Stark set for Colts
Bryan Prunty fired East Kilbride into the semi-finals of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup last Tuesday night after a narrow win over Civil Service Strollers.
The former Arbroath striker netted after just nine minutes to notch the only goal of the game and set up a last-four tie between either Gretna or Spartans.
The contest had been postponed twice before due to snow and the match was in danger of falling victim to the weather for a third time after a heavy flurry on Monday, but volunteers from EK Community Trust did a superb job to ensure it was game on.
With nine minutes on the clock, the hosts took the lead. Kieran Gibbons’ perfectly judged diagonal picked out Scott Stevenson in space on the right and his cross was turned home at the back post by Prunty for his second goal in Kilby colours.
Darren Ramsay’s 20-yard strike warmed the hands of Strollers keeper Stuart Burnside on a bitterly cold evening, while down the other end Steven Froude headed over at the back post.
Liam Craig came close to doubling Kilby’s advantage midway through the half when his looping volley from the edge of the box crashed off the crossbar.
Two minutes before the break Tony Wallace’s effort was saved and from the follow up, Strollers got bodies in front of Ramsay to deny him a certain goal.
Strollers upped their game in the second half and in 65 minutes Mark McConnell should have equalised. He did well to chest the ball down in the box and fire a volley at goal, but he put it straight at McGinley from 15 yards and the hosts held out for the win. Billy Stark is prepared for his side to face a physical battle when they travel to Cumbernauld Colts this weekend.
The EK gaffer will take his side to North Lanarkshire looking to maintain their winning run in the league, but when the sides last met Colts earned a 1-0 win in the South Challenge Cup.
Stark criticised Colts for their rough treatment of Adam Strachan and he expects them to adopt a similar approach at Broadwood on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
He said: “They always find an extra edge against us. That was apparent in the cup game earlier in the season.
“Colts were very physical, particularly on Adam, but I hope the referee is strong. Whatever they throw at us, we need to big enough to overcome it.”