Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | Ross Tokely (26 years 193 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Grant Munro (2007 years 41 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 32 years 351 days |
| Domestic Players: | 11 (100.00 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | David Proctor (21 years 194 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Ian Black (2007 years 41 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 29 years 274 days |
| Domestic Players: | 17 (94.44 % of matchday squad) |
First Team Debuts
Milestones
Ian Broadfoot reports on the match between Caley Thistle and Motherwell at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Craig Brewster tops the SPL scoring charts but another goal is not enough to see off Motherwell in what was certainly a game of two halves.
A major disappointment for Caley Thistle after an excellent start, a goal from Craig Brewster and pressure for a second. Motherwell's second alf revival changed all that and, in the end, the margin of defeat could easily have been greater.
From the start all traffic headed towards Graeme Smith's goal and, in the third minute, a Ross Tokely ball from the right reached Barry Wilson in the box. A grounded Wilson tussled with Smith but he could only send it back to Tokely and it was eventually cleared.
Stuart Golabek hit high over the bar a minute later then a Liam Fox 25 yard shot was blocked. Craig Dargo nearly set up his manager in 12 minutes when he beat Stephen Craigan down the left but his cross was intercepted. Seconds later a Motherwell attack led to a sliced Scott McDonald shot in the box.
A good spell for the visitors saw Grant Munro clear at the feet of Richie Foran then Mark Brown hold a header from Jim Hamilton. A rising 25 yard shot from Fox was held by Smith in 16 minutes then a Wilson cross into the box was headed for a corner by Craigan. Motherwell had a good chance to take the lead in 22 minutes when McDonald beat three defenders and set up Foran on the left of the box - his complete mishit from a good position was a let-off.
Play switched ends and Wilson earned and took a free kick from wide right. A Brewster header came off the post and Munro's follow-up was deflected for a corner. Wilson's flag kick was headed home by Brewster for 1-0 - Stevie Hammell cleared but it was judged to be over the line.
Smith saved well from Brewster in 28 minutes then Hammell similarly tested Brown at the other end. Phil O'Donnell's flick looked goal-bound in 33 minutes but Darren Dods stepped in to clear.
In 37 minutes Brewster found Ross Tokely on the right and his early centred ball set Craig Dargo one-on-one with Smith. Dargo looked odds-on to score but Smith did well to save his side from going 2-0 down. As the half drew to a close Brown earned his Man-of-the-Match award with brilliant close-range saves from McDonald and Hamilton.
Motherwell came out for the second half rejuvenated and in just 20 seconds Foran raced through but shot wide. Their efforts bore fruit in 66 minutes when McDonald broke away and sent a low angled ball past Brown after beating Tokely at the edge of the box. A mere three minutes later substitute Brian McLean crossed from the right and William Kinniburgh headed in at the back post to give Motherwell the lead.
Caley Thistle were always on the back foot after that and with ten minutes left a Jim Paterson close range shot hit the bar and bounced just short of the line. With two minutes left Ian Black sent substitute Alan Morgan on a run down the left but he was well tackled as he headed goalwards. In the last minute McDonald was given far too much room in the Caley Thistle box as he rose to head a Paterson cross but it was a fraction wide. A final burst from the home side came to nothing and Motherwell took the points. ICT remain sixth after six games.
Match report written by Ian Broadfoot
