On a bright sunny day the followers of Ayrshire's Finest came back to Rugby Park, to see the first home game of the season. When hopefully the new signings as well any of the regulars in the starting XI, put in a decent performance against the Lanarkshire Steelmen but also a very special event.
This was the day that our West Stand was set to be renamed the Frank Beattie Stand after Frank Beattie, one of the boys from the team that won Kilmarnock, the Scottish League title back in 1965. At precisely 2.50pm, the cheerleaders made a guard of honour for the boys of '65 could come onto the pitch with an amazing round of applause from the home support.
At that same time, the girls with the blue and white checkered flags at the entrance of the tunnel, for the boys of each team to come out onto the pitch. They then joined Frank's family, the boys of '65, Chairman Michael Johnson and the others in the centre circle. When things were getting settled, chairman Michael Johnson gave a speech which was then followed by a response from Beattie's Family.
Shortly after the plaque was revealed (see Official Site for photos) to a loud round of applause. Kick-off was fast approaching so everyone left the field and the boys took up their positions on the pitch.
The whistle then blew for kick-off and in the first half, the boys did really well, and we had the most possession as well has having the most shots on goal. The first half was ruined however not only by Motherwell's persisting time wasting and fouling, but also with the ref refused to card the Steelmen's players that were doing just that.
Things for Ayrshire's Finest weren't going too well either, especially with Danny Invincible sole striker up front. He seemed to be OK for the first 15 miuntes then dropped back afterwards. Mohammed Sissoko proved to be a great signing today as he performed really well, and it's a shame that we can't have him on a permanent deal, as he would of made a great signing.
Towards the end of the first half things took a turn for the worse, the slightest of slip ups by Killie let the Steelmen score and from then on - it seemed like there was no way back. The ref was still awful so when the whistle blew for half time, a loud lot of booos rang out from the home stands - mainly aimed at the ref and Danny Invincible.
During the interval, the new Crossbar Challenge took place and the cheerleaders played to the East Stand.
Second half kicked-off and with Kilmarnock 1-0 down, you would have thought that the boys in blue and white would be re-fired up ready to get back at Motherwell. Well you would have to be forgiven as the boys did OK but again defence was gaping a bit, thankfully no more goals were conceded. More chances to get the equaliser came and went for Killie but alas they were missed.
The ref again made stupid mistakes and again Motherwell kept on with the pulling of shirts and other fouling. The whistle blew for full time and yet again more boos rang out. Man of the match was none other than the Italian Stallion - Manuel Pascali. Official Attendance: 5,399.