A familiar face returned to haunt New Central Park as Alfie Bavidge scored the only goal in Inverness’ 1-0 win.  Bavidge scored his fifth goal for the Caley Jags in seven appearances and resigned Kelty to another defeat.  

The goal came in the 73rd minute when Billy McKay dinked a through ball to Charlie Gilmour in the box.  Gilmour passed across goal where Bavidge was arriving late to slot into the empty net. 

 

The closest Kelty Hearts came to an equaliser was from a corner.  Brody Paterson swung in a cross to the back post where Scott Mercer was lurking, the defender’s header was tipped onto the bar by Musa Dibaga.

It was a frantic opening 45 minutes with chances for both sides to take the lead.  The visitors had a good chance with decent play down the left seeing Luis Longstaff play through Paul Allan.  Allan was one-on-one with Ruaridh Adams but the goalkeeper made the save.

The second half saw Inverness grow into the game, but not before Connor Allan came close to giving the Maroon Machine the lead.  The Falkirk loanee shimmied his way into the box and got a shot away but the effort was just wide.

Inverness were the stronger of the two sides after the restart and would have scored moments before the goal if not for great defending from Flatman.  Keith Bray cut back to Billy McKay who struck at the edge of the box but Flatman got down well to block, the rebound was off-target by Gilmour.  

Caley Thistle were able to hold on for the victory despite Kelty pressure and take all three points back with them to the Highlands.  The result leaves Inverness two points from safety with a game in hand on 8th place Annan, with Kelty remaining in sixth place.

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)