Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | Ross Tokely (28 years 79 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Michael Fraser (2008 years 292 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 29 years 43 days |
| Domestic Players: | 10 (90.91 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | Ross Tokely (28 years 79 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Zander Sutherland (2008 years 292 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 31 years 63 days |
| Domestic Players: | 17 (94.44 % of matchday squad) |
First Team Debuts
Milestones
Stuart McCaffrey started this game in place of the departing Darren Dods and it was his goal that proved to be the winner - his first of the season - in this low key affair. Club Historian Ian Broadfoot reports on the game from Love St
This match could have been vital to St Mirren’s SPL survival but that was guaranteed last week and so today was all about pride and league places.
Heavy rain and high winds spoiled the spectacle and it took a rare Stuart McCaffrey goal to separate the sides. McCaffrey came in for Darren Dods who made his final appearance for ICT on the bench. He was joined by Dennis Wyness on his return from long-term injury. Roy McBain dropped out through injury, Zander Sutherland made his first start of the season, Rory McAllister partnered Craig Dargo up front and Grant Munro was captain.
Richard Hastings made his 300th appearance, the day after he turned 30. It was an emotional day for St Mirren captain Kirk Broadfoot as he played his last match before joining Rangers in the summer.
The kick-off for all SPL matches was brought forward to 1230 to avoid a clash with the Chelsea v Manchester United FA Cup final at the revamped Wembley. Russell Duncan was first to try for goal in three minutes but Chris Smith saved easily. Saints then had some good possession which resulted in Hugh Murray and Billy Mehmet both heading wide. Smith saved from Sutherland in 13 minutes then McAllister struck wide. Dargo also hit wide either side of the half hour mark before John Sutton did the same at the other end after an excellent through ball from Andy Millen. In first half added time Dargo was through into the St Mirren box before Alan Reid stepped in with a timely sliding tackle.
Half Time: 0-0
Caley Thistle had by the better of the second half and Smith did well to save a Hastings free kick in 54 minutes and to tip over a deflected Ian Black long-range shot in 63 minutes. With 20 minutes left Grant Munro brought down Mark Corcoran as he headed for goal and the home crowd shouted for a red card – the referee did not deem it to be a ‘last man’ tackle and the card was yellow.
The goal that proved to be the winner came four minutes later from a Richie Hart lob into the St Mirren box. The normally reliable Chris Smith came out but failed to collect and McCaffrey sent a looping header into the net from six yards out for his first goal of the season. This spurred St Mirren on and they had a good spell of attacking football but could not make it count.
There was a real chance two minutes into added time when Broadfoot sent a ball into the box and Alex Burke bravely dived to head goalwards from 12 yards – Mike Fraser saved well and the whistle went to end the season.
Full Time: 0-1
Caley Thistle finished an excellent eighth in the SPL with Graham Bayne the only player to feature in every match and Craig Dargo top goalscorer with ten. With a job well done it was time for a rest then reassembly in late June for pre-season training and a return to the Italian sun.
Match report written by Ian Broadfoot
