Selkirk 1-4 East Kilbride

By Callum Hodgson
at Yarrow Park

SELKIRK succumbed to their third home defeat in the Lowland League on Saturday, against reigning champions East Kilbride.

The windy conditions at Yarrow Park made it difficult for both teams to get into their stride.

But Billy Stark’s side still managed to rack-up four goals courtesy of Michael Anderson, Adam Strachan, Martin McBride and David Proctor.

Ciaren Chalmers did grab a second-half consolation for the home side, but that wasn’t enough to spark a revival.

Souters boss Ian Fergus was still missing several key players for the fixture and was disappointed with the final result.

He told the Border Telegraph: “I think the difficulty today was always going to be the age of the players.

“We’ve been hit with a bit of a crisis at the wrong time. When you come up against the big guns you need to have your full monty.

“However, I will say the young players have done exceptionally well since they have come in, and they will continue to get better playing against quality teams like East Kilbride.

“Overall we would rather get beat 4-1, than sit back and lose 2-0 and not have a go.”

East Kilbride’s first chance of the game resulted in a goal, when Ross McNeil picked out Anderson in the box who slotted home.

But 20 minutes later Selkirk almost levelled.

Calum Helm burst down the right and played in Phil Addison, but his shot smacked the upright.

And they were also denied a penalty by referee Peter Stuart when Proctor brought down Helm inside the area.

There was a serious ankle injury just moments before the interval… that was to assistant referee Vikki Allan who tripped up on the artificial surface which surrounds the Yarrow Park pitch.

She had to be stretchered away to hospital by an ambulance, leaving the far side without a qualified official for the remainder of the match.

The conditions didn’t improve in the second half, but that didn’t stop East Kilbride grabbing their second within 10 minutes of the restart.

After good attacking play from Sean Winter, the ball fell to Anderson.

He then slipped a perfect pass to Strachan who made no mistake.

Both sides tried to make the best of the windy weather, and it almost helped the visitors claim their third.

Strachan fired in a ball from the left, which looked like a cross, but the strong gusts directed it just inches over the crossbar.

However, they did get their third 10 minutes later when McBride fired past Gregor Amos, after being laid-off by Winter.

Fergus’ side did pull a goal back on the break, when Chalmers burst into the box and finished from close range, but that was all they could manage.

Kilby then got their fourth three minutes before the end.

After a malaise in the box, Proctor managed to flick the ball into the net.

Selkirk appealed for offside, but (qualified) assistant Jamie Reekie kept his flag down.

McNeil also had a great chance to make it five a minute later, but Amos made a terrific save.

After the game, delighted East Kilbride manager Billy Stark told us: “The important thing today was that boys adapted to the conditions against a side that have got a fair bit about them and were a threat throughout.”

Selkirk: G Amos, R Sclater, R Donaldson, A Fleming, D Healy, C Chalmers, J Hopkinson (J Keenan 59), P Addison, D Banjo, C Helm (R King 59), S McKirdy (D Brown 72). Subs not used: G Brown and G Goodfellow.