By Bill Campbell
East Kilbride Pirates made a promising start under new head coach Matthew Davies as they kicked-off the 2024 campaign with a victory over Merseyside Nighthawks in Liverpool.
Matthew “Spoonie” Davies has recruited well, with a large playing squad and a plethora of coaches on the sidelines, and there is optimism in the air after this convincing 43-7 win on the road in the National League Premiership opener.
The home side kicked off and EK immediately got onto the front foot, moving the ball all the way to the Nighthawks’ 6 yard line before an unforeseen fumble gave away possession. Their second drive also came to a premature end when a Neil Baptie pass hung in the strong breeze and was picked off.
The defence were standing strong however and quickly forced a second punt.
It was third time lucky for the Pirates and they concluded this drive with a 7-yard pass by Baptie to Martin Gallagher, and while the 2PAT attempt came up short, it was an early lead for the visitors.
That lead didn’t last long though, as on the first play after the kick off, Merseyside launched a long, wind-assisted pass over the top of the coverage which was hauled in for a 66 yard TD. The point after was good, making the score 7-6 to the hosts.
Undaunted, EK bounced straight back, and a seven play drive ended with Baptie carrying home from 4 yards. A low snap on the PAT saw it turn into an unsuccessful pass attempt, but the Pirates took a 12-7 lead into the second quarter.
With Merseyside having punted to end the first period, it was EK who again took control. Another long drive was capped off with a 5-yard run by debutant Misba Islam and Scott McDonald added the PAT.
That scenario was repeated when another Nighthawks punt allowed EK to drive the ball upfield before Dougie Meechan was the beneficiary this time, adding a 4-yard TD run. Another aborted 2PAT left the score at 25-7.
East Kilbride kicked off the third quarter, but soon had the ball back courtesy of an Fergus McNiven fumble recovery. This led to more points, with Baptie again scoring with a 9 yard run on this occasion. Their conversion woes continued however, leaving the Pirates’ lead at 31-7.
Later in the period, Mark Stewart blocked a Merseyside punt and EK took possession at the 4-yard line.
Islam duly added his second TD of the day for another unconverted Pirates score.
The Nighthawks’ response came up short when McNiven intercepted a wayward pass and returned it 57 yards to score.
Despite the Extra Point again failing, EK were now sufficiently far enough ahead at 43-7 for the “Running Clock” procedure to be invoked.
The combination of accelerated time and both sides rotating their squads meant that there was no further scoring in the match.
This Sunday sees Pirates on their travels again, heading to face the Newcastle Vikings who also won their first game of the season.
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