St. Mirren 2 - 2 Inverness CT

League Match
Saturday, August 4th, 2012, 3:00 PM at New St Mirren Park, Paisley
Attendance: 4,104
Referee: Steven McLean
St. Mirren Inverness CT

Goalscorers
Lewis Guy (32)
Darren McGregor (90)
Nick Ross (70)
Billy Mckay (76)

Team Managers
Gus MacPherson Terry Butcher

Starting Eleven
Craig Samson
Lee Mair
David van Zanten
Darren McGregor
David Barron
Gary Teale
Dougie Imrie
Kenny Mclean
Sam Parkin
Lewis Guy
Paul McGowan
Ryan Esson
Gary Warren
David Raven
Simon King
Graeme Shinnie
Aaron Doran
Andrew Shinnie
Owain Tudur Jones
Ross Draper
Shane Sutherland
Billy Mckay

Bench
Grant Adam
Sean Kelly
John Robertson
John McGinn
Jack Smith
Thomas Reilly
Scott Mathieson
Josh Meekings
Gavin Morrison
Nick Ross
Liam Polworth
Martin Laing
Jason Oswell

Substitutions
John Robertson -> Gary Teale (80)
Thomas Reilly -> Dougie Imrie (87)
Josh Meekings for David Raven (64)
Nick Ross for Shane Sutherland (67)
Liam Polworth for Andrew Shinnie (87)

Bookings
Dougie Imrie (56)
Sam Parkin (73)
Paul McGowan (90)
Ross Draper (34)
David Raven (39)
Andrew Shinnie (51)
Gary Warren (79)

Red Cards
Lewis Guy (90) None.
Appearances & Goals To Date
Ryan Esson (GK) 142 apps -
Simon King 1 app (debut) -
David Raven 1 app (debut) -
Gary Warren 1 app (debut) -
Graeme Shinnie 57 apps1 goal
Aaron Doran 29 apps3 goals
Owain Tudur Jones 16 apps -
Andrew Shinnie 22 apps8 goals
Ross Draper 1 app (debut) -
Billy Mckay 25 apps4 goals
Shane Sutherland 66 apps3 goals
Josh Meekings (sub) 22 apps -
Nick Ross (sub) 84 apps5 goals
Liam Polworth (sub) 2 apps -

Starting Lineup
Youngest Player:Aaron Doran (21 years 89 days)
Oldest Player:Andrew Shinnie (2014 years 6 days)
Average Player Age:25 years 180 days
Domestic Players:6 (54.55 % of starting eleven)

Matchday Squad
Youngest Player:Liam Polworth (17 years 301 days)
Oldest Player:Scott Mathieson (2014 years 6 days)
Average Player Age:24 years 195 days
Domestic Players:13 (72.22 % of matchday squad)

First Team Debuts
David Raven(Signed July 1st, 2012)
Gary Warren(Signed July 1st, 2012)
Ross Draper(Signed July 1st, 2012)
Simon King(Signed )

Milestones

Nearly:

Inverness almost got off to a flying start in Paisley as the 2012-13 season got underway after all the legal wrangling during the close season. Unfortunately, St Mirren equalised with a goal in time added on which meant a share of the points on day one; not the worst start we have ever had.

The once mighty Glasgow Rangers have fallen foul of the rules and regulations and find themselves plying their trade in the third division under a new name, The Rangers, with Dundee pipping Dunfermline to fill the gap left by the death of an institution.

But, that is another story with plenty of mileage left in it and I will let that one run it's course as the new season has taken over the thoughts of the rest of us, and with Ross County added to the mix then there will be plenty of interest to keep us occupied.

Terry Butcher had once more wielded the axe with the last of the local hero's leaving the club in Ross Tokely. So, a new era begins for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and a much changed side took to the park on Greenhill Road in their first competitive match of the season.

Ryan Esson is one constant in the side but the rest was anyones guess as they faced a changed St Mirren at a stadium Inverness had never been beaten. Richie Foran was missing as he sat out a one match ban.

Lewis Guy was Saint and sinner for the Buddies, scoring the opener, but getting sent off in the aftermath of the injury time leveller as Inverness newbie Ross Draper was left on the turf after McGregor scored.

In between these two goals, Nick Ross had flicked home an equaliser and Billy McKay had put the visitors in front, a lead they could not build on, despite some bright work from McKay, with Andrew Shinnie warming to the task as well.

Guy had been the prominent St Mirren player trying his luck a few times and Dougie Imrie was always a threat. Big Sam Parkin was not far away with a couple of headers and got even closer as injury time loomed. His rasping shot saw a diving Ryan Esson turn the ball round the post for a corner. It was from the resultant corner that Inverness eventually lost the lead. Graeme Shinnie made a hash of trying to clear the ball and when it was fired into the box, Esson missed it at the front post and McGregor rose to guide the ball home.

Overall a few positives for Inverness. Billy McKay looked lively and has started the season with a goal and Andy Shinnie is on the way back after last seasons injury woes. Aaron Doran could be the new Jonny Hayes and Ross Draper may well be the muscle required at the back of the midfield.

A point apiece and a good day out for the Caley Away fans, the Alamo providing the shouting juice and the meeting place for the newly formed group.

Match report written by tm4tj



Pld W D L F A +/- Pts
1. Hearts 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
2. Celtic 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
3. Inverness CT 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
4. St. Mirren 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
5. Dundee 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
6. Kilmarnock 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
7. Motherwell 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
8. Ross County 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
9. Aberdeen 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
10. St. Johnstone 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0