Tired Killie Still Thump the Scum!

One for the skipper Angie and a double for Broony.

Ayr United LFC 1 - 2 FC Kilmarnock
(SWPL Match - Tuesday 6th May 2003, 7.00pm Kick Off)

Only 48 hours after lifting the Scottish League Cup, the Killie girls had an all important league game against local rivals Ayr United. Although tired legs would have been forgiven the players shrugged off any thoughts of being less than determined to continue their dominance in this Ayrshire derby.

Although conditions were wet and blustery the league leaders looked the hungrier team from the first whistle and almost immediately created chance in front of the Ayr goal which led to a corner. Kilmarnock dominated the game with some crisp passing and aggression in defence and were unlucky not to go ahead after 7 minutes when a front post cross provided by Sarah Hough was narrowly put past the post by Jo Love.

Minutes later saw a similar chance created as Hough was giving the Ayr defence a torrid time but again striker Love failed to find the target. With Ayr struggling to get any possession out with their own half the first goal from Kilmarnock looked inevitable and came via the penalty spot as Love was chopped inside the box.

Regular penalty taker Linda Brown stepped forward and converted the spot kick in the 18th minute. Play raged on and Killie missed chances to extend their lead as shots from Hind, Brown and Hough went begging but no further goals were scored before the half time whistle sounded.

The second half continued in much the same vein with Kilmarnock showing some excellent play despite the quality of the pitch. They extended their lead in the 62nd minute with a well worked move down the right side which led to a back post cross from Bev McLaughlan which was met by the head of skipper Angie Hind. The goalkeeper made an initial save from the header but Hind was there to punish and slot the rebound home to make the score 2-0. 

Ayr did mount a challenge late in the game when a defensive error allowed a front post cross to be played in by internationalist Stacey Cook. The cross was met by an advancing Carol McLuskey who stuck it away to create an exciting last 20 minutes. However, as has always been the case this season, when Kilmarnock have needed to dig deep they have always came up with the goods.

Ayr tried to battle their way back into the game but despite the physical exchanges Killie continued to create chances and the goal which tied up the game came once more via the penalty spot. Young Hough, who was a constant menace to the Aye defence throughout, was crudely brought down in the penalty box in the 82nd minute. That allowed Brown to complete her double from the spot and finish the derby 3-1 in favour of the reigning champs. 

FC Kilmarnock: Johnstone, Kerr, Burns, Smith, Fowler, Hind, Sneddon, Hough, Love (Lou 85), McLaughlin (Cheyne 55), Brown.

Match Report courtesy of Angie Hind