East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy says he is impressed by how quickly his side have gelled after a strong showing in their friendly with Queen of the South.
The K-Park gaffer took charge of his first game since his move from West of Scotland League cracks Darvel towards the end of last season, and the home fans will likely have been pleased with the their first impressions, as Kennedy's side earned a 1-1 draw with the League One outfit.
Kilby responded well to Gavin Reilly's fourth minute strike to level from the penalty spot through captain Liam Brown after 31 minutes, and dominated a side who play two levels above.
It is, of course, very early days but there are promising signs with the fluidty of EK's play in the middle of the park, in particular, and Kennedy admitted it even took him by surprise how quickly his side have taken to his philosophy.
He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed how we played. I think it is clearly evident, if anyone is watching us for the first time, how the philosophy will be at the club.
"We've only had the boys for a couple of weeks and we weren't at full strength, but I felt the way we carried out style of play was thoroughly impressive - and even more so when Queen of the South put on a full, fresh team in the second half.
"I felt we dominated the game and we probably should have scored a couple of more goals. The boys were excellent.
"We have got a clear style we want to play and, if the players get it right, it is very effective.
"We will be hard to play against. And you could see that today with the rotations in the possession, inverted full-backs and things like that.
"That is credit to the boys because they have picked it up so quickly.
"To be honest, I didn't expect they would. I thought we'd need a bit more time to bed it in but they have picked up very quickly."
At a packed, sunkissed K-Park, Kilby had 13 of their new signings in the squad for the clash and included former Hamilton Accies left-back Matty Shiels as a trialist, while Kilby No.2 Si Ferry was named as a substitute, but didn't feature.
The Doonhamers fielded their strongest 11 in the first half before opting to field a completely different 11 after the break.
The visitors had a bright opening and Reilly headed over within 90 seconds, when he really should have scored from 10 yards.
He made no such mistake at the second time of asking, though, poking home the opener in the fourth minute, after a cross from the right picked him out in the box.
After that setback, Kilby took control and 12 minutes in, Nathan Flanagan tested the Queens keeper with a low strike in the box, which the shot-stopper was equal to.
A flowing move from Kilby, started by Marc Kelly, then led to Flanagan getting a strike at goal that was blocked. The loose ball broke to Adam McGowan and he fired narrowly over the bar.
Kilby were pulling the strings in midfield with former Queen's Park man Brown looking a commanding captain, and Flanagan showing flashes of skill and a willingness to take on defenders that will get fans off their seats this season.
And in 28 minutes Flanagan almost carved out an equaliser when his through ball sent Samson into the box, only for his cut back to be pinched off Adam McGowan’s toes, just as he looked set to bury the chance.
Three minutes later, Kilby were awarded a penalty for a clear trip on Samson in the box. Brown stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to pull EK level.
A deflected free-kick from Flanagan just before the break looked set to find the net, but the post came to the visitors rescue.
Queens changed their entire line-up for the second half, while Kilby also rang the changes with Craig Trusedale, Andy Stirling and Shiels all coming on for McGowan, Johnny Lyon and Andrew McDonald.
That disrupted the flow and chances were at a premium in the second half.
Kilby did come close to finding a winner, though. In 64 minutess Flanagan cut inside and curled a low effort at goal, which the Queens keeper palmed away and 15 minutes from time Truesdale drilled a effort narrowly wide when he should have hit the target.
It will certainly be the hosts who have gained the most from this opening workout and Kennedy added: "There were some really outstanding performances and I thought, to a man, we were excellent.
"There were times when you see Nathan Flanagan and Liam Brown's individual bits of quality.
"They are really talented kids in the prime of their football career -23, 24 with a lot of football in front of them - so we are delighted to have them part of the club."
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