CALEY HITMEN SHOW THEY’RE BAIRN TO WIN
JOHN ROBERTSON insists Inverness’ rout was a result waiting to happen – and that it could’ve been worse for the Bairns.
Recalled front three Jake Mulraney, George Oakley and Connor Bell all hit the net in a first-half goal blitz before John Baird wrapped it up.
It was an encouraging victory to take Caley back to within three points of the Championship play-off zone and a baffling slump by Dundee United slayers Falkirk.
Boss Robertson said: “It was a great display and could have been more. We’ve played like that all season, we just haven’t taken our chances. This time we did.
“They took six off United but we could have taken six or seven off them quite easily. It’s a terrific night for us.”
Caley had an early chance when Joe Chalmers’s terrific through pass sent Oakley racing in on keeper Robbie Thomson.
It looked like the Bairns goalie had clipped Oakley for a penalty but he was booked for diving.
Andrew Nelson shot wide for Falkirk soon after but with 10 minutes gone Caley were in front.
Liam Polworth’s pass found Mulraney to the right of the box and he showed skill to weave into space and shoot.
Keeper Thomson spilled the drive and Oakley slid in to score.
A brilliant parry from Thomson denied Gary Warren but three minutes later Caley were two up.
Polworth broke at pace through the middle and released Mulraney who dinked a pass inside the outcoming keeper leaving Bell with a simple finish.
On the half hour it was three. Iain Vigurs’s long pass found Oakley who eluded his marker and then released Mulraney to calmly score his first goal for the Highlanders.
Carl Tremarco went off injured 10 minutes before the break and Mulraney later joined him.
Oakley had another great chance after 81 minutes but sliced his shot into the side-netting.
Slackness allowed Louis Longridge to net a consolation for the Bairns before sub Baird headed in Aaron Doran’s cross two minutes from the end.
Falkirk boss Paul Hartley said: “Football baffles you at times. The start really killed us.”