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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

East Kilbride new boy James Finlay admits "bit of bickering" over goal in Bo'ness United win

East Kilbride's new signing James Finlay admits there was a "bit of bickering" after he and Craig Malcolm both claimed they netted the only goal of the game in their win over Bo'ness United.

However, the former Rossvale striker insists the only thing that matters was East Kilbride returning to winning ways.

Kilby ended a run of eight games without a win in all competitions and netted their first Lowland League win of the campaign thanks to a ninth minute goal.

Finlay's strike on goal hit the post and it appeared Malcolm tapped in the rebound, although some think the ball could have crossed the line before strike partner Malcolm mopped it up.

Video footage reviewed by the club proved "inconclusive" at first, but they then tweeted it had been awarded to Malcolm with an image that didn't really clear it up.

Even although they were jokingly disputing who should really take the plaudits, man of the match Finlay said: "I don't know who got the last touch.

"I turned away celebrating, but it doesn't matter who got it, the most important thing is getting the win.

"There's been a wee bit of bickering, but I don't actually know who got it.

"It's a very good start for me anyway.

"I've just come into the team so I wasn't expecting to start today, but I've been thrown straight in at the deep end.

"I felt I played well and I was buzzing to get the start, get the goal, if that's the case, and man of the match.

"We're hoping we can build on this and get back to winning ways.

"I came in for a training session last week and this is my first week, so I can't wait to get stuck into it.

"I'm buzzing to be here and start helping the team, score goals and help us climb the table."

The 25-year-old signed from West of Scotland League outfit Rossvale on Friday and arrives full of confidence after a strong start personally in their campaign, aiming to help Kilby climb the table under the new management team of Chris Aitken and Ian Durrant.

And he's delighted to have recovered fully from a hamstring injury that hampered him last term.

He added: "I was performing well at Rossvale, but I want to do that here after making the step up.

"I want to prove I can play at this level and maybe take it further than that. I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"Last year was a bit disrupted because of Covid obviously, but before Christmas I tore my hamstring and I was out for nine weeks.

"But the start of this year I've been absolutely on fire.

"Pre-season was fantastic and I scored a lot of goals for Rossvale.

"I think I got nine or 10 before I came here, so I want to keep that form going here and get as many goals as I can for East Kilbride.

"I'm feeling really fit now, but I noticed this game was another wee step up fitness so I'll need to do a wee bit of work away from training to get that fitness right up there.

"But that's probably the best part of my game, my fitness and my speed, so hopefully I can do that."

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.

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