Kilby’s subs sink Shire
East Kilbride .................. 1 East Stirlingshire ........... 0
Billy Stark reckons his second half substitutes made the difference as East Kilbride bounced back from last week’s league title flop to progress in the Lowland Cup.
Sean Winter climbed off the bench to sink East Stirling and notch the only goal of the game seven minutes from time, with fellow subs Ross McNeil and Declan Hughes involved in the build-up.
And after his side missed out on the league title to Spartans last week, following a shock 2-0 defeat at Stirling Uni, Stark was pleased to see his side return to winning ways.
Shire were on a 19-game unbeaten run going into the clash and had done Kilby a favour by drawing 0-0 with Spartans last week, which they failed to capitalise on.
After the first round win Stark said: “Shire were protecting their run and, although they were without Andy Rodgers, they still had a strong side out and the way they set up they were trying to protect that record.
“It was a warm day on a sticky pitch and it made it difficult for either team to get going.
“We decided to change things up after the disappointment of last week and a few players came in.
“But Sean came on and made an immediate difference with his goal threat and running in behind.
“Sean’s been a big player for us this season and he got the goal, but Ross McNeil, who played the last 20 minutes, gave us a bit of life up top as well when he came on.
“In the second half we upped the tempo and deserved to win the game.
“It was a tight game, so I’m pleased the way we dealt with it in the second half. We were expecting a tough game and so it proved.”
Shire had the better of the first half with Jordan Tapping’s strike from distance hitting the crossbar on the half-hour mark and Paul Sludden was crowded out in the box as he looked to tuck the ball away from close range.
After the break, Winter replaced Tony Wallace before McNeil and Declan Hughes replaced Bryan Prunty and Darren Ramsay, respectively.
Those changes brought Kilby to life and they were rewarded when all three of the introductions combined for the goal. Hughes collected the ball out wide, crossing into the box for McNeil and he laid the ball off to Winter to stroke home the winner.
Kilby’s reward is a trip to BSC Glasgow in Saturday’s quarter-final (kick-off 3pm) and the winners of that clash will face either Selkirk or Edusport away from home in the semi-finals.
Stark added:“We have a tough route to get to the final. Two opponents from the top four (in the league) are in our half of the draw and we’re playing them in consecutive rounds.
“I’m under no illusions how difficult the BSC Glasgow game will be. We went there a few weeks ago and won, so we’ll go out there, give it our best and see what happens.”