Caley Jags lose derby as Ross County's Boyce bags hat-trick
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LIAM Boyce hit a hat-trick as Ross County ran out 3-2 winners in this afternoon's (Saturday's) Highland derby at Caley Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
A Boyce double had County coasting, before a hotly-disputed Andrew Davies own goal award sparked anger in the away camp right at the end of the first half.
Boyce completed his hat-trick early in the second half before Ross Draper hauled ICT back into the contest.
Following opening day defeats against Partick Thistle and Dundee respectively, both sides were eager to get their league campaign up and running.
Tuesday's 1-0 loss for ICT at League One Alloa Athletic in the Betfred Cup was also fresh in the hosts' minds, with the Wasps ending both Highland club's interests within a few weeks.
Inverness CT, who had won more than twice as many derbies at the Staggies, were looking to extend this, which was bolstered by three league wins last season.
Richie Foran's hosts just made one change from that midweek loss at Alloa with midfielder Ross Draper replacing Jake Mulraney.
Jim McIntyre made three changes from team which were defeated by Dundee.
In came Erik Cikos, Richard Foster and Craig Curran, while dropping to the bench were Kenny van der Weg, Brian Graham and Alex Schalk.
There was a lively start to this encounter and it took just over a minute for Cikos to draw a save from Owain Fon Williams after going for goal from 25 yards.
A few minutes later, wide midfielder on-loan Hearts star Billy King whipped in a cross from the left and striker Scott Boden's header was saved by Scot Fox.
However, County were in front from the next attack when Curran swept the ball into the box and Liam Boyce made no mistake from close range for his first goal of the season.
On 18 minutes, County had the chance to double their advantage when Fon Williams came out of his box and dropped a high up and under from Davies. When the ball broke fully 30 yards out to Woods, he lashed the ball over the crossbar.
ICT sought the leveller and captain Gary Warren saw his deflected shot past the post when he connected with a delivery from Liam Polworth.
Caley Thistle defender Kevin McNaughton had to go off with what looked like a sore knee injury after a challenge from Craig Curran on 27 minutes and, just before he was replaced by Lewis Horner, County went 2-0 up when Boyce flashed a terrific shot past Fon Williams into the net after a fine pass from Davies.
It was a real sucker-punch and the finish from Boyce was superb as he took the ball down well before shooting.
On the stroke of half-time, there was a real controversial moment when ICT were awarded a goal much to the fury of the visitors.
Ross Draper hooked ball high into the box and, when it seemed as if a few County players had halted to expect an offside decision by apparently hearing the whistle, and Boden knocked the ball into the net, although the final touch may have come off Davies.
County's players were furious with referee Andrew Dallas and made their point to him as they went down the tunnel at the break.
However, they responded to this just two minutes after the restart when Christopher Routis free-kick into the box was buried by Boyce's header to make it 3-1.
On 62 minutes, the Staggies aimed to completely finish it off when Curran's low drive was gathered by Fon Williams after he was picked out by Woods.
However, just a few minutes later the game was on again for ICT when Ross Draper volleyed the ball past Fox into the net after he collected a header out of the box from Davies.
Sub Jake Mulraney almost equalised just moments later, with the home side looking to get back to parity.
Despite a strong finish from ICT, County held on for the victory and left Inverness with their first league win in the Highland capital since New Year's Day on 2014.
Inverness CT: Fon Williams, Raven, Tremarco, McNaughton (Horner 27), Warren, Polworth, Draper, Vigurs (Doran 75), Tansey, Boden, King (Mulraney 56). Subs not used: Esson (GK), Brown,
Fisher, Sutherland.
Ross County: Fox, Cikos, Routis, McEveley, Gardyne (Franks 90), Woods, Boyce (McShane 90), Curran (Schalk 87), Foster, Davies, Quinn. Subs not used: McCarey (GK), Dingwall, Graham, van der Weg.
Referee: Andrew Dallas.
Attendance: 4204.
