Athletic blow EK away

The Black and Golds followed up their midweek challenge cup success against Rangers B with a Galabank masterclass against one of the division’s title favourites.

And it only took three minutes for the hosts to open the scoring. Wullie Gibson intercepted a loose pass by EK keeper Freddie Owens and curled the ball into the path of Zander Craik who finished clinically from just inside the box.

Moments later the home side re-gained possession, again following an Owens clearance. This time Aidan Smith fired just wide of the upright.

On 12 minutes Annan were in dreamland as they doubled their advantage.

Gibson put a free kick in behind the Kilby defence and Paul Smith hit a ferocious half volley high into the net.

The visitors continued to struggle with the Annan press, and Owens had to be quick off his line to keep out Aidan Smith’s delicate chip.

As the half wore on East Kilbride grew into the game and started to conjure up some chances.

They eventually pulled one back on the half hour mark. Gio Clarke failed to gather the initial cross, Rhys Breen kept the ball alive and Jamie Hamilton struck an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net.

Early in the second half Paul Smith was inches away from restoring Annan’s two goal cushion after he raced down the left and hit a curling strike.

At the other end East Kilbride hit the crossbar following a deep free kick, Athletic displayed defensive rigidity to get the ball to safety.

In the final minutes EK had to endure further misery after defender Jordan McGregor was shown a straight red card following an off the ball incident in which he pushed Annan captain Tommy Muir.

Two minutes later Muir fired in Athletic’s third of the afternoon. He was alert to a heavy touch from Owens, robbed the ball from the shotstopper, dribbled around him and lifted the ball into the net.