Killie faced Rangers in a reserve
fixture that was swapped as it was originally an away game. The game
marked the debut of keeper Chad Harpur who has signed on a short term
deal following Killie's keeper crisis. Killie gave a run out to Nish and
Stevie Murray whilst Rangers featured Gavin Rae, Novo and Adam.The
first half was very open and entertaining with play flowing from end to
end. In four minutes a good Murray run and cross ended with Barrowman
firing wide from a tight angle. Rangers went straight down the pitch and
a free kick picked out Adam who could only chest the ball straight at
Harpur.
One minute later and Barrowman had another chance but pushed his wide
after a neat pass from Nish. The game continued to flow and it was the
visitors who took the lead after 11 minutes. N'Diaye picked up the ball,
played a one - two and fired into the corner from inside the box.
In 18 minutes good work by Hamill saw his cross being missed by Sagar.
The ball fell to Murray but his shot was blocked on the line by Papac.
Killie equalised on 34 minutes when a Leven corner found Nish who headed
home from six yards. A minute later and Leven fired a volley just over
from 20 yards. Adam then tried his luck with a 30 yard free kick but
Harpur pushed the ball wide.
The second half started quietly but Killie had a decent chance on 58
minutes. A good Leven pass picked out Murray darting in from the left
but the wee winger poked over from 12 yards. Three minutes later and the
visitors took the lead through Novo. The Spaniard twisted and turned 20
yards out before finding the corner with a low shot.
In 70 minutes Adam floated the ball over Harpur but Hammill got back
to hook the ball off the line. Two minutes later Papac had two good
chances to score but Harpur made a great double save. One minute later
Barrowman broke free and lobbed Sagar however Papac raced back and
cleared off the line.
Killie then had a spell of pressure but headers from Nish and Adams
both from corners were well saved by Sagar. With 13 minutes left Rangers
wrapped up the points when Adam burst into the box and fired low into
the far corner of the net. An entertaining game with Rangers grabbing
the points by taking their chances whilst we squandered ours. Hammill
and Dodds played well for Killie whilst Papac and Adam caught the eye
for the visitors.
Killie - Harpur, Hamill, Campbell, O'Leary, Adams, Dodds, Di Giacomo,
Barrowman, Nish, Leven, Murray
Subs not used - Logan Coyne, Noble, Flannigan + Donnelly
Rangers - Sagar, McMillan (McLachlan 85), Ponroy, Papac, Rae, Gilmour
(Loy 64), N'Diaye, Stanger (Ashikodi 76), Novo, Adam
Subs not used - Robinson, Emslie, Lennon
