Killie Fail To Capitalise at Chrimbo

A Chris Boyle strike put Killie ahead

Kilmarnock 1 - 1 Hibernian
(SPL Under 21 Match - Rugby Park, 23rd December 2002, 7.00pm Kick Off)

Two beautifully taken goals illuminated the game as Killie entertained Hibs for the second time in two days. Killie continued to get some players back to match fitness with Dindeleux, Sanjuan & McLaughlin forming our back three.

Amazingly it turned out to be one of the finest nights of my life for reasons that will become apparent during the report. There was little goalmouth action in the opening minutes as both sides struggled to find any fluency on the wet surface. Killie had their first decent effort in 13 minutes with Di Giacomo cutting in from the left and curling a 20 yard shot that was well saved by Caig. Hibs had their first shot two minutes later but Whitaker's 25 yard drive flew into the Moffat Stand.

Di Giacomo was causing problems for the Hibs defence with strong direct running but all too often the final ball let him down. Reid was catching the eye for the visitors and he drilled a 20 yarder narrowly wide in 39 minutes. Just as the first half was drawing to a close Killie took the lead with a fantastic goal. Di Giacomo pulled a low cross to Boyle 20 yards out and his first time strike had bulged the net before Caig could move.

The half time whistle blew and with Killie one up and me having downed a nice Killie pie everything was looking good. Killie started the second half with Logan replacing the injured Jaconelli and we nearly increased our lead in 47 minutes. Di Giacomo got beyond the Hibs defence but as he tried to round Caig the keeper clawed the ball away from the striker's toes.

A few minutes later I actually thought I had died and gone to heaven when through the damp night air I heard the chant I had always dreamed of "FREE PIES, GET YER FREE PIES". The caterers were shutting up shop and were dishing out free steak pies to the Killie regulars - it has to be the finest pie ever tasted.

Back on the green stuff Di Giacomo was still tormenting the Hibs rearguard and another lung bursting run ended with Logan firing a shot straight at Caig. Hibs 
gradually were getting themselves into the game and after a spell of pressure 
they levelled the score. The hard working O'Riordan burst on to a loose ball 
in the box and finished clinically from 15 yards.

Both sides fought hard for a winner but the nearest we came was another Logan shot following a Di Giacomo run well saved by Caig. The game was as good as over but I completed the pie hat trick when the lovely "Duchess" supplied the troops with a lovely home made mince pie before we headed home.

Overall both camps will be reasonably happy with a share of the spoils. Di  Giacomo was the best player on show whilst Reid and Riordan put in a good shift for Hibs. Merry Xmas to everyone from Hippo Towers.
 

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Gilroy (McGregor 77), McGuinness, McLaughlin, Sanjuan, Dindeleux, McDonald, Canning, Jaconelli (Logan 46), Di Giacomo, Boyle (Gold 77).
Subs not used: Samson, Naismith.

Hibernian: Caig, Byle (McKenna 64), Hillend, Kuo Doumbe, Shand, Reid, Trialist (K. Thomson 55), Brebner, Riordan, Arpinon (Nicol 58), Whitaker.
Subs not used: Brown, D. Thomson.

Match report courtesy of The Killie Hippo