Billy Dodds has no apparent fresh injuries after the weekend and Jay Henderson played and scored which was a bonus. Danny Devine stayed on the bench which will benefit him in the coming weeks. No sign of Roddy MacGregor, Max Ram, Wallace Duffy or the two season long crocks in Shane Sutherland and Tom Walsh.

Arbroath Starting XI v Dundee: Gaston; Banks, Little, O'Brien, Hetherington, Baldé, Gold, Stewart, McKenna, Dow, Hilson

Arbroath assistant manager Ian Campbell said on BBC Sport: "I think everyone saw an Arbroath team really fighting for each other, well organised and professional. "The plaudits come to Arbroath today, we were tremendous. I'm so happy we done today what we've been doing since Christmas, we went about our business exceptionally (against Dundee).

[IBM]

It's amazing what a few wins can do so we have to keep winning, nothing else will do.  The league table for the last six games.

 

Edited April 10, 2023 by IBM

[Satan]

Only one goal conceded in the last 6 by arbroath...

Very big challenge. 

[STFU]

24 minutes ago, IBM said:

It's amazing what a few wins can do so we have to keep winning, nothing else will do.  The league table for the last six games.

 

Shame the leagues decided over 36 games

[+Gringo]

I've seen Arbroath a couple times recently on council telly, they're a solid side despite their lowly position. A tough test for ICT to break them down. We're not the most free scoring side in the league so I'm hoping our recent good form will see us grab the 3 points.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

The hardest game of our season so far.  

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Jeezy Peeps mun - we're on our way to Hampden and steadily up the league. One game at a time and it says a lot about our season that we are more nervous about playing lower placed teams, especially at home. Anyway the fat lady is still on bed rest and croaking.

[tm4tj]

 

[tm4tj]

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

That’s an attacking team selection- are we going for the jugular ?

[Satan]

Doran picked up a knock so Samuels got the nod. Diran still on the bench though.

 

[Satan]

Grim 45 minutes indeed

[Caley Mad In Berks]

So much for the attacking line-up! Only one shot at goal (not on target) in whole of first half.  Must do better after the break.  Come on lads, keep our season alive.

[RiG]

Nathan Shaw Ballon d'Or. 

[STFU]

27 minutes ago, Caley Mad In Berks said:

So much for the attacking line-up! Only one shot at goal (not on target) in whole of first half.  Must do better after the break.  Come on lads, keep our season alive.

One shot on target is all it takes sometimes

[Yngwie]

FT 2-0. Job done. Well done ICT.

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Onwards and upwards- as expected - losing Henderson is a blow as we need everybody on board. But I suspect that somebody will blame Dodds  

[Caley Mad In Berks]

Well, I'll take that after the first half.  Pity about Henderson sending off.  We could miss him in last few league games.  Anyway, well done lads for getting the win tonight.

[Douglas Mackenzie]

Job done,scrappy game at times.Henderson and Shaw stand out again with Robbie Deas showing true leadership at back.Another good game for Carson.We just have to win remaining games

[Huisdean]

Comfortable win in the end against a poor Arbroath team. Poor refereeing again with Arbroath players trying to con the referee into giving fouls by screaming in agony and rolling about when tackled then getting up and running about as normal. Shaw got booked as a result of that. Thought Henderson's red card was a bit harsh and the ref was very quick to red card him. 

[Robert]

We started very fast but after 10 minutes the first half turned into a typical Arbroath “run the clock down” show. How grown men get hurt so easily is beyond me.

A great goal to start the second, with Henderson putting it on a plate for Shaw. Then a deserved second when the ref actually gave us a decision. Allardice had a good finish from the spot.

I need to see the red again as my first reaction was it was harsh. Time will tell.

After then we defended ok and broke the game up to see it through for a deserved win.

15 points out of 18 but we need to keep the run going.

Samuels’ right leg was heavily strapped when he came out at full time to join the applause. With Henderson suspended, we could do with him for Saturday. 

Edited April 11, 2023 by Robert

[jed5697]

A good win against a battling Arbroath. Henderson's deliveries into the box producing again for Shaws goal. Stonewall penalty and well taken. Not sure if Henderson merited straight red ? We gotta definitely be on a run now ‍

 

[Satan]

22 minutes ago, Robert said:

Samuels’ right leg was heavily strapped when he came out at full time to join the applause. With Henderson suspended, we could do with him for Saturday. 

Didn't think he was up to full speed tonight, a couple of runs he made he was never getting close to catching the ball. Almost like he is still protecting an injury.

[IBM]

A well earned three points and a great team performance from the team tonight 

Arbroath are a sh1te football team although Dick Campbell might disagree 

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

We are bound to blow it aren’t we ?