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'Well Make the Last Six by a Point

Last updated : 16 April 2005 By Firparkcorner

Celebration!
The team was unrecognisable from the established line-up as injuries and suspension forced Butcher to call on almost all of the first team squad. In fact, we were so stretched that only six substitutes were listed.

The first half hour dragged on without incident and the deadlock was broken when Leven curled a left-footed free kick from over twenty yards in off of Corr’s left hand post.


The news from Inverness added to the nervousness which filled the ground and it began to look that the worst might happen.


Foran replaced Paterson at half time and, with some urgency, we set about recovering the equaliser.

Indeed, we had forced two corners inside the first ten minutes and it looked like our increasing pressure would produce a chance or two. But nothing came of it.


Leitch and Kerr were replaced by Fitzpatrick and Britton for the final twenty minutes as we threw caution to the wind and concentrated on limping the ball forward to any of the four strikers.


Corr saved the day when he produced a flying stop from a Killie volley and five minutes later we sneaked the equaliser.

Killie's free kick in the back of the net


Craigan decided to deliver a long throw-in from a point level with Kilmarnock’s eighteen yard box. To make room for his run he opened the emergency exit gate to the East Stand and , urged on by the fans, he used the extra yards to launch a high ball towards the near post. In the ensuing melee Combe’s raised hand managed to scoop the ball into the net. The keeper argued with the referee that he had been fouled and was booked for his trouble (as was the Killie skipper). At the same time our lads were celebrating their finish in the top half of the table.

It's in the net and we're in the top six! 


This achievement, for the second consecutive season, speaks volumes for the efforts of everyone at the club and, combined with the CIS cup run, provides a financial buffer which should stand us well for next season.

Our next target will be to gain more points than the single one taken from last season’s final five games and what better way to start than with three points against Aberdeen next week at Fir Park.