YM rue penalty miss on return to the field
Season kicks-off with a defeat
East Kilbride YM’s return to competitive action after seven months on the sidelines did not go to plan on Saturday, as they paid a heav y price for errors in a 2-1 defeat to Thorn Athletic.
The vi si t ors t ook a f i r st half lead through Alan Wilson before Connor McCann pulled YM level as half-time approached.
R o s s Mc D o n a g h mi s s e d a penalty early in the second half for YM and that allowed Dylan Blair to net the winner.
YM gaffer Graeme Robertson was l eft ruing a defensive e r ro r and t he s pot- ki c k miss, admitting that turned the game i n t hei r opponents’ f av our at Kirktonholme.
He said: “We were really in the a s c e ndanc y when we g ot t he penalty.
“They were waning and their heads were down, but when we missed it they took a lift from that and went up the park and scored from a mistake from us, so the penalty was the turning point.
“We were cl earl y t he bett er team and we have a lot of positives to take against a strong Thorn side, who have been in the top division for a few seasons now.
“We p l a y e d a l o t o f g o o d football, we created a lot of good chances and we were on top for t he majority of t he game. The style of the football was what we wanted to play, which was good, passing football with a bit of pace.
“Ever ything was good apart from the result.”
The visitors to Kirktonholme started the brighter and it was no surprise when, after good inter play, Thorn broke the deadlock through Wilson with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
The loss of the goal spurred YM i nto l i f e and when Steven Tyczynski’s cross was headed down by David Cameron, McCann fired home.
Early in the second half a goalmouth scramble led to YM being awarded a penalty for hand ball, but McDonagh’s spot kick was saved.
Fu r t h e r h e a r t b r e a k wa s t o follow as YM tried to play out from the back and a misplaced pass presented Blair with the winner for Thorn.
Robertson, whose players remain unable to use changing facilities due to Covid-19 restrictions, said: “The weather wasn’t great, but the park held up well, at least.
“It’s not ideal, guys coming off the park absolutely soaking, going into their cars. But I think if we had the choice of that or no football, I think we’d stick with the current situation.”
This Saturday YM travel to play Giffnock North and he added: “Giffnock away is always a hard game, but we go again and hope t he boys are okay f or i t after a couple of wee niggles.”
• Meanwhile, YM’S GGPL side were l e a d i n g GS C J o r d a n h i l l 1-0, with Ross Anderson scoring the goal, when the match was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions. This Saturday they are home to Eastwood Park.