Dodds in the mood for Friday fireworks
BILLY DODDS admitted both sides seemed to have one eye on Friday night’s play-off semi-final second leg as the Championship’s two topscoring teams drew a blank at the Caledonian Stadium.
Inverness and Arbroath will go again at Gayfield in the chase for promotion to the top flight but the Caley Thistle manager was left cursing a clutch of missed chances in the second half of a frustrating home leg.
Dodds, with his side having already won and drawn at Arbroath this season, said: ‘We had the better chances but it was like we wanted this first leg to be over. Let’s get to Friday and see who wins it.
‘I would have loved to have taken an advantage into the game. It’s not to be but we’re in there and pitching. Have we got the players to win it? Absolutely. ‘I am looking forward to it.’ It took only four minutes for the away side to muster their first threat, with Scott Stewart seeking to punish some home hesitancy before sending a snapshot off Danny Devine’s leg for a corner.
Gradually, Dodds’ side began to settle and pose a threat of their own, with Shane Sutherland’s dangerous ball towards Austin Samuels deflecting for a corner.
The movement improved from the home side but there was a flat feel to the first leg compared to the thrills and spills of Friday’s home triumph against Partick Thistle.
Mind you, the hosts were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when Dundee United loanee Logan Chalmers struck a sweetly-caught attempt against the crossbar from 25 yards.
For their part, Arbroath also came close soon after with Nicky Low swerving in a terrific free-kick but keeper Mark Ridgers reacting sharply to push the ball to safety.
There was better from Inverness eight minutes into the second period. David Carson’s run left three men for dead and his slipped pass to Reece McAlear was met with an instant tee-up for Chalmers.
The Dundonian hesitated just a second too long, allowing Jason Thomson to block him with an outstretched leg.
The second period became mired in nerves and hesitancy for both sides. A rapid counterattack by the hosts, with defender Robbie Deas darting forward, ended with Chalmers wriggling past Colin Hamilton on the right side of the area but curling his attempt just wide of the far post.
Then away keeper Derek Gaston showed fine reflexes to turn a Samuels attempt beyond the far post from a tight angle.
The chances kept coming and substitute Aaron Doran volleyed just over the bar, claiming in vain that Gaston had tipped it over.
A clash between McAlear and Thomas O’Brien sparked a melee, though there was a sense of both sides accepting the draw as the last ten minutes ticked down. Tiredness played a part too.
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell had little complaints but remains confident the dream of promotion isn’t about to end.
The Red Lichties boss said: ‘We were definitely stronger in the first half, but they had great chances in the second half.
‘With a bit more composure, they could have scored but they didn’t. We’ve got one of the best goals-against records in the league, more shut-outs than anyone else, and people question the right of us to be here.
‘There’s been a bit of that going on in the last few days. But we’ll have a bigger crowd on Friday than they got up here. It will be a great occasion.’
INVERNESS CT (4-4-2): Ridgers 7; Carson 7, Broadfoot 7, Devine 7, Deas 7; Sutherland 6 (Harper 71), Welsh 6, McAlear 7, Chalmers 7 (Hardy 78); Samuels 7, Mckay 6 (Doran 62). Subs not used: MacKay, Duffy, Allardice, Hyde. Booked: Broadfoot. ARBROATH (4-4-2): Gaston 7; Thomson 7, Little 7, O’Brien 7, Co Hamilton 7; Stewart 6, Ch Hamilton 6, Low 7 (Henderson 84), Craigen 6; J Hamilton 6 (Donnelly 84), McKenna 6. Subs not used: Antell, Gold, Swankie, Linn, Ford, Bakare, Wighton. Booked: O’Brien. Man of the match: Derek Gaston. Referee: Euan Anderson. Attendance: 2,201.