Current Number One Alan Combe has proved to be one of Scotland's finest in every match this season, and produced one truly world class save to deny Motherwell on Wednesday. Early in the frist half, Well were awarded a free kick wide in the right. The ball was swung to the far post where Richie Foran was free to head back into the six yard box. It was perfect for towering centre back Brian McLean to head home from point blank range, before Combe intervened. With his body weight moving left, McLean headed firmly down to his right, but Combe the Cat somehow managed to throw himself to his right and get a hand to the ball. Even having achieved the feat of reaching the ball, it was only at knee height, and no-one would have criticised him if he had been unable to prevent it from hitting the net. However, reminiscent of Gordon Banks' famous save against Pele in 1970, Combe was able to punch the ball over the crossbar.
It was a split second of action that will live long in the memory.
It was also Combe last save of the match as he stretched an abductor muscle making a clearance kick and was replaced by Graeme Smith, meaning that both keepers on the pitch had the same name. Killie's Graeme Smith was better than Well's on the night as the visiting keeper will be disappointed with both goals he lost, where Killie's looked confident and assured with every involvement, culminating in a great save of his own five minutes from time when he reacted brilliantly to push another goalbound effort from McLean to safety.
23 year old Smith is, with Hearts Craig Gordon, undoubtedly one of the best young goalies in the country. Indeed, a quick scan of all the keepers in the SPL, both Kilmarnock goalies could quite easily be rated in the top five.
Combe's injury could keep him out of the long journey to Inverness on Saturday, but Jim Jefferies will have no worries about turning to Smith once again.