Killie Come Back To Snatch Point!

Kilmarnock 2 - 2 Hearts
(SPL Under 21 Match - Rugby Park, 16th December 2002, 7.00pm Kick Off)

Killie, with Barry McLaughlin making his comeback, recovered from the loss of two early goals to earn a point in an entertaining encounter on Monday night. Killie fielded trialist Brian McGovern at centre half but the former Arsenal and Norwich defender only featured in the opening half. I spoke to Jim Jefferies after the match and it is unlikely we will pursue our interest in the player.

Killie got off to the worst possible start by losing a goal in 55 seconds. A corner kick from the left landed at the feet of Weir who fired home from seven yards. Killie went in search of a quick equaliser and in four minutes Gary McDonald had a low drive well saved by Windrum.

Things got worse after 15 minutes when Weir grabbed his own and Hearts second. A long through ball caught the Killie defence square and Weir outpaced Hay before clinically firing home from 12 yards. For the remainder of the game Killie dominated possession and it was only our lack of composure in front of goal that cost us all three points.

Gary McDonald was getting on the end of all our good moves but a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping denied the midfielder. Young Gary headed straight at Windrum after a good Hay cross then tried his luck from 25 yards with the goalie off his line before he sliced a volley wide from a good position.

Murray was causing Hearts problems on the left wing but was getting frustrated with the lack of a finishing touch. Jaconelli was next to try his luck but his lob landed on top of the bar with Windrum well stranded. Killie eventually pulled a goal back in 41 minutes when Di Giacomo collected Murray's neat pass before rounding the keeper and scoring from an acute angle.

Killie nearly drew level with seconds of the half remaining but Murray's 20 yard curler was well saved by Windrum. The pattern continued after the break with McDonald heading straight at Windrum before the keeper made a fine save from Jaconelli's point blank header. The keeper made another good save from a looping Jaconelli header before Di Giacomo's fine run ended with McGeown making a last ditch tackle.

Killie appeared to be running out of ideas and Weir almost snatched his hat trick in 75 minutes but his snap shot from 10 yards rebounded off the base of the post. Killie went straight down the park and Gilroy's 20 yard effort was comfortably saved by Windrum.

The equaliser came in 83 minutes when McDonald finally found the net from 15 yards with a low drive that clipped the post before settling in the onion bag. Murray nearly snatched all three points with a mazy run and 20 yard drive that was superbly turned round the post by Windrum.

Highlight of the night was the wee female Hearts physio losing her balance as she ran on to treat an injured player. The poor lassie lost her balance as she raced on and after three or four yards landed on her "chorus & verse" to big cheers from the Killie fans - it reminded my of Bambi trying to walk on the ice covered lake. Killie were best served by McDonald, Murray & Di Giacomo whilst Windrum and the lively Weir starred for the visitors.

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Canning, Hay, McLaughlin, Trialist (McGregor 45), Gold (Gilroy 64), McDonald, Boyle, Jaconelli, Di Giacomo, Murray.
Subs not used: Samson, McGuinness, McGlinchey.

Hearts: Windrum, McMullan, McLeod, Dunn, McLaughlin (Sives 51), McGeown, Oueifio, Fox, Weir, King (Winning 76), Hamill.
Subs not used: McDonald, Kennedy, Gardiner.

Match report courtesy of The Killie Hippo