Thursday 31 March 2016

Be The Boss - Brian Tivendale

The boss this week is the one and only Brian Tivendale... the man who put the 'Tiv' in positive! Tivvy has been a Killie fan as long as we can remember and now that he has (cough) retired (cough) from playing he likes nothing better than following Ayrshire's finest with his fellow Boozehounds from the Howard Arms SC.


Tiv has gone for a 4-1-3-2 formation and has been lucky enough to be given a couple of new players to feature by Lee Clark this week...


This Saturday 2nd April brings the first of seven cup finals for my beloved Killie in our quest to beat relegation to the Championship. As Boss for the week I have tried to select a team that will go for the jugular against a Partick Thistle team almost safe and I don't want a nervy 90 minutes as my auld 61 year old heart wouldn't stand it.

My selection was hindered by the possibility of new players being brought in before the weekend and thankfully this has now been resolved and we welcome Messrs Addison and Henshall to reinforce the battle lines. My job was really hard after a determined second half performance at Pittodrie and an overall inspiring yet gut wrenching show against Celtic.

Goalkeeper:
In goal we have the safe hands of our new saviour Jamie MacDonald.

Defence:
At right back I would have Lee Hodson after his sterling performance against the League leaders and hope he continues his form to get that Northern Ireland ticket to Euro 16. At left back I'd welcome Steve Smith back (Out for season, announced after we got copy - Ed.). Although he's had a terrible run of injuries, I thought he was more like his old self in his last appearance. In central defence Conrad Balatoni picks himself. He has played with various partners but he has performed consistently well with them all and that is why I'll pair him up with new signing Miles Addison for if he's good enough for our new boss then he's good enough for me.

Defensive Midfield:
In front of the back four I'd play the excellent Julien Faubert who stamped his class all over the Celtic game and didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

Midfield:
Playing three across the middle I'd have Greg Kiltie, Gary Dicker and Kallum Higginbotham. Wee Greg endeared himself to the Killie faithful by pledging his future to the club and should play every week regardless of performance level to allow him to develop. Gary Dicker has proved solid in the heart of midfield but I'd like to see him get a goal or two please? Higgy has had a topsy turvy season but showed how good he is against Celtic.

Forwards:
Up front I'd throw Josh Magennis AND Kris Boyd as dual strikers at Thistle because we'll not win games if we don't score goals.

Finally our twelfth man would be YOU the fans! Let's get behind the team EVERY game. I know some performances have been sore on the eyes but telling young guys they're crap helps no-one. Let's turn up in droves on Saturday and keep us where we belong. KTID.


Wednesday 30 March 2016

Wear It Out

March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, and we, as a club, are proud to support this worthy cause:- The Brain Tumour Charity


Earlier in the month, our u17's took part in 'Wear It Out ' day, and this week, our U15's took to wearing their bands to show their backing for our own Frankie Rock, who has followed the girls without exception under difficult circumstances.....one day, we'll beat all cancers...together!!

Monday 28 March 2016

Season Diary - Week 35

This week off for international fixtures is just a pain in the back side, especially when no one at the club appears to have the sense to have arranged something else to engage the fans when they have time off and are looking for something to do.


Let’s be honest, its not like many of the players have earned a break, or that they don’t need match practice under the new gaffer. Would it not have made sense to have a bounce game on Saturday morning or afternoon involving the youth and first team players who were not away on international duty?


A few quid into the bank and a chance to see some of the fringe players while keeping the first teamers ticking over, as they say, its not rocket science!

Meanwhile the new look KillieFC.com goes from strength to strength with new forums and FC Kilmarnock Ladies joining the fold. It’s a top level website, we just need a top level team to match it, next stop Firhill…be there.

Thursday 24 March 2016

Welcome Aboard!

The #1 Killie site on the internet just got bigger and better…and we are not talking about the brand new Kickback forums! We are delighted to announce that FC Kilmarnock Ladies have now joined the fold and have taken up residence here at KillieFC.com alongside the Killie Trust, the KFC Supporters’ Association and Young Kilmarnock.


The former Scottish champions are enjoying a bit of resurgence of late and wanted to be part of a growing community that would give them some of the support that they need going forward…and that is exactly what they will get from all the other members of the Kilmarnock FC fans family.


You can check out their area of the site by clicking their logo at the top of the page or alternatively just CLICK HERE

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Weekend Results

Kilmarnock 6 v 0 Aberdeen Reserves 

Killie cruised into the quarter finals of the league cup with an emphatic win over a young Dons team.

Kilmarnock started brightly with Captain, Lauren Sloan calmly slotting the ball home in the 3rd minute. This kick started Aberdeen into action as they took the upper hand but they struggled to make their dominance count.
But it was Killie who got the next goals to double their advantage. Sloan burst forward with and scored a carbon copy of her first goal - putting Killie two goals to the good.

HT Kilmarnock 2-0 Aberdeen Res

A change of personnel in midfield for the second half with Alana Black and Sara Patterson coming on for Law and Telford - bringing a calming influence to the Kilmarnock side. This seemed to do the trick and Killie started to dominate the match. 

It wasn't long before they increased their lead through Black as she made it 3-0. Now on easy street Kilmarnock further increased their lead when Munro got clear of the defender and fired high into the net from a very tight angle to make it 4-0.

Ashleigh Cattrell got in on the act on her debut. The ball dropped at her feet in the middle of the box following a corner which she despatched home to make it 5-0. 

The penultimate goal of the game came after a cracking pass from Patterson right into the path of Munro who grabbed her 2nd of the game.

A convincing win for Kilmarnock ensured a safe passage into the next round - blowing away the disappointment of last weekends defeat at the hands of Celtic.


Monday 21 March 2016

Season Diary - Week 34

We asked for fight last week and we got it, although sadly we still didn’t get any points. I have no problem admitting when we deserve to lose, but the best team didn’t win on Saturday and I’m sure that even Celtic fans will concede that.


A fitter looking Faubert was everywhere and linked up well with Dicker. Boyd was unlucky on a few occasions but will struggle due to lack of matches and absence of punch up front was part of the reason we lost the game, the other of course was the worldie in the last minute that no one could have stopped.


It looked like our tea was out when Hamilton went ahead later that afternoon, but they eventually lost and Dundee United could only scrape a draw in their derby game on Sunday so we got off lightly.
 
My humble opinion is that we changed managers too late and other results will conspire against us, we can but hope that Clark’s bravado will stand us in good stead in the play offs, I’m starting to think we can do it.

Friday 18 March 2016

Weekend Preview


This weekend is an unusual one as only three of our five teams are in action - with all three games being on Sunday.

First off, our youngest team, Killie u13 White's will face Kilbirnie at home. The youngster are buoyed off the back of an inspiring performance against Hamilton. They will be hoping to build on that when they face Kilbirnie.

There is no game for our u13 Blues or our 15s this weekend.
Our u17s are on their travels as they face Hamilton away in the League Cup. Following a 2-2 draw last weekend against Morton, the 17s will be hoping to put in a performance similar to that of last weeks second half - which saw them claw back a two goal disadvantage after the break. The game will be played at Bent Park with a 1:45pm kick off.
Rugby Park is the venue for the senior team as they welcome Aberdeen Reserves in the League Cup. This will be the first time the sides have met.
The teams have suffered the same fate in their opening two league games with one win and one defeat to their name. Both sides will be looking to bounce back to winning ways if they want to have any chance of progressing in the League Cup competition.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to the visitors, in what we expect to be an enthralling game at Rugby Park.
Kilmarnock will be looking to improve on last weekend's encounter with Celtic after a goal either side of half time compounded Killie to a 2-0 defeat.
Hopefully this young Killie side can find the cutting edge that had been missing from last Sunday's match and put in a clinical performance, on Sunday.

Thursday 17 March 2016

Be The Boss - Con McGinley


It's time once again for Be The Boss, the feature where we throw someone in at the deep end and ask them who they'd pick in their first XI for that weekend's game. This week we asked Con McGinley, Killie fan extraordinaire and former captain of the Kadikoi pool team (oh yes), to pick his XI for Saturday's game against Celtic and give his reasons...




GK: Jamie MacDonald
No explanation necessary.

RB: Lee Hodson
Has already had criticism on the forums after the Ross County game when given a hard time by Gardyne, but has been more than decent in every other game Gardyne can cause problems for anyone.

CB: Conrad Balatoni
Decent player so far, although cross balls seem to be a problem for our defence. Has had a variety of partners at the back which doesn't help.

CB: Mark O'Hara
Have always felt he could eventually finish up as a decent central defender, since his debut as a young boy when he came on as sub against Stenny and Nelson got him to mark big John Gemmell, who Nelson couldn't handle. Good in the air which will hopefully will help us deal with cross balls better.

LB: Steven Smith
Not convinced by his defending at full back but options are limited. Needs to make sure he doesn't get an early booking against Celtic as he is prone to do.

CDM: Gary Dicker
Has impressed me more with each passing game. Reads the game well, strong tackler and plays the simple ball.

CM: Craig Slater
Loads of ability and needs to show the form he displayed against Motherwell more often. Put him beside Dicker but would expect him to get forward when in possession.

RM: Rory McKenzie
Giving Rory another chance although he has not been at his best recently, but Tope has probably been poorer so left him out the team instead.

CAM: Julian Faubert
Put in a shift last week at Pittodrie and surprisingly his tackling was fierce. Close control and turns on the ball were good as you would expect with his pedigree. I would get him close to Scott Brown who according to a Celtic season ticket holding mate is not playing near his best and can get flustered.

LM: Greg Kiltie
Has potential to be top class. Pity he is playing in a struggling team.

ST: Josh Magennis
At last got back on the score sheet and was involved in most of our chances last week. We need to get out the blocks running and can’t afford to lose an early goal.

Celtic are not playing great and we need to get about them and make good use of the ball when we have it. It goes without saying that we need to watch Griffiths closely and cut off his supply. We are the only SPFL team unbeaten against Celtic this season and they will want to rectify this so we need to be ready. Finally, the team needs your support so get yourself along. Don't make the potential play-offs your next game, as many have indicated they will do.

Wednesday 16 March 2016

Season Diary - Week 33

I hoped to have better news to report this week but sadly the two things that we didn’t want to happen did…Killie lost and Hamilton won…fortunately Mixu’s lot didn’t gain any ground on the Friday night.

By all accounts a narrow defeat away to an Aberdeen side who are running Celtic unbelievably close at the top of the league would not be considered a terrible result, but at the business side of the season we need every point we can get and it was a real sickener to lose after putting so much effort into the game.


I would like to say that it augers well for next week, after all we are yet to be bettered by next week’s opponents, but let’s not kid ourselves on that it will be anything less than an extremely difficult game.

The Celtic fans called for a boycott on price issues, their board has offered to subsidise their tickets, ironically they are now paying far less than the Killie fans for the same match…I seem to remember someone else trying that!

Sunday 13 March 2016

Morton 2-2 Killie 17's

Morton took a two goal lead before half time. A goal from the centre half of Morton gave them a 1-0 lead before they doubled their advantage from the penalty spot. Kilmarnock would have to improve if they were to get anything from this game.

 Shortly after the break Killie got themselves back into the game with a goal from Katie Greensmith. Not long after, Danielle got the second to level the scores. Killie were now throwing everything at Morton creating numerous chances but they couldn't find a winner.

The girls showed terrific character in the second half to get back to level terms. They might consider themselves unlucky not to have taken more but this was a well contested game and very much a game of two halves.

U13 and U15 Results

Today's results... The U13 White's lost 3-1 to Hamilton but put in an excellent performance. The girls worked extremely hard and delivered a good solid display which the coaches are very pleased with. 

Our u13 Blues started their league campaign with a convincing victory away to Kilbirnie. The football played was an absolute joy to watch and the girls did everything asked of them.

Finally, the u15s recorded a comfortable win away to Glennifer Thistle as they got their season off to a flier. But again, the performance was the pleasing aspect and the coaches are delighted with the progress of the team.

A good day for the club with all three teams putting in good performances and each and every person involved enjoying the respective games.

Feel free to comment and let us know what you thought of each game, if you managed to get along to the football this morning.

Well done to all!

Wednesday 9 March 2016

Be The Boss - Peter Nederlof


It's time once again for Be The Boss, the feature where we throw someone in at the deep end and ask them who they'd pick in their first XI for that weekend's game. This week we asked Peter Nederlof, head honcho of the Dutch Killie Supporters Club, to pick his XI for Saturday's game against Aberdeen and give his reasons...


Peter's chosen a 3-4-3 formation for this week. Is it Total Football or is that just the interpretation of a lazy editor? You decide...


In the goal:
21 Jamie MacDonald

Defenders:
22 Kevin McHattie
26 Conrad Balatoni
14 Mark O'Hara

In front of the defenders:
5 Stuart Findlay

Midfielders:
16 Tope Obadeyi
29 Gary Dicker
19 Craig Slater

Forwards:
23 Greg Kiltie
28 Josh Magennis
7 Rory McKenzie

The Dons are playing well this season with a recent run of strong results and if we play like we did in the first game against them in Aberdeen we have a big problem. With these players and this system, we can put a lot of pressure on them and try to score goals. We are a football team and play not only for a good result, but also to please the fans. I like to do this with attractive football.

With Boyd on the bench and able to come in in place of McKenzie in, we can easily move to a 4-4-2 instead of 3-4-3. Magennis and Boyd would then be the forwards; Kiltie goes back behind them and Findlay drops in with the other defenders.

The players are not fit enough, so this is also the reason to start with this 11 and with 1 sub we can play a complete other system. A side very similar to this played very well against Hearts in October, so I know they can play football and hopefully get a result against a strong Aberdeen side.

We are playing with 11, but I need a 12th man. YOU! The team needs the support more then ever. Please be their 12 on Saturday!

Monday 7 March 2016

Season Diary - Week 32

It is great to have Saturday night having not lost in the afternoon, we managed that last week by getting it over with on Tuesday.

It has been a week now and I barely remember what happened in the match, I think they call that selective memory loss. My overriding recollection from a pretty poor showing was that the referee was utter dross.

 
According to the statistics however we had more shots on goal, more shots and target and the same amount of possession, yet lost 0-2, anyone think that we need a decent striker?

To be fair we are not really setting the heather on fire in any department, even player of the year so far, Jamie MacDonald, wasn’t performing heroics like he normally does.


It looks to me like it’s a straight fight between Dundee United, us and Hamilton to see who goes down automatically, who will face Hibs or Falkirk in the play-off and who survives. We must show more fight than we are currently.