Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 0

2002
Scottish Premier League
Attendance:

Scorers:
Kilmarnock: Ngonge.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotland on Sunday on Sunday 14th April 2002

Williamson leaves with nothing but memories

THERE was to be no happy homecoming for Bobby Williamson at Rugby Park. The sixth game of his managerial role at Hibs took him back to the ground where he had spent a dozen years, first as a player and latterly as boss, chasing his fourth victory.

The Easter Road side were sunk by an 18th minute goal from Congolese striker Michel Ngonge and, despite a better showing in the second 45, only those of a green and white persuasion would argue that the visitors deserved anything more.

Williamson received a more than decent welcome from the home section of the support, but a small number chose to mark his return with booing. In these enlightened days it seems that most Killie fans realise that there was little else for him to achieve in Ayrshire and that the move to the capital was an offer that could not be resisted.

The warm glow generated by the show of affection was soon soured for Williamson as his side spent the first half under the Kilmarnock cosh. With keeper Tony Caig and his back line seemingly speaking different languages, Andy McLaren, Craig Dargo and Greg Shields all passed up decent chances, while Ngonge was in the right place to convert the game’s only goal from a perfect cross from McLaren on the right.

A brighter second half for the visitors brought nothing they could get past Gordon Marshall in the home goal and Williamson was left to wonder if he should have delivered his apparent interval rocket before the game had even begun.

"I was disappointed in the manner in which we lost," he admitted later, "but we never gave up trying to get back into it. Our supporters are paying good money to travel through and we’ve got to try to get results for them.

"There were no nerves on my part at the comeback. If you let nerves get into you before a match you’re in trouble. Still, the Kilmarnock supporters were fine; they always have been here. They’ve picked up a reputation as being fickle but it’s not something I’ve seen."

Williamson’s opposite number was more satisfied with the afternoon’s work, and a relaxed Jim Jefferies was quick to deflect any glory on to his players.

"In the first half we passed the ball around well and you can’t fault the players’ workrate. We were determined to get a result and I think it showed in our application," he said.

"We always knew that if we could get the ball into the box that Ngonge would be a handful. There were some great balls into him in the first half and he caused their defence a few problems. He was on the spot for the goal and could have scored again just after it, and with Dargo hitting the bar we certainly made chances."

With Scotland boss Berti Vogts making Rugby Park his latest port of call, it was also a fitting time for McLaren to produce one of his finest performances of the season.

"Andy was exceptional," Jefferies beamed, "and covered every blade of grass. He worked really hard and was always a problem for them."

If McLaren’s showing was enough to excite Herr Vogts, Hibs’ young striker Garry O’Connor had one of those games he’d rather forget. With his place in the Scotland squad assured, the current SPL Player of the Month was chasing a record-breaking sixth consecutive scoring appearance, one in every game under Williamson in fact, but just could not find a way past Marshall. His afternoon was typified by the 15th minute hesitation in front of goal that let Peter Canero steal the chance from his toe.

"It wasn’t a great afternoon," the striker later admitted. "I was very disappointed with my performance. Still, I am going away with the Scotland squad and I am determined to enjoy the experience."

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