East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy says his side will take some stopping in their quest for this season’s Lowland League title, after their 4-2 win at Bo’ness United on Saturday.
It’s not so much the emphatic nature of the win at Newton Park, but the fact that at the halfway stage, Kilby are five points clear of nearest challengers Caledonian Braves, and with two games in hand.
Kennedy reckons his side would need to hit a major dip, and a rival would need to win all their remaining games to pip them.
The former Darvel gaffer doesn’t see that coming, and reckons they played some scintillating stuff at Bo’ness on Saturday, with a Jack Leitch double and strikes from John Robertson and Scott Ferguson earning them another vital three points.
Bo’ness took the lead through Kieran Mitchell in 42 minutes, but Leitch and Robertson helped themselves to goals to take them into a 2-1 interval lead.
Leitch and Ferguson had the points safely wrapped up inside 71 minutes, though Mitchell added his and Bo’ness’ second five minutes later.
Kennedy, who was booked in 29 minutes in his 90th game in charge, said: “At times we were exceptional, and I’m delighted with how we played. We got some good goals in there as well.
“We went 1-0 down after really controlling and dominating the first half, but then we scored two quick-fire goals. We went 1-0 down in 42 minutes and went in at half-time 2-1 up.
“In the second half we had a lot of control, but we made bad mistakes for the two goals, so that’s something we need to cut out, but I’m delighted with the performance.
“We’re at the halfway point of the season, and I always said we would review where we’re at.
“We’re in a strong position now and, looking at it, we’d probably need to lose four out of however many games we’ve got left, and somebody would really need to win all of their games, so we’re in a strong place just now, and will keep plugging away.”
Kilby travel to Hearts ‘B’ on Friday night and Kennedy said: “They’re pretty good at home, but I’m hoping we go there with the right focus and attitude.”
Meanwhile, Kennedy says “five or six” stars are ready to commit to contract extensions, having secured striker John Robertson and defender Jamie Hamilton.
Robertson last week signed a deal until 2026, while defender Hamilton made his loan from Ayr United permanent, signing until June 2025.
Delighted Kennedy rates both players highly and said: “John was a deal I wanted to get done, simply because he’s had such a good start to the season, and there was a lot of interest in him.
“Jamie was one that we weren’t quite sure it was going to happen, because there was a lot of interest in him, but we managed to convince him to stay on, just because of the continuity of games he’s had.
“He is a star of the future, there’s no doubt he’s a top, top talent.
“Jamie needs a good season, and he’ll be targeted in the summer, I have no doubt about that, but it will be good just to have him here until then.
“I’m delighted to keep both of them.
“I think over the next couple of weeks we’ll see five or six signing contract extensions, there are people we want to get tied down, and then we’ll review our position depending on where we are, whether it’s League Two or Lowland League again.
“We’re negotiating from a very strong point, because we’ve had such a good start to the season.”
Saturday’s 4-2 win at Bo’ness United marked a milestone for Mick, as it was his 90th game in charge of Kilby.
Unfortunately, frustration at what he called time-wasting resulted in him receiving a booking, which will see him serve a touchline ban for the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final against Queen’s Park at Hampden on Tuesday.
Kennedy said: “I’m delighted with the 90th game. When I came to the club I wanted it to be long-term, a similar foundation that I put into Darvel, and we’re in a good place, so I’m happy.
“I got booked. The club messaged me in the morning and gave me the heads-up that if I got booked, I miss the Queen’s Park game, so it’s my own fault.
“They were wasting time about 30 minutes in, the boy kicked the ball past me, I threw it back and it hit him on the head, so it was deserved!”
Kennedy wants to bring in a striker and said: “We’re looking for somebody to support Cami Elliott, so it’s not a must.”