Warren returns as ICT draw at Wick
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
CALEY Thistle newcomer Gary Warren is on his way back to full fitness after playing for an hour in a goalless draw against Wick Academy last night.
The 27-year-old former Newport County defender was one of three summer signings included in the mainly young starting line-up at Harmsworth Park.
Striker Jason Oswell was a lively presence up front and should have sneaked a goal late on, while Spanish keeper Antonio Reguero was rarely troubled – although he was well beaten by a Sam Mackay volley that came thudding off the crossbar in the 18 minute.
The Highland League side did produce a few other half-chances and from their point of view it was excellent preparation for Saturday’s Ramsdens Cup clash at home to Raith Rovers.
Caley Thistle’s assistant manager Maurice Malpas felt it was a satisfactory night’s work and he was especially pleased to see Warren easing his way back from injury.
“It was a great game for Gary to play in,” Malpas said.
“He played an hour and did very well – he looked good. It was also more game time for Nick Ross, who I thought did well, as well as Gavin Morrison and Jason Oswell.
“Jason had a great turn near the end of the game and should have scored, but we’re pleased with his workrate.”
Malpas added: “We’ve got to be pleased in terms of the kind of work-out it was. It wasn’t a nasty game, it wasn’t too physical, it was played in an excellent spirit, and I think our young boys will have learned a lot from it.
“We came up here and it could have been a kicking match and we would have got nothing out of the game, but I thought our attitude was excellent.”
Malpas was also satisfied with Reguero’s assured display, albeit the former Real Madrid and Villarreal man was seldom troubled.
“We thought Toni did well, although he didn’t have any real direct saves to make. He had a young back four, especially when Gary went off, and he spoke to them well – even in his pidgin English. Toni needs to play, he needs to get used to how the game is played in Scotland.
“The scoreline is immaterial. What we got out of the game far outweighs what the scoreline was.
“Calum Ferguson, who came on for the last quarter of an hour, has just turned 16 so it was a bit of an eye-opener for him. But that’s how the club is just now – that’s the type of lads that we’re going to throw in.”
Malpas added: “I thought Wick were great. They played well and kept their shape well. Thankfully they didn’t have too many clear-cut chances in front of goal, but you can see they’ve got a fair number of experienced players and they’re well organised.
“That’s what we’re trying to get through to the youngsters in our team, making sure they do the simple things well.”
Caley Thistle were on top early on but the first opening came at the other end when Reguero had to be alert to deny Davie Allan after the Academy striker forced his way past Ryan Watson.
Gary Weir came close just after that after with a low effort that slipped wide. Gavin Morrison was off-target with a shot and then had a free header saved by James More either side of Mackay’s shot against the bar.
More then struggled with a low shot from Kyle Whyte, fumbling it round for a corner from which Oswell sent an overhead kick way over the top from inside the six-yard box.
Oswell was proving a real handful for the Wick defence and showed a willingness to shoot from distance.
A long ball from Reguero found Nick Ross in space at the edge of the box and his shot was held by More at the second attempt.
Whyte came close with an angled shot across goal after Ross and Oswell had linked up well. Then right on half-time Oswell manufactured space on the left edge of the box and his dipping shot was tipped round by More.
Ross again came close to breaking the deadlock four minutes into the second half, but Wick were putting up a spirited performance and they had a strong-looking penalty shout on 53 minutes when a shot from Allan appeared to strike the arm of a Caley Thistle defender.
A volley from Weir flew wide, then Reguero looked worried for a moment as a long-range effort from Joe Steven drifted just over.
Oswell seemed certain to break the deadlock with two minutes remaining when he shrugged off the last defender, but the ex-Crewe frontman dragged his shot marginally wide of the far post.
Wick Academy: More, Cunningham (Sinclair 67), R. Allan (Florence 73), Farquhar, Steven, Pickles, Manson (Shearer 64), S. Mackay (J. Mackay 73), Weir (Ross 59), Macadie (McKiddie 70), D Allan (Hughes 73).
Inverness CT: Reguero, Skinner, Watson, MacKenzie, Warren (Murphy 59), Morrison, Polworth, Laing, Oswell, Ross, Whyte (Ferguson 74). Subs not used: Mathieson, Cheyne, Christie, Buchan.
Referee: Graham Elder.
