Warriors come North

[tm4tj]

Warriors head North

 

Second top Stenhousemuir come North to face the Caley Jags in this re-arranged fixture on Tuesday night, 11th of March. Kick off is 7:45pm and you can get to the Stadium on the Footie Bus at 17:45 or 19:00 from the bus station in the centre of the City. Bar94 will open from 17:30. We are now into phase 4 of the League season and the only team we play twice in the run-in is Stenhousemuir. The only team we don't meet again is Dumbarton. After beating Dumbarton on Saturday and Stenhousemuir beating Annan, we have now crawled out of the relegation play-off zone for the first time since we entered administration. Great achievement by Scott Kellacher and his mostly young side and this has not gone unnoticed by the fans. Kellacher has gone on record as stating that the home games will be crucial over the next few weeks with five out of the nine games remaining played at the Caledonian Stadium starting with this one on Tuesday night. Of these five sides only Arbroath play on grass. That will be his focus as the season reaches boiling point.

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

Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar94/Info

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Venue H2H

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	4	3	1	0	11	3	+8
Away	6	4	1	1	11	5	+6
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	10	7	2	1	22	8	+14

Only the ten competitive matches against Stenhousemuir and this is the third one this season. We first crossed swords with the Warriors in a Scottish Cup tie in 1996 when we recorded a narrow one goal win, going on to play Rangers in the next round.

A tremendous victory for the Inverness side and a place in the last 8 of the cup. We 'scored' in 2 minutes through Thomson but Christie was offside. After that their defence had to withstand tremendous pressure. Mathieson was a real handful and he came close on 3 occasions - chances also fell to Brannigan, Sprott, Roseburgh, Aitken & Bannon. Caley Thistles only other first half chance was a shot from Thomson in 15 minutes but it went past.
In the second half Caley Thistle took control and in 53 minutes Thomson was unlucky when his 25 yard shot was tipped over.
In 60 minutes Stewart beat the offside trap but keeper McKenzie came off his line well. 2 minutes later a great shot from 18 yards by Christie was held by McKenzie. On 75 minutes Teasdale set off on a run down the right wing and sent a low cross to Brian Thomson just outside the penalty area - his shot into the corner was unstoppable. With a minute to go Stenhousemuir had the ball in the net but it was chalked off. Caley Thistle held out for a famous victory and the prospect of Rangers at home in the next round. ***We did of course play Rangers at Tannadice going down 3-0 in the Quarter Finals.

Starting XI

McKenzie Sprott Bannon Armstrong Brannigan Roseburgh Aitken Fisher Mathieson Hutchison Little

Jim Calder Mike Noble Richard Hastings Iain MacArthur John Scott Graeme Bennett Charlie Christie Mike Teasdale Alan Hercher Iain Stewart 75mins  Brian Thomson

Subs

Haddow Hunter Scott

Dave McGinlay Davie Ross Colin Mitchell

 

2024

Dec 21st	League (League 1)	1 - 0	A	719
Sep 28th	League (League 1)	0 - 0	H	1,601

2012

Sep 25th

League Cup (Rd 3)

p 1 - 1

A

705

1999

Jul 31st

League Cup (Round 1)

3 - 1

A

534

1998

Apr 11th	League	2 - 1	H	1,414
Feb 28th	League	3 - 0	A	463

1997

Nov 8th	League	4 - 1	H	1,669
Aug 30th	League	2 - 3	A	400
Aug 2nd	League Cup (Rd 1)	5 - 1	H	1,735

1996

Feb 17th

Scottish Cup (Rd 4)

1 - 0

A

2,300

 

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 L W D 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 next 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, Dunfermline bound Keith Bray with his fourth of the season and Alfie Stewart. We got our revenge at home to QotS (1-0) with Alfie Bavidge scoring his fourth goal in five appearances. Alas it was a bridge too far at Arbroath last week and we went down losing three without reply. The Stenhousemuir fixture was postponed and is re-arranged for March 11th. We went to Kelty and came away with a narrow 1-0 win thanks to Alfie's 5th goal in 7 appearances. Montrose proved to be stubborn opponents and it took a superb diving header from Keith Bray to rescue a point in a rather turgid encounter after Sandilands had opened the scoring in the first half. A last gasp win at Dumbarton on Saturday with Alfie Bavidge scoring his 6th goal in 9 games and that takes us back home to face Stenhousemuir on Tuesday night in the first of our final nine fixtures with another two home games to follow.

Scott Kellacher will be without Luis Longstaff who has a hamstring injury and missed the game at Dumbarton. Ben Brannan came into the starting XI and did well, helping set up the late winner with his ball into Charlie Gilmour. Brannan went to right back which allowed Keith Bray to take up Longstaff's role. Kellacher has said we have one or two other niggles. Hardly surprising given the state of the surface at Dumbarton after heavy rain during the Arbroath fixture and only a couple of days to get the body back to manageable levels.

	Team	Pld	Gd	Pts
1	Arbroath	28	17	52
2	Stenny	27	15	47
3	Cove	27	14	44
4	Alloa Ath	28	6	40
5	Kelty Hearts	27	4	35
6	Queen of Sth	28	-6	35
7	Montrose	28	-7	32
8	Inverness CT	27	2	29
9	Annan Ath	28	-24	27
10	Dumbarton	28	-21	0

Warriors Last Six: L  W W W W W 

The best run in the League at the moment, winning their last five on the bounce. They started with a crushing 4-0 defeat at home to Cove Rangers. They bounced back winning the next five starting with a 3-0 win at Montrose. Next was a 2-1 home win over Queen of the South then a 2-0 home win in the top of the table clash against Arbroath. A 3-1 win at Dumbarton and a 2-0 win at Annan sets them up nicely for their third away fixture on the trot at the Caledonian Stadium. Corey O'Donnell is top scorer with nine League goals. Blair Alston has seven. It's been a good season so far for Stenhousemuir and in the first game at the Caledonian Stadium back in September it was a no scoring draw. We nicked the return fixture in December with a 1-0 win thanks to a late Charlie Gilmour strike when he nicked the goal off Paul Allan. 

 

Some unusual 'facts' on wikipedia: In 1890, the Warriors moved to Ochilview Park following spells at Tryst Park and Goschen Park. In the early 20th century the club had a brief spell of success, winning the Scottish Qualifying Cup twice in 1901 and 1902. In 1902–03, the club reached the Scottish Cup semi-final, losing 1–4 at home to Rangers. The 1921–22 season saw Stenhousemuir compete for the first time in senior Scottish League Football.

In 1925–26, Stenhousemuir goalkeeper Joe Shortt was offered a £50   bribe to throw a match against Broxburn United, but he rejected the offer and the Warriors won the match 6–2. A bookmaker from the Bainsford district of Falkirk, was subsequently jailed for attempted match fixing. 

In 1928, the wooden grandstand at Ochilview Park burnt down in a fire  , which led to a new stand being built in its place, although staircases reputedly had to be added later due to planning errors (was Scot Gardiner in charge). The 1936–37 season saw the club register a record victory – a 9–2 home win against Dundee United. More than a decade later in 1949–50, a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against East Fife drew a record crowd of 12,525 – the highest ever at Ochilview Park. On 7 November 1951, the first floodlit game between two Scottish senior teams occurred at Ochilview Park, a friendly match between Stenhousemuir and Hibernian. The floodlights had been paid for three years earlier by Tommy Douglas, a butcher in King Street, Stenhousemuir.

 

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

Toughest game of the season.

[STFU]

The toughest challenge will be not getting over confident after moving out of the bottom two but the manager has been doing a great job of keep things real and I'd expect that to continue.

Looking forward to an evening game under the lights on home soil. We don't do enough of them.

[Robert]

They are on a good run but we’ve been grinding out results.

I’m sure the players will be grounded and we’ll get something from the game.

To be honest, I’d take a point as long as we beat Annan on Saturday, particularly if we have players with niggly knocks. It would be wise to let them recover so we have our strongest squad for Saturday. 

Edited March 11 by Robert

[ICT Supporters Trust]

Remember that Bar 94 opens at 1730 and is open after the match until 2245.

Buses are operating from the Bus Station at 1745 and 1900, returning 10 minutes after the full time whistle and then at 2245.

Its our first midweek game since the bar was refurbished and the improved bus service started, and it will be good if we can see both being well used.

[big cherly]

Just following on from above postings, the mindset has changed! We are no longer a team fighting a cause of recovering from a 15 point deduction to get above the relegation slots. We now need to change the mindset to not get dragged back into 9th place (Dumbarton are down IMO). 
Be interesting to see how we cope (team and fans) being in this place now! 
I’ll be there hoping for three points but will not complain about coming away with a draw tonight! 
bc

[STFU]

Saw somewhere that Don McNaughton had been doing some work at the club so there is definitely focus being given to the mental side of the game.

[+DoofersDad]

2 hours ago, STFU said:

Saw somewhere that Don McNaughton had been doing some work at the club so there is definitely focus being given to the mental side of the game.

And it's obviously working.  After all, everyone went mental after Alfie scored on Saturday!

[Robert]

The club has issued this:

Supporters Info

We're currently having issues with some of our card machines at the Stadium, which we are trying to resolve before tonight's game against Stenhousemuir. 

We recommend supporters bring cash along where possible tonight. Tickets available in advance from the Club Shop/over the phone on 01463 222880 where we are still able to take card payments.

[LisleRightPeg]

Will there be a cash turnstile operating tonight does anyone know?? 

[Robert]

1 hour ago, Robert said:

The club has issued this:

Supporters Info

We're currently having issues with some of our card machines at the Stadium, which we are trying to resolve before tonight's game against Stenhousemuir. 

We recommend supporters bring cash along where possible tonight. Tickets available in advance from the Club Shop/over the phone on 01463 222880 where we are still able to take card payments.

The issue is resolved so business as usual. 

[tm4tj]

27 minutes ago, LisleRightPeg said:

Will there be a cash turnstile operating tonight does anyone know?? 

If not tickets can be bought by card or cash at the shop/windows.

[LisleRightPeg]

19 minutes ago, tm4tj said:

If not tickets can be bought by card or cash at the shop/windows.

Thank you  

[tm4tj]

Offers for games to come

[+CaleyHedgehog]

Good luck tonight boys.

A daunting task, but confident that you will give it your best shot at the win.

Never forget that you should be up there, on the table, amongst the teams at the top, (but for the point deduction).

C'mon CaleyYou are TITANIUM.

[tm4tj]

Longstaff out.

Mckay benched.

Brannan starts.

MacLeod starts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yates

Aitken

O'Reilly

All start.

[bishbashbosh]

Will the game go on. Announcement for a qualified referee or linesman for tonight's game

[bishbashbosh]

Both teams out for a warm up in their pre match kit.?????

8 minutes late already

Edited March 11 by bishbashbosh

[mazza20]

16 minutes ago, bishbashbosh said:

Both teams out for a warm up in their pre match kit.?????

8 minutes late already

It was on twitter that ref was injured and a replacement found aiming for 8PM kick off, not seen anything to say it's started 

[Scotty]

According to Fotmob app, we are now 8 minutes in so 8:05 kickoff or thereabouts? Although same app also says kickoff at 8:20pm ... and then it changed the elapsed time to -5:00 as i looked ... in other words, no-one knows yet

Edit: club just posted update to say 8:20pm KO

https://x.com/ICTFC/status/1899554070429585670

 

 

 

 

 

[+snorbens_caleyman]

BBC website says "First Half begins"

[Scotty]

Hope the app is right this time ... it just said we went 1-0 up ! (Ben Brannan). confirmed on my other app now too (OneFootball)

[Mee]

Goal!!!

 

edit  they've equalised, 1-1

Edited March 11 by Mee

[CaleyCanary]

…and they’ve equalised 1-1 

[Scotty]

yeah, my app showed that too  A win tonight would lift us to 7th and then we would be chasing QOS for 6th ... but given that Stenny are the form team in the division right now, I'd settle for a draw tonight

... and we just went 2-1 up !  (Charlie Gilmour) 

worryingly it also shows Billy coming on for Alfie Bavidge after 13 mins. Cant be good.