2006

Bazcelona 5 - 0 Kaiserslautern
(Scott Ellis Playing Fields, 18th March 2006, 11:00 Kick Off)

Last year we never had time to organise the annual killiefc.com Challenge Cup so two time winners Killie IFC retained the trophy but this season, with the internet team struggling to get a team together, we decided to give it some European flavour and we arranged to play against our German friends from K-Town.

The visitors main point of contact, Hughie Parker, did his bit for Killie by keeping them all gassed for a couple of days prior to kick off, and Billy from the Howard did his bit by sleeping in and forgetting to send the bus to the hotel to pick them up! And so it was that the kick off was delayed until 11:30 and we were only able to play 35 minutes each half because we were using Barleith's pitch and nets.

The first half was pretty subdued due to heaving beer belly syndrome but a 40-yard opener for the home side from the left boot of veteran full back 'Broony' made it all worthwhile. We are hoping that one of the Germans caught it on video so we don't have to hear about it every week in the pub!

Into the second half and some astute tactical switches from player/coach baz made all the difference. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 'Ginger' Moore grabbed the second goal, tambo bulleted a header into the top corner for the third and Broony was only too delighted to toe poke in the fourth from two inches out because he put it over with his right peg! Ginger rounded off the scoring with his second at the death and it was a well deserved first victory for Bazcelona.

After a few post match beers and a Killie win over Falkirk it was round to the Dean Suite in the Park Hotel for the trophy presentation. Michael Johnson was on hand to present the Bazcelona captain with the Challenge Cup and Allan presented Alan Combe with his POTY award we never got round to dishing out last season.

It was a great day out but I don't remember much from there on in! a BIG thanks to everyone who helped to organise the game. Colin Brown for the pitch and nets etc. The Howard Arms Supporters Club for covering match expenses. Brownings the Bakers for the half time refreshments. James the referee who we forget to square up (cheque in the post mate). Manny Fowler for the supplying all the strips/balls etc and offering to clean it all up after....and of course Killie for the post match stuff. We look forward to the return leg!

Bazcelona Team (from): Gaz Calderwood, John Morris, Colin Brown, Simon Grant, Alan Taylor, Robert "Ginger" Moore, Dougie McCrone, Tam Gallacher (c), Ross Horner, Allan Auld, David Hannah, Andy Clark, Marc Cuthbertson Jack McNeil & Baz Richmond

Kaiserslautern Team (from): Sebastian Scheffler, Eckhard Neiss, Wolfgang Kubis, Hans-Werner Deininger, Manfred Bury, Christopher Gross, Daniel Schuler, Bernd Heitzmann, Alexander Wallauer, Björn Krob, Torsten Lamotte, Karl-Heinz Hammel, Marcus Neuheisel & Jürgen Stock

Officials: John Baillie (Referee), Hippo/The Muppet/Bullet (linesmen!)

Killie-Kaiserslautern Freundschaft HERE

All photos copyright Sandy Ferguson & used with permission.
If you want to use any of Sandy's photos please contact him at sandy@killiefc.com