Killie Well Worth Win
Published 3 Feb 2011 09:30
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Clydesdale Bank SPL MOTHERWELL 0 KILMARNOCK 1 Stewart McConnell at Fir Park
SMASH-and-grab Kilmarnock proved there was life after Conor Sammon following his big-money move to Wigan Athletic, David Silva's late strike giving them a 10th league win in rain-lashed Lanarkshire on Wednesday night.
The well-worked goal, which came after a counter-attack following a wave of Well pressure, helped halt a run of five games without a win and keep them well on course to achieve a top-six place for the first time in three seasons.
Cheered on by a noisy band of travelling fans, Killie had to dig in and fight more of a rearguard action than in recent games and withstand a barrage of pressure from the home team before clinching the victory which helped them move seven points clear of fifth-placed Inverness Caley Thistle.
After a roller-coaster opening 15 minutes the remainder of the first half was dull, perhaps the conditions were a factor but the second half offered some flowing end-to-end football with a host of chances being created by both teams.
It was the home side who forged the first opportunity in four minutes as Chris Humphrey dodged three challenges and surged into the box before goalkeeper Cammy Bell came out to save at his feet in four minutes and back at the other end a minute later a cross from Mehdi Taouil was booted away by Humphrey. The same home player was in the thick of the action in 10 minutes as Bell got down well to save his strong effort from 12 yards.
Alexei Eremenko played a through ball to Tim Clancy in 12 minutes and the Irishman's strong shot was blocked by Darren Randolph and Rui Miguel then fired a shot into the net but the whistle had already blown for offside against the defender.
Well then had an opportunity in 27 minutes but Steve Jones shot high and wide from 12 yards. Liam Kelly was booked six minutes later for a challenge on Keith Lasley. With the game going downhill in the second part of the opening period, chances were at a premium and a tame shot from the inspired Mehdi Taouil was blocked by Shaun Hutchinson in 37 minutes. A hammer blow was dealt Killie two minutes later as Frazer Wright was stretchered off with a head knock to be replaced by James Fowler but it later emerged he was fine.
Two minutes after the break a Jones shot into the box was cleared by the excellent Clancy. Jamie Murphy then had a shot saved by Scotland goalkeeper Cammy Bell in 49 minutes, Just a minute later Taouil found Clancy, whose strong shot from 12 yards spun across the face of goal with the defence caught flat-footed. Jones chipped a shot over the bar from eight yards in 53 minutes. New Killie signing Willy Aubemayang teed up Rui Miguel to volley just over the bar in 57 minutes and three minutes later a bullet header from the same player produced a top-drawer save from Randolph. An error by the normally reliable Mo Sissoko let Murphy in but the striker's effort in 65 minutes was cleared, Two minutes later Killie came close as Taouil threaded a fine through ball to Kelly whose 25-yard shot was well saved by the home keeper.
A 35-yard free-kick from Steven Hammell went just over the bar in 69 minutes and six minutes later a great move involving Killie saw Taouil and Kelly combine but the latter shot across the face of goal with Miguel lurking.
Manuel Pascali was booked for a challenge right on the edge of the box in 75 minutes and the resultant setpiece from Steve Jennings was blocked by the Killie wall. Three minutes later Taouil headed on to Silva, whose volley from 20 yards went just over the bar. A Jennings shot produced a vintage save from Bell in 80 minutes and just a minute later, Killie sealed victory with a superbly executed goal. Taouil started the move and swung a cross to Clancy who darted to the edge of the 18-yard box before firing in a cross from which Silva sent a bullet header into the net, sending the visiting fans into raptures.
Still Well kept pressing and in 87 minutes a Tom Hateley free-kick was scrambled wide and Gavin Gunning sent a 30-yard effort over the bar a minute later as Killie held on for a fine victory.
KILMARNOCK: Cammy Bell 7; Tim Clancy 8; Garry Hay 7; Frazer Wright 5 (James Fowler 5); Mo Sissoko 7; Rui Miguel 6; Mehdi Taouil (9 (Billy Berntsson 5); Alexei Eremenko 6; Liam Kelly 7 (Manuel Pascali 6); Willy Aubameyang 7 (David Silva 6).
STARMAN: Mehdi Taouil 3
TIm Clancy 2
Liam Kelly 1.
For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.
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