Killie survived a second half
United revival to secure all three points on a chilly evening at the
Theatre of Pies. With most fans still shell shocked from Saturday's
performance a smaller than usual crowd turned out for this reserve
fixture. Killie gave Dargo and Nish a run out in attack although there was
no sign of Stevie Murray who is presumably injured.
Killie started well with Dargo looking sharp again. The striker burst
clear in two minutes but was forced to shoot from a narrow angle and
Jarvie saved comfortably.
A sweeping Killie move in 8 minutes saw Dodds pick out Dargo in the box
but his sliding shot went agonisingly wide.
Killie
were
well on top and took the lead in 24 minutes. It was Craig Dargo again
causing problems and this time he burst through a static defence and
coolly slotted home.
Three minutes later the Trialist spotted the goalie off his line and
attempted a 40 yard lob. His excellent effort had the keeper beaten all
ends up but the ball landed on the roof of the net.
United's best chance of the half came in 30 minutes but Conway's header
went well wide.
Killie doubled the lead on the stroke of half time when Nish squared for
Rhian Dodds to fire home from 12 yards. If the first half belonged to
Killie then the second half belonged to the Arabs. Smith was keeping his
team in the game with fine saves from Andrew and Conway. Callaghan then
produced a lung bursting 50 yard run that saw him waltz past three
defenders but his shot was superbly saved by Smith.
With nine minutes left United got the goal their pressure
deserved. Andrew found himself free in the right side of the box and
finished low into the corner from 10 yards. United almost grabbed a point
in the last minute but again Smith saved Killie with a fine diving save.
Killie were best served by Smith, Dodds and Dargo whilst Abbot and
Callaghan were United's top performers.
Killie - Smith, Sangster, Dillon(Logan 45), Cochrane(Hamill 62), McGregor,
Canning, Dodds, Gilroy, Nish, Dargo, Trialist (Naismith 73)
Subs not used - Bell + Masterton
