Clarke focused on avoiding the drop despite win putting Killie third
kilmarnoCk 3 Burke 39, Stewart 43, Brophy, pen 59 motherwell 1 Main 16
Kilmarnock produced their best performance of the season to go third in the SPFL Premiership but boss Steve Clarke insisted his only thought just now is to avoid relegation. Having finished in the top six last season and defeated champions Celtic the previous weekend, you would expect their targets to be higher, but Clarke will only look at other targets once his first one has been achieved. If they continue to play like this then they will be safe from the drop in plenty of time. The home side fell behind to Curtis Main’s 16th-minute goal and six minutes later Jamie MacDonald saved a penalty from Main after Stephen O’Donnell fouled Aaron Taylor-Sinclair inside the area. That single moment turned the game on its head. Just six minutes before the break, Chris Burke equalised before Greg Stewart put the home side ahead in the 43rd minute. Eamonn Brophy sealed the win in the 59th minute from the spot after Stewart was brought down by Liam Donnelly. They could have won by more but Trevor Carson in the Motherwell goal pulled off some fine saves to keep the score down. Clarke said: “I was disappointed to go behind. We started the game slowly. The big moment was Jamie’s penalty save. We then took control and played very well. “We scored good goals and the performance in the second half was very pleasing. The players deserve the credit because they are a good group of lads and they never know when they are beaten. “We had good performances all over the pitch but we have found a really good connection between Greg Stewart and Eamonn Brophy. They
really have clicked. Greg has been an important player since he joined. Both are good goal threats. Chris Burke’s contribution is also massive at this moment. However, Clarke added: “It’s nice to win but we won’t get carried away. We only have 13 points and are a long way from being safe. For this club that always has to be the first target you set. If you get safe after that then set another target. But first and foremost, get enough points to stay in the league.” Clarke had every right to be smiling after the game. Kirk Broadfoot was solid at the back and from middle to front the Kilmarnock side were exceptional. The equaliser came when a Jordan Jones shot was parried out by Carson and Burke reacted quickest to slam home from four yards. Stewart then scored with a beautiful individual goal when he curled a left-foot shot from 22 yards past Carson. The penalty from Brophy sealed it and the margin could have been wider. Motherwell never got going and they now remain in 10th place with just four points. Manager Stephen Robinson may be alarmed at this stage and they don’t look anywhere near keeping a clean sheet. They are also lacking drive and energy in the middle of the park. They are too pedestrian and appear devoid of ideas. That said, had Main scored the penalty then it would have been a different story. Unfortunately for Motherwell, he didn’t. And once get Killie get a sniff of victory then they are a hard team to stop. Clarke does play things down but he deserves enormous credit. The style of football is pleasant on the eye and their one-touch stuff yesterday was a joy. Their supporters are also in fine voice and there is a great atmosphere inside Rugby Park these days. The feel-good factor doesn’t appear in any danger of disappearing soon and that can only be good for the town and for Scottish football. What would Motherwell give to have a bit of that just now.