Jags v Wasps March2025

[tm4tj]

Another week of turmoil

 

In a week where we started with hope and optimism we suffered defeat at home to Annan Athletic and then the Administration movement went from static to plumbing the depths before a PowWow brought it back to status quo. We needed to fill the gap left by Musa Dibaga's sojourn to Gambia for World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Ivory Coast and have done that with an emergency loan in  Celtic's youth keeper, 18 year old Aidan Rice. We hope it will end on a lighter note with the game against Alloa to look forward to this Saturday, (without Longstaff and Bavidge ). The joys of Admin in League1.

We will stick to the on field events on here and will provide links below to certain Admin Statements.

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

Match/Ticket/Bar94/£5offer/Info

Aidan Rice GK

Administrators Statement March17th

Allan Mackenzie Pow Wow March19th

CTO Topic on Admin

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If you haven't got any friends, borrow some!

 

Venue: H2H

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	21	9	10	2	37	22	+15
Away	24	12	6	6	49	25	+24
Neutral	1	0	1	0	4	4	0
Total	46	21	17	8	90	51	+39

Twenty-one home games versus Alloa since 1994 when they came North and played out a 2-2 draw at Telford Street in front of 1,150 fans. None other than Hugh Dallas was the referee Caledonian Thistle (as we were called back in the day) were in the lead for a long time in this game, had territorial advantage for most of it but in the end were fortunate to earn a draw. They had chances in the early minutes through McCraw and Lisle but Jim Butter saved well. In 18 minutes Charlie Christie collected a Martin Lisle pass and weaved past McCormack before scoring with a blistering 20 yard drive. In 67 minutes Barrie Moffat equalised after a McAvoy cross and in 78 minutes Neil Bennett put Alloa in front. Caley Thistle fought back with efforts from McKenzie and MacMillan but it took until the 86th minute before they equalised. Keith McCulloch handled in the box and Mike Andrew scored from the resultant penalty. 

Report by Ian Broadfoot

Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Alloa

2 - 1 (A)

1 - 0 (H)

2 - 2 (A)

1 - 1 (A)

2 - 2 (H)

1 - 2 (A)

0 - 2 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

3 - 2 (A)

2 - 0 (A)

We are unbeaten against Alloa this season and could have won all three given that we were 2-0 up in the first encounter during the Duncball era. Having gone two ahead through goals from Devine and MacLeod we were pulled level just six minutes later when Sammon and Donnelly quickly restored parity. Danny Devine lashed in the opening goal from twenty-two yards in the seventh minute to give the visitors the perfect start. After the interval 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.

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 / W L  

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 and we went down losing three without reply. The Stenhousemuir fixture was postponed and was 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 the Saturday with Alfie Bavidge scoring his 6th goal in 9 games. Unfortunately Alfie was injured early on against Stenhousemuir in midweek but that didn't stop us running up a 4-1 win with goals from Brannan, Gilmour, Bray and Allan. Annan up North on Saturday in a six-pointer and it was a disappointing defeat after Annan parked the bus after scoring in the third minute.

Scott Kellacher will still be without Luis Longstaff who has a hamstring injury and missed the last three. Kellacher said in midweek to the press: “Alfie won’t be involved this weekend. The scan came back a wee bit unclear so he is waiting to do another scan. “He has to rest for probably the next 10 days to see if it settles down, and then they will try to get another image of it. Then we’ll know where we go from there. “We also have two or three wee niggles, but hopefully we’ll be clear after tomorrow.” Hopefully MacLeod will return after injury as we were a bit thin on the bench last week against Annan.

This will be a tough game with Alloa still on course for a play-off place at the top end and Inverness still trying to avoid a play-off place at the bottom end. Our task will be made more difficult because of injuries to Longstaff and goal machine Alfie Bavidge. However, we showed that we can cope without these players in the entertaining win over Stenhousemuir, but the flip side was our inability to break down Annan last week where a bit of composure might have gone a long way to keeping Annan at arms length. I've been well impressed with Ben Brannan in his couple of games with us. He will be an important player with his driving runs forward and long throws and he's not scared to have a pop. Our defence will need to keep a 'Luke' out for Alloa's main scorers as they are among the higher scoring sides in the table with 43 goals.

 

Pos	Team	Pld	Gd	Pts
1	Arbroath	29	17	53
2	Cove R	29	18	48
3	Stenny	29	12	48
4	Alloa Ath	29	5	40
5	Queen of Sth	29	-5	38
6	Kelty Hearts	29	0	36
7	Montrose	29	-7	33
8	Inverness CT	29	4	32
9	Annan Ath	29	-23	30
10	Dumbarton	29	-21	09

 

Last Six: D W W W L  L   

Alloa started their last six with a 2-2 draw at Montrose. Wins at Kelty (0-2), home to Annan (4-3) and Cove (2-1) before losing their last two (2-3) at home to leaders Arbroath and a 3-2 defeat at Palmerston last week. Despite the recent defeats they remain in the fourth play-off position eight points above Inverness. Luke Rankin tops their scoring charts with 8 goals followed by Luke Donnelly on 7 and Connor Sammon with 5.

Starting XI v QotS last week <<above>>

 

This will be the 47th meeting between Caley Jags and the Wasps, also known as Alloha Athletic,

One game was played at a neutral venue and that was the 1999 Challenge Cup Final played at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie with an Attendance of 4,043. Alloa came out on top after an entertaining encounter, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 4-4 draw. Bummer for Paul Sheerin who scored a hat-trick including two penalties but failed to score his spot kick in the shoot out. Meh!

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 Penalties (Irvine, Boyle, Cameron, Little, Cairns) Beaton miss.
Inverness Pens (McCulloch, Tokely, Byers, Wilson) Sheerin, Teasdale saved.

Match report written by Ian Broadfoot

 

 

 

 

[STFU]

Looking forward to parking all the off field stuff and just cheering on the team.

Reviews of the stand in keeper look good and wishing Musa all the best on international duty.

Trying to drag a Dundee Utd supporting work colleague along to support the clubs offer as well.

[+CaleyHedgehog]

2 hours ago, STFU said:

Looking forward to parking all the off field stuff and just cheering on the team.

Absolutely. 

This team have kept our spirits up through the toughest times that the club has faced. They must be tiring now, but let's give them the support needed to push on to the end of the season. So proud of what SK and the boys have achieved and would love to see them end the season on a real high, football wise at least.

[+Gringo]

It's going to a tough ask that has been made more difficult by the absentees. I'm sure the lads will be up the challenge(s) ahead. They'll need to be up for it today against the Wasps and I wish them all the best. Shoot on site and don't make silly mistakes. Hope the young lad in goal is up for it - a big opportunity for him I feel.

[big cherly]

Couldn’t agree more about why we are all on this forum, -  going along to watch our team play football. Cheer or groan and forget everything else in your life for 90 plus minutes as the game plays out. 
Dumbarton are too far back so will finish in bottom place. Last Saturday morning I was convinced we were looking at 7th or 8th place. Now every game remaining has meaning (which is great-that’s what makes me want to keep attending). 
Reading the P&B the Alloa seem to be having their own problems, so whilst respecting them we should not fear them. 
Not sure how well set up but something tells me we will probably have a defensive mindset for a large part of the match. Predict -draw. 
bc

Edited March 22 by big cherly

[bishbashbosh]

5 hours ago, Gringo said:

It's going to a tough ask that has been made more difficult by the absentees. I'm sure the lads will be up the challenge(s) ahead. They'll need to be up for it today against the Wasps and I wish them all the best. Shoot on site and don't make silly mistakes. Hope the young lad in goal is up for it - a big opportunity for him I feel.

 Young lad will only be as good as the players in front of him. At 6ft. 1 not the biggest of modern day keepers. Can’t see him doing a musa with one handed catches. Wouldn’t be a possible issue playing him today if we had won the Annan game last week. Here’s hoping for a goal feast in our favour.

AIDAN RICE

Despite turning 18 in the summer of 2024, the shot-stopper has already picked up some extremely valuable experience as a young goalkeeper.

Rice spent some time working amongst Brendan Rodgers’ first-team squad as part of Stevie Woods’ goalkeeping group.

At the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, the goalkeeper became a mainstay for the young Celts.

Saving penalties in back-to-back UEFA Youth League matches, the teenager played a big role in qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.

[buckett]

Loving the new-found positivity here.

Maybe we should go into administration more often!

 

Seriously though, although I won't be able to attend this one, my thoughts are with the team and hoping for 3 points this afternoon watched by a decent crowd!

[STFU]

For me it will be what it will be. I trust that the players will give it their best shot regardless of what's going on off the field. I also believe that whilst they don't always perform to the best of their ability they do always give their best effort.

Then there's times when results seem to be decided by the universe and performance (good or bad) doesn't seem to play much of a part in it. lol

[Robert]

I’m missing out today due to a family birthday but will be looking out for the score.

With Musa away and our injuries, I’m it is time to triumph in adversity. That’s what we are best at.

Here’s to three points with a good performance being a bonus.

Come on ICT!

[big cherly]

Half time 1-0. Thought we were going to blow Alloa away after a great opening goal and play for 30 minutes. All over them and well deserved lead. Alloa slowly coming more in the game. Feel we are the better team and if we get a second goal, the three points are ours. 
bc

[tm4tj]

Well on top in the first 20 minutes and a great strike from the other Alfie. 

Last part of the first half we looked a bit cautious and lost most of the second balls and struggled to maintain possession. Rice made one good save as Alloa ventured forward and another couple of routine gatherings.

Alloa were let back in by our own inability to retain the ball. They looked awful in the first 20 mins and likewise we looked cumbersome for the remainder of the half.

Let's hope we get back on top in the second half.

[Yngwie]

Such a disappointing home result (again) when we were pretty dominant (again) and created a huge number of chances (again) and Billy missed when it was easier to score (again) and we saw how much we rely on Bavidge for goals (again).

[Yngwie]

Just realised that if we’d won these games v Annan and Alloa like we really should have, we’d have been within 2 points of the promotion play-offs with 6 games to play. 

[caley100]

Billy Mackay should never never have taken the pen.  He couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo just now. Gilmore had the ball and would have been a better choice.  Bray / Stewart hit bar / post when scoring would have been easier.   Very very frustrating ...again.   

[RednBlackComeback]

Great fast-paced start where we looked brilliant and deservedly took the lead. Then as the first half wore on we got slower and slower, letting Alloa back into the game.

Lost what looked like a soft goal in the second half. Then we tried to up the pace again, but in truth whenever we got around their 18 yard line we slowed everything down.
 

My heart skipped a beat when we were awarded the penalty, then sank when I saw who was taking it! A very poor penalty easily saved by the keeper. That’s two games in a row now where McKay has cost points. How long do we persist with him in the starting 11? He’s become a liability!

[big cherly]

13 minutes ago, caley100 said:

Billy Mackay should never never have taken the pen.  He couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo just now. Gilmore had the ball and would have been a better choice.  Bray / Stewart hit bar / post when scoring would have been easier.   Very very frustrating ...again.   

Billy has always striked his penalties straight down the middle. Most of the time the ball ends up in the net as normally goalies opt to dive to one side. Agree though it’s time someone else took over. 
bc

[Yngwie]

15 minutes ago, caley100 said:

Billy Mackay should never never have taken the pen.  He couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo just now.

He’s our 9th top scorer this season with 2 goals from 37 appearances as a striker. He still has a good footballing brain and brings something to the team, but it sure ain’t goals.

[Huisdean]

5 points dropped in the last 2 games isn't good enough. 

I'm afraid Kellagher has to take a chunk of the blame for this. Far too slow and late making changes in both the Annan and Alloa matches when we were crying out for them.  Billy should not have been given the responsibility of taking the penalty as he is visibly short of confidence and Kellacher should have realised that. I'm afraid Billy slows the game down too much now and worth giving Cairns a try.

Yet again, a game poorly refereed.  Savage's first booking was soft while his second was ridiculous. Some robust tackling from Alloa went unpunished including a two footed tackle referee did even blow for. Standside linesman also worthy of a mention for missing z clear offside when he wasn't up with play and giving 2 throws to Alloa when the ehole ball was clearly not out.

[+CaleyHedgehog]

Gutted for the team, and the rest of us as well. That was a draw that felt like a loss.

[+DoofersDad]

We've edged a point further away from Annan, which is positive, but after such a bright start it seemed like a defeat when we all trooped out of the stadium.  In truth, we should have scored 4 what with hitting the woodwork twice and missing a penalty.  We could have eased out as comfortable winners but as it was, we were lucky to escape with a draw with Alloa hitting the woodwork and having a goal ruled off towards the end.  Remi's red card will likely have an impact in the games he'll miss, but I think we have enough quality and desire in the team to keep ahead of Annan.

[LisleRightPeg]

That was a sore one after making a good start to the match. After taking the lead we sat too deep and our passing was pedestrian. The Remi sending off looked soft. The loan GK made two good stops and we missed 2 or 3 good opportunities. Yet again the coaching staff didn’t freshen things up. I really do feel far these young lads sitting on the bench not getting an opportunity. Results elsewhere didn’t go in our favour 

[+TheCaleyOne]

Feeling so disappointed like people have already said I thought Gilmore was going to take pen then Billy wanted it, I had a bad feeling. Ref and nearside linesman were shocking and we will miss Remi next week, was a harsh red card.

Was really impressed with stand in keeper today, I guess it's a point gained after what could have been a defeat at the end if offside hadn't been given, thank goodness for a decent linesman!

After all that happened in the last week off field at least we got something from the game but should be doing better.

[RednBlackComeback]

22 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

He’s our 9th top scorer this season with 2 goals from 37 appearances as a striker. He still has a good footballing brain and brings something to the team, but it sure ain’t goals.

Truth is he really isn’t bringing anything to the team anymore 

[big cherly]

I still think Billy has something to offer to the team in the remaining matches. His legs can’t respond to what his mind asks, however he does have experience of how to handle difficult periods of the game. The match against stenny being an example when I thought he pulled the team forward after Alfie B went off injured. 
I agree if we had a younger centre forward or point man then go that way. Trouble is we are limited in what we have in numbers and quality of players. I would have Billy as a sub to be brought on at the appropriate moment of a game. This would be SK decision, but without incurring the wrath of devotee's I agree with others we took too long to make changes today. 
Last tuppenceworth, apart from the result, I throughly enjoyed today’s game. Had just about everything, including overpicky ref. 
bc

[caley100]

1 hour ago, big cherly said:

Billy has always striked his penalties straight down the middle. Most of the time the ball ends up in the net as normally goalies opt to dive to one side. Agree though it’s time someone else took over. 
bc

If a player goes down the route of down the middle hoping the keeper mostly always dives one way, you have to hit the ball high as there is the danger of the keeper saving with his legs (as today) 

Very frustrating game and I'll be waiting to see what Kell says about the pen.