For the second time in one week Caley Jags found themselves facing a 2nd Division side in a pre-season friendly. This time however it was the SPL side that came out on top. The first goal went to Ross County when they took the lead on 34 minutes after Andrew Barrowman’s shot was deflected off Grant Munro. Munro however levelled the score on 69 minutes when he netted the ball following a John Rankin corner. Stuart McCaffrey made it 2-1 on 72 minutes, again following another Rankin corner.

 

Peterhead’s well deserved defeat of Caley Jags at Balmoor, on Wednesday evening, allowed them to claim the Buchan Cup. Caley Jags fielded a strong line up, including French trialist Giany Joinville. However it was Martin Bavidge who managed to score after just 10 minutes with a powerful drive past keeper Ally Ridgers. A more significant event for next season occurred two minutes later when Bobby Mann’s challenge on Caley Jags’ Dean McDonald which resulted in McDonald being stretchered off. Bavidge drove the ball past Ridgers on 30 minutes to double Peterhead’s lead. Caley Jags replied on 44 minutes when Richie Hart headed home a Ross Tokely cross.

"... I'm a Rocket Man..."

InvernessFest, a new festival taking place in the Highland capital between 15 and 29 July 2007 opened with a concert at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Part of the year of Highland culture celebrations the concert was headlined by Sir Elton John, supported by the Welsh band The Storys. Elton played a two hour set keeping everyone happy with old favourites including Rocket Man, I'm Still Standing, I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, and Candle In The Wind.

One of the biggest cheers of the night came when he wrapped himself in a Caley Jags flag thrown on to the stage.

Sir Elton told the crowd: "I'd like to thank the Caley Thistle chairman. As you know I'm a Watford supporter, but I keep my eye on the Scottish Cup... It's great what the guys have done up here, it shows it's not all about Celtic and Rangers."

"... Inverness deserved to win..."

The last game of the season for Caley Jags, a trip to the city of Paisley, an early 12:30 kick off, the chance to grab an eight place finish ahead of Dundee United, the opportunity to field some of the younger squad members, the last game in the Caley Jags strip for team captain Darren Dods, the 300th game for the club by Richard Hastings. As for the Buddies, the chance to end the season on a high with a win against the team they beat in the first game of the season, the possibility of a tenth place finish ahead of Motherwell, a farewell to Kirk Broadfoot, and the opportunity to award the Key of the City to Ross Tokely in a mass show of forgiveness... NOT!!

The game itself ended in a win for Caley Jags. A single goal decided the outcome and it was scored on the 74th minute when Stuart McCaffrey headed home. As for Darren Dods, he did not play today, however Richard Hastings was fielded and was on form as usual, Ross Tokely received his now traditional welcome and to keep the Buddies support happy he fell over one of the advertising boards. Young Caley Jags players Zander Sutherland and Rory McAllister's performance pleased manager Charlie Christie and provides him with further options for next season.

"... I definitely feel some sympathy for Dunfermline..."

It started a big day today for the Pars as they continued their quest to accumulate the points that would see off the possibility of relegation this season. It was also a big day for Caley Jags as defender Ross Tokley fielded for the 400th time for the home team. It was Dunfermline however that made the more determined start and they were rewarded on 37 mins when Jim McIntyre volleyed home after receiving a Tam McManus flick on. Dunfermline continued to look dangerous but became more nervous as the game went on. Then on 77 mins Caley Jags drew even. A Richard Hastings free-kick, although fired straight at Dunfermline keeper Dorus De Vries, was not stopped and the ball slipped through his hands and into the goal. The game was sealed on 89 mins when Caley Jags' substitute Rory McAllister drive flew in, deflected off Dunfermline's Sol Bamba.

"... a freak goal!"

A 78 minute goal from Falkirk's Carl Finnigan was enough to win this game. It came after a long kick by Falkirk keeper Kasper Schmeicel was picked up and lobbed home over the head of Michael Fraser.

"... it was a great header..."

Certainly a game of two halves, the first half was dominated by Dundee United, the second by Caley Jags. United's early efforts were rewarded towards the end of the first half when on 41 minutes David Robertson headed home a Noel Hunt cross. Caley Jags started the second have with more urgency. Graham Bayne replied on 58 minutes when he headed in a Richie Hart free kick.

"... that was very pleasing..."

It was a comfortable win for Caley Jags this week. Two goals in the first half by Craig Dargo was enough to secure the points. On 14 minutes Dargo blasted a shot from 20 yards. It deflected of Danny Murphy to sail past his keeper, Graeme Smith. Dargo then added to the score on 45 minutes. Strike partner Graham Bayne headed the ball down after a free-kick by Stuart McCaffrey, this was pick up by Dargo and slotted past Smith.

"We lacked a wee bit of guile. "

Caley Jags had the best of the first half. Chances fell to Craig Dargo, Barry Wilson, Richie Hart, John Rankin and Graham Bayne. Unfortunately none were converted to goals, Kasper Schmeichel making a number of excellent saves . The deadlock was broken on 80 mins when Falkirk substitute Carl Finnigan struck home from the edge of the box. Caley Jags did not stay behind for long, as a John Rankin volley from 6 yards provided the equalizer 6 mins later. Both teams had chances in the final minutes to claim all the points but neither side managed to score again.

"It's incredible ... "

Rangers started very strong and put early pressure on the Caley Jags. After only 14 mins Caley Jags' captain Darren Dods was sent off after impeding Kris Boyd when he was through on goal. Rangers' Charlie Adam scored the opening goal from the resulting free-kick. Caley Jags managed to get to half time without letting Rangers increase the goal count. The second half then saw ten men Caley Jags take more control of the game. A deserved equalizer was scored by Craig Dargo on 82 mins. This followed a flick on from Graham Bayne who received the ball from Richard Hastings.

"... we are losing really cheap goals!"

Caley Jags started well but for the second week running defensive errors led to another defeat. The Pars earned three valuable points as they try to avoid what seemed like certain relegation this season. Markus Paatelainen scored his second goal in two weeks on 22 mins. However, Dunfermline's Stephen Glass equalized on 52 minutes and Jim McIntyre scored their second on 61 mins. Glass went on to score from a penalty on 79 mins.

"... we
defended very poorly!"

Caley Jags had to beat Kilmarnock to have any chance of a top six finish this season. After 10 minutes Markus Paatelainen scored his first goal for the team following a cross from Richard Hastings. He headed in from 12 yards to beat Graeme Smith. Killie replied on 17 minutes with a goal from Paul di Giacomo. Killie then scored twice again before half time with a second goal from di Giacomo and one from Stevie Naismith. Caley Jags struck back in the second half when a Barry Wilson corner was headed in by Darren Dods on 48 minutes. There were no more goals, and Killie should now secure a top six finish.

"we got a break"

 

SUPERSIZE ME!

It's not unusual to see a goal in the last second of a Caley Jags game. However it's nice not to be on the receiving end this time. As extra time was drawing to a conclusion Barry Wilson had his penultimate shot on goal. It was saved by Derek Stillie, however Graham Bayne knocked the rebound onto Markus Paatelainen, who passed it back to Wilson. This time the shot was not stopped by Stillie, and Caley Jags pick up three points. This puts them back up to seventh place in the table.

"I cannot believe it!"

A historic third defeat of Celtic by Caley Jags, in the Scottish Cup, was thwarted by two late goals. Celtic put pressure on from the start, however it was Caley Jags' Graham Bayne who opened the scoring on 18 minutes. Ian Black started the build up picking out Barry Wilson who went on to cross to Bayne who fired in from six yards. Caley Jags managed to keep their lead until the 89th minute when Steven Pressley headed in to level the game. Caley Jags were then denied a replay at Parkhead when Kenny Miller fired home from 20 yards.

"... we were poor in the first half ....  "

Caley Jags have not won away from home since they beat Rangers last October. This time the sucker punch came just before half time when Scott McDonald headed home the winner for Motherwell. After a poor first half, for Caley Jags, the team came out after the break and took the game to Motherwell. Good opportunities fell to Rory McAllister and Markus Paatelainen but these were not converted to goals.

"... it is the worst we have played this year....  "

Caley Jags failed to impress today when they met Hearts in Edinburgh. There were early chances from Graham Bayne and Barry Wilson but they were not converted to goals after impressive saves by Steve Banks. The match was decided on 82 mins when Hearts' substitute Michal Pospisil scored with his first touch of the ball.

"... it was a well deserved win....  "

Caley Jags now progress to the next round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup after a victory over Dundee United. The only goal of the game came on 15 mins when a defensive header by Lee Wilkie fell to Russell Duncan who volleyed in from 25 yards. Highlights of the game included fine displays of footwork from Michael Fraser and Ross Tokley and shots on goal by Barry Wilson and Rory McAllister. However, even with a fight back by United in the final 15 mins of the game no further goals were added to the score.

"We matched the league champions ....  "

In another fine display Caley Jags matched the league leaders for 90 minutes. Then, not for the first time this season an extra time goal robbed them of a share of the points. Celtic opened the scoring on 37 mins when Derek Riordan tapped in a rebound from the crossbar. Then on 57 mins Graham Bayne headed in a Grant Munro cross. Celtic won the game in the final seconds of extra time when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink took advantage of a goalmouth skirmish and blasted the ball past Michael Fraser.

"... we can be a match for anyone....  "

Caley Jags played one of their finest games today when they met Hibs at home. The first half saw some of the best football from the team since they entered the SPL. They opened the scoring when a poor attempt at a clearance by Chris Hogg was intercepted by Dennis Wyness.He deflected the ball into the path of Craig Dargo who had no problem netting the ball on 20 minutes. Ten minutes later Roy McBain added to the score after receiving a cross from Ross Tokely. With three minutes remaining in the first half Barry Wilson completed the scoring when he lopped the ball over keeper Andrew McNeill.

".We are all gutted...  "

For the second time this season Caley Jags were denied three points by Steve Lovell in the final seconds of extra time. Despite dominating the game for long periods it was not until the 86th minutes that the Caley Jags goal arrived. John Rankin swept the ball home from a Graham Bayne pass. Then, in the last seconds of the 3 minutes extra time Lovell lobbed the ball over Mark Brown to ensure Aberdeen had a share of the points.

"... pure class ...  "

Caley Jags played with three strikers today, at Forthbank, when they met Stirling Albion in the 3rd round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup. Graham Bayne, Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness all started the game. Richard Hastings was left out after picking up a calf strain, leaving three defenders in the line up. Caley Jags took hold of the game from the start and were rewarded in 8 minutes with a goal from Craig Dargo. This was soon followed by a goal from Denis Wyness who scored from a volley on 13 minutes. The Binos then replied 2 minutes later when David O'Brien netted the ball after picking up the ball from John Fraser. Two more goals were scored by Caley Jags before half time. Roy McBain scored on 22 minutes and Craig Dargo got his second of the match on 41 minutes. Barry Wilson added to the score 2 minutes into the second half. A final goal was scored by substitute Alan Morgan on 69 minutes. Caley Jags now progress to the next round after this comfortable win, where they meet Dundee United at home on 3-Feb-07.

"... we bossed the game ...  "

Caley Jags strikers Graham Bayne and Denis Wyness both scored from open play ensuring a win in their first match of 2007. The Saints pulled one back towards the end of the match. They then started to cause problems for their hosts, but did not add further to the score. The match started well for Caley Jags with Bayne's goal coming on 5 minutes when he headed in a Roy McBain cross. Then, 16 minutes later Wyness chested down a Richard Hastings cross which he blasted past keeper Bullock. The Saints battled back and eventually replied on 77 minutes when Kirk Broadfoot headed in past Mark Brown from a Richard Brittain corner. A number of excellent saves by Brown during the course of the game ensured all three points went to Caley Jags.