Killie Trialists Turn Over the 'Ton

Kilmarnock 3 - 0 Morton

Killie took part in a closed door game today at Rugby Park against Morton to try out a few trialists before the transfer window is slammed shut. The big Italian striker Vicenzo Cozza had flown in for the match and also on show were third division player of the year Paul McManus, and two surprises in the shape of Birmingham City's Tresor Luntala and wee winger Jose Quitongo.

Big Colin Stewart started in goals and there was a back four of Dillon, Canning, McLaughlin and Fowler at right back. Jose Quitongo started on the left wing with MacDonald inside him then Bully while out on the right was 21 year old Frenchman Luntala. Up front were the other two trialists in the shape of Ancona's Cozza and East Fife's McManus who is out of contract but at 19 will still have to be paid for, shades of Dargo there.

The Italian got off to a great start when in four minutes a cross came in from Quitongo on the left. Cozza chested the ball down and rattled it off the keeper from 6 feet out, a great save, but the ball rebounded for him to stick it in the net for his third goal in Killie colours.

Ten minutes later a ball from Luntala on the right came all the way across the park to Quitongo who cut it back to Cozza, he controlled it and let rip with a rocket shot from all of 30 yards. Only a tremendous save from the Morton goalie prevented the ball from going in the top corner. After 27 minutes it was McManus's turn to impress when Sean Dillon hooked in a cross for him to glance a header past the keeper from just inside the box. Recognise any names yet?

Both teams shared about the same amount of possession and both were getting stuck in, but Killie never really looked in any danger. Durrant was orchestrating things from the dugout and Jim and Billy were keeping a keen eye on the new boys from the stand. The first half ended 2-0. One thing I did notice was that Colin Stewart was looking confident and roaring like the proverbial bull at his defence, good to see. Just as I was talking about that though the squad came out for the second half and he had been replaced by Melly!

The fare in the second half was much the same as the first in the pouring rain and it was Killie again who had the next chance. In the 53rd minute it was Luntala again who came in from the right and had a shot from outside the box but unfortunately it went inches wide.

Morton were next on the attack with a surging run down the right past Dillon who had failed to get back in time, but Melly was alert to the danger and did enough to put the striker off and he screwed it wide. Twelve minutes later it was all about big Vicenzo again as he grabbed his second goal of the game. Killie swung a corner in from the right which was knocked out by the defence but it fell to Mitchell. Bully then dinked the ball back onto the head of the onrushing Cozza who glanced the ball into the net. The keeper got a touch but was never going to stop it.

Jose Quitongo left the field in the 80th minute to be replaced by Carlisle target Gary McCutcheon who almost scored straight away when he latched onto a great through ball by Fowler, but it wasn't to be. Cozza looked tired at the end due to lack of match fitness but he still managed the last shot of the match when he forced the Morton keeper to scramble for the ball with a fierce drive from 25 yards out. This boy can hit a ball.

My first impressions of the big Italian are good, he has good close control and has strength to match his height. McManus also looks like an excellent prospect so if the clubs can work something out so he can turn full time with us then all well and good. Jim told us that a Brazilian player called Mello (at least that what we thought he said) was meant to start the game but got injured in the warm up, so that's why Quitongo got a game.

Apparently Jose was  initially only here to train and Jim has already told him that's it's doubtful that he would get many games if he did decide to sign him, but Jim says that he believes the wee man has the ability to turn a game, as we witnessed at Love Street when he came on and terrorised us for the last twenty minutes, so something may be in the offing.

The boy Luntala seemed a bit annonymous to me during the match but he didn't do much wrong either to be fair, he could be well worth having another look at if Birmingham are willing to let him go. Two trophies in the cabinet pre-season and still undefeated...and the bookies are giving Killie at 10-1 without the old firm...we might just be worth a bet!