Kilmarnock II played host to Dundee in a top of the table clash in National League Division 2 on Saturday at Belmont Academy.  Kilmarnock II were unbeaten so far this season in the league and Dundee had only lost one game to Bellshill Cardinals on the opening day of the season.

Dundee travelled to Ayrshire with a mix of youth and experience, current Scottish internationalist Niall Collin and ex-national team assistant coach John Scrimgeour provided the experience.  Kilmarnock on the other hand were stretched to breaking point.  Brian Green and Gary McGuire were missing due to long-term injuries and Alastair Green was sidelined due to illness.  Head Coach Stuart Edgar had also called Grant Young into the first team squad to deputise for the injured Colin Giles.

Second team coach Gordon Welsh juggled his squad and started with John Hollis and Martin McMullen passing and Brian Gaw filling the off-setter slot.  There was at least some stability with veteran setter Allan Thomas and middle blockers Steven Jackson and Mark Lawson.

Killie started the first set very poorly and found themselves 11-3 down.  Dundee were serving tough and causing problems for the inexperienced Killie passing unit.  Killie eventually found their feet and started to compete towards the end of the set.  Brian Gaw served extremely well and brought his team back into the set.  Killie were unlucky to be edged out 25-23.

The second set started in similar fashion with Niall Collin hitting strongly and Dundee serving well.  Killie were on the back foot and it looked as if they would go two sets down but the team dug deep and started to pass better.  Brian Gaw served another run of points and John Hollis started to hit well through four.  Killie levelled the game 1-1, taking the set 25-22.

John passed & hit well playing in an unusual position.

Dundee coach Scrimgeour shuffled his pack and Dundee started the third set strongly.  Killie rallied but were unable to get back into the set going down 25-19.

The chips were down for Kilmarnock, they had to win the fourth set to have any chance of winning the match and staying top of the league.  Killie flew out the blocks at the start of the set with McMullen passing well and Jackson and Lawson hitting well through the middle.  Hollis made several power digs off of Niall Collin and Gaw was starting to score in the off setter slot.  Killie ran away with the set 25-17 and levelled the match at two sets all.

Brian served & hit well throughout.

In the decider there was only ever going to be one winner, Killie had dug deep twice to get back in the match and they ran away with the fifth set 15-4.  It had been a great team performance from the Ayrshire boys, with players playing out of position but giving their all to get the job done.  Veteran setter Allan Thomas led by example and Hollis, Gaw, McMullen, Jackson and Lawson played outstandingly to achieve a well deserved win.

Victory over Dundee stretched Kilmarnock II’s undefeated league run to 17 matches and they last lost a league game over a year ago on the 15th November 2008 to South Ayrshire.  As fate would have it, Killie will get a chance to avenge that defeat as they have been drawn against the third division league leaders in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.  2009 has been a good year for the Ayrshire clubs second string and they will be looking to finish the year by booking a place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup.

Gordon Welsh

2nd Team Coach

Kilmarnock 3 v 0 Troon

There was a local derby for Kilmarnock in the league as they faced fellow Ayrshire team, Troon.  This, on paper, should have been a straight forward game for Kilmarnock, but they could not allow themselves to get complacent as the first division new boys, Troon, have pushed Jets and Fife close in recent weeks.

The match started with the two teams trading points, neither managing to hold a steady run of serves.  However it was the stronger Kilmarnock who were able to build a run of points, thanks to Euan Duncan’s hitting from the outside.  Although the score stayed close, Killie closed out the set 25-21.

Euan Duncan is in a rich vein of form.

Kilmarnock came out with new vigour in the second set. After a strong start, a run of eight serves from Troon old boy, Stewart Caldwell, gave them a convincing lead, which they soon turned into a second set victory, 25-14.

The third set started scrappy for both teams, however it was again Kilmarnock who proved the stronger team as they came out on top, thanks to some exuberant play from Stuart Edgar, winning the set 25-16 and the match 3-0.

Stewart Caldwell

KVC Press Officer