Early Christmas gift for Athletic at EK

CHRISTMAS came early for Annan Athletic last Saturday at the K Park Training Academy as they beat high flying East Kilbride 3-1.

Kilby made a sharp start, they robbed Annan of possession in the first minute and released John Robertson on the left. Fortunately for the visitors, his strike hit the side netting.

At the other end Charlie Maxwell made a surging run up the right before finding Myles Gaffney on the edge of the box, but his effort was straight at Freddie Owens.

The first goal of the game arrived on ten minutes, and it came in favour of the home side.

Robertson played in Connor Young, he took a great couple of touches to make space inside the box and fired the ball ferociously into the roof of the net.

However, it took just six minutes for Annan to reply. Wullie Gibson picked up the ball 40 yards from goal, cut inside his man, kept on dribbling and rolled the ball through the defender’s legs and into the bottom corner.

The home side had more chances after this to regain their lead. But Young’s effort was too high and Jack Leitch’s header was straight at Gio Clarke.

A minute before the break Annan took the lead. Aidan Smith sprinted forward with the ball before finding Josh Dixon on the edge of the area. The midfielder picked his spot before striking low and hard across the keeper.

Early in the second period Owens had to be alert to tip Gibson’s 35 yard free kick over the bar.

And Jamie Hamilton needed to get his tackle just right to stop Maxwell from getting his shot away.

Athletic soon had a golden opportunity to wrap up the points. Dixon cut the ball back for Gaffney who shot wide from six yards out.

At the other end Connor Young must have thought he was going to level the game after being played in behind. However, the EK goalscorer was unable to add to his tally as he fired off target.

Clarke then made a good save to keep out Young’s curling free kick.

The hosts were dealt a blow with 12 minutes remaining when they were reduced to ten.

Lewis Spence was shown a first yellow for his challenge on Scott Hooper and a second card followed seconds later for something he said to the referee.

Despite having the extra man, it was still to be a nervy ending for the visitors. However, they made sure of things in injury time.

Maxwell lobbed the ball forward for substitute Zander Craik. The striker raced through on goal and excellently fired the ball under Owens and into the net.