East Kilbride Thistle's fixture switch pays off as Connolly's strong start continues

East Kilbride Thistle caretaker boss Aaron Connolly was delighted to see their fixture switch pay-off with their first away win and away clean sheet on Saturday.

The Jags were due to host Vale of Leven but with the heavy rain in the week meaning the Showpark would have been unplayable, a move was made to reverse the West of Scotland League Third Division fixture.

Vale agreed to host the clash and it paid off for Thistle as goals from Andrew Skinner and Ryan Anderson delivered a 2-0 victory.

It was Thistle’s third win in four games under Connolly and it marked a couple of milestones in the season.

Connolly said: “It was a massive result. To put it into context, we haven’t won away from home or had a clean sheet away from home this season so to go and do both on the one day was great.

“We switched the fixture on Friday because we were eager to play it and we are grateful to Vale of Leven for facilitating that because the Showpark wasn’t going to be playable.

“I thought we were excellent for 55 minutes, going 2-0 up and looking fairly comfortable.

“We probably should have been three or four up and should have had a penalty as well. Having watched the game back I think the referee will be disappointed with that decision.

“We didn’t put the game to bed and that gave Vale a bit of energy and impetus, so the last half hour we hung on a bit.

“But four or five weeks ago when we had spells like that we conceded a lot of goals and we weren’t as resolute.

“We dug our heels in and that’s something we were lacking in the early part of the season.”

Connolly's side now look to Saturday’s South Challenge Cup second round clash at home to Premier Division leaders Darvel.

It will be a huge test for Connolly and his charges and he joked the