August 2 2024 Match report: Cercle Brugge (A)
Kilmarnock bowed out of the Europa League following a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Cercle Brugge.
The Belgian side won 1-0 on the night in their home second leg, it wasn’t to be for the Ayrshire side who now get set to square-off against Tromso in the Conference League next week.
It was an even start with chances at a premium until a mix-up from the Killie defence allowed Thibo Somers to fire home from close range in the 21st minute.
The Cercle captain then had another good chance in after 26 minutes as he rifled a shot from distance, thankfully for Killie it fizzed past the post.
Kyle Vassell showed great skill inside the box just after the half-hour mark as he flicked it over a defender before laying off to Rory McKenzie who couldn’t keep his shot down.
Kazeem Olaigbe smashed an effort from outside the box, the Cercle fans were on their feet assuming it had hit the back of the net but they were dismayed to see it go an inch wide.
After 40 minutes Robbie Deas lunged at the ball in the six yard box to stop a goal-bound shot expertly, much to the delight of the Killie fans behind that goal.
Cercle were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute following a VAR check for handball, Kevin Denkey stepped up hoping to fire his side 2-0 up – but that wasn’t to be as Robby McCrorie guessed correctly and pulled off a fine save from the spot-kick.
McCrorie pulled off an impressive save in the 77th minute as he stopped Olaigbe’s powerful effort from the side of the box.
Marley Watkins almost sent the away end crazy when the ball fell to him six yards out, but he couldn’t get his footing right to get a shot away before it was cleared.
Abu Francis smashed a shot from the edge of the box in the 85th minute, but it went narrowly over.
Score: Cercle Brugge 1-0 Kilmarnock
Team: McCrorie, Wright (Kennedy 46), Mayo, Findlay, Deas (Anderson 90), Armstrong (Murray 74), Donnelly, Lyons, McKenzie (Polworth 74), Watkins, Vassell
