East Kilbride manager Mick Kennedy has turned his focus to Saturday's match against Ross County after a frustrating 3-0 defeat at Montrose. Speaking to Lanarkshire Live Sport, Kennedy admitted his team were surprised by Montrose's tactical setup but highlighted two strong penalty claims that were denied. The result leaves Kilby with their first loss of the League One season, while Ross County continue their perfect start, sitting second in the table with nine points from three wins.
Kennedy's side now face a major test against a Ross County team that has scored six goals and conceded only two so far this campaign. The Staggies are just one point behind league leaders Hamilton Academical. Their next league fixture after this cup tie is a home game against Peterhead on November 7th, a match you can find on our fixtures page.
What went wrong for East Kilbride at Montrose?
Mick Kennedy pinpointed Montrose's change of shape as the key factor in Saturday's defeat. He said his team had prepared for a different approach and were caught unprepared. "We hadn't really prepared for that, to be honest, and we got caught a bit unawares with that," Kennedy explained. Despite having large amounts of possession, East Kilbride struggled to create clear chances and were vulnerable to counter-attacks. Kennedy also felt his team were denied two clear penalties, one of which led to an injury for winger Owen Moffat, who is now in a protective boot.
How does Kennedy view the challenge of facing Ross County?
The East Kilbride boss expects a completely different game against Stuart Kettlewell's Ross County this Saturday. He believes the match will be more open, which could suit his team's style. "I don't think County will sit in against us, that's for sure," Kennedy said. He acknowledged the quality Ross County possess to punish mistakes but noted his team often performs well against stronger opposition. The game will be broadcast live on BBC Alba, providing a spotlight for both clubs.
What is Ross County's current form?
Ross County enter this match in formidable league form. They have won all three of their opening League One matches, a run that includes victories over Clyde, Queen of the South, and Alloa Athletic. This perfect record of three wins gives them a WWW form streak and places them firmly in the early promotion conversation. You can track their progress throughout the season on our dedicated standings page. Their goal difference of +4 reflects a solid defensive foundation to complement their attacking play.
What does this mean for East Kilbride's season?
Kennedy views teams adapting their tactics to counter East Kilbride as a sign of respect for the football they played to win League Two last season. He stated it's something his squad must learn to handle. "Our possession base is the exact same as it was in League Two..." he admitted. The immediate focus is on recovering from the Montrose loss and preparing for the cup clash, where a positive result against a team of Ross County's caliber would be a significant boost.
The weekend's cup match offers Ross County a chance to maintain momentum ahead of their return to league action. With a tight title race already developing, every game is important for building consistency. The squad's depth and current health will be key, which fans can monitor via our injuries section. A strong performance against East Kilbride would set a positive tone for the challenging league schedule that follows.
