East Kilbride boss Kevin Rutkiewicz says he’s “thrilled to pieces” after watching his side thump Berwick Rangers 5-0 and shoot back up to third place in the Lowland League.
A Cami Elliott hat-trick and strikes by Bob McHugh and Joao Victoria saw Kilby ease past their visitors, three days after thumping Gretna 2008 6-0, courtesy of an Elliot double and singles from Jamie Docherty, Neil McLaughlin, Conor Morgan and McHugh.
That has certainly aided Kilby’s goal-difference and put them on plus-18, alongside second-placed University of Stirling and Spartans in fourth.
“I’m delighted with the goals, delighted with the points in the last two games,” said Rutkiewicz.
“We freshened it up a bit with boys coming back – Bob McHugh and Cami Elliott improve any team in this league, and they’ve certainly improved us.
“We’ve had other wee tweaks and changes, but the boys have been great, we’ve been clinical, and goals change games – it’s the oldest cliché in football.
“I’m thrilled to pieces by the two games, and it has evened us out in the goal-difference as well. That’s now as tight as the points difference is, I think there are three teams on plus-18.
“It has really tightened things up again, we just need to continue as long as we can in this vein.
“We’ve scored 11 goals in two games, and kept clean sheets; I’d take 1-0 just as happily, but it’s nice to get the cushion as well.”
Rutkiewicz reiterated that he didn’t feel under more pressure than normal, but admits a dark cloud did pass as they lost back-to-back games against University of Stirling and Civil Service Strollers.
He said: “There was a wee bit of a cloud. I’m pragmatic, I’m very honest about it, and East Kilbride’s standards are that they’re demanding of teams to be successful, that’s a constant, here.
“I’m well aware of the back-to-back defeats against Civil Service Strollers and Stirling, and particularly the manner of the defeats wasn’t good enough, but I think the players have responded tremendously and I’ve given them the kudos for it.
“You can do all the coaching you want, but when you cross that white line it’s about players. There’s no magic pill, coaching session or formula or tactic that gets the best out of players – it’s about them being focused when they cross that white line.
“They’ve done that, they’ve reacted well, and 11 goals and none against has been a good five days for us.”
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