Caley Thistle 1-0 Stenhousemuir: Billy Mckay hails match-winner Alfie Bavidge as Inverness edge into Challenge Cup semi-finals

Caley Thistle defeated their League One title rivals Stenhousemuir 1-0 to book their place in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Scott Kellacher’s Inverness have their sights set on a double now after this victory at the Sarens PSG Stadium.

Although league points will carry a higher value, this victory could provide a psychological boost for Inverness against a team who had beaten them home and away this season.

In a tie where the hosts were unhappy with several free-kick awards and other decisions going in favour of their opponents, both teams seemed to be playing for more than a semi-final. Their rivalries extend beyond that this year.

However, it came down to a goal from on-loan Aberdeen striker Alfie Bavidge to settle it a tense tussle.

The victors will now travel to St Johnstone or Ayr United in the semi-finals on February 24 or 25.

The Perth clash between Saints and Ayr and the quarter-final between Arbroath and Airdrie were both postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Reaction to win from Billy Mckay

ICT assistant boss and striker Billy Mckay hailed Bavidge for making the telling impact against Stenny.

He said: “It’s all about getting through to the next round in the cup.

“It was a hard game, lots of tackles in there and a few bookings as well, but I’m delighted to get through.

“Bav comes off the bench and gets the goal. Good strikers find themselves in the right place at the right time, and he does that.

“We started the game really well, and if we take one of those early chances it might be a different game.

“We got a bit sloppy towards the end of the first half, but in the second half I thought we stepped up a gear and were the better team, so I thought we deserved to go through in the end.

“They’ve beaten us twice, and that was obviously part of the team talk before the game.

“Out here earlier in the season it was a bit of a smash and grab, but at their place it was a tough game.

“We knew what they were going to be about, we prepared for it and we stood up to it.”

When asked about the needle between the teams, Mckay added: “There were tackles flying in, but it’s good.

“We’ve got to stand up to that. Teams will do that to us, we know that with the style of football we play teams will try to stop us anyway they can, but we stood up to that tonight so we’re pleased.”

Seven changes to Inverness line-up

ICT boss Scott Kellacher made seven changes from the side which hit back from a goal down to defeat another promotion contender Alloa Athletic 3-1 on Saturday. 

Only goalkeeper Ross Munro, defenders Calum MacLeod and Remi Savage and Oscar MacIntyre were retained from Saturday.

On-loan Stoke City winger Kieron Willox, who was born in Nairn, was pitched in for his ICT start.

Stenny, who beat Kelty Hearts 2-0 to match ICT’s 40-point tally at the weekend, made three changes, with Euan O’Reilly, Finlay Gray and Kelsey Ewan handed starts.

ICT and Stenhousemuir were the only two teams to also win all six of their Challenge Cup group games, with ICT six goals better off to top the section.

Since then in this competition, Inverness recorded a club record 9-0 rout against League Two club Dumbarton and then knocked out Championship title contenders Partick Thistle on penalties after a 3-3 thriller at Firhill earlier this month. 

Stenny took care of League Two opponents Annan Athletic (2-0) and Stirling Albion (2-1) to reach the last eight.

Inverness, who have won this trophy three times compared to Stenny’s one triumph, survived an early penalty appeal as O’Reilly went down in the box after a high challenge from Mitchell Robertson. Referee Peter Stewart awarded a goal-kick, ignoring away appeals.

Substitutes called into action

The first chance arrived for Willox as he was put through by Billy Mckay, but his low shot was saved by Darren Jamieson after a bright start for the winger.

Stenny then drew a save from ICT number one Ross Munro when Finlay Gray’s drive was on target.

The theme for the next period of the first half was the number of cheap free-kick decisions which seemed to go the way of the Warriors, causing anger in the home camp as well as the stands.

Inverness were relieved to see forward Matty Aitken head wide from a Kinlay Bilham corner as Stenny pressed for a breakthrough on 34 minutes.

Mckay was caught up in a frank exchange of views at one point with a few Stenny men as it all threatened to boil over.

Both teams reached for attacking substitutes around or after the hour mark, with Bavidge and Chanka Zimba on for Willox and David Wotherspoon.

Experienced striker Dale Carrick came on for O’Reilly to bolster Stenny.

Appeals for a home penalty when Paul Allan’s cross seemed to be blocked by a hand, but again no award frustrated Inverness.

However, the winner came on 73 minutes when Bavidge swivelled in the box to crash a shot high into the net after keeper Jamieson’s punched clearance from a delivery.

ICTFC v Stenhousemuir ratings

CALEY THISTLE (4-2-3-1): Munro 6, MacLeod 6, Savage 7, Robertson 6, MacIntyre 6, Allan 6, Chalmers 6, Longstaff 6 (Sole 82), Wotherspoon 6 (Zimba 67), Willox 7 (Bavidge 58), Mckay 7 (Alonge 82).

Subs not used: Ross (GK), Davidson, Devine, Mackinnon, Stewart.

STENHOUSEMUIR (4-2-3-1): Darren Jamieson 6, Graham 6, Buchanan 6, Bilham 6 (Simpson 68), Gray 6, O’Reilly 7 (Carrick 68), Ewen 6 (Nicky Jamieson 79), McGill 6 (Cameron 79), Whyte 7, Aitken 6.

Sub not used: Lyle (GK).

Referee: Peter Stuart.

Man of the match: Alfie Bavidge.

[Source: Press and Journal]