Caley Thistle 1-0 Cove Rangers: Managers’ reaction as Mitchell Robertson earns league leaders points

Scott Kellacher was delighted as a third successive 1-0 win – this time against Cove Rangers – pushed Caley Thistle further clear at the top of League One.

On-loan Celtic defender Mitchell Robertson’s first-half goal was the difference on a day when ICT had 22 shots in comparison to Cove’s four, with four on target compared to one.

It lifts Inverness three points clear of Alloa Athletic and Stenhousemuir, with Kelty Hearts’ 2-2 draw at Stenny pushing them three points ahead of rock-bottom Cove.

Alloa are now second ahead of Stenhousemuir on goal difference thanks to their 4-0 away rout of Montrose.

After 1-0 results against Peterhead and Montrose, ICT made it three on the spin of such narrow outcomes.

Team effort led to latest win – boss

Inverness boss Kellacher would have loved for their dominant play to have meant more goals, but he was just delighted to collect maximum points.

He said: “I will take winning games 1-0 every week. I know it can be frustrating and I think one day, hopefully soon, we will start to take all out chances.

“If we were not creating, making their keeper work, or putting crosses in the box then I would be worried.

“I have to give credit to the players as a team. We have looked solid. It’s another clean sheet for the back four and the goalkeeper, but as a team we have been defending great.

“Teams are not just going to let it happen for you, but I would be a lot happier if we could take one or two more chances.

Mckay praised for set-play homework

“I have to give credit to (assistant boss) Billy (Mckay), who does all the set-plays and it’s from that we got our goal. He puts a lot of time and effort in.

“The game now, everyone wants to work on set-plays. It’s a big part of the game. That doesn’t just happen by chance. A lot of thought goes into it.

“Mitch got in there and he took his chance. He was excellent, as were most of them. I am so proud of them.”

And Kellacher, whose team lost last time they moved into first place, explained it was all about getting their 10th win from 13 league matches.

He added: “The aim is to try and keep winning games of football. I said to the players beforehand I didn’t care how we won.

“There have been games where we have played really well and come away with nothing.

“It’s good to see us have that bit of solidity about us to make sure, if we go in front, we stay in front.”

Hartley says Cove are up for fight

Cove Rangers had several injured players out including Fraser Fyvie, Michael Doyle, Mitch Megginson and Declan Glass as well as on loan-St Johnstone forward Jackson Mylchreest.

They could only name four players as substitutes and had to pitch one of them, Mackenzie Strachan, into action in the first half after skipper Arron Darge also picked up an injury and will be assessed

Visiting boss Paul Hartley admits his team know they are in a battle to get out of trouble at the foot of the division.

He said: “Inverness were better. We were second best for the majority of the game.

“In the first half, we were too passive.

“We changed the shape in the second half and got a bit closer to them.

“They are a good team, there’s no doubt about it. They’re the best footballing team in the division and top of the league for a reason.

“In the second half, we were better and more compact and tighter, but we didn’t offer enough in the final third. At 1-0, you have a chance.

“We’re better than what we showed at times. When you’re at the bottom, there’s a wee bit of a lack of confidence.

“When you are at the bottom there is a lack of confidence, but we need to fight our way through it.

“We are in a relegation battle and no point papering over the cracks and hiding that. We knew it was going to be difficult.

“Arron Darge went off with a bad one. It looks a bad one beside his bone and we will get a scan. It is not looking good but nobody feels sorry in this game and we will fight through it best we can.”

Robertson nets for on-song Inverness

The hosts were making all the early moves and were almost rewarded on 11 minutes.

Adam Mackinnon latched on to a long ball and cut it across for seven-goal joint club scorer this season, Chanka Zimba, who blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

And the former Cardiff City youth and latterly Marine player was not far off moments later when he flashed a header wide when meeting a delivery from Paul Allan.

However, on 18 minutes, ICT deservedly got their lead when Robertson reacted quickest in the six-yard box to tap home from a Joe Chalmers corner.

It was the second goal of the campaign for the 20-year-old on-loan Celtic B captain, but his first in the league.

For Cove, it was a matter of trying to then stem the flow of attacks, ensuring they remained in it.

Darge got his body in the way to divert a net-bound MacKinnon drive after the home midfielder was superbly picked out by centre half Remi Savage on 28 minutes. He seemed to be hurt in the process.

It then required a smart stop from visiting keeper Robbie Mutch to deny right-back Callum MacLeod, who shot on goal after a superb through pass by Allan.

Cove’s injury woes continued when, eight minutes before the interval, Darge had to be replaced by Mackenzie Strachan.

Cove, mainly sparked by on-loan Ross County attacker and former Dons man Adam Emslie, showed flashes of intent late in the first half without troubling goalkeeper Ross Munro.

There was one last moment for Inverness before break time as energetic MacKinnon’s stinging shot was pushed clear by Mutch, who again came to the rescue.

Subs spark for ICT but no second goal

The second half was largely played under heavy rainfall, with the players doing all they could to find a way through it.

Cove knew one goal could change the momentum, while Inverness wanted a vital second goal. Chances were few and far between though.

With 13 minutes to go, it was almost 2-0, but substitute Alfie Bavidge headed over the bar when he met a cross from his fellow sub and Aberdeen loanee team-mate Alfie Stewart.

Another ICT sub Luis Longstaff lit up the play with some terrific wing play, but there was to be no icing on the cake for the hosts.

In fact, the final chance was the only strike on target from Cove as Emslie’s searing 20-yarder was pushed away by Munro.

Both teams turn their attention to the KDM Evolution Trophy this Tuesday, having already qualified from the 30-club division to the knock-out stages.

Group phase leaders Inverness, who have won all five fixtures in the competition, round off their group games at home to Dundee United B (in 25th place), while Cove (13th) host Forfar Athletic (10th).

Caley Thistle v Cove Rangers ratings

CALEY THISTLE (4-2-3-1): Munro 6, MacLeod 6, Devine 6, Savage 6, Robertson 7, Allan 7, Chalmers 6 (Alonge 89), Sole 7 (MacIntyre 89), MacKinnon 8 (Longstaff 73), Wotherspoon 7 (Stewart 73), Zimba 6 (Bavidge 63).

Subs not used: Ross (GK), Clark, Sam Thomson.

COVE RANGERS (5-4-1): Mutch 7, Bisland 6, Justin Eguaibor 6, Darge 5 (Strachan 37), Parker 6, Harrington 6, McAllister 6, Yule 7, O’Donnell 7 (Donaldson 83), Emslie 7, David Eguaibor 6.

Subs not used: Demus (GK), Milnes.

Referee: Gary Hanvidge.

Attendance: 2,102.

Man of the match: Adam MacKinnon.

[Source: Press and Journal]