Kilby class starting to show

EAST KILBRIDE manager Stuart Martin is the first to admit the champions have had a stuttering start to the new Lowland season.

But a 3-2 win over Berwick, who were relegated from the SPFL last term, may be the confidence boost they need.

And Martin said: “Everybody at our club, myself included, admit the start to the season has been indifferent and we haven’t reached the heights of last season.

“We’ve not really got started, although we have in spells, but the boys look as if they’re getting up to the standards and intensity that we’re looking for.

“I still think the Betfred Cup has been a real struggle to get over but it looks as though we’re getting there now and there’s a long way to go in the league.

“We’ve got to find a bit of consistency now in terms of level of performance.”

East Kilbride are due to play Spartans this weekend but Martin revealed the match is in doubt after the Ainslie Park side drew in the Scottish Cup and the replay is likely to be at Deveronvale on Saturday.

The victory moved Kilby up to fourth place in the league but Berwick remain stuck in 13th place with only four points from six games.

But they gave the champions a fright when Daryl Healy took advantage of a defensive slip and shot the ball into the net inside the first minute.

However, just ahead of the interval Sean Winter headed home the equaliser as Kilby’s David Brownlie sent over a neat cross.

A minute after the restart Paul Woods was left clear and his shot crashed into the net from a deflection that deceived the Berwick keeper.

Then in the 50th minute Winter turned provider when his cross was smashed home by Ruari Paton.

But Berwick set up a nervy last half hour when Healy headed in his second goal from a corner. Kilby though held out for three vital points.