Kilmarnock 3 - 2 Livingston
(SPL Under 21 match - Rugby Park, 11th August 2003, 2.00pm Kick Off)

With the first team preparing for a tricky jaunt to Brechin it was a very young Killie side who took the field against Ferranti/Meadowbank/Livingston. Only McDonald and Dillon had first team experience and the youngsters found themselves a goal behind in only two minutes.

A corner fell kindly at the feet of Jordan whose shot from 12 yards was viciously deflected into the bottom corner. Killie were almost level in six minutes but Naismith's flick header flew inches wide.

The match was fairly even with the pace of Ipoua and McLaughlin causing some concern to the young Killie defence who were sticking to their task well. Dodds tried his luck from 20 yards but his shot was deflected wide then a fine McGuinness run ended with his cross-cum-shot landing on the roof of the net. Naismith then fired over from 15 yards before Dillon collected the game's first booking following a late tackle on McGovern.

The second half started with McDonald being booked for a late lunge before Killie drew level in 48 minutes. Dodds cross from the right caused panic in the Livi defence and when Montgomery spilled Naismith's shot Gilroy was on hand to roll home.

The game was far more open and there was action galore in the 56th minute. Naismith miss-kicked from 6 yards and the ball was promptly fired long to the pacy McLaughlin. The striker looked up and from 25 yards scored a cracker as he lobbed Samson who had ventured off his line.

Livi should have increased their lead on the hour mark but substitute Scott could only crack the crossbar from close range. Dillon came close for Killie in 63 minutes with a header from 10 yards that went just wide but in 74 minutes the Killie kids were back level. A short Harding pass back was well anticipated by substitute Robert Campbell who fired home from 18 yards.

The winner came with five minutes remaining when a quick Canning free kick picked out Naismith who swiveled and struck low into the net from 10 yards. The youngsters showed great fighting qualities and were best served by Dillon, McDonald and Naismith. McLaughlin and Ipoua showed up well for Livi who had ex-Killie man Jim Lauchlan at centre half - is that you still looking for a "bigger" club Jim? 

Kilmarnock: Samson, Masterton (Gilroy 45), Dillon , Canning, McGregor, Hamill, Dodds, Naismith, Boyle (Campbell 70), McDonald , McGuinness
Subs (not used): Bell, Sangster, Cochrane

Livingston: Montgomery, Jordan, Harding, Miller, Lauchlan, English (Adams 45), McGovern (Walker 63), Cherif (Scott 45), Ipoua, McLaughlin, Camacho
Subs (not used): Greer, Boyd

Match Report © Sandy Armour