Kilmarnock 1 - 0 Partick Thistle
(SPL Under 21 match - Rugby Park, 24th November 2003, 7.00pm Kick Off)

Alan Mahood made a welcome return to action as Killie played host to the struggling Jags. Craig Dargo continued on the comeback trail but his bad luck was to continue. Killie were missing 'kid goals' Naismith but still fielded a fairly strong side.

The opening half was full of effort but no goalmouth action as both teams failed to master the greasy surface. The first effort of note was on the half hour mark when McBride went on a probing run but his 20 yard drive flew a yard wide.

Five minutes later came the games biggest talking point when Dargo's comeback came to a grinding halt. The striker stretched for a pass on the halfway line but with no opponents close he collapsed in a heap. The obvious worry was the recurrence of his ankle injury but that was not the case.

He was stretchered off and taken to hospital although early reports suggest there is no break and it may not be as serious as first thought. In the five minutes before the break Killie stepped up a gear with Canning, Di Giacomo and Boyle all forcing good saves from Mikelson.

Killie came out on the offensive and took the lead four minutes into the second half. Di Giacomo threaded a pass to the nippy Boyle who cleverly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the net.

Killie dominated the remainder of the half but a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at one. Thistle only threatened in the final few minutes with Meldrum making a great save from Ross and a heroic last ditch tackle by Dillon preventing an undeserved equaliser.

Mahood gave a steady display in midfield whilst Boyle was lively in attack and fully deserved the warm ovation when he was substituted. Thistle huffed and puffed without threatening much and had Mikelson to thank for keeping the score down.

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Fowler, Dillon, Canning, Hessey, McGuinness (Gilroy 81), Di Giacomo, Mahood, Boyle (Campbell 74), Dargo (Hamill 37), Dodds
Subs (not used): Bell, Cochrane

Partick Thistle: Mikelson, Wilson, Rushford, Lilley, Ross, Cassidy (Shields 72), McBride, Panther, Kazcan (Strachan 81), Bonnes (McBride 29), Gemmell
Subs (not used): Budinauckas, Ferguson

Match Report © Sandy Armour
Match Photos © Sandy Ferguson