Kilmarnock Progress to League Cup Quarters Against Injury-Stricken Dundee United
Kilmarnock 2-1 Dundee United Dackers (6′) Lyons (69′) Stirton (25′) A goal in each half was enough for Kilmarnock to beat Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup 2nd Round. Kilmarnock got off to the best possible start after six minutes. Marcus Dackers latched on to a through ball and coolly dispatched past Yevhen Kucherenko to open the scoring. Dundee United endured an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Rapid Vienna in the Conference League 3rd round three days ago. Jim Goodwin’s side have struggled with persistent injuries, and this continued with Owen Stirton replacing Max Watters after just 17 minutes. Stirten proved to be a worthy substitute soon after, he found space and finished past Max Stryjek in the Kilmarnock goal to equalise for the away side. Stuart Kettlewell’s team delivered the decisive blow in the 68th minute. Brad Lyons connected with Lewis Mayo’s knockdown to volley under Kuckerenko and restore his side’s lead. Kilmarnock’s victory means they will welcome St Mirren to BBSP Rugby Park in the quarter final. The game is scheduled to take place on the weekend of September 20th-21st. Dundee United return to league action in two weeks’ time, making the short journey to Dens Park for the opening Dundee derby of the season. Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Brandon, Mayo, Schilte-Brown, Deas, Brannan, Polworth, Lyons, Watson, Daniels, Dackers Dundee United: Kucherenko, Esselink, Iovu, Sevelj, Ferry, Sibbald, Fatah, Dolcek, Stephenson, Keresztes, Watters
No European Hangover for the Hibees as They Progress to Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final
Josh Mulligan and club record signing Thibault Klidje both got off the mark for Hibernian, as they won 2-0 to knock Livingston out of the Premier Sport Cup in the round of 16. Hibs came into this one off the back of a gruelling extra time triumph over Serbian side Partizan Belgrade on Thursday evening, whilst Livingston were hoping to gather some momentum following a 3-1 victory over Falkirk last weekend. The results sees the capital city side book a trip to Ibrox to take on Rangers in the quarter-final, which ensures to be a mouth-watering clash as the Hibees will be entitled to a larger away allocation as per cup rules. Klidje nearly got his first goal for Hibs before some fans had eve taken their seats. The Togolese forward got on to the end of a long ballad tried his luck from range with a looping volley, but it was palmed over by Jerome Prior in the Livingston net. Hibs had the lion’s share of possession in the first half and approached the game with a bit of directness, challenging the Livingston back line’s resolve with balls over the top to utilise the pace of Klidje and Martin Boyle. Their best chances leading up to the goal however came from distance, with Josh Campbell and Alasana Manneh having half volleys from the edge of the area blocked by yellow jerseys. The Edinburgh side’s goal would come just on the stroke of half time. Martin Boyle’s in-swinging corner curled onto Klidje’s head at the near post and was directed goalwards on the striker’s first start for his new club. The away side kept the pressure on as they plugged away for a second, and opportunities for that two goal cushion didn’t come much better than Junior Hoilett’s effort just after the hour mark. Just minutes if not seconds after coming off the bench, the Canadian was put clean through on goal by Klidje’s defence splitting pass, yet the experienced winger dragged a tame effort wide of the post. The second goal would eventually come for the visitors just three minutes from time, when substitute Josh Mulligan sent a rocket into the top left corner of the goal, also meaning that this was his first goal for Hibs as well, since his arrival from Dundee this summer to well and truly send Hibernian on their way to the quarter final as they will be aiming to win their first piece of silverware since their Scottish Cup heroics of 2016.
East Kilbride win marred by racism incident
East Kilbride’s 3-1 home win over Stranraer was marred by alleged racist incident involving EK’s Joao Balde. The Portuguese midfielder had scored Kilby’s third goal to make sure of the League Two points when something was reportedly said which led to a Stranraer fan being identified and ejected from K Park. The club posted a short statement on social media, which said: “East Kilbride Football Club are disappointed by an alleged incident of racial abuse directed towards one of our players at today’s match. “We will be passing on footage to the relevant authorities. The Club will be making no further comment on the issue at this time.” East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy showed support to this player, posting “Twice in two years he (Balde) has been on the end of racism. “You couldn’t meet a more humble, hard working, honest talented player. We are so fortunate to have him at our club and in our lives.” Stranraer also made a short statement, stating they will work with East Kilbride in investigating what has gone on. They said: “Stranraer Football Club takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of racist and discriminatory behaviour. The club has been made aware of an allegation during today’s game at K Park. We treat any such reports with the utmost seriousness and will work with East Kilbride FC and the relevant authorities to ensure the incident is investigated thoroughly.”
