Kilby close out league with Cowden success
COWDENBEATH ..................................... 1 EAST KILBRIDE ....................................... 3
East Kilbride interim boss Martin Fellowes was delighted to sign off the Lowland League season with a late win over Cowdenbeath and heaped praise on youngster Danny McManus for his contribution.
Kilby trailed the Blue Brazil 1-0 going into the final 15 minutes at Central Park on Saturday, but McManus levelled things up before winning the penalty that Bob McHugh slotted away in the 78th minute and then Ross Taylor made sure of the points with a 90th minute goal.
It ensured a sixth-place finish for EK as they prepare to welcome new boss Mick Kennedy for next season.
And Fellowes (pictured, below) said: “I actually thought we were playing really well in what was difficult conditions and when Cowdenbeath scored I thought ‘oh, here we go’.
“They scored with their only real clear cut chance, but the boys were brilliant in the last 20 minutes. It was a case of keep doing what we are doing and the goals would come, and that’s exactly what happened.
“I’m really happy for Danny McManus. He’s had a really difficult season with injuries, suffering from a really bad hamstring problem but he has been working his socks off behind the scenes to get himself back in.
“He scored the equaliser with a header, which is unlike him, and then wins the penalty for us. He was just about to come off as well before the penalty because he had a wee bit of cramp. It was his last involvement in the game and then Bob dispatched it before Ross got a really good goal at the death.
“I knew it was coming. It was just about us not panicking. Once the first goal came we never looked back.
“We secured that sixth spot, which was the aim on Saturday morning, and that was really important to make sure we qualify for cup competitions next season.”
With the league all over, Kilby will focus on their Lowland League Cup defence.
They travel to Gretna on Saturday looking to reach next weekend’s quarter-finals and Fellowes is determined to hold on to the trophy.
He said: “We want to go and win this cup.
“I want to make sure the club finish the season strongly. The guys that are there still have a hunger to win games.
“There is obviously going to be changes at the club and I hope the guys will get a wee jag from that so we can go on and be successful.
“Everyone wants to win trophies and that’s the goal in this competition.”