Kilmarnock FC

Kilmarnock 4 Dundee 2 - Scottish Premier League

Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is roughly between Glasgow and Ayr. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'. The name comes from the Gaelic cill (kirk) and the name of Saint Marnoch or Mernoc who is also remembered in the name of Portmarnock in Ireland, and Inchmarnock. It is believed by some that the saint founded a church there in 322. The first collection of work by Scottish poet Robert Burns, Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect was published here in 1786. It was published at the current site of the Burn's Mall, dedicated to his work. This edition is known as the Kilmarnock Edition.

 

A cheap flight from Stansted to Prestwick opened the door to 'ticking off' another Scottish ground. However, Kilmarnock was not our chosen destination. A sudden drop in temperature, followed by frost, had deemed the Somerset Park pitch unplayable. Accordingly, Ayr United would have to be 'put on hold' as we sought a new venue. Realistically there was only the one option considering that we were booked on an early evening return flight. Kilmarnock had always been my contingency plan and the knowledge that Rugby Park was blessed with under soil heating provided some assurance.

 

True enough, Kilmarnock’s home fixture with Dundee was never in doubt. We were able to get to Kilmarnock by train and did so at a discount, courtesy of Ryanair’s arrangement with Scotrail/SPTE.

 

We spent a few hours sampling the hospitality in some of the local pubs before making our way over to Rugby Park, where we treated to a six goal thriller. After the match we had to catch a taxi back to Prestwick as the trains between Kilmarnock and Ayr are few and far between. However, this was not expensive between the four of us and the journey took little more than 20 minutes. Special mention must go to the 'Killie Steak Pies' on sale in the ground. These are just superb and are probably the best pies I have tasted at a football ground (Andy Scott agrees - Ed) - 'Say Aye to a Killie Pie' 

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Lilley, McLaughlin, Dindeleux, Hay, Skora, Locke, Fowler, Murray, Boyd, Invincibile. Subs: Dubourdeau, McSwegan, Dargo, McDonald, Nish. Dundee: Speroni, Smith, Mair, Hutchinson, Mackay, McDonald, Fotheringham, Brady, Novo, Lovell, Milne. Subs: McCafferty, Hernandez Santos, Jablonski, Robb, Kneissl. Referee: H Dallas

 

Attendance: 5454