ONLY poor finishing and a superb show from
Derby keeper Lee Camp denied Killie the perfect platform to launch their
SPL challenge.
But Jim Jefferies' men can take heart from
their display - and so can the fans who were given renewed hope for a
decent campaign ahead of Saturday's opener against Hibs The Ayrshire
side that included French trialist trio Eric Joly, Oumar Bakari and
Frederic Patouillard looked well organised until a spat of second-half
substitutions disrupted their rhythm.
Joly started after receiving permission from
Belgian side Mons to play and Jefferies hopes to finalise a deal for the
31-year-old.
Bakari, who impressed during his midweek
home debut against Leicester, and former Hearts striker Gary Wales also
started.
However, it was another new boy in
Alan Combe who was the first to have the Killie fans on their
feet.
Derby hitman Tommy Smith deftly sent strike
partner Junior racing into the box in 11 minutes but the keeper stood
tall to superbly block his right-foot drive.
Combe's opposite number Camp was equally
alert and made a terrific stop to beat out a Danny Invincibile snap shot
after an incisive Gary MacDonald pass engineered the opening.
Camp was grounded moments later when David
Lilley headed a Steve Murray corner into the net but ref Charlie
Richmond chalked off the goal for a foul on the Derby keeper.
Jefferies' team started to show a creative
edge and the busy Invincibile was again denied by a diving Camp save as
they searched for an opening goal.
Kris Boyd and Wales have the makings of
lively front pairing and only a desperate Michael Johnston clearance
prevented the latter having a clear strike after the Killie stars had
worked a delightful one-two in the penalty area.
Man mountain Bakari headed a dangerous Joly
corner over on the stroke of half-time but Killie still couldn't grab
the goal they deserved.
Derby improved after the restart and Smith
was denied by a James Fowler block and a smart Combe save inside the
first five minutes.
Killie were being pushed back for the first
time and Combe again showed his class again with a fantastic save from
Junior, swooping low to his left to touch the Brazilian's drive round a
post.
Jefferies brought on Patouillard just before
the hour and fellow sub Peter Leven almost made an instant impact with a
drive that flew just over the bar.
Killie almost won it when Boyd's volley was
deflected wide by Pablo Mills and sub Mark Canning drove just wide.
Camp also made a stunning save to prevent an
embarrassing last-gasp own goal from defender Johnston and ensure that
County held on for a draw.
French "Trio" Report Card ..... The entente cordiale
appears to be strong, in East Ayrshire at least, judging by the presence
of three Frenchmen on the Rugby Park pitch yesterday. Eric Joly, Oumar
Bakari and Frederic Patouillard had been recruited to Kilmarnock’s cause
by manager Jim Jefferies and there was sufficient evidence in the trio’s
play to suggest that they will enhance both the team and the SPL if
deals can be finalised to extend their stay in Scottish football.
Joly, a midfielder who has played his football most recently with
Mons in Belgium, has all but secured his move, but Bakari (right) and
Patouillard have still to discover if they will be given the opportunity
to become part of the Kilmarnock squad.
JJ's Post Match Comments....“Joly
is not nearly 100% fit yet but I don’t think it will take him too long
to achieve that and you could see that he has positional sense and the
ability to switch the play, Bakari did well but we are still undecided,
although he took up better position today and was very commanding. But
he must learn that you do not get a lot of time on the ball here
compared to the continent.”
Jefferies will make a further assessment of Bakari and Patouillard,
both central defenders, in a closed-doors practice game on Tuesday. But
it transpires that the latter hardly had time to draw breath before
entering the fray after 58 minutes.
Having been recommended to Jefferies by Gilles Rousset, the former
Hearts goalkeeper, Patouillard touched down in Scotland at nearby
Prestwick Airport just four-and-a-half hours before kick-off, but the
Kilmarnock manager said: “He did all right and looks like he knows
what he’s doing defensively. ”
Kilmarnock:
Combe, Fowler, Lilley (Patouillard 57mins), Bakari, Hay, Invincibile,
MacDonald (Dodds 61), Joli (Canning 75), Murray (Leven 61), Boyd
(Naismith 82), Wales (Dargo 46).
Sub: Smith (not used).
