News /Game News
Inverness match preview
Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs. Ayr United
cinch Championship
Saturday 21st August 2021. Kick-off 3pm
On Saturday, the Honest Men return to league duty with a trip north to face Inverness Caledonian Thistle. United held Premiership side Dundee United last weekend but were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup on penalties after the Tannadice club equalised in controversial circumstances with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
After defeat on the opening weekend of the cinch Championship, David Hopkins’s side picked up their first point a fortnight ago, coming from two-goals down to grab a draw at home to Arbroath and are one of five clubs on one point after two games.
Opposition
Inverness were not in action last weekend having failed to progress from their League Cup group. Defeats away to Cove Rangers and Hearts, along with a draw at home to Stirling Albion, saw Billy Dodds’ side finish third in Group A.
Caley Thistle are one of three clubs to have started their league campaign with two victories. On the opening day of the Championship season they came away from Gayfield with three points courtesy of a second-half Shane Sutherland goal. Seven days later, Raith were the visitors to the Caledonian Stadium and it was Roddy McGregor with a goal in the 80th minute who handed the home side the win.
New faces in the Inverness squad include former Rangers and Kilmarnock defender Kirk Broadfoot, Michael Gardyne and Billy McKay have moved across the Kessock Bridge from Ross County while Tom Walsh has returned after a season at Somerset Park.
Team News
Everyone is fit and available.
The Manager Says:
Head to Head
Ayr United wins - 1
Draws - 10
Inverness wins - 9
The Honest Men’s only victory over Caley Thistle in the Highland capital came in January 2003 when Stewart Kean scored the only goal of the game in the 3rd minute.
Last Meeting:
The Honest Men secured their Championship status on the last day of last season with a battling 2-2 draw. David Hopkin’s side twice came from behind to earn a vital point that condemned Morton to the relegation play-offs.
Daniel MacKay shot Caley Thistle in front, with Aaron Muirhead equalising from the penalty spot before half-time. Sean Welsh made it 2-1 with a spot-kick but Josh Todd levelled the game again.
Match Officials
Referee – Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee 1 – Frank Connor
Assistant Referee 2 – Chris Phillips
Live Coverage
Admission Details:
Ayr United fans can purchase tickets for Saturday’s game via the following link: https://ictfc.tickethour.co.uk/privateSales.html?deepLink=117&hash=TYoySYr5955moDoM3hEhIc3B2xo1590
Tickets will also be available at the ground from the kiosk next to the South Stand.
Live Streaming:
Supporters unable to travel to Inverness can stream the game at a cost of £15. Visit the following link for full details: https://ictfc.com/ictv-info-ayr-united-h
HonestMen Picks:
Download the HonestMen Picks app on Apple or Android and predict Saturday’s match action for a chance to top the live leaderboard and a share of the £50 (free entry) or £100 (£2 entry) prize pool.
Over 18s only and please play responsibly.
It was difficult not to be incredibly frustrated after the game last week. We thoroughly deserved to win and to get put out after a decision like that is absolutely gutting. However we have had to focus on the positive and the positive was the performance. Everyone played their part and we had numerous chances to go further ahead. It is important we now take that kind of performance into the league and build on it.