BALLIESTON BLITZED BY RED-HOT YM
Week of cup action begins with rout
EYM .......................... 4 Baillieston Jnrs ......... 1
East Kilbride YM kicked-off a big week of cup action for the club with victory over Baillieston Juniors.
Ahead of Friday’s Scottish Cup semifinal for their 35s team, the Caledonian League side got their Caledonian Cup campaign off to an emphatic start with a stunning win over the Glasgow outfit.
The first 20 minutes of this cup tie was fairly even but it all changed five minutes later when Baillieston scored the opener.
This setback upset YM for a spell as passes went astray and frustration grew, but five minutes from half time Craig Tocher’s cross picked out Cammy McCulloch and he converted from eight yards to tie things up at the break.
After the interval, a much improved YM sealed victory.
Firstly, James Cameron was hauled down outside the penalty area on the left side and he dusted himself down before sending in a free kick that ended in the net with both Tocher and Peter Kelsall claiming they had got the last touch.
YM’s third goal will be hard to beat this season as a series of one-touch moves from defence through to attack ended with Ross McDonagh scoring with aplomb to end a fantastic move.
McDonagh had a chance to score again late in the game, but his penalty cannoned back off the upright.
Tocher put the game beyond doubt when he latched on to a through ball, rounded the keeper and stroked the ball into the net.
Meanwhile, YM’s Greater Glasgow Premier League kept the good vibes going when they defeated St. Mungo’s 2-1 thanks to goals from Chris McCaig and Ross Anderson in midweek and followed that up on Saturday by defeating Third Lanark 3-1 with Chris McCaig again on the scoresheet and two goals from Sam Toufique.
Elsewhere, the Scottish Amateur League side demolished Strathaven Dynamo 9-0 in a one-sided derby contest over the weekend.
Barry Kelly hit a hat-trick, while Kennedy Saydee, Tommy March, Stephen McKenna, James Cameron, Connor McCann and Ross McDonagh all scored as well.
So after a great week of results for the club attention now turns to the 35s squad, who have just secured a sponsorship from local Italian restaurant Zucca ahead of the big clash.
Zucca owner Yacine Titti has provided the coaches with tracksuits and jackets and new strips for the team.
The 35s side will wear the new kit at the Scottish Cup semi-final on Friday against Nia Roo at Dalziel Sports Club, Carfin. Kick-off is 7.15pm.
Meanwhile, YM’s Caledonian side will be without a competitive game on Saturday as they take on Gartcosh in a friendly.
As the News went to press on Tuesday night, the Caley team were about to kick-off their league campaign at home to Baillieston.