Inverness CT 2-1 St Mirren: Match Report

01 October 2011 19:32

Tade made for Caley

Gregory Tade's third goal of the season helped Inverness come from behind and claim a 2-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League triumph over St Mirren.

Marc McAusland opened the scoring for the Saints against the run of play in the 22nd minute but Andrew Shinnie's first goal in Inverness colours levelled the match nine minutes later.

Caley Thistle continued to create the bulk of the chances and were rewarded for their efforts 12 minutes from time, Tade well placed to deflect home a Shinnie shot that had initially bounced across the goal after hitting the upright.

Inverness were looking to make it three SPL games unbeaten at home and manager Terry Butcher made just the one change from the side that had lost 2-0 to Celtic last time out, Andrew Shinnie replacing on-loan Huddersfield winger Aidan Chippendale, who dropped to the bench.

David Proctor, who came off at Parkhead with a cut to his eye that required stitches, was deemed fit enough to keep his place in central defence.

St Mirren also made just the one alteration following last weekend's thumping 3-0 win over Kilmarnock. Nigel Hasselbaink, who came on as a sub against Killie and scored, replaced youngster Kenny McLean for a Buddies side who were looking to make it three successive games unbeaten.

Straight from kick-off, Caley went on the attack and should have taken the lead with 38 seconds gone.

Shinnie dispossessed Lee Mair and slipped the ball across the six-yard box to the unmarked Richie Foran, but with the goal gaping he put his effort wide.

Inverness were playing the better football in the early stages and David Davis tested Craig Samson's handling in the slippy conditions. However, the St Mirren goalkeeper was equal to the effort by the on-loan Wolves midfielder.

St Mirren were struggling to string two passes together, although they had Jeroen Tesselaar to thank for deflecting Foran's goalbound header wide after a good cross by Graeme Shinnie.

The visitors had not been in the contest, but took the lead with their first effort on goal in the 22nd minute. Gary Teale's corner found the unmarked McAusland, who headed home from just inside the six-yard box.

Inverness had to recover their composure and Tade had a great opportunity as he surged past Mair and on to Foran's through-ball, but he sent his effort into the side-netting.

Caley continued to persevere and were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 31st minute.

Davis did well to get past McAusland and his cross was headed back across goal by Foran to the unmarked Shinnie, who from 12 yards powered a shot beyond the exposed Samson.

This stung St Mirren into action and Paul McGowan brought a decent save out of Ryan Esson from 20 yards.

Shinnie was clearly in the mood for more goals and the second half was only two minutes old when his strike from 22 yards deflected off a St Mirren defender before bouncing away to safety via the post.

In a bid to try and change his side's fortunes, Saints manager Lennon brought on McLean and David Barron for Teale and the ineffective Steven Thompson.

The match came to life in the 78th minute after a lull as Caley Thistle took the lead for the first time.

After spurning a great chance moments earlier, Tade deflected the ball into the St Mirren net from barely two yards out after Andrew Shinnie's effort came back off the post and struck the Frenchman.

St Mirren did have the ball in the back of the net deep in injury time, but McGowan's effort was correctly ruled out for offside.


Inverness CT 2-1 St Mirren: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.

Source: DSG