Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | Aaron Doran (22 years 346 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Josh Meekings (2015 years 263 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 26 years 154 days |
| Domestic Players: | 4 (36.36 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | Ryan Christie (19 years 57 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Josh Meekings (2015 years 263 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 25 years 203 days |
| Domestic Players: | 10 (55.56 % of matchday squad) |
First Team Debuts
Milestones
Keepers on top:
Inverness were held to a goalless draw by Aberdeen in an entertaining top-six encounter where both keepers and the woodwork ensured that the score remained blank.
A sizeable away support bolstered the coffers of the Inverness treasurer and they would have been surprised at the inclusion of Jonny Hayes who had returned after injuring his shoulder in the League Cup final, McInnes keeping his inclusion close to his chest in the lead up to kick off.
Inverness were without their captains, Foran and Shinnie with Warren deputising, and no place in the starting X1 for starlet Ryan Christie. Tremarco replaced Shinnie and Ross Draper returned after suspension.
Summer came early to Inverness and a beautiful evening for football saw the teams run out onto the turf for the first game in the top-six after the split.
Inverness continued with the Barcelona theme playing the ball out from the back at all costs, often frustrating the home fans as Aberdeen were quick to latch on to this and shut us down early. The first quarter being dominated by the visitors as our midfield pairing of Vincent and Tansey appeared to be on their Easter holidays already leaving Flood and Robson the freedom of the park.
But, it was Inverness who almost snatched the lead when a sweeping move from the back saw McKay test Langfield. Raven took a short throw in to Warren who returned the ball. Raven then dodged a couple of tackles before hooking the ball to Watkins who one-two'd with Raven. The return ball saw Watkins burst forward at pace despite the best attempts of the Aberdeen marker to pull the jersey from him and when he bobbled the ball to McKay he placed a shot to Langfield's left, but the in form keeper dived full length to get a strong wrist on it and palm the ball away for a corner.
Aberdeen continued to have the bulk of possession, but it was Inverness that were more incisive, although Dean Brill had to replicate Langfield's save when a long free kick was directed from the head of a defender towards the corner of the goal, Brill fingertipping the ball to safety.
Aaron Doran almost duplicated his County scorcher, but this time the ball ruffled the top of the net and McKay pushed a shot wide from a good position as Inverness were content to hit on the break, still creating more than the possession obsessed Dons.
Robson was having a controlling effect on the game along with Flood as the home midfield were marked absent and he chipped a ball into the path of Pawlett who had no hesitation in running at the Inverness defence. As he whizzed across the edge of the box he fed McGinn who rattled the underside of the bar with Brill beaten. A let off for Inverness and misfortune for McGinn.
Madden appeared to be content to let play continue, but seemed to fail logic when Vincent had the legs swept from in on the halfway line. Hayes burst down the left but his low fizzed cross was well held be Brill with players lurking with intent behind him.
Just as folk were heading for the half time steak pie that wasn't there, McKay was once more denied by Langfield, this time with his legs after he blocked the strikers close range shot having been put through one on one by Doran's exquisite ball.
Half Time 0-0
No changes at half time although many wondered if the ineffective Tansey and the incapable Vincent would re-appear, sadly both did.
The second half continued in the same pattern for the next twenty minutes, Aberdeen dominating without creating, Inverness creating without dominating.
Draper ruffled the net with a glancing header from a corner. So close to the opener as the hosts looked to up the ante with Aberdeen content to control the pace of the game.
That would change when the expected departure of fall guy Vincent, replaced by superkid Ryan Christie. There was now a buzz of anticipation in the crowd. Aberdeen brought on Cammy Smith prior to this with Hayes leaving the scene.
Suddenly, the game became more open and Inverness switched to positive mode. Two minutes after Christie's introduction he was heavily involved in the move that saw Tansey Rattle the same bit of woodwork that McGinn hit earlier. This time the ball was brilliantly saved by Langfield, tipping the ball onto the junction of the bar and the ball looped across the goal about to fall onto McKay's head for a simple nod in. Unfortunately for us, Reynold's appeared from nowhere to hook the ball from right under Billy's nose, remarkable clearance. Watkins was the man responsible for setting up Tansey after dashing down the right and clipping a great cross into the path of Tansey who volleyed first time. Great move worthy of better result.
Aberdeen woke up once more and McGinn was denied by Brill after good work on the right by Flood and Smith dragged a shot across the face of goal from the right side of the box.
That was about it as the game petered out and both sides had to settle for a point.
Full Time 0-0
Bobby Madden looked as though he had left his cards at home, but fair play to him as he let play rage on, well as much as it can rage on in a goalless draw. Better than average game though with plenty talking points and a couple of near things either way which will show that the point apiece was about right, although Inverness had the clearer opportunities and Langfield the busier keeper. Vincent had a complete off night mis-controlling the ball all over the park and caught in possession all too often. Tansey was anonymous apart from the excellent volley that brought out an equally excellent save from 'Clangers', who certainly did not live up to his nickname tonight. Good away support and I had no complaints when the usual what a sh**ey home support rung round the stadium.
Match report written by tm4tj
