Caley Thistle fell to defeat on the opening day of the 2023/24 cinch Championship season at the Caledonian Stadium against Queen’s Park.
Goals from Dom Thomas and Thomas Robson were enough for the away side to win the match, despite a valiant effort from Inverness for a comeback.
Jake Davidson headed in the home teams only goal of the match from a wonderful Cameron Harper delivery from a late corner.
This was his first goal for the club, scoring against his former team.
First Half –
Before the match began, the clubs record goal scorer Billy Mckay was presented with a golden boot for breaking the club record by scoring his 102nd goal for Caley Thistle against Airdrieonians in the ViaPlay cup.
Both teams had a clear plan from the first kick of the ball. Queen’s Park looked to dominate the ball, playing out from the back and maintaining a high press whenever they lost possession.
Inverness looked to counter this. Because the away sides defensive line was very high, the defence would look to play long balls over the top for the pacey Austin Samuels to latch upon.
Queen’s Park’s high intensity approach looked to be more effective, as within the 5th minute of the match they had the first big chance of the match.
Jake Davidsons mistake fell to Jack Thomson whose half volley flew over the bar from 20 yard out.
Both teams created, but it was Queen’s Park who broke the deadlock on the 31-minute mark.
Cameron Harpers lapse of concentration caused him to take a loose touch in his own half, which Bayern Munich loanee Barry Hepburn was alert to, taking the ball and releasing Dom Thomas through on goal whose left footed strike into the top corner was inch perfect.
Inverness nearly equalised on the stroke of half time. After some excellent link up play, Davidson’s cut found Mckay in the box who was stopped by excellent reflexes by the young keeper Callan McKenna.
Second Half-
Billy Mckay was not the only one to receive an award.
During half time Jackie Sutherland was awarded an award for his contribution towards football in the city over his lifetime.
Everyone at Inverness Caledonian Thistle would like to thank Jackie for his amazing contributions.
Things started badly for Caley Thistle in the second half, as Queen’s Park doubled their lead through Thomas Robson.
After the ball finally settled in the box after some erratic defending, Thomas Robson remained composed, taking a couple intricate touches before slotting the ball passed Ridgers.
Billy Dodds made some changes, introducing homegrown talents Lewis Hyde and Keith Bray.
Bray made an instant impact on the match, nearly scoring from Wallace Duffy’s picture perfect through ball, firing the ball low but straight at the outcoming keeper who pushed the ball out for a corner.
Inverness continued to try and find a way back into the game and got one goal back in the 86th minute thanks to a Jake Davidson bullet header from a great Cammy Harper corner.
Sadly, for the Highlanders, despite a valiant effort, they were unable to find an equaliser and Queen’s Park took all three points back to Glasgow.
Below the Match Highlights and reaction can be found.