Woods delivers the goods for EK
Goal boosts confidence ahead of league season
running when the league starts.”
After earning a 2-1 win over Glenafton last midweek, K-Park gaffer Brian Kerr handed latest signing, Cra i g Rei d, hi s debut i n c e nt r a l defence alongside Craig Howie, as Barry Russell dropped to the bench.
Graeme Holmes was handed the armband once again and he looks favourite to assume the captain’s role from long-standing skipper Russell.
Up front, Jamie Longworth made a quicker than expected return from injury as he started alongside Ross McNeil.
The hosts started well and took the lead after 14 minutes.
Sean Winter burst for ward and, spotting the run of unmarked Woods, he cut inside and laid off his teammate, who clipped the ball over the keeper with aplomb from 12 yards.
McNeil almost added a second when he pounced on a defensive lapse, but United keeper Kevin Main bravely blocked his effort and the two players had to receive treatment after they clattered into each other.
L o n g wor t h s h o u l d hav e d o n e better when McNeil slipped him in on goal but his tame sidefoot effort was comfortably saved.
In t he second half, Formartine came i nto t he contest and Ja cob Kean in the Kilby goal produced a good stop to deny Andrew Greig an equaliser, using his outstretched leg to turn away a low strike.
The visitors continued t o push for ward, but they were reduced to efforts from distance and the Kilby defence held firm.
Woods added: “Some of our play in the first half was really good, but the boys know the standard has got to be better than we showed in the second half.
“We made six changes at half-time and we lost our shape a bit because of that. Formartine saw a lot of the ball in the second half and we couldn’t keep a hold it very well when we got it.
“Jacob’s only really had a couple of saves to make and with the first half performance, I think a least another goal or two for us would have been a fair reflection of the whole game.”
EK gaffer Kerr said: “Woodsy has been different class. His work ethic is unbelievable and all that hard work is paying off with goals.
“He’s worked exceptionally hard in pre-season to be fit and we are seeing the benefits of that now. Long may it continue.
“Our second half perfor mance wasn’t of the standard we expect, but we seem to keep winning games when we are not at our best.
“It’s a good trait to have, I suppose, but we still have a bit of work to do to get to the standard we want for that first league game next week.”
Kilby now host a Kilmarnock XI tonight (kick-off 7.45pm) followed by the visit of Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in their final pre-season match on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.