Welcome home delivery as persistence pays off

A rare home win put a smile on Caley Thistle fans’ faces as they headed home from the game on Saturday evening, and it was a deserved three points.

Both teams are clearly struggling with injuries and suspensions, with Ayr United only able to find four players to sit on the bench.

Though Inverness did manage to come up with the full complement of seven substitutes it was a largely inexperienced group.

Caley Thistle had the bulk of the possession throughout the game but struggled to create chances in any great number.

That’s a familiar story this season, but they kept plugging away and eventually got their reward when Jordan White headed home a Sean Welsh cross.

To their credit, on this occasion they did go looking for a second goal. It didn’t come, but this week you couldn’t fault their attitude and efforts to extend the lead.

Carl Tremarco did a good job on what, for him, is the wrong side of the pitch at right back.

Kevin McHattie could be well pleased with his efforts at left-back on his first start for the club.

The match sponsor’s man of the match was Joe Chalmers. He is a player who can frustrate home fans at times, but he also played pretty well and deserved the award.

Ayr United had a fantastic first half of the season but there were signs on Saturday that the wheels are starting to come off the Honest Men’s wagon.

The lack of depth to their squad is starting to show. The player they may be missing most is Lawrence Shankland, who has been such an attacking threat for them.

They looked pretty toothless on Saturday, and I think they might find it hard to recapture their early season form.