Murray– GK
Deans – LB Raeburn – CB
McClure © – LM Rafferty - CM Patrick- CM (Sub: Miller) B.Bell – RM (Sub: G.Johnston)
G.Bell – ST Smith – ST
Goals: G.Bell (3), Smith, Rafferty
Bookings: Bell (dissent)
MOM: G.Bell
Final Thoughts: "A fantastic win for Kilsyth. Beating a team like Hamilton proves how far we have come and that we have the potential to go on and win the division. In defence, midfield and attack, Kilsyth showed great team spirit and determination to see out the difficult spell that Hamilton enjoyed, and then push on and play the home side off the park. With 2 difficult and tense games coming up, one in the cup against Motherwell and then the match against the Church of God, KCC will need to maintain their form and attitude."
Team -
Murray– GK
Deans – LB Raeburn – CB
McClure © – LM Rafferty - CM Patrick- CM (Sub: Rhodes) B.Bell – RM (Sub: G.Johnston)
G.Bell – ST Smith – ST
Goals: G.Bell, Smith
Red Cards: G.Bell (Violent Conduct)
MOM: Murray
Fraser Trophy – Round 1
The waiting is over!! After 8 long years, Kilsyth recording their first ever victory in the Fraser Trophy since the creation of the team in 1999. The match was hardly a classic, however, the historic victory allowed Kilsyth to continue their recent run of good form. Prior to the match KCC were boosted with the return of Steven Miller from a long term injury as well as Stewart Hood, however, Craig Dawson and Graeme Johnston were both missing. After the victory over Motherwell the previous week, manager Gordon Anderson decided to shuffle the pack again bringing in Simon Smith, Stewart Hood and giving a debut to Gordon Murray in goal.
The opponents, the
The second 45 minutes saw both teams playing more open and attacking football and Kilsyth had the better of the chances however, wasteful finishing kept the home team in the game and they took full advantage to score a quite stunning goal after an hour. As KCC lost the ball in the Vineyard half, the home team broke at pace, and after a swift passing sequence, the move with finished off with a curling finish that left
Vineyard Church 1 KCC 2
Team -
Murray– GK
Boyd – LB Raeburn – CB
McClure © – LM W.Johnston – CM (Sub: Miller) G.Bell - CM Rafferty – RM
Coleman – ST Smith – ST (Sub: B.Bell)
Goals: Coleman (2)
Final Thoughts: 'On a very fast and hard astroturf park, KCC did enough for their victory and progress into round 2. The opposition deserve credit for their positive approach to the game, and if they continue to play like that, will have a successful season. Kilsyth did was needed though and can look forward to this Saturday with the visit of the league leaders, Clarkston at home. The recent unbeaten run should give KCC plenty of confidence and with the strikers on form, the possibility of winning the game."
Player Manager "AT LAST!"
Division 2 Fixture
Motherwell
Kilsyth recorded their first win of the season with a comprehensive victory over a tough Motherwell team. Kilsyth had to soak up plenty of pressure in the first half but a confident display in the 2nd half saw the team steam roller the hosts. Kilsyth again could call upon a strong squad, despite missing a number of players, with Jack, Ledger and Miller still out with injury and Murray and Jarvie also missing. Both teams were looking to improve on a disappointing league start with neither team having recorded a victory and with previous games between the two being physical affairs, a similar match was anticipated.
Kilsyth made 3 changes to the side who drew 6-6 with QPark, with B.Bell, Dawson and G.Bell all starting, however, it was the home team who made most of the running in the first half with some nice passing football and using both wingers to good effect. Despite having the possession, Kilsyth were able to deal with most of the danger and Motherwell's failure to hit the target was soon punished when COLEMAN opened the scoring for the away side. A long range drive by Dawson, who was captain for the day, was weakly pushed out by the home keeper and Coleman nipped in to score his 3rd goal of the season. Despite the goal, Kilsyth still struggled to find any real structure to their play and after a number of set pieces, Motherwell struck back on the stroke of half time with a curling finish after a corner had been half cleared.
The second half sparked a turnaround in Kilsyth's play and their passing football soon created chances which were passed up. Indeed Motherwell struggled to re-create their first half form and it took a dreadful blunder to allow them an undeserved goal. A long throw caught the entire KCC backline out and the home teams striker ran in unopposed and shot past Deans to make it 2-1. This sparked the home fans into life and gave KCC the push they needed with Simon Smith coming in for the tiring Patrick. Unsurprisingly it was Graham BELL who provided the much needed inspiration with a bullet header from a Coleman corner to take the scores level and within minutes Kilsyth took the lead for the second time in the game when SMITH ran through onto a through ball from Coleman, rounded the keeper and smacked home passed the defender on the line. This goal ended the resistance of the home team, and KCC began to run all over the top of Motherwell. Indeed the 4th goal had the element of luck about it as a flick on by SMITH struck the boot of a home team defender and sailed over the keeper's head - to the delight and surprise of everyone before Kilsyth saved their best goal for last with a quite stunning over-head kick by the impressive Stuart COLEMAN.
The final whistle was greeted with cheers and delight as KCC took their first win of the season and hopefully the launch pad for a good run of form.
Motherwell 2 KCC 5
Team - 4-4-2
Boyd – LB Raeburn – CB W. Johnston – CB Rhodes - RB (Sub: Rafferty)
McClure – LM Patrick – CM (Sub: G.Johnston) Dawson (c)- CM (Sub: Smith) B.Bell – RM
Coleman – ST G.Bell - ST
MOM: Coleman
Goals: Coleman (2), Smith (2), G.Bell
Final Thoughts: A terrific victory. Kilsyth's defence was solid in the first half and the attacking players took centre stage in the second half with some tremendous play and finishing. Next week sees us go on to play a 3rd division side who are new to the league, but we will not be taking them lightly as KCC have not won a game in this cup competition in 8 years. A dreadful record that we will certaintly be looking to put right!!!
Player Manager " A great second half performance from the team with a special mentioned to the out going Dolly for a first class display"
Division 2 Fixture
Sportsfield, Kilsyth
In a match that will live long in the memory of both sets of players, KCC and Queens Park served up an amazing 12 goal thriller, which saw both defences and goalkeepers have the proverbial nightmare in an end to end match. Kilsyth scored twice in the final 2 minutes to salvage a point after cruising with a two goal lead after an hour of this game.
Kilsyth were boasted with the sight of an almost full squad, with only Stewart Hood, Simon Ledger, Steven Miller and Alan Jack (long term injuries) missing, which gave the management duo a selection headache of the right sort. Gordon Anderson decided to bring in Fraser McClure, William Johnstone and Mark Raeburn back into the team that had lost to Ruchill the previous week, which gave an unusual sight with 4 on the bench!
The game played in wet conditions, made the ball zip about a fair pace, as both teams demonstrated their ability to play high quality passing football. Early chances were passed up by both teams before Queens opened the scoring, when a sweeping passing move was finished after a scramble in the box. This spurred Kilsyth into action and they forced the Queens keeper into a sharp save before gaining a deserved equaliser. A long punt up the park by Deans was knocked on by Raeburn and Simon SMITH took a touch before hammering a long range shot passed the keeper for his first goal of the season. Surprisingly there was no further scoring the half, and no indiction of what was to follow.
Almost instantly KCC opened the 2nd half with a goal. A long throw deep in the Queens half from G.Johnstone was headed on and Stuart COLEMAN brilliantly anticipated the flick on and his diving header flew into the bottom corner. This goal was quickly followed by another as Kilsyth threatened to run riot. Some superb passing football started by Rafferty, and continued by both Johnstone brothers freed Coleman down the right win and his tremendous centre was tucked in with ease by SMITH who added his second of the game into an empty net. With the clock on the hour, and the away side struggling to find a way into the game, KCC made changes bringing off Patrick and Smith for Bell and Dawson. However, before either player could make an impact, a hopeful long ball was missed by the Kilsyth defence and as the Queen's striker tore towards goal he was impeaded by Deans and the referee gave a penalty. The keeper was unable to stop the penalty despite going the right way. This setback was quickly followed by another goal for the away side, as a half cleared corner by KCC was punished when the Queen's captain powered home a header from the returning cross. At 3-3 the game was now end to end and minutes later, the away side completed a quick remarkable turnaround after a goalkeeping howler by Deans who let a speculative free-kick sail over his head and drop into the top corner of the net.
Queen's understandably were delighted but within 60 seconds - the game went to 4-4, when Dawson slipped a terrific through ball to BELL and the big striker clipped the ball beyond the onrushing keeper to get off the mark for the season. Unsurprisingly this only spurred Queens on again, and with minutes they went 5-4 up through more disasterous marking and goalkeeping by the home side. And with only 10 minutes remaining the game seemed dead and buried for Kilsyth when Queens once again scored after slicing the home side's backline apart.
However, Kilsyth refused to give up and battled to find a way back into the game and were giving a lifeline when Bell was hauled down as he bore down on the keeper and the referee, Love, gave his second penalty of the game which was followed by a red card leaving 10 man Queens a nervy last 5 minutes. BELL done the business from the spot and claimed his second of the game as KCC went all out attack in the last minutes and their bravery paid off when in the dying moments BELL robbed the Queens Park defender of the ball, strode through on goal and hammered home his hat-trick via the left hand post. Understandably the team and fans(!) went wild and a thrilling match ended 6-6!
KCC 6 Queens Park 6
Boyd – LB Rhodes – CB W. Johnstone – CB Rafferty - RB
McClure – LM Patrick – CM (Sub: Dawson) Raeburn - CM G. Johnstone – RM
Coleman – ST Smith – ST (Sub: G.Bell)
MOM: G.Bell
Goals: G. Bell (3), Smith (2), Coleman
Bookings: Deans (Foul)
Final Thoughts: Hopefully the match report gives some indication of the quality of the match. End to end, chances aplenty and both defences having a nightmare meant the goals flew in. This was a match neither teams deserved to lose as they contributed much to the game, but both will be kicking themselves for the amount of mistakes they made. If Kilsyth can tighten up at the back, this is a team that will score goals and hopefully start picking up wins in the coming weeks. With no game this week due the 1st round of the cup, the next game away to Motherwell becomes more crucial.
Player Manager "One for the fans felt almost like a victory in the end. Bring back the right back is my thoughts!!"
Division 2 Fixture
Glasgow Science Parks, Astroturf
The old saying goes - "At least Dick Turpin wore a mask" - and there is no doubt after Saturday's game, Kilsyth must have felt they had just been mugged as the home team inflicted KCC's first defeat of the season on a hot and humid day in Glasgow. Similar to the previous week, Kilsyth were missing a number of players and although Simon Smith returned from holiday, he replaced the absent William Johnstone, leaving Kilsyth with only 11 players for the second week running.
Nevertheless confidence was high after an excellent performance the previous week against St Silas, and the omens looked good against a team who Kilsyth had beaten and drew with the previous season. Kilsyth started the better side and carved out early chances, which were not taken - a familar theme as the game progressed. Indeed Ruchill were pinned in there own half for long periods of the game but on a rare forgage forward took an undeserved lead after 30 minutes. Slack marking was punished as the Ruchill striker dribbled into the box and dispatched his shot low into the bottom corner. Again Kilsyth responded with positive football but chances were continually passed up time and time again.
The second half sadly saw no improvement and despite altering formations and player positions, Ruchill held on as the Kilsyth strikers had a day to forget. With the majority of the team committed forward, Ruchill killed the game off with minutes to go, as a breakaway was again finished in clinical style and left Kilsyth bemused and questioning how they managed to lose the game.
Ruchill 2 KCC 0
Boyd – LB Rhodes – CB Abercrombie – CB Hood- RB
Paget – LM Patrick – CM G. Johnstone - CM Rafferty – RM
Coleman – ST Smith – ST
MOM: Coleman
Final Thoughts: "One of those games were KCC could have played all day and still not have scored. Ruchill undeniably enjoyed the luck but you have to take your chances and they did while we didn't. Hopefully this off day will be corrected next Saturday against a strong Queens Park team and with the expected return of at least 4 players, the team should be much stronger and be in a position to record our first win of the season."
Player Manager " Dire, mince, woefull etc most definatley 3 points dropped"
Division 2 Fixture
Ravenswood
The start of a fresh season and KCC’s third in division two, started with an exciting match against newly promoted St Silas, where both teams showed that a promising campaign should lie ahead over the next ten months. Kilsyth missing eight regulars were forced to draft in experienced former players to fulfil the fixture despite as the visitors refused the proposal to re-arrange the fixture for a later date.
KCC without a host of players, including Graham Bell, Mark Raeburn, Fraser McClure, Bryan Bell, Steven Miller and Simon Smith, did have new signings Stewart Coleman and the returning Graeme Johnstone to bring in along with experienced players Ian Paget and Brian Abercrombie. Lining up in a
This setback brought KCC into the game and with Steve Patrick and Willie Johnstone able to get their foot on the ball, chances came through Coleman and G. Johnstone. St Silas happy to hit KCC on the break soaked up pressure and Kilsyth went into the half trailing. With encouraging words at half time, Kilsyth improved in the second half and forced St.Silas onto the back foot from the kick off. Chances continued to arrive and Steve Patrick was unlucky his right foot shot went inches wide of the post after a tremendous cross for W.Johnston. However, Kilsyth were not to be denied and equalised minutes later. Alan Rhodes won a tackle on half way line, rolled the ball to W.Johnston who then released COLEMAN, who quite brilliantly curled in a unstoppable shot with the outside of his foot from edge of the penalty area for a debut goal. Kilsyth sensing the game was for the taking continued to attack and Ian Paget headed wide when unmarked from a Rafferty cross.
As the rain came down, both teams pushed for a winner in energy sapping conditions and long range efforts were the main opportunities. As the game seemed to be heading for a draw a controversial decision with minutes left went against KCC. From a low driven corner, a speculative shot smashed the hand of the unlucky Rhodes and much to the disbelief of home side, the referee gave St Silas a penalty. However, the penalty was quite brilliantly pushed away by Deans to his right and saved KCC a well deserved point.
KCC 1 St Silas 1
Boyd – LB Rhodes – CB Abercrombie – CB Hood- RB
Paget – LM Patrick – CM W. Johnstone - CM Rafferty – RM
Coleman – ST G. Johnstone – ST
Goals: Coleman
MOM: W.Johnstone
Final Thoughts: “After a slow start, were we possibly gave the opposition too much respect and concentrated on players missing, KCC came to life and really had St Silas on the ropes for much of the second half. Both teams played the game in a good spirit and the away team look like they will be a welcome addition to the league. Kilsyth showed great spirit, energy and drive to recover from an unfortunate goal and played some good football in wet and windy conditions. The addition of Stuart Coleman should make a real difference, and his goal was of the highest quality, however, praise must go throughout the team who all played well. If we continue this, and with some important players still to come back, this could be a very successful season.”
Player/Manager : Great start to the up & coming season. Our first points on opening day for as along as I can remember. I agree with our reporters thoughts although on the P.K. if it were up the other end I would have been screaming for a P.K. A thoroughly enjoyable game played in the right spirit by both teams assisted by a very good refereeing performance. Once all our holiday makers return we should have a very strong squad who should challange all the way.