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Scottish Cup Third Round – November 26, 2022 – Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3 Stirling Albion 2
Scorers – Inverness: Duffy (31) Ram (40) Doran (69); Stirling: Carrick (27, 45)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle began their run to the Scottish Cup final against eventual League Two champions Stirling Albion.
What on paper looked to be a favourable home draw for Inverness, turned out to be a tough examinations of their cup credentials against a determined Binos’ outfit.
With the game tied at 2-2, Aaron Doran marked his 350th appearance for Caley Thistle with a second half winner to progress to the fourth round of the competition.
But they had to come from behind as Stirling took the lead after 27 minutes.
Jordan McGregor cut the ball back from the left side of the box and Kai Fotheringham’s dunked cross was knocked high into the net by the head of Dale Carrick.
Inverness were only behind for three minutes though, as Wallace Duffy had levelled with a downward header from Nathan Shaw’s corner.
Max Ram then put Inverness in front six minutes before the break, but Stirling puled level on the stroke of half time.
Doran came to the rescue in the second half to find the winner.
George Oakley flicked a pass to Shaw who drove towards the six-yard box and stroked the ball across for the Irishman to slot home close in with a cheeky back heel flick.
Carrick went close to equalising and scoring a hat-trick, but Inverness held on to reach the fourth round.
Scottish Cup Fourth Round – January 31, 2023 – Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Queen’s Park 2
Scorers: Thomas (74) Williamson (84)
No, it is not a mistake. Inverness Caledonian Thistle really did lose this game.
However, an administration error from Queen’s Park fielding an ineligible player resulted in the Spiders being knocked out of the competition and Inverness’ dream of Scottish Cup glory was brought back to life.
The game, was arranged 10 days after it was originally supposed to be played, due to a postponement due to weather.
Euan Henderson joined Queen’s Park on loan from Hearts after the tie was postponed on January 21, but Scottish FA rules state that only those registered before the initial date are permitted to play.
As a result Caley Thistle were reinstated into the competition.
In the fourth round match itself, both teams had to take the lead, but it was Queen’s Park who went in front with 16 minutes remaining.
The deadlock was broken when Scott Williamson drove into the box and his cross found Dominic Thomas fired home from 12 yards out.
Billy Mckay came close to levelling for Inverness in the closing stages, but Calum Ferrie was equal to his shot to keep them in the lead.
Scott Williamson then killed the game off with four minutes remaining when he latched on to a long ball in the box before firing from a tight angle past Ridgers from six yards.
However, three days after being knocked out of the competition, Inverness Caledonian Thistle were reinstated back into the Scottish Cup with Queen’s Park kicked out.
Little did anyone know, it would be the start of an incredible route to the final.
Scottish Cup Fifth Round – February 11, 2023 – Livingston 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3
Scorers: Mckay (51, 80) Welsh (62)
Not the shock of the tournament, but a big surprise.
Livingston were flying in the Premiership and faced a Caley Thistle team which were recovering from an injury epidemic.
After a good first half performance, Inverness stamped their authority after the break.
Inverness took the lead seven minutes after the break, Jay Henderson sent a ball over the top to Billy Mckay unchallenged. From just inside the box, he launched a rocket straight into the top left corner.
They doubled their advantage just after the hour mark with a Sean Welsh header. Mckay then killed the game off with 10 minutes remaining when he fired a thunderous effort.
Scottish Cup Quarter final – March 10, 2023 – Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 Kilmarnock 1
Scorers – Inverness: Mckay (24 pen) Welsh (50); Kilmarnock: Vassell (3)
It wasn’t as big a shock as the previous round against a Kilmarnock team who have been struggling in the Premiership all season.
But Inverness still had to come from behind after Kyle Vassell capitalised on a Daniel Armstrong’s corner deflecting off David Carson and fired into the net from close range.
Inverness equalised midway through the first half when Wallace Duffy’s delivery struck the arm of Joe Wright to earn a penalty. which Billy Mckay converted.
Sean Welsh scored the winner early in the second half with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box to send them to Hampden.
Scottish Cup Semi Final – April 29, 2023 – Falkirk 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3
Scorers – Mckay (5 pen, 57) Mackay (34)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle found themselves with the unlikely tag of favourites in a Scottish Cup semi final as they took on League One Falkirk.
But they lived up to the expectation as the game was killed off before the hour mark.
A VAR decision gave Inverness a penalty five minutes into the match after Leon McCann was guilty of handball. Billy Mckay handled the pressure of converting the spot-kick.
Daniel MacKay doubled their advantage midway through the first half when he nodded a home a cross before providing the pass for McKay to fire home a volley in the second half and book their place in the final.