Match Summary | Queen of the South Reserves

Kyle Lafferty and Jack Sanders returned to action at The BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park this afternoon as a strong Kilmarnock side earned a comprehensive 7-0 victory against Queen of the South in the SPFL Reserve Cup.

It was Lafferty who led the line as part of a three-man attack, featuring youngsters Steven Warnock and Bobby Wales who supported on either side of the Northern Ireland international.

A midfield trio of Blair Alston, Brad Lyons and Kerr McInroy were also given the opportunity to impress ahead of Saturday’s Viaplay League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.

Following a tight opening 20 minutes, Killie were first to burst into life through the ever-energetic Bobby Wales who occupied the left side of attack. An impressive run from the Scotland youth international saw him skip past three Queens defenders before firing a driven effort off the post from the edge of the box.

Killie opened the scoring shortly afterwards when Steven Warnock calmly slotted home a penalty which he earned, having been tripped by a Queens defender as he strided into the box.

The home side doubled their lead through Bobby Wales moments before half-time, following an impressive piece of link up play with Kerr McInroy on the edge of the penalty area.

HALF-TIME

Kerr McInroy put the game out of reach 10 minutes after the interval when he connected with a bouncing ball inside the box, which was perfectly lofted over the Queens ‘keeper. McInroy then doubled his tally after taking advantage of pinball inside the six-yard box; backheeling the ball into the net from close range.

The lead was extended to 5-0 when Under-18s captain David Watson, who was filling in at right back, found the bottom corner with an arrowed strike from range.

Bobby Wales was once again on target after finding himself in a one-on-one situation which he calmly finished by striking away from the Queens No.1 into the far corner of the goal.

With just under 20 minutes to play, Kerr McInroy rounded off an impressive individual and team performance by grabbing his hat-trick through a powerful effort from around 12 yards out.

Kilmarnock starting XI: Woods, Watson, Craig, McKnight, Sanders, McInroy, Lyon, Alston, Lafferty, Warnock, Wales.