EK edge East Stirling as debut earns praise
EAST STIRLINGSHIRE ........................... 0 EAST KILBRIDE ...................................... 2
East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy hailed Sean Fagan for his debut display which helped Kilby keep their first clean sheet in the Lowland League since January 6.
The former Albion Rovers captain signed last month but was cup tied for EK’s last two games.
He came straight into the starting line-up for their Lowland League clash away to East Stirlingshire on Saturday and impressed on his maiden outing with a shutout that laid the foundations for EK to claim a 2-0 victory at Falkirk Stadium.
Tiwi Daramola headed home just before half-time and Robert Thomson sealed the win in the second half for Kilby’s 22nd victory in 28 games, putting them within two wins of the title and the pyramid play-offs.
Kennedy said: “We want to go into the play-offs with a bit of momentum and the last couple of games we have started to get back to the levels we were at before Christmas.
“Sean Fagan came in for his first game on Saturday and he was outstanding, helping us keep a clean sheet, so we are in a good place again.
“I thought we were excellent on Saturday. We controlled the game and I can’t remember Matty Connolly having a save to make. We had loads of possessions and loads of opportunities.
“The boy in goal for East Stirling was outstanding. I don’t know how many saves he made, but he was exceptional and kept us to two goals.
“From our point of view, it’s another three points and got us a step closer.”
East Kilbride now host second place Bo’ness United on Saturday and a win there will put them on the cusp of the title.
Kennedy added: “Saturday doesn’t quite make it for us if we win, as goal difference would make it mathematically possible for us to be caught, but we will win it when we win it.
“At the weekend, Tranent dropped points to Celtic B and Cumbernauld did as well to Linlithgow Rose.
“I said to the boys before Saturday that it was a big day for us because I felt something was going to give elsewhere and that’s what happened.
“Two of our closest rivals have dropped points so we are in a very strong position. We just need to go and win two more games and we’ll definitely have it won.”