Match Report | Inverness C.T. 1-0 Morton
Tremarco (11)
Carl Tremarco’s early first half goal secured all three points for Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday afternoon. It was another disappointing afternoon on the road for the Ton, and the narrow defeat saw Dunfermline leapfrog them into sixth place in the table.
Manager Jonatan Johansson made just one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Ayr United at Cappielow with Keelan O’Connell making his first start for the club, replacing Andrew Dallas.
The home side produced the first major chance of the game. A neat passing move played McDonald into the box, but the ball was diverted behind. From the resultant corner, Inverness skipper Carl Tremarco rose highest at the near post to open the scoring, glancing the ball home after 11 minutes (pictured).
Three minutes later Chris Millar came close for the visitors, his 30-yard effort being well saved by home keeper Mark Ridgers at the expense of a corner. From a Caley Thistle corner after 26 minutes, Shaun Rooney’s scuffed header fell into the path of Brad McKay, but he couldn’t react in time as the ball ricocheted off his knees over the crossbar from three yards out.
After the break, Morton came out the traps the more eager of the two sides, however, it was Inverness who looked more like scoring. Sean Welsh displayed some fine play down the right in the 57th minute, before sending an inviting cross deep into the six-yard-box. Tremarco rose highest at the far post, directing a downward header across goal with only Gregor Buchanan’s last-ditch clearance from under his own crossbar preventing the Caley Jags’ skipper’s second of the afternoon.
After 63 minutes, Liam Polworth slipped winger McCauley in behind the Morton backline, his drive was blocked, with Jordan White blazing high over the crossbar after the ball fell favourably into his path. Polworth was to be denied himself in the 70th minute as his fine shot across goal was parried by McCrorie, with Buchanan mopping up on the edge of the six-yard-box ahead of the onrushing Doran.
Both sides pushed to create chances in the final period with Welsh’s fine driving run releasing McCauley on the right in the 90th minute, but the winger’s low driven shot crept across goal and behind, much to the Ton’s. Inverness held on in the closing moments, despite Morton throwing numerous long balls into the box, to see out the match and take all three points.
Morton (4411)
23. McCrorie
8. McAlister 5. Waddell 4. Buchanan 3. Iredale
17. O’Connell 7. Millar 15. Dykes 20. Kiltie
6. Telfer
11. McHugh
Subs used: 12. Tidser (for Telfer, 59), 44. Dallas (for O’Connell, 59) and 32. R.Lyon (for Dykes, 70)
Subs not used: 2. Kilday, 10. Thomson, 14. Tumilty, 1. Gaston (gk).
Ayr United (442): Ridgers; Rooney, McKay, McCart (Donaldson, 32), Tremarco (c); McDonald (McCauley, 45), Welsh, Chalmers, Doran; Polworth (Trafford, 83); White.
Subs not used: Austin, D.Mackay, McHattie, C.Mackay (gk).
Booked: Tremarco (36)
Referee: Steven Reid
Attendance: 2,413
⭐️ Star Man: Robby McCrorie