Fraser Murray was left delighted that a summer spent working on his freekick technique paid off in Kilmarnock’s first game of the season.
The winger scored the Ayrshire side’s second as they opened up their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a win over Fraserburgh.
It was a fine effort from the 23-year-old who swept the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
He really should have had a double but fired the ball over the bar from five yards.
And having passed up a number of efforts from set-pieces last term, Murray was delighted to see at least one effort nestle in the back of the net.
He said: “I chipped the ground but I’ve been working on them so it’s nice see one of them go in.
“After last season, I’ve been working on them. I hit a few over the bar.
“I think I had to work on them so I’m glad that went in.
“I should have scored again. I had a decent header but I couldn’t get my hip up high enough for the rebound. Twenty minutes earlier maybe I would have.
“Danny (Armstrong) has come in behind me and I never saw him. But it’s good to get the three points and we get ready for Wednesday now.”
A Ross Aitken own goal saw Killie take the lead at Bellslea Park before Murray added the second.
Sean Butcher thought he had got the Highland League champions back into the game in the 69th minute, but Kyle Lafferty restored the visitors’ two goal lead almost immediately.
It was a positive start to the group stage for Kilmarnock and next up they face Partick Thistle at Rugby Park.
Murray said: “We’ve had a good pre-season and played five games. I think we were just raring to go to try and get the competitive games started again. It’s good to start with a win.
“I think it’s a hard place to come, the pitch was sticky and dry. They were really up for it so we had to be up for it as well.
“They put in a good performance against us but I think we had quality in the end to win the game.
“It’s important to win these games. As you’ve seen over the years, anyone can beat anyone. It’s a great competition to play in.
“It was good for the strikers to get goals today. I got a goal too so that gives us confidence going into the new season.”
