Cup joy as thoughts turn back to league
Spartans game threatened to overshadow win
Billy Stark has revealed East Kilbride went through a roller coaster of emotions on Saturday as they lifted the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.
The defending Lowland League champions cruised to a 4-1 victory at New Murrayfield Park to see off Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale and claim the trophy for the second time in three seasons.
However, the league match between their title rivals Spartans and East Stirling almost put a dampener on their crowning moment.
As the players went up to collect the trophy news filtered through that Spartans had struck late to go 2-1 up – a result which would have left EK trailing their rivals by three points at the summit with three games to play.
But the side who EK pipped to the title last season did Stark’s men a huge favour. With seconds remaining Derek Ure hit a last-gasp equaliser for Shire and it kept Kilby within a point of their rivals, sparking scenes of celebration in the EK changing room.
And after winning his first trophy with the club, Stark said: “It was a very surreal moment.
“When we heard about the Spartans goal, the players were very flat as they went to collect the trophy. It was all a bit subdued.
“But we heard cheers from our fans a few moments later and that gave everyone a big lift.
“It was a relief to know Spartans had dropped points and the boys were celebrating with the trophy in the dressing room.
“After that it was like it should be when you win a trophy.”
Sean Winter’s double plus strikes from Declan Hughes and Ross McNeil delivered the victory.
The result also maintains their 100 per cent record in cup finals, landing a seventh cup win in five seasons.
Kilby, who rested key players including skipper Barry Russell, took the lead in Blackburn after just four minutes through Hughes and they found themselves 2-0 to the good after a quarter of an hour when Winter grabbed his first of the game.
EK’s top scorer McNeil made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time to put Stark’s side in complete control.
Lothian Thistle pulled one back early in the second half after a mistake from keeper Matt McGinley gifted them a goal.
But Winter, who scored a brace the when Kilby beat Spartans 4-1 in the 2016 final, made sure of the win late on when he slotted home from the penalty spot.
He said: “It’s weird how I scored two in the last EoS final and the scoreline was the same as well, but I’m just delighted to get some goals and do my bit for the team.
“It’s great to win the trophy, but our focus now is on the league.
“After the results on Saturday it’s in the balance. Spartans can’t afford to slip up because they know we will be right there waiting for them. All we can do is win our games.
“I’m dreading it going down to the final day. That will do nothing for the nerves and it could still be out of our hands going into that game.”