Kilsyth...0 East Kilbride YM...2
East Kilbride YM are into the semi-finals of the Douglas Smith League Cup after a 2-0 victory over Kilsyth on Saturday.
Late goals from Liam Sloan and Connor McCann earned their place in the last four and extended the club’s winning run to six matches.
Manager Graeme Robertson selected the same starting line up that had won the Scottish Amateur Cup tie at Lumphinnans United the previous week, but they found it difficult to build attacks as the Kilsyth lads closed them down quickly.
YM’s best chance in the first half was a tremendous 20-yard volley from Jordan Fletcher that rebounded from the upright.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first 45 minutes, with a David Kneale shot rebounding from the crossbar and a David Cameron header being hacked off the line.
Just as it looked the tie would go to penalties, YM skipper Sloan met another Kneale corner at the near post and his header beat the keeper all ends up to relieve YM.
Moments later Fletcher won possession in midfield, found Kneale with a through ball and he fed McCann to seal the victory with a low strike. New signing Ally Morgan saw his shot hit the crossbar late in the dying moments, but YM got the job done.
YM travel to Cambria on Saturday in the Premier League and on February 1 they make the short trip to Gartcosh in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
Meanwhile, YM’s GGPL side defeated Westerlands 4-2 to stay top of their Premier League. Fraser Gray scored two with Ross Anderson and Josh Cairns also scoring.
This Saturday they welcome South Lochaber United from Kinlochleven to Kirktonholme in a league fixture
Finally, YM’s 35s won their first pre-season friendly, with two goals from Gary Ballantyne giving them a narrow victory over Linwood Rangers.
