Red Lichties away Feb2025

[tm4tj]

Stand to Attention

 

We will play Arbroath on Saturday at Gayfield in a Stadium with recent damage to their stand. Well I never! Saturday is the 8th of February and it's 25 years to the day since the last time this happened. SuperCaleygobalisticArbroathareatrocious won't have the same impact or quite the same ring to it, but a repeat of that famous scoreline will do nicely. Of course this game was dependent on work to rectify the storm damage being done and or the insurers coughing up the money. I wonder if they already gave them an advance given the number of new faces joining in the January transfer window? A couple of recent defeats have knocked Arbroath off their perch at the top of the table. It's a League nobody is prepared to take the bull by the horns as the lead changes hands every couple of weeks.

Some good news this week, it has been revealed that the Supporters Trust will have a seat on the Board of the club once they come out of Administration. George Moodie, Chairman of the Trust, was talking at the Football Memories group at at the stadium and said "We have been promised a seat around the boardroom table once the club gets out of administration".

Unfortunately some sad news last week with the passing of former Highland League striker Billy Pirie at the age of 75. Billy played for a number of Scottish sides; Huntly, Arbroath, Aberdeen and Dundee where he scored 93 goals in 112 appearances for the Dark Blues. They don't make them like that anymore. RIP Billy.

Attention Attention: Please note that due to damage caused to Arbroath’s stand last Friday, seating in the Coelbrew stand is unavailable to away fans at the moment. Repairs are underway and hopefully will be done before the game. Arbroath FC are doing their utmost to remedy this but the reality is that it may not be repaired in time for Saturday 

***UPDATE: Repairs to the roof above the away seating in the Coelbrew Stand at Gayfield Park have now been completed and tickets are now available for that stand. Game On!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Match/Ticket/Supporters Bus/Info

Arbroath Stand

Keith Bray

Calum Mackay

Billy Pirie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Venue H2H

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	28	18	5	5	62	24	+38
Away	26	11	7	8	36	31	+5
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	54	29	12	13	98	55	+43

Records will show that over the years we still have the edge over Arbroath. However, recent events, even before administration, reveal that Arbroath are narrowing the gap, especially at Gayfield.

Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Arbroath

0 - 2 (H)

0 - 1 (A)

0 - 0 (H)

2 - 1 (H)

1 - 1 (A)

1 - 2 (H)

3 - 2 (A)

2 - 4 (A)

2 - 0 (H)

4 - 1 (A)

 

INVERNESS CT  The Season So Far

D L  D D W D D D L   / W L(11)D W W W L  W L  

W W L  W W 

Since Scott Kellacher was handed the reins in game 11, there has been a more positive approach to our matches which has resulted in improved performances and a more enjoyable matchday experience all round. Alas we were brought back to earth with a disappointing result in our last game of 2024, a crushing 1-4 defeat at home to Cove Rangers. We'll have to put that one down to a bad day at the office. However, we bounced back in our first game of the second half of the season in the six pointer against Dumbarton with a hard fought 2-0 win. That win over Dumbarton was a vital one and the introduction of Alfie Bavidge was a welcome one as he opened the scoring early in the first half. Charlie Gilmour slotted in the clincher in the second half to give us a cushion over the Sons and to narrow the gap on Annan to seven points. We took part in the only League1 game last weekend and came away from Annan with a resounding 3-0 win, Alfie Bavidge netting again with Keith Bray and then Billy Mckay from the spot.  *It was then on to Palmerston on the Tuesday night but in a five goal encounter we went down 3-2. Alfie Bavidge notched his third goal in three games and Keith Bray added a second but goals from Adam Brooks (2) and Jordan Allan kept the points in Dumfries. We bounced back with a resilient 1-2 win at Alloa in our third away game on the bounce, Keith Bray with his fourth of the season and Alfie Stewart his first. Up next a revenge mission at home to QotS.

*There were plenty of positives to be taken from the defeat against Queen of the South in last midweek. Alfie Bavidge is on form with three from three and Keith Bray added his third League goal of the season. Luis Longstaff was a big miss at Palmerston having been injured at Annan last Saturday and missed out again at Alloa. The good news for us was that Longstaff returned for the the home win against QotS and Alfie Bavidge notched his fourth goal in five appearances. Yay!

Sadly it has been confirmed that we will be losing Keith Bray at the end of the season although his new club, Dunfermline, have loaned him back to us for the remainder of the season. Par for the course I suppose. Calum Mackay has left Inverness after mutual agreement between player and club.

Scot Kellacher speaking to the media on the squad going forward after the transfer window:

“I’m really confident in the squad, the squad we have now has got us to where we have got to. We have given ourselves a fighting chance, it has been a big ask in terms of the task we have been set. The boys have done great, every single one of them even the boys that haven’t played too many games. They’ve been on the training ground, pushing the other boys to their limits.” “We’re happy with the squad. Whether we can get another one in, we’ve got until the end of February [until the loan window shuts]. Hopefully nobody gets injured, we’ve got the squad we’ve got and that is more than enough for me.”

 

Cove v Kelty is a casualty of Scottish Cup duty for the Balmoral Stadium side.

Pos	Team	Pld	Gd	Pts
1	Stenny	23	8	35
2	Cove	22	10	34
3	Arbroath	21	7	34
4	Queen of Sth	23	-2	32
5	Kelty Hearts	22	7	31
6	Alloa Athletic	23	3	30
7	Montrose	22	-5	25
8	Annan Ath	23	-17	24
9	Caley Jags	23	3	22
10	Dumbarton	22	-14	08

 

 

Arbroath went down 2-1 at Cove after taking an early lead through Andy Winter. However, two late goals for the hosts saw them snatch all three points with Megginson and Harrington the scorers. This was their Starting XI at Cove. 

Arbroath's Last six League games: W L  W W L  L   

Working back from the defeat at Cove, they lost 3-1 at Alloa but scored seven without reply in big wins over Montrose and Annan. A 3-2 defeat at Kelty brings them back to our last encounter in the Highlands which Arbroath won 2-0 with goals from Smith and Reilly in a game that Inverness had Robbie Thompson red carded before half time when the score was 0-0. During that period Arbroath have had a couple of games postponed.

The January sales have been good for Arbroath: Aaron Steele has returned from Stenhousemuir. Big coup getting Sam Stanton in on loan from Raith Rovers.  The vastly experienced Billy King (once at ICTFC) has signed on at Gayfield. Andy Winter came in on loan from Livingston and scored at Cove. Kieran MacKechnie signs on from QotS and Keeper Jack McConnell extends his loan stay for the remainder of the season as has Robbie Hemphrey. Callum Penman has also been brought in on loan from St Mirren. A few outs: Ross County's highly rated young defender Dylan Smith has returned North. Craig Slater to Forfar, Gordon Walker (without club) and Brynn Sinclair (off down under). Liam Callaghan, Quinn Coulson and Layton Bisland (loaned out).

[Broonerz]

Hi All

I purchased an adult ticket and a kids ticket for away end, but due to a change in my son’s schedule I can no longer go. Happy for someone else to get the use of the tickets. Please let me know.

[bishbashbosh]

No game at County this Saturday so on Thursday thought i would go to arbroath for first away game this season. Was faffing about trying to get a ticket on the arbroath website but everything was greyed out on the away stand. Then got a phone call from my daughter saying my 9 year old grandson was in the county u11 team to play dunfermline away. So heading there instead.

This morning told he has the bug that is going round the schools so dunfermline now a no go.

Purchased an away  terrace ticket thinking that was all that was open for away fans.

I see in the preview the stand is now open.

Donnie, if only you did your preview this morning.

But not to worry, the terracing is a quid cheaper. That's 50p I owe you.

 

[tm4tj]

They updated the status of the Stand just after mid-day I think.

Soz Touche

[+CaleyHedgehog]

Lovely day for a bus ride and a game of footie.

Hoping the lads remember that they need fear no one in the league - ICT being in pole position (if it wasn't for those pesky points deducted). Get out and enjoy yourselves while you bring home the 3 points.

C'mon Caley

[The Mantis]

Lovely day here in Aberbrothick. That’s a great interview with Cammy Harper on the TWS podcast, great way to pass a train journey. Kudos @RedCard

[KennySim93]

2-0 down  disappointing.  Hopefully Dumbarton can manage to get something vs Annan at least.

[IBM]

1 minute ago, KennySim93 said:

2-0 down  disappointing.  Hopefully Dumbarton can manage to get something vs Annan at least.

Hopefully we can come back with 3 in the second half.

[bishbashbosh]

Should be 4-0 down, they are solid at the back and compared to us are lightning fast on the break. We had a fair bit of possession but side ways and backwards. Here's hoping kellacher has a plan B for the second half.

[caley100]

F**ks sake  3 0 now!!    don't need this result.

[Yngwie]

Bad day for us. After a decent start we found ourselves 2 down, and in the end had Musa to thank for keeping the score respectable. Even Bavidge had a bad day at the office, missing the target from 3 great chances.

Edited February 8 by Yngwie

[+snorbens_caleyman]

Could be a timely kick up the backside.  Really need to knuckle down now for the run-in. 

And other cliches like that.

[Robert]

Disappointing but I believe we will win more than we will draw or lose between now and the end of the season and can still get above Annan and Montrose.

This is a quote from Scott Kellacher’s pre-match interview which I think is spot on and hopefully today spurs us on to win next week:

“What the group of players have done to get us to where we are right now has been incredible. From now until the end of the season, there may be a set back here or there, we understand that. I think you can see with the setbacks we’ve had, we’ve lost 1 out of the last 5 games and that set back pushed the boys on. There’s a good resilience about them, if we lose a game, they want to get right back on it at training and go again.”

[bishbashbosh]

Sounds like Scott bought the QOS managers book  “interviewed when you have lost”.

Speaking to fellow supporters at half time and the end, Arbroath were bigger, stronger, faster and better than us on the day, accept it and move on to next week.

their wee no. 14, with the long hair, top and shorts that looked too big for him ran the show and was rightly named mom. 

Arbroath had a minutes applause for 3 ex players who died this week. A few seconds into it a small amount of our supporters started beating the drum and chanting. Show some respect boys.

all the fans in my view, clapped for the full 60 seconds.

Edited February 9 by bishbashbosh

[+old caley girl]

51 minutes ago, bishbashbosh said:

Sounds like Scott bought the QOS managers book  “interviewed when you have lost”.

Speaking to fellow supporters at half time and the end, Arbroath were bigger, stronger, faster and better than us on the day, accept it and move on to next week.

their wee no. 14, with the long hair, top and shorts that looked too big for him ran the show and was rightly named mom. 

Arbroath had a minutes applause for 3 ex players who died this week. A few seconds into it a small amount of our supporters started beating the drum and chanting. Show some respect boys.

all the fans in my view, clapped for the full 60 seconds.

They were challenged by a member of ST board. Said they didn't hear announcement and did stop. It wasn't a great look though...

[STFU]

Losing by 3 is a sore one however it sounds like we had chances and it wasn't a total collapse.

All the team and coaches can do is look at what didn't work and try and correct it going forward.

I remain confident we can do enough to get up to 7th or 8th.

[big cherly]

Not the outcome we wanted but the reset to reality is timely. Our target should be to get above Annan. This defeat allows us time (enough games left) to focus on any improvements and game plans for the remaining games/teams. Not loosing any more ground (points gap) to Annan will be vital. Feel February will be an important month for us.

bc 

[STFU]

3 minutes ago, old caley girl said:

They were challenged by a member of ST board. Said they didn't hear announcement and did stop. It wasn't a great look though...

Doesn't sound like something they'd do deliberately so I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.

[+old caley girl]

13 minutes ago, STFU said:

Doesn't sound like something they'd do deliberately so I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.

I would too if it hadn't happened at Annan as well? 

Hopefully this will be last time though 

[The Mantis]

I missed the Cove game at home but that’s the first time this season I’ve seen us comprehensively hammered. Arbroath are the best side I’ve seen, quite physical in defence and midfield and quick on the break. They’ve added the boy Penman on loan from St. Mirren and Sam Stanton from Raith. Mind you, we were the better side for the first 25 till they scored from a set piece. 
Very few pass marks for us. Remi Savage had possibly his worst game. Keith Bray played like Wallace Duffy, I.e. turned and passed back to Danny every time, whether through lack of confidence or tactics, who knows. Charlie got his usual booking.
The Arbroath highlights are good but don’t show all the chances Alfie Bavidge had, except the one late on, nor Billy hitting the post at 2-0. Músa had at least 2 amazing stops in the first half though.
With Annan winning we’re back to where we were a few weeks ago with only 12 games left. Montrose have dropped to 8th but with a game in hand so it’s anybody’s guess which one we can catch first. 
On to Stenny and a much needed 3 home points. Baffling that they’re top considering they were about as poor as Annan last time we played them.

[+Naelifts]

Only my second game this season. Always a pleasure going to Gayfield. They seem to have done quite a lot of work around the ground. The weather was merciful as we know what it can be like there. A sound start, moving the ball well for the first quarter. 3 extragavant 70 yard crossfield passes all hit Longstaff and on the third occasion he bore down on goal only to be foiled by a good block. Prior to that Bavidges first touch was sublime before he poked the ball just wide of the advancing keeper. Arbroath took the lead against the run of play and a quick second in effect put the game to bed. Two good saves kept us in touch in theory before half time. Arbroath were tenacious in midfield and fast to break and after half time we werent at the races. You could argue that Billy unluckily hitting the post could have breathed new life into the team but, in reality, we were outplayed by a superior team. For the home side their Luca Modric ( 5' 5"?) like number 14 buzzed around the park linking play and he impressed. 248 Caley souls was a great turn out. For me , Arbroath go up and we must buckle down and try to maintain Div 1 status. Any talk of play offs is fanciful.

[+CaleyHedgehog]

25 minutes ago, The Mantis said:

With Annan winning we’re back to where we were a few weeks ago with only 12 games left. Montrose have dropped to 8th but with a game in hand so it’s anybody’s guess which one we can catch first. 

But one of them we will catch, I'm sure. 

Bad day at the office, move on and up.

[Yngwie]

1 hour ago, STFU said:

Doesn't sound like something they'd do deliberately so I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.

For context, there was a clear and lengthy announcement with details of the careers of the 3 deceased players, at a time when our end was quiet. The teams lined up around the centre circle, ref blows his whistle, then after a few seconds of everybody clapping, some of our fans and the drum kick in with “If you hate Scot Gardiner clap your hands”. A misguided attempt at humour.

[tm4tj]

Fraser Taylor is their No 14. Tidy player and pings in a good ball.

 

[tm4tj]

Cove play Montrose this Tuesday night.

 

Pos	Team	Pld	Gd	Pts
1	Stenhousemuir	24	9	38
2	Arbroath	22	10	37
3	Cove Rangers	22	10	34
4	Queen of Sth	24	-3	32
5	Kelty Hearts	22	7	31
6	Alloa Athletic	24	3	31
7	Annan Athletic	24	-16	27
8	Montrose	23	-5	26
9	Inverness CT	24	0	22
10	Dumbarton	23	-15	08