High-Flying Killlie Go Fourth
Stewart McConnell • Published 30 Dec 2010 09:30
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But Mixu Still Cautious
MIDFIELD maestro Liam Kelly notched his third goal in two games as form team Killie climbed to fourth spot following this well-deserved win in the Highlands on Wednesday night.
But cagey boss Mixu Paatelainen is refusing to get carried away despite his team moving clear of their hosts on goal difference and insisted staying up remains the main aim.
He said afterwards: "We're fourth now but we don't get carried away. We reaslise we are only halfway through the season - there's a long way to go. If you ask me my target it is still firstly to survive in the SPL."
Killie opened strongly and in 15 minutes were unlucky when Conor Sammon burst through to set up Mehdi Taouil but the clever Morrocan crashed a shot off the junction of the bar and post. A 25-yard free-kick from on-loan Alexei Eremenko was brilliantly pushed away by Ryan Esson.
The breakthrough was made in 25 minutes when Taouil's well weighted pass sent Sammon bursting into the box. Ross Tokely challenged but a loose ball landed at the feet of skipper Craig Bryson to send a low shot home from eight yards.
Eight minutes after the break centre half Frazer Wright made a timely clearance from an Adam Rooney header after a Richie Foran cross. Then in 68 minutes the visitors doubled their advantage as Ben Gordon surged down rhe left flank and unmarked Kelly sent a header high into the net.
Just two minutes later Caley pulled within a goal as Duncan found Foran and his low drive from a tight angle took a touch off a defender's leg and goalkeeper Cammy Bell and spun into the net.
Then in 78 minutes the Rugby Parkers were awarded a penalty-kick after Esson hauled down skipper Bryson. The Caley number one blocked Jamie Hamill's spot kick effort but the same player stroked home the rebound to secure all three points.
This article appeared in Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald 30 Dec 10
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