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KT took on Craigneuk this evening in the last regular game of the league campaign. The weather was fine and the pitch looked good not like the abandoned game in a monsoon!!!. KT knew what had to be done, could they take all three points and put the pressure back on Robslee and Erskine. 

Today Coach Bill went for an attacking formation as he felt confident following Saturday’s narrow defeat at Kelvin. The line up was: - Gunner in Goals, Iain Ballantyne at Right back, Captain Stevie McAvoy at Left back, with Chris Bryce returning at Centre back alongside Paul Mills. Midfield were Allan MacKenzie on the right with Alan McCoo centre with Richy McAvoy, and Stevie MacMillan on the left. The no 9 shirt went to Antony Wedlock supported by Davy McBay. Subs were Stevie Dickie, Stuart Gilchrist, Alan Gourley, Ross McLellan and Ryan Ogilvie. 

The game started with Craigneuk, but the early exchanges were pretty even as both teams found their feet, but the first chance came to KT as Davy McBay burst down the right in 4 minutes but the cross was week and didn’t reach Antony on the penalty spot. 

In 6 minutes Antony got through between the central defenders to see his shot saved by the keeper, but KT won the throw in from the clearance. 

8 minutes and Davy burst down the right again but the move petered out as the defender got the better of him. 

10 minutes gone and the pressure is now all KTs, with two or three chances created but no goals!!!.... 

However Craigneuk got themselves back into the game and took control for 5 or 6 minutes but their efforts came to nothing as the KT defence stood firm. KT were now playing possession football and the benefits were evident as they were getting behind the Craigneuk defence. Stevie MacMillan got through to see Antony’s shot blocked, Stevie McAvoy alos got through squared the ball to CooCoo only to see his shot drift over the bar.

In 27 minutes though KT got the breakthrough. A neat 1 – 2 between Stevie MacMillan and Stevie McAvoy saw captain Stevie get past his man to deliver the perfect cross to be met by the charging Aldo to bury the ball in the back of the net from close range. KT 1 Craigneuk 0 

30 Minutes another change but Aldo didn’t have the pace to get to the ball before the defender. 

31 minutes a lovely ball by CooCoo split the defence for Stevie MacMillan to fire just wide 

32 minutes Davy McBay through one on one with the keeper and managed to concede a goal kick!!!

43 minutes Davy McBay through one on one with the keeper.............

45 minutes Davy through one on one with the keeper........... chances galore and all missed. Hopefully they wouldn’t come back to haunt KT 

HT: KT 1 Craigneuk 0 

Coach Bill emphasised the importance of working hard and as a unit as Craigneauk would come out all guns blazing. He also said that we must take our chances. 100% concentration was required for the second half. 

Within the first minute KT had a corner, but the momentum was lost. Craigneuk now took a grip of the game  for the next 10 minutes, but couldn’t capitalise. The back four of Enzo, Millsy , Bryce and Stevie were on excellent form and defending brilliantly, but we needed more in midfield to nreak up the play. So much so that from a KT corner Craigneuk were through on goal but the pace and timing of Enzo brought of a fantastic tackle to deny the attacker his opportunity through on goal. Brilliant tackle 

55 minutes saw another chance fall to KT but again squandered in front of goal. Another chance.... 

In 60 minutes Coach Bill made the first change. Ross macLellan came on for Davy McBay. Fresh legs against a tiring defence. 

KT were still very dangerous and a couple of free kicks floated in by Enzo were cleared. The danger was not over though and in 65 minutes Enzo somehow got his head to a goal bound header nto clear off the line...!!! 

Craigneuk had now switched to three up front in an attempt to get something from the game, but again the KT defence stood firm. 

75 minutes saw the second change as Stevie MacMillan was struggling with an injury and was replaced by Stuart Gilchrist, again to inject some pace down the flanks. 

82 minutes saw a dramatic chance for KT as Gizzy got past his marker to tifle in the shot that the keeper managed to block, but the ball bounced to Chris Bryce who drove in a fantastic low shot only to see the keeper somehow recover from Gizzy’s shot to touch Bryce’s shot over the bar.... 

KT were defending well, but at the same time creating chances, both CooCoo and Enzo saw opportunity’s drift wide and over. 

Unfortunately in 84 minutes Ross McLellan had to come off with a suspected broken rib as he had lost out on a 50/50 against the keeper. First time Bills had to sub the sub, but he was obviously in a lot of pain. In the melee it took a few moments to get Ryan Ogilvie on, as it was clear that KT needed the full compliment on the park. 

Ryan did well when he came on and forced the left back into an error to gain the throw in. The best form of defence s attack.

The game was really end to end stuff for the last 5 minutes, but KT were the better team in the end up and deserved the win. 

FT: KT 1 Craigneuk 0 

A nervy game for KT but they did very well. Enzo was voted man of the match and deserved it, but so did everyone else as each and every player gave 100% and should be proud of how they played. Three points were needed and three points were obtained. What more can you ask for?

KT must now wait to see how nearest league rivals Robslee and Erskine get on in their remaining games. Hopefully the three points will be enough......but it’ll be a long couple of weeks.