0 mins ago Aberdeen 1 Kilmarnock 0
Kilmarnock suffered another defeat on the road at the hands of Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon.
A solitary goal by Aremu after only 50 seconds was enough to seal the deal for the Dons, who somehow managed to see the game out without the visitors finding the net to claim all three points in the first of the bottom six fixtures.
Neil McCann named two changes to his starting line-up from last time out against Dundee. Max Stryjek returned to the team for his first appearance since undergoing heart surgery in November. His last outing came in a 2-0 home victory over St Mirren on October 4th. Moldovan international Nicky Cleșcenco was also drafted in for his first start since joining the club in January having made his debut off the bench at Falkirk in February. Kelle Roos and Bruce Anderson were named as substitutes.
For the third away game in a row, Killie made the worst possible start by conceding a goal within less than a minute after kick-off. The ball broke to Aremu in space towards the edge of the box after a lay-off by Armstrong. The midfielder found the bottom corner with his composed effort. Dominic Thompson was subbed on briefly after with Jamie Brandon sustaining a knock to his knee.
On 22 minutes the visitors – who had settled down by this point – smacked the crossbar when Aaron Tshibola powerfully met Thompson’s free kick. Robbie Deas then followed up with a header just over as Killie showed signs of improvement.
George Stanger had to be alert to the pace of Olusanya when the striker was played clean through by Nisbet. He showed brilliant pace to recover and put in a last-ditch tackle to prevent him getting a shot away.
Killie fashioned another decent opportunity with a corner routine from the training ground when Greg Kiltie played a ball to the edge of the box for Tom Lowery, but the shot sailed high.
After the interval Cleșcenco ran at Milne on the left wing before cutting inside to fire an effort directly at Mitov. It was well-held by the goalkeeper, but was more positive play by the boys in blue and white.
Tish again clipped the bar with a header on the hour-mark after a wonderful passing move from back to front, with some deft interchanging between Cleșcenco, Lowery and Thompson. Another free flowing move after brilliant midfield play by Lowery saw Kiltie get a shot on target shortly after.
Frustratingly, Killie rattled the bar on a third occasion when Kiltie’s cross was very nearly diverted into the net by Milne. Stryjek pulled off a sensational save at full stretch to deny the same Dons player.
In the end, Killie ran out of steam as players began to tire and the momentum of the game disappeared as various alterations were made by either team. Killie remain 11th but only two points adrift of St Mirren after they lost to Livingston on home turf.
Team: Stryjek, Brandon (Thompson, 4’), Deas, Kiltie (Magennis, 76’), Stanger, Lowery (Watson, 83’), Cleșcenco (Anderson 76’), Schjønning-Larsen (McKenzie, 67’), Tshibola, Hugill, Curtis (Lyons, 83’).
Unused subs: Roos, Williams, Mayo.
