Inverness CT 1-1 Hearts (4-5 pens)

Scottish League Cup at Easter Road Stadium

Date: 26/01/2013 KO: 15:00 Ref: Euan Norris Att: 16326
Inverness

A Shinnie 49

1
1

Hearts

M Ngoo 66
S Robinson s/o 77
FT (ht:0-0)

Hearts win 5-4 on penalties

A youthful Hearts side bounced back from Scott Robinson's sending-off to beat Inverness on penalties and reach the Scottish Communities League Cup final.

Inverness had taken the lead in the 49th minute when Andrew Shinnie finished off a move he had started himself, but Hearts fought back strongly and Michael Ngoo netted a debut goal 24 hours after signing on loan from Liverpool.

Robinson was sent off for a two-footed challenge in a full-blooded encounter that also saw nine players booked, but the Gorgie side held on for penalties and Inverness substitute Philip Roberts missed the final spot-kick to spark Hearts celebrations at Easter Road.

Both sides had opportunities to win the game before the 120 minutes were up but Inverness fans will rue a clearcut chance in extra-time when top goalscorer Billy McKay passed up an open goal as Caley Thistle suffered only their fourth defeat of the season.

Ngoo also hit the post with a first-half header and ensured he made an instant impact with an aggressive display in a much-changed Hearts team.

Hearts this week told left-back Danny Grainger, currently recovering from a damaged cruciate ligament, that he would not be offered a new contract and John McGlynn's starting team contained seven players aged 21 or under.

McGlynn handed second Hearts appearances to teenagers Callum Tapping and Fraser Mullen and they began on the front foot, often playing the ball up to 6ft-plus Ngoo, who quickly showed he had no hesitation to use his powerful frame.

Left-back Danny Wilson had a shot turned past the near post by Antonio Reguero and Jamie Walker threw himself to the ground in the penalty box as he tried to get past two Inverness players and was fortunate not to be booked by Euan Norris.

Inverness were struggling to get forward but they had a great chance in the 14th minute when Andrew Shinnie sent McKay clean through after Caley Thistle had cleared a corner.

McKay, who has scored 20 goals this season, had all the time he needed but Jamie MacDonald got down well to save his shot.

Ngoo was having a bruising tussle with Gary Warren and the pair were booked after a clash near the halfway line.

Inverness had settled down but Ngoo could not have come closer to getting off the mark in the 25th minute when he battled to meet a Wilson cross and got in a glancing header that came off the inside of the post and was cleared.

Graeme Shinnie's free-kick then caught the Hearts defence cold but McKay could only glance the ball beyond the far post as he stretched. Hearts were grateful as Foran and Warren were waiting to pounce.

Inverness started the second half in the perfect manner when Andrew Shinnie's persistence paid off.

Shinnie had a shot blocked but he soon won it back from Driver and played it in for McKay.

The striker held off Marius Zaliukas and neither could collect the ball, which Shinnie ran on to and slotted just inside the far post from 15 yards.

The tackles became even more fierce on both sides as Hearts fought to get back into the game.

Inverness were defending well but Hearts levelled in the 66th minute when Webster headed Mullen's deep free-kick back into the six-yard box and Ngoo volleyed home with his left foot.

Robinson was shown a straight red card in the 77th minute for a two-footed challenge on Owain Tudur Jones. The midfielder looked distraught and pointed to his instep before being prompted to leave the field by Norris.

The numerical advantage was not particularly apparent in the flow of the match though until Hearts sat in at the start of extra-time.

Yet Hearts winger Arvydas Novikovas had the first chance after being played over the top by fellow substitute Mehdi Taouil. David Raven managed to get a foot in as the Lithuanian shot from inside the box.

McKay passed up a glorious chance in the dying seconds of the first period when Shane Sutherland's square pass presented him with an open goal.

The prolific forward opted to take a touch and then laid it off to Andrew Shinnie after Hearts got men back to cover, but the goalscorer's shot was blocked at close range by MacDonald.

Webster had a header cleared off the line after Reguero missed a corner and Andrew Shinnie stabbed the ball over after a corner, and the game drifted towards penalties with Hearts seemingly content to run the clock down.

Reguero was booked for delaying tactics immediately before Zaliukas scored the first penalty and there followed four more converted spot-kicks before McKay, no doubt under pressure following his misses, sent MacDonald the wrong way.

The successful conversions kept coming and Taouil made it 5-4 before Roberts was handed the first sudden-death pressure shot and blazed over the bar to send the Hearts fans wild.

124

Penalty scored by Mehdi Taouil. Inverness CT 4-5 Hearts on penalties.
123

Penalty scored by Owain Tudur Jones. Inverness CT 4-4 Hearts on penalties.
123

Arvydas Novikovas scores a penalty. Inverness CT 3-4 Hearts on penalties.
123

Penalty scored by Billy McKay. Inverness CT 3-3 Hearts on penalties.
122

Andy Webster scores a penalty. Inverness CT 2-3 Hearts on penalties.
122

Andrew Shinnie scores a penalty. Inverness CT 2-2 Hearts on penalties.
121

Penalty scored by Michael Ngoo. Inverness CT 1-2 Hearts on penalties.
121

Penalty scored by Graeme Shinnie. Inverness CT 1-1 Hearts on penalties.
121

Antonio Reguero receives a caution. Marius Zaliukas scores a penalty. Inverness CT 0-1 Hearts on penalties.
120

All is set for the penalty shoot-out to start.

The match goes to a penalty shoot-out.

David Raven gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Arvydas Novikovas. David Raven booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken by Fraser Mullen.
119

The ball is sent over by Billy McKay.
118

Foul by Billy McKay on Mehdi Taouil, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
115

Danny Wilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Shane Sutherland. Free kick crossed left-footed by Graeme Shinnie from right channel, Michael Ngoo makes a clearance.
115

Billy McKay produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
114

Graeme Shinnie fouled by Jamie Walker, the ref awards a free kick. Dylan McGowan comes on in place of Jamie Walker. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Graeme Shinnie, Michael Ngoo manages to make a clearance. Close range effort by Andrew Shinnie goes over the bar.
111

Billy McKay fouled by Mehdi Taouil, the ref awards a free kick. Mehdi Taouil goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. The ball is sent over by Graeme Shinnie, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Gary Warren misses to the right of the target.
109

Foul by Fraser Mullen on Philip Roberts, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Graeme Shinnie, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
108

Jason Holt takes a shot. Fraser Mullen takes the inswinging corner, Andy Webster takes a shot. Clearance by Josh Meekings. Blocked by David Raven.
107

A cross is delivered by Danny Wilson, blocked by Graeme Shinnie.
106

The game restarts for the second half of extra time.

Billy McKay takes a shot. Blocked by Marius Zaliukas. Shot from deep inside the area by Andrew Shinnie clears the bar.
104

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Ngoo on Gary Warren. Direct free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
103

Owain Tudur Jones concedes a free kick for a foul on Jason Holt. Free kick taken by Michael Ngoo.
103

Philip Roberts delivers the ball, blocked by Danny Wilson. Corner taken left-footed by Graeme Shinnie, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
99

Philip Roberts fouled by Marius Zaliukas, the ref awards a free kick. Marius Zaliukas receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken by Josh Meekings.
98

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Fraser Mullen from the right by-line, Gary Warren makes a clearance.
97

Arvydas Novikovas takes a shot. Jamie Walker gets a block in.
97

Richie Foran goes off and Shane Sutherland comes on. Mehdi Taouil is brought on as a substitute for Callum Tapping.
96

Graeme Shinnie crosses the ball, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
95

The assistant referee flags for offside against Billy McKay. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
92

The whistle goes for the end of normal time.

The ball is delivered by Arvydas Novikovas.
91

A cross is delivered by Callum Tapping, clearance made by Gary Warren.
90

Corner taken by Graeme Shinnie, clearance by Michael Ngoo.
89

Owain Tudur Jones takes a shot. Callum Tapping gets a block in.
89

Free kick awarded for a foul by Billy McKay on Andy Webster. Philip Roberts comes on in place of Aaron Doran. Andy Webster takes the direct free kick.
87

Jamie Walker concedes a free kick for a foul on Owain Tudur Jones. Direct free kick taken by David Raven.
85

A cross is delivered by Fraser Mullen.
85

Billy McKay challenges Jamie Walker unfairly and gives away a free kick. Caution for Billy McKay. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
83

Graeme Shinnie delivers the ball, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.
83

Foul by Callum Tapping on Graeme Shinnie, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Graeme Shinnie.
82

Foul by Richie Foran on Fraser Mullen, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Andy Webster.
81

A cross is delivered by Arvydas Novikovas.
80

Unfair challenge on Owain Tudur Jones by Scott Robinson results in a free kick. The referee shows Scott Robinson a red card for professional foul. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Josh Meekings from right channel, clearance made by Andy Webster. Corner taken by Aaron Doran from the right by-line, save by Jamie MacDonald.
76

Foul by Josh Meekings on Michael Ngoo, free kick awarded. Andy Webster takes the direct free kick.
73

The referee blows for offside against Billy McKay. Andy Webster takes the indirect free kick.
70

Marius Zaliukas concedes a free kick for a foul on Billy McKay. The ball is swung over by Graeme Shinnie, Richie Foran produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.
68

Michael Ngoo challenges Gary Warren unfairly and gives away a free kick. Josh Meekings restarts play with the free kick.
68

Jason Holt delivers the ball, clearance by Gary Warren.
67

Arvydas Novikovas on for Andrew Driver.
66

Jamie Walker fouled by Josh Meekings, the ref awards a free kick. Josh Meekings receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. Fraser Mullen produces a cross, Goal scored by Michael Ngoo from deep inside the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 1-1 Hearts.
64

The referee gives a free kick against Michael Ngoo for handball. Free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
64

The ball is swung over by Jamie Walker.
63

Jamie Walker takes a shot. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Fraser Mullen from the left by-line, David Raven manages to make a clearance. Blocked by Richie Foran.
60

Danny Wilson crosses the ball, Ross Draper makes a clearance.
60

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Andrew Shinnie. Fraser Mullen restarts play with the free kick.
56

The ball is delivered by Danny Wilson, Michael Ngoo concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Warren. Direct free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
54

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ross Draper on Jamie Walker. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
54

A cross is delivered by Michael Ngoo.
51

The ball is delivered by Michael Ngoo.
50

Unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Ross Draper results in a free kick. Fraser Mullen crosses the ball, Danny Wilson takes a shot. Gary Warren gets a block in.
50

Andrew Shinnie scores a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 1-0 Hearts.
48

A cross is delivered by Billy McKay.
46

Andrew Driver is caught offside. Antonio Reguero takes the indirect free kick.
46

The game restarts for the second half.

The match has reached half-time.

Fraser Mullen fouled by Richie Foran, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Andy Webster.
44

The ball is swung over by Aaron Doran, save by Jamie MacDonald.
43

Scott Robinson challenges Billy McKay unfairly and gives away a free kick. Owain Tudur Jones takes the free kick.
43

Outswinging corner taken by Fraser Mullen from the right by-line, Gary Warren fouled by Marius Zaliukas, the ref awards a free kick. Antonio Reguero restarts play with the free kick.
42

Scott Robinson crosses the ball, Graeme Shinnie gets a block in.
42

Unfair challenge on Jason Holt by Ross Draper results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Fraser Mullen, David Raven manages to make a clearance.
41

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Fraser Mullen, Michael Ngoo gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richie Foran. Direct free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
40

Shot by Jason Holt from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.
40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ross Draper by Fraser Mullen. Graeme Shinnie crosses the ball, Close range header by Billy McKay misses to the right of the target.
38

Michael Ngoo challenges Aaron Doran unfairly and gives away a free kick. Graeme Shinnie takes the direct free kick.
37

Aaron Doran sends in a cross, save made by Jamie MacDonald.
34

Foul by Danny Wilson on Aaron Doran, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by David Raven.
33

The assistant referee flags for offside against Billy McKay. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
32

Unfair challenge on Josh Meekings by Jason Holt results in a free kick. Antonio Reguero restarts play with the free kick.
31

A cross is delivered by Richie Foran, Jamie MacDonald makes a comfortable save.
29

Free kick awarded for a foul by Graeme Shinnie on Jamie Walker. Free kick taken by Scott Robinson.
27

The ball is delivered by Danny Wilson, Michael Ngoo has a headed effort at goal from just inside the area that strikes the post.
24

Aaron Doran takes a shot. Andrew Driver gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken by Graeme Shinnie, clearance by Jamie MacDonald.
23

The assistant referee flags for offside against Michael Ngoo. Gary Warren goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. Michael Ngoo booked for unsporting behaviour. Josh Meekings takes the free kick.
22

The ball is delivered by David Raven, Ross Draper takes a shot.
21

Andrew Driver produces a cross, David Raven manages to make a clearance.
21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Richie Foran on Fraser Mullen. Richie Foran is given a yellow card. Free kick taken by Fraser Mullen.
18

Billy McKay takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
13

Michael Ngoo sends in a cross, Josh Meekings gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Fraser Mullen, clearance by Richie Foran.
13

Correction - The official flags Billy McKay offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
11

The assistant referee signals for offside against Billy McKay. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
11

Fraser Mullen crosses the ball, Josh Meekings manages to make a clearance.
10

Owain Tudur Jones concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Robinson. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick.
8

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Fraser Mullen from the left by-line, Gary Warren manages to make a clearance. Marius Zaliukas takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
7

Danny Wilson takes a shot. Save made by Antonio Reguero.
6

Jamie Walker crosses the ball.
5

Foul by Ross Draper on Jason Holt, free kick awarded. Scott Robinson takes the free kick.
4

Aaron Doran fouled by Scott Robinson, the ref awards a free kick. David Raven restarts play with the free kick.
3

Foul by Michael Ngoo on David Raven, free kick awarded. David Raven restarts play with the free kick.
2

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

Taken from sportinglife.com