ICT Snatch The Victory As Winless Run Continues

13/09/25

ICT Snatch The Victory As Winless Run Continues

COVE RANGERS 0–1 INV CAL THISTLE

A deflected effort midway through the second half was enough to secure the points for Inverness in a game which saw us limit them for the most part but fail to cause enough problems at the top end of the pitch.

A draw would not have flattered Cove, but MacLeod’s strike won it, leaving us still in search of a first league victory of the season.

There was yet another blow for the manager pre-match with Blair Yule ruled out through illness and joining Fraser Fyvie and Arron Darge on the sidelines. On the plus side, Declan Glass and Mitch Megginson were back, although it meant another restricted bench.

Robbie Mutch returned in goal in place of Balint Demus and Jackson Mylchreest also dropped out.

The visitors kicked-off and it was to be a fairly quiet start to the encounter until the sixth minute. After good link-up between Glass and O’Donnell, David Eguaibor almost got in, only to be crowded out by Devine.

Caley Thistle then showed their threat, Alfie Stewart winning possession and driving forward, his twenty-five yard strike flying wide of the left post.

Our injury curse struck again soon after when, having twice required treatment, Declan Glass was forced to limp off to be replaced by Mylchreest. The newcomer came on up front with Mitch Megginson dropping back into the heart of the midfield.

Bavidge shot over as Inverness began to dominate possession, but our back line looked solid, and they were giving up little in the way of clear cut chances.

We looked dangerous on occasion as the team tried to counter, and Jackson Mylchreest very nearly broke through, stopped by Devine, before our closest attempt of the game.

Lewis O’Donnell whipped in a superb free-kick from thirty yards out which Mylchreest got his head to, cleverly diverting the ball towards the back post. He was unlucky to see it spin just wide.

There was one further half-chance when O’Donnell’s corner fell to Liam Parker fifteen yards out. The big defender caught his shot sweetly, but it was charged down by the Caley Thistle defence.

The team began on the front foot after the interval, Jackson Mylchreest having a couple of crosses cut out before David Eguaibor burst clear of Devine to run from halfway, only to see Savage block his shot.

From an O’Donnell corner, Justin Eguaibor got his head to the ball and when it fell, Mylchreest tried an overhead flick which was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.

Seconds later we fell behind to a real sucker-punch, affording the visitors too much space down their left, and when the cross came in Calum MacLEOD let fly, his effort taking a deflection and looping over Mutch high into the net.

The boys tried to hit back immediately, Ryan Harrington’s drive diverted wide, and as the minutes ticked down, we came even closer when Lewis O’Donnell expertly controlled a dropping ball, spun, and shot from the edge of the area, but Munro was able make the save.

That was to be it for us, but although the result was again a painful one, there could be no doubting the effort the team put in, the performance deserving of a point.

COVE RANGERS: (3-5-2) Mutch; J. Eguaibor, Doyle (c), Parker; Bisland, Glass (Mylchreest 17), Strachan, O’Donnell, Harrington; Megginson, D. Eguaibor

Substitutes: Demus, Ochmanski, Donaldson, Milnes

Scorers:

Bookings: Mylchreest (22), Megginson (45), Parker (86), D. Eguaibor (90)

INV CAL THISTLE: (4-3-3) Munro; MacLeod, Devine (c), Savage, MacIntyre; Wotherspoon (Allan 75), Chalmers, Stewart; Sole (MacKinnon 90), McKay (Zimba 61), Bavidge (Longstaff 61)

Substitutes: Ross, Millen, Robertson, Strachan, Alonge

Scorers: MacLeod (66)

Bookings: Stewart (80), McKay (90)

Referee: Alastair Grieve

Attendance: 456

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