Match Summary | Hamilton Reserves (H)

A youthful Kilmarnock reserve team impressed in a 5-1 win against Hamilton in this afternoon’s SPFL Reserve Cup match at The BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park.

In an attacking line up featuring numerous Under-18s players, Bobby Wales was selected to lead the line, while Steven Warnock supported in behind. Aaron Brown and Kian Leslie were given the chance to impress on either wing.

It was Kilmarnock midfielder Kabir Singh who had the first attempt on goal, via a free-kick from 25 yards out which was comfortably held by the keeper. The Hamilton No.1 was forced into a less comfortable save moments later when Ruari Ellis’ header flew towards the top corner, before a fingertip save turned the ball around the post.

Killie’s bright start paid off just before the half-hour mark when a free-kick from the left touchline found its way into the net after taking a deflection off the head of a Hamilton defender who was attempting to clear the cross.

The home side put themselves firmly in control five minutes later as Steven Warnock neatly squared the ball to Aaron Brown who calmly slotted into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty box.

Provider turned scorer when Warnock added to Killie’s tally on the stroke of half-time. The young forward took advantage of a rebound inside the six-yard box to add a third from close range, which concluded an impressive first half showing.

Killie piled on the pressure in the second half, firstly through Bobby Wales who fired a powerful shot over the bar from around 20 yards out; the closest attempt of the opening stages. Kian Leslie also continued to impress and came close to extending his side’s lead through a strike which fizzed narrowly away from the far post with 25 minutes to play.

Paul Sheerin’s men added a fourth with 70 minutes on the clock. Leslie and Brown were at the heart of a quick counter attacking move which resulted in Watson finding the back of the net with a right footed strike 12 yards from goal.

Hamilton pulled a goal back two minutes later, but it was Kilmarnock that would have the final say in a match that had been under their control for most of the afternoon. After a powerful strike was arrowed towards the back stick, a slight touch from Bobby Wales ensured that the ball nestled inside the back post to round off a convincing team performance.

Result: Kilmarnock 5 – 1 Hamilton

Kilmarnock starting XI: Hemming, McKnight, Mersey, Singh, Ellis, Craig, Leslie, Watson, Wales, Warnock, Brown.