U11s

A change in the weather was met with the chance to play on grass at Airthly on Saturday.

On Pitch 1 Killie started brightly and forced an early corner which resulted in an own goal after a quality cross from Jamie Cook. A screamer of an effort from David Burrows from outside the area was evidence of Killie's early dominance. Falkirk came into the game and Killie sat back and allowed shots at goal which Curtis Lyle was able to deal with by closing the angles from the Falkirk attackers. The game continued in the similar fashion with David Anderson and Lewis Strapp proving a solid wall to block shots and attempts at goal. Ross McKay and Robbie Graham were causing Falkirk's defenders constant problems with their tricky powerful runs but couldn't find a way through. Owen McGhee produced a great direct run at the Falkirk back line and forced the issue as Killie pushed. Late in game with Killie dominating a great pull back from Lewis Morrison resulted in a great strike from the edge of the box from David Anderson which ended up in the top corner.
In the second game Killie started the way they finished the last game and dominated the full game but Falkirk defended brilliantly and stopped any shots at the goals.

On pitch2 in game1 the game was free flowing and a closely contested encounter with Killie just edging it. The young Killie work rate was high throughout this game with the highlights being - Sam Arthur in goal showing a great display of handling and distribution. In midfield Dempsey and Shirkie linking up well with Findlay who earned his reward with an opportunist's goal towards the end of the game. Pleasing also to see Caldwell getting back to full fitness.

In game 2 Killie started brightly again and while the Killie side looked the slightly better of the two they just never got up to the standards they set themselves in their first game. When Killie were on top a lack of concentration in defence allowed Falkirk an opportunity to score and from there on the game remained in the balance with only Dempsey and Brown maintaining their standards throughout both games. However lesson learned for all players - Make good use of your time on the pitch especially when going back on !!

Goal of the day was Shirkie's header when after a quick throw out by Arthur was followed by a great passing move right through the whole team to allow him to head in at the back post. Fantastic to watch!!

U12s

On a lovely sunny day in Stirling the u12s took part in a very enjoyable match against Falkirk with a lot of very good football being played by both teams with everyone wanting to keep the ball down and pass the ball around.
First period Killie started the stronger and had the majority of possession and chances before Ross Thomson opening the scoring.
Second period and the boys came out very sharp and got an early goal from Robbie Hogg only for Falkirk to pull back a quick goal. Killie kept playing well and got their reward when Robbie Hogg got on the score sheet again to make it 3-1. But yet again Falkirk got a goal back almost straight away to keep the score line close.
Final period and Falkirk came out strong and bossed the game for a period but the Killie boys kept the work rate up and were rewarded with a goal from a fine strike from Mark Dempster but credit to Falkirk who yet again pulled a goal back to keep the pressure on Killie.
Over the 90 mins the Killie boys looked the slightly better sided which included some good individual performances especially Paul Miller who put in a great performance in defence.

U14s

Killie 14s travelled to Stirling Uni on Sunday to take on Falkirk with a squad of only 13 boys due to late call-offs and injuries. Killie started the 1st period slow and were caught cold by Falkirk who raced into an early 2 goal lead. The period ended with both teams having equal possession with not many chances being created at either end. Killie started the 2nd period much better and began to take control of the game with Chisholm, McEvoy, Deane, McCreadie and Beck pushing forward and taking the game to Falkirk. Beck had the best chances of the period from 2 free-kicks with one hitting the crossbar and the other slipping past the post. Good play down both flanks from McEvoy and Beck also created chances with good crosses being delivered into the box but no Killie player being able to get on the end of the final ball. The 3rd period was much the same with Killie creating chances and Chisholm and Mackay going close with headers and a Beck free-kick being deflected just past the post.

Apart from a shaky opening 10 minutes the Killie coaches are generally pleased with the overall performance of the team - Both goalies Patterson and Wilson were never really under any pressure throughout and the back 4 was marshalled well by McPherson. The team also coped well with the number of changes that had to be made due to injuries and a mention also to Killie 13s player Declan Lavan who was asked to step up at the last minute and play. Declan performed well and was not out of place playing against the older boys.

15s

A recent trip to play Falkirk at Stirling Uni should have prepared the Killie 15s for this return fixture at Almswall on Sunday but straight from kick off Falkirk ran up the centre of the pitch and scored. For the remainder of the 1^st session Killie did all but score. Muirhead brought a great save out of the Falkirk keeper. This was closely followed when Trialist shot over from close range. Thomson had a mistimed headed. There were no takers for Muirhead's deliveries into the Falkirk box. Maguire's chip pass allowed Trialist to shoot and then see his effort kicked off the line. Throughout this time the play from both teams was bright and at high tempo and on the few occasions Falkirk got into the Killie box keeper Caddis looked comfortable.

The second session started as the first one ended and Killie's McNeil had a good effort blocked. Then from a point of attack Killie fell out of the game as defensively a stream of uncharacteristic errors resulted in a loss of 4 quick goals. Then towards the end of the session Killie regained some composure and good work by Hainey, Maguire, McNeil and Crossan pushed the Falkirk back 4 to the limit.

The final session was perhaps the scrappiest of the three with Falkirk scoring their final goal and still no reply from Killie.

The number of goals lost/given away would be a huge disappointment for the Killie 15s but hopefully players will take something from the game that will put them in good stead for future games.

This week's Youth Fixtures will be against St Mirren

Times and venues as yet to be confirmed.

Saturday

11s - 11.00am @ Almswall Kilwinning KA13 6DN

12s - 1.00pm @ Almswall Kilwinning KA13 6DN

Saturday

13s - 2.00pm @ Almswall Kilwinning KA13 6DN

14s - 2.00pm @ Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn, KA11 4HL

15s - 1.00pm @ Ralston (off Bathgo Ave, Paisley) PA1 3EB

17s - 3.00pm @ Ralston (off Bathgo Ave, Paisley) PA1 3EB