Alloa Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
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The Alloa Athletic players wrote themselves into the club’s history this evening, as the first Alloa Athletic team to reach the Quarter-Finals of the League Cup since Season 1965-66.
The closest they had come previously had been in Season 1972/73  when after winning their group section, they defeated First Division side Ayr United over two legs, 0-0 at Recreation Park, then winning 1-0 at somerset Park, Willie McCulloch scoring “The Wasps” winner, however it did take a penalty save from keeper Davie McWilliams, keeping out Eric Stevenson’s late penalty. In the next round, the same stage as prior to this evenings victory over Inverness CT, “The Wasps” unfortunately went down 3-0 to St. Johnstone in aggregate.
This evening Jack Ross masterminded a highland double, after defeating both Premier League sides Ross County and Inverness CT. The only down side for “The Wasps” this evening was Jamie Longworth falling awkwardly on his hand and breaking bones, and having to come off at half-time.
The Wasps will now look forward to the draw for the next round of the tournament, which will take place at Parkhead, tomorrow evening after the Celtic v. Motherwell game.

Jack Ross made two changes to his line up from the 4-0 win over Peterhead the previous game. Jim Goodwin returned to the side after missing out through suspension at the weekend, while Jamie Longworth also made the starting line up as Kevin Cawley and Graeme Holmes dropped to the bench.

As expected it was Richie Foran’s men who went on the offensive early on and they created the first glimpse at goal on five minutes when David Raven crossed towards Jake Mulraney in the box, but Jason Marr was alert to cut out the danger. In-form Jordan Kirkpatrick led Alloa’s first venture forward as he collected the ball from Jon Robertson then burst past two players toward the Inverness box, but his shot was blocked well by Raven. Longworth then produced a bit of magic to send Calum Waters in down the left, but he was hauled down by Mulraney as he look to cross and the free kick came to nothing. Inverness were dominating possession at this point and the tricky Greg Tansey burst down the left to cross, but Neil Parry got out to grab the cross. The visitor’s best moment of the first half came on 22 minutes when a brilliant flowing move ended with Iain Vigurs teeing up Liam Polworth on the edge of the box to shoot, but his goal bound effort was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Parry.

The Wasps stunned the Highlanders on 28 minutes when Waters’ whipped cross was bundled home by Marr to send the home crowd into euphoria.
Inverness tried to respond immediately when Mulraney cut in off the right wing to shoot, but his effort was high over the top. Mulraney was relentless down the right, but Waters stood up well to the threat as the Wasps held onto their lead at the interval. Inverness set the pattern for the second half as they attacked Alloa from the outset as Vigurs threatened to burst through on goal with mazy run, but Scott Taggart got across to make a brilliant block. Alloa weren’t just going to sit back and could have doubled their advantage on 54 minutes when Iain Flannigan got down the right, laid the ball back for Taggart to cross, but as he picked out Greig Spence at the back post, the striker could only blaze over on the volley.
Inverness heaped on more pressure as the game reached the hour mark, but Polworth and substitute both blazed over from long range as frustration began to creep into the highlanders’ play. The pressure almost paid off on 68 minutes for Foran’s side as Tansey’s long diagonal into the box was nodded back by Mark Draper into the path of Vigurs on the penalty spot, but somehow the midfielder fired wide. It was a let off for the Wasps, who were throwing their bodies on the line all over the pitch to stand up to the pressure, but again Inverness continued to come forward in numbers. Vigurs again wriggled his way into the box, but an incredible last ditch block by Jon Robertson denied him, then the impressive Parry gathered the rebound.
The visitors last chance came on 87 minutes when substitute Kevin Cawley was penalised for a high boot on the edge of the Alloa box. Tansey struck the free kick, but the brave wall did its job and Graham completed the clearance as Alloa’s place in the quarter finals was confirmed minutes later. It was a heroic team performance as every player to a man, ran their socks off for the cause.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Calum Waters

Alloa Athletic: Parry, Taggart, Waters, Graham, Marr, Goodwin, Longworth (Cawley 45), Robertson, Spence (Layne 81), Kirkpatrick (Holmes 75), Flannigan. Subs not used: McDowall, Wilson, Hoggan, Hetherington.

Match Report – Graeme Lafferty

Ground

Indodrill Stadium
Indodrill Stadium, Alloa