A stake through the heart! || Kilmarnock 1-3 Motherwell
- Marc Christie
- Nov 22
- 9 min read
A cold Saturday afternoon at Rugby Park, for the Stuart Kettlewell derby. A match we would treat as a feisty affair, and one we would want to win to get one over our former gaffer. Back in from the international break, after a momentous one for us Scots. A productive international break also for our call ups Tawanda Maswanhise, Elijah Just and Regan Charles-Cook. The Well looking to keep our unbeaten run going (3 unbeaten before today, 2 wins and a draw), while Killie try to get their first win in 5 and their first win since October 4th (a 2-0 win over St Mirren).
Line-ups
Kilmarnock started the game in a 3-4-3, changing it up from their last few matches (Killie started the 4-0 defeat to Celtic in a 3-1-4-2, and in a 4-3-1-2 in their 3-1 loss to Falkirk).
Kilmarnock have had an unfortunate situation re their starting Goalkeeper this season. Killie's number one at the start of the season was Max Stryjek, who unfortunately faces a long spell on the side-lines due to an ongoing health issue. It is no coincidence that his departure from action has coincided with Killie's downturn in form. Your first thought would be that Robby McCrorie would be the one to step and make a claim for the gloves, but he was shipped out on loan to the Danish second division to Esbjerg. That left 22 year old Eddie Beach as their only option, who's only gametime had come at National League South level. Killie acted fast, signing Celtics Tobi Oluwayemi on an emergency loan, who had spent last season on loan with Dunfermline. Killie have flipped between the two, as Beach started the defeat at Parkhead while Oluwayemi was in net at Falkirk. Against the Dossers fae the Shire, Oluwayemi claimed back the starting berth.
Elsewhere, Killie seem fairly settled in some sections, with some surprises thrown in. Lewis Mayo, Robbie Deas and Zac Williams the 3 at the back, the only real surprise would be the George Stranger's drop to the bench. However, this is explained due to his recent involvement alongside Elijah Just in the New Zealand squad. The 4 in midfield consisting of James Brown (who won't be feeling good this evening, one would assume) and former Well left back Dominic Thompson on the wings. This would operate as a 5 at the back when defending, with Brown and Thompson pushing forward to join the midfield in attack. Your 2 central midfielders were David Watson and Tom Lowery. Lowery's inclusion here was a surprise, being chosen ahead of Brad Lyons, Liam Polworth and Ben Brannan. Killie's 3 in attack featured Bruce Anderson, Scott Tiffoney and Greg Kiltie. Kettlewell opting to leave out the height of Marcus Dackers (bench), as well as club legend Rory McKenzie and Marley Watkins. Recent free agent (and former Arsenal youth academy prospect) Tyreece John-Jules also found himself on the bench.
Lots of changes, drops and surprises perhaps for those not of Rugby Park contingent. The reality, Killie have been plagued by injuries in the recent run. It screams of someone trying to manage a squad as to ensure nothing further happens, to try keep a solid core together to weather the storm.
Killie's full bench was as follows; Eddie Beach, Ben Brannan, George Stranger, Brad Lyons, Liam Polworth, Rory McKenzie, Marcus Dackers, Marley Watkins and Tyreece John-Jules
As for the Steelmen, can't say we saw any real surprises in our line-up.
The usual 4-2-3-1. Ward in goal. The back 4 consisting of Johnny Koutroumbis, Paul McGinn, Stephen Welsh and Emmanuel Longelo. Elliot Watt and Lukas Fadinger as the holding players. Ibrahim Said replacing Elijah Just (for the same reasons you'd imagine as George Stranger), with Callum Slattery and Tawanda Maswanhise filling up the attacking midfield roles. I suppose a surprise is Tawanda starting after being away with Zimbabwe, however a name on the team sheet we are always delighted to see. Callum Hendry replacing Apostolos Stamatelopolous up top was the last real change we saw, but again, not a real shock, as Hendry has got back to fitness we have seen the two swap in and out intermittently.
Motherwell's bench; Matty Connolly, Liam Gordon, Kofi Balmer, Tom Sparrow, Apostolos Stamatelopolous, Elijah Just, Oscar Priestman, Luca Ross, Regan Charles-Cook.
A squad for the Well where, again, we can see the strength in depth. Tweaks can be made to accommodate international breaks, potential small knocks, and our play, and quality, more importantly, will not be effected.
First half control
The Well dominated control of the ball for the first 45 (65% of it to be exact), however from just reading that, you would've assumed it was a deluge of chances for the boys in Claret and Amber. On the contrary, in a rare swap of what we are used to seeing where we dominate and create loads, Killie restricted us to 2 clear cut chances and 2 shots on target. Those 2 shots however, found the back of the onion bag. An xG (sigh) of 0.79 for the first half. Ruthless from the Well. Motherwell also completed 224 passes in comparison the home sides 100, with Motherwell's final third passing being 74% accurate. Football with a purpose, some might say...
Our first followed a great run from Longelo down the wing, but Killie wised up and forced him back. The ball swapped sides in this sequence, but some great tenacity from Longelo and Said saw the ball evetually find it's way to Callum Slattery. Slattery played the ball back to Longelo, who finally had some space to swing a cross in. Dom Thompson managed to flick the ball at the back post and, by luck or skill, Tawanda managed to twist and get the ball under control. A touch. A shot at the near post. Back of the net. Jubilation in the away end. Tawanda wasn't quite finished yet.
A quick corner from Longelo finds Slattery in a reverse of the first goal. Slattery flicks the ball to Tawanda, and a solid strike follows from the edge of the box. Killie do very well to block, but luck is on our side as the ball sits nicely for Tawanda to strike at goal. Oluwayemi should do better, for me, but I won't complain as Tawanda slams the ball into the roof of the net. More scenes in the away end. Kettlewell rages from the touchline. A second consecutive game with a goal from a set piece. Set Piece again (well, we've the 3rd lowest goals from set pieces in the league, let me enjoy it) Ole Ole!
Second Half Shakes?
The second half kicking off seemed to see Killie come back with a spark and a bit of fight in them. In fact, it didn't take them long to fight their way back into the game. Longelo lost the ball in Killie's box, and with a quick few passes forward, Bruce Anderson split the Motherwell defence with a brilliant pass. Combined with a brilliantly timed run from Scott Tiffoney, he found himself 1-on-1 with Ward, and Tiffoney slotted the ball home. Some brief shouts for offside followed, but VAR arrived at the correct decision. Game On.
What followed was a very nervy 10 minutes for the travelling support as Killie kept pushing. From minute 45 to minute 60, Killie had 6 shots, with 3 on target, as they pushed for the equaliser. A goal-line block from McGinn prevented Thompson from finding it. Watson attempted a McTominay, but thankfully did not end up with the same result. The Well looked almost shocked at the comeback, and struggled to keep possession and string passes together. Loads of long balls forward followed as we cleared lines and tried to get up the other end of the pitch. Askou acted, making 3 subs; Hendry, Longelo and Slattery off; Stamatelopolous, Gordon and Just on. Koutroumbis swapped to LB, with McGinn coming over to the right, letting Gordon slot into Centre Back alongside Welsh. And from there, the game changed.
A ball over the top from McGinn on the right saw Stamatelopolous running on to it. A few touches, and he primed himself for the shot, before a clumsy Lewis Mayo came charging in, bundling the Aussie over. The ref waved away shouts to begin with, but as the ball went out for a throw, we all knew it was coming. The call to wait. The murmurs of discontent from all corners of Rugby Park. The TV air drawing came, and the ref jogged to the screen. Penalty awarded. Stamatelopolous gathers the ball to take, and you know the rest. Keeper beaten. 3-1 Well. 100% penalty record from AP, alongside his 5th goal of the league season for us (6 in all comps).
The Well fans were buoyant. "You're getting sacked in the morning" calls came flying down at Kettlewell as he and his Killie side stared a 6th straight defeat in the face. The encore of "Kettlewell's a w*nker" followed.
Killie had a free kick shortly after, and some poor defending from the Well saw the ball break, be struck and cannon off the bar.
Shakes? What Shakes?
From then on, the game was never in doubt. Elijah Just chased everything, and managed to nick the ball and play in Stamatelopolous. A chance for a second for him and 4th of the evening for the Well, denied by an outstretched hand from Oluwayemi. The resulting corner saw a 2 half chances for Gordon in the air (the latter, nicking the ball away from Tawanda running in).
Killie were resorting to desperate measures. Watson showing he's been watching Scotland highlights as much as the rest of us, as after his McTominay attempt, he attempted a McLean-esque ong shot. Tawanda, after being away on international duty with Zimbabwe and then doing his usual for us by playing out his skin and scoring goals, was replaced by Tom Sparrow, in a like for like change, allowing us to see Sparrow in a more attacking light. Just continued to chase, tackle, and link play well, showing no signs of international break fatigue. Said's quick feet in the final 10 minutes saw us keep the ball and press further forward, and he continued to do this, however the wrong pass or delay in pass saw the ball move on.
Ben Brannan came on late Killie, and seemed to provide a dull spark for them, with a great ball into the box for Marcus Dackers, who poked the ball wide.
Said linked well with AP and Just, and saw a shot at the end swing well wide. And if just to terrify us a little bit, right before the final whistle, Just took a slight knock and needed a quick check before walking off (as per rules). Ward cleared the ball forward, the whistle went, and the win and 3 points travelled back up the M77/M74 to Fir Park. 4 unbeaten, 3 wins in those 4. Fewest defeats at this point of the season since 2009/10 (a season where we finished 5th and sealed Europa League football).
Final Word
Now I'm never one to take the shine away from a solid 3 points. This game today has further highlighted how strong the depth of our side really is, and as stated earlier (not just in this piece, but throughout the season), we can take great, great confidence in the fact we can change personnel, and the style does not change. We can bring players on (Just and Stama in todays case) who can change the game in our favour.
However, the defending for Killie's goal and for the chance where the crossbar was rocked left a lot to be desired. The step up to play the offside trap came far too late. I also understand we were well out of position (Longelo was in the Killie penalty box), but the switch off worries me. We've conceded a lot of chances this season in similar fashion. Not to take away from Killie, it felt like 4 passes and the ball was in our net from their box. The ball through the defence and timing of the run was brilliant. There isn't a lot that can be done in those situations so maybe I am being nit-picky. But the chance in the second half was so, so reminiscent of chances this season we have conceded from. Ball launched into the Kenny Loggins, a few ricochets, players don't know whether it's Pancake Tuesday or Sheffield Wednesday, next thing you now the ball's in the net. We got lucky on this occasion.
Another worry, nay, annoyance; the yellow cards. When I finally got logged in and managed to watch the game (cough cough), I saw 4 yellow cards dished out. Slattery, AP, Gordon and Hendry. Only one of them seemed to be for an actual foul. 2 of them were for dissent/consistent pestering of the ref, and the other for kicking the ball away. Not to sound all "yer da" here, but that is ridiculous. These are the types of booking that will come back to bite us on the arse, and need nipped in the bud as soon as possible.
Nevertheless, we finally showed a ruthlessness to our play in the first half, and rode the wave the second before regaining control. A proper performance, goals, 3 points, and the good times keep going.
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