East Fife 0 Caley Thistle 2: Super subs help Scott Kellacher’s side return to the top of League One
On-loan Aberdeen players Alfie Stewart and Alfie Bavidge net late on as ICT move back to the summit.
Inverness produced a much-improved second-half showing to see off East Fife and return to the top of League One.
Super-subs Alfie Stewart and Alfie Bavidge struck late to claim a precious victory for the Caley Jags.
Stewart came off the bench to produce a moment of magic in the 70th minute — a sublime half-volley that left the keeper with no chance.
In added time, Bavidge converted at the second time of asking after bursting through the home backline.
Changes made after cup setback
Caley Jags boss Scott Kellacher made five changes to the side that were defeated on penalties by The Spartans on Saturday, though the fresh approach wasn’t apparent during a sluggish start.
The hosts created the first chance of the match when Lewis Latona steered Liam Newton’s cross to the back post into the side netting.
At the other end, a positive burst forward from Oscar MacIntyre ended with a dangerous low delivery that forced Connor McManus to turn the ball away for a corner.
East Fife were dealt a blow in the 33rd minute when their skipper Brian Easton limped off to be replaced by Joe Halsey.
However, the visitors were unable to take advantage — ending the first half without registering a single shot on target.
There was an early scare for Kellacher’s men early in the second half after Freddie Rowe’s fizzing ball into the box had Ross Munro diving full length to punch to safety.
Luis Longstaff’s effort drifted wide as Inverness finally managed their first attempt of the contest with 50 minutes on the clock.
Persistence pays off for ICT
The game was finally bursting into life, with the windy conditions adding an extra layer of unpredictability.
After Munro cheaply conceded a corner, Mamadou Bah went close with an acrobatic overhead kick.
Two minutes later, MacIntyre’s wind-assisted cross took a deflection and almost caught out Robbie Hemfrey in the home goal.
Danny Devine passed up a great opportunity to break the deadlock just before the hour mark when he latched on to Joe Chalmers’ free-kick, somehow heading wide.
There was a double change for Caley Thistle as Kellacher opted to replace Longstaff and Chalmers with Stewart and Kieron Willox.
Devine went close again in the 63rd minute after rising highest to meet Ross Millen’s corner, but McManus was well placed to make a vital goal-line clearance.
It was all one-way traffic towards the East Fife goal, with Dick Campbell’s team camped in their own half.
The pressure finally paid off with 20 minutes remaining as a headed clearance landed at the feet of Stewart, who arrowed an unstoppable half-volley beyond Hemfrey from the edge of the box.
Buoyed by their opener, Inverness looked to put the game beyond doubt.
Willox’s curling effort drifted inches wide before he stung the palms of the East Fife keeper with a powerful drive.
The final minutes saw the Fifers launch a series of high balls towards the visitors’ penalty box, but they would be punished on the counter.
Bavidge broke clear on goal and, despite his first effort being kept out by Hemfrey, remained composed to knock home the rebound and secure all three points.
[Source: Press and Journal]
