Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, had threatened before this
match to make wholesale changes to his team at the end of what had been
a disappointing season. It seems that his words had the desired effect
as his men produced what was probably their best display this term to
thrash Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Kilmarnock have languished near the bottom of the table all season,
even flirting with the possibility of relegation before the wheels came
off the Gretna bandwagon. A series of poor performances mixed with
injuries to key players have made this campaign a miserable one.
On the face of it, there wasn’t much for the Rugby Park supporters to
look forward to before Saturday’s encounter either, featuring two teams
with nothing to play for with bottom-six places guaranteed. And when
Frazer Wright clumsily tackled Ross Tokely in the penalty area early on to
give Inverness a spot-kick that was converted by Ian Black, those same
fans must have feared another depressing afternoon.
Killie however then went on to produce a stunning comeback against Inverness to win 4-1 and
secure their third consecutive home victory in the Clydesdale Bank SPL -
inflicting further misery on Craig Brewster's side.
It was Inverness, without a point on the road since February 9, who
started the match with greater enthusiasm and in the sixth minute Black
produced the first shot on goal.
Alan Combe saved comfortably but the effort stung Killie into action
nonetheless, James Fowler exchanging passes with Iain Flannigan -
drafted into the side by Jefferies along with another youngster Tim
Clancy - before shooting narrowly wide a minute later.
Within 60 seconds Mehdi Taouil wasted an even better opportunity when
he lobbed the ball over the bar of an empty goal after Inverness keeper
Michael Fraser had collided with Flannigan.
In the 14th minute referee Stephen Finnie handed the visitors the
perfect chance to take the lead when he adjudged that Wright had bundled
over Ross Tokely during a penalty box scramble following a corner.
Black stepped up to sidefoot the ball into the right-hand corner of
the net, just the fifth goal Inverness - who left club record goalscorer
Dennis Wyness out of the match-day squad altogether - have scored in
their last 10 SPL games.
Jefferies' side immediately pressed for an equaliser - with Taouil
becoming increasingly influential - but Brewster's well-marshalled
defence comfortably protected their lead initially.
Indeed a Danny Invincibile header which flashed just over the bar was
Kilmarnock's best effort in the 20 minutes which followed the opening
goal.
Hopes were raised of a penalty being awarded in their favour eight
minutes before half-time when Invincibile's weaving run was ended
cynically by Black.
Referee Finnie decided the foul was outside the box and although
Flannigan's fine free-kick came back off the post, Fraser Wright
was on hand to tap home the equaliser in the 38th minute to
leave the teams level at the interval.
Kilmarnock looked to have a decent claim for a penalty three minutes
after the break when Roy McBain appeared to handle the ball on his own
goal-line.
David Fernandez had slalomed his way into the penalty box and, when
his chip was palmed away by visiting keeper Fraser, Flannigan chested
the ball towards goal where McBain appeared to use his hand as he
controlled the ball before clearing the danger.
Referee Finnie waved away the home side's protests and perhaps
justice was done two minutes later when Craig Bryson
(right)
rifled the ball past Fraser with a terrific right-footed effort from 25
yards out.
Jefferies' men were now firmly in control and it took a wonderful
interception at the front post by skipper Grant Munro to deny Fernandez
a tap-in after an excellent cross from Garry Hay.
Kilmarnock doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Clancy's
pull-back fell into the path of energetic midfielder Bryson,
whose shot deflected off McGuire past a hapless Fraser. (above).
Jefferies' side made the points safe 12 minutes later when the
majestic Taouil set up Fernandez and his cross was thumped into the roof
of net by Iain Flannigan. This was Flannigan's first ever
senior team goal!
Brewster tried to inject some fight in his side by introducing Dougie
Imrie in place of McBain on 73, having already brought Richie Hart on
for Iain Vigurs 10 minutes previously.
Rory McAllister entered the fray four minutes later in place of
Marius Niculae, the Romania striker having been starved of service for
the large majority of the match.
As the game drifted towards its inevitable conclusion, Jefferies made
a double substitution with eight minutes remaining as Jamie Hamill and
Allan Johnston came on for Iain Flannigan and Medhi Taouil. Both
received a standing ovation as they left the field.
A Graham Bayne header which looped over Combe's bar was all the
visitors could muster in reply as Kilmarnock strolled to an emphatic
victory.
With 2 min's remaining "Man of the Match" Craig Bryson was replaced by
former Caley man Alan Morgan, a class move by manager Jefferies to allow
the Killie faithful to show their appreciation to the youngster.
Jim
Jefferies Post Match Comments...
"We were very
annoyed about a soft penalty award which was just a clash and nothing
more but we picked ourselves up and in spells in the first half passed
the ball really well. We played far too many long balls which played
into their hands though and I emphasised at half-time we needed to get
the ball down and pass it. That's what happened in the second half and
when we got the third goal suddenly everyone wanted to get on the ball.
Some of the quality of the play in the lead up to the goals and other
chances was terrific. David Fernandez benefited from playing quite well
last week and really caused them problems today. His hold-up play was
excellent. We also had Craig Bryson driving forward from the middle of
the park - he's always a threat - and young Iain Flannigan and Tim
Clancy can be pleased with their performances too. They were given a
chance today and they grabbed it with both hands. It was terrific to put
on a performance like that. The whole team can be pleased of their
showing. Maybe what has happened with Gretna has enabled us to relax a
bit more and we just want to maintain the consistency of performance for
the rest of the season and finish as high up the table as possible. The
challenge is there for the players to make sure they are here next
season and if they keep performing like they did today maybe I won't
have as much work to do in the summer."
38
mins
