Preview Inverness CT
Tuesday, 26th Jul 2016Betfred Cup v Inverness Caley Thistle, kick off 7.45pm
Tickets: Adults £12, Concessions £6
On Tuesday night Dunfermline welcome Inverness Caley Thistle to East End Park in the Betfred Cup. They have come a very long way since their first visit in the First Division on 7th August 1999 which Dunfermline won comfortably by four goals to nil. It is 12 games back now since Dunfermline last defeated Inverness Caley at East End Park that was over twelve visits ago in December 1999.
Seventeen years on Inverness arrive as the favourites on the back of a seventh place finish in last season`s Premier League and now with a new manager. Long serving striker and captain Richie Foran was appointed their manager at the end of May 2016. The 35 year old has worked on his squad for the new season adding Scott Boden from Newport County, Kevin McNaughton from Wigan Athletic, Jack Mulraney from QPR and Billy King from Hearts.
| Milestones v Inverness Caley Thistle (home) | |||
| Last Victory | 18/12/99 | 1-0 | Division 1 |
| Last Defeat | 18/01/12 | 1-3 | Division 1 |
| Best Victory | 07/08/99 | 4-0 | Division 1 |
| Worst Defeat | 18/01/12 | 1-3 | Division 1 |
Looking forward to the match Allan Johnston said:-
"Inverness are a quality side and they`ve been really prominent in recent seasons so we know how difficult the task before us is. But last season we played three Premier League clubs and none of them managed to defeat us over 90 minutes and in fact we had one of our best games of the season in beating Dundee 3-1. So we have no fears going into the game."
Betfred Cup so far
Both sides have played two games. Dunfermline have registered 3-0 wins over both Arbroath and Cowdenbeath. Inverness Caley Thistle have won 2-1 at Cowdenbeath and lost 4-1 on penalties against Dundee United on Saturday after the match ended 1-1.
Dundee United lead the section on seven points but have played one more match than ICT and the Pars. Dunfermline are second on six points, Caley Thistle have four points.
Previous League Cup Meeting
The one and only meeting between Dunfermline Athletic and Inverness Caley Thistle in the League Cup took place on 9th October 2001. On an evening when the Pars had thirty efforts on goal, fourteen of them on target, a combination of weak finishing and excellent goalkeeping by Nicky Walker led to this third round tie going all the way to penalties.
The 39 year old keeper who had made one appearance for Dunfermline 14 seasons previously, made his first save after just 49 seconds to keep out Jack de Gier`s point blank header. He was then tested by shots from Stevie Crawford and Stewart Petrie as the Athletic`s fast, passing football kept Inverness pinned back.
A goal seemed certain and it came in 15 minutes - but at the other end. From more than 30 yards out Bobby Mann struck a free kick that keeper Scott Thomson spilled allowing Martin Bavidge to turn into the net.
Dunfermline responded to this setback with an overhead kick from Gary Mason that bounced off the top of the bar while de Gier`s brave diving header went just wide. They continued to create the better chances though Inverness posed a few problems on the break and troubled Thomson with a series of corners.
The Pars made a positive start to the second half and their pressure eventually paid off with a 63rd minute equaliser. Running on to a through ball, Steven Hampshire rounded the `keeper to score from a tight angle with a shot that eluded two covering defenders.
There were plenty further chances for the home side to finish the tie but when none were taken the tie was decided on penalties. Caley had disposed of Partick on penalties in the previous round and they were to dump the Fifers out via the same route.
Walker saved attempts from Barry Nicolson and Davie Nicholls either side of John Potter`s sole success while Mann, Wyness, Ritchie and Tokely converted to give Inverness their first ever victory over an SPL side in the League Cup.
Inverness CT record in the League Cup
For a club with a relatively recent history of joining the Scottish League, Inverness has a very good record in the League Cup competition particularly in recent seasons. Inverness reached the semi final in season 2012-13 having comprehensively beaten Rangers 3-0 at Ibrox in the quarter final.
In 2013-14 they went all the way to the final knocking out Dundee, Dundee United and Hearts on the way. They lost to Aberdeen 4-2 on penalties in the final. Last season they lost out in the quarter finals to Ross County who went on to win the trophy.
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Cowdenbeath). David Hutton: Ryan Williamson, Lee Ashcroft, Ben Richards-Everton, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham (Lewis Spence 71), Andy Geggan (c), Nat Wedderburn (Rhys McCabe 56), Joe Cardle (Paul McMullan 71): Michael Moffat, Gavin Reilly
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis Martin, James Thomas, Cammy Gill (GK)
INVERNESS CT (v Dundee United): Cammy Mackay, David Raven, Gary Warren, Kevin McNaughton, Carl Tremarco: Billy King, Liam Polwarth, Ross Draper, Greg Tansey, Iain Vigurs (Jake Mulraney 59), Scott Boden (Alex Fisher 85)
SUBS NOT USED: Ali Sutherland, Owain Fon Williams, Jason Brown, Lewis Horner
Referee will be Crawford Allan
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