East Kilbride boss looks to fine-tune squad after friendly win over Beith

East Kilbride geared up for the new Lowland League season with a 2-1 friendly win over Beith Juniors on Saturday.

Kilby gaffer Stevie Aitken was pleased with the exercise behind closed doors as their opener away to University of Stirling looms on Saturday, October 10.

Craig Malcolm was on target for Kilby as well as a trialist whose identity the club were keen to keep under wraps.

But Aitken says his side are a bit away from where he wants them to be for their title push.

“It was a good run-out in terms of what we were looking for,” he said.

“We’re not concerned about results at the moment.

"Yes, we won the game, and it’s a good habit to get into, winning games of football, but it’s about getting game-time for players, getting the fitness levels up, and getting to where we want to be with a couple of weeks to go.

“We just need to fine-tune, there’s still a bit of rustiness about the players, which is understandable.

“They’ve a wee bit to go in terms of how we want to play, but we’re happy about where we are fitness-wise.

“It’s just about fine-tuning now, and hopefully over the next two weeks that’s what we’ll be doing and get ready for the season starting.

East Kilbride have brought in players like Chris Erskine (SNS Group)

“It was a good, competitive game. Beith have some good players about them, a good energy about them and made it difficult for us, they got men behind the ball, and it was a good test.”

Aitken hopes to build on his squad by this weekend’s final pre-season clash on Saturday – yet to be confirmed – with two more players close to joining.

“These things always take time, we don’t want to jump the gun, but we’re hoping by next Saturday we have another couple of players on board,” he added.

“That’s the time-scale that we’re looking at, and it might happen earlier.

“It might happen in the middle part of the week, but certainly by next Saturday’s game, which will be our last pre-season game, we should have another one or two over the line.”

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on  Facebook or find us on  Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.