Kilcock were away to Knocklyon United in Delaford Park on a balmy evening in a closely contested game on Monday evening. Both teams started off at a steady pace, however Knocklyon were the first to test Laura Geoghegan in goal twice within the 9th minute of the game. Kilcock started to press more and in the 27th minute Sally O’Reilly hit a great effort just over the bar. The Celts really started to dominate play and missed a few open chances but were finally rewarded in the 33rd minute from a great shot on target by Edie Carey to bring the game to 1-0. The lead didn't last long however and in the 37th minute Knocklyon drew back level. Unfazed by that shortly after in the 42nd minute Edie Carey had a second shot on target to restore Kilcock's lead making it to 2-1 to the Celts. Just before the break Kilcock were unfortunately hit with an ankle injury to Emer Lundy. The score at half time saw Kilcock lead Knocklyon by two goals to one.
The closely contested affair continued into the second half and in the 54th minute Laura Geoghegan pulled off another great save to keep the Celts in the lead. In the 60th minute however, Sharon Reilly hit the target to double the Celts lead putting them 3-1 up and one foot into the next round. Knocklyon then started to pile on the pressure and were rewarded in the 68th minute of the game when they pulled a goal back to make it 3-2. Kilcock were hit with once again with an ankle injury, this time too Alexandra Berci. In the final 10 minutes of the game, the Celts continued to dominate and Leonza Pozgaj hit the target to bring to the game back to 4–2 with 5 minutes to go. That closed out the game with the final score seeing Kilcock beat Knocklyon by four goals to two.
A great team effort in what was a physically tough match, everyone gave it their all right through to the final whistle. Knocklyon battled right though to the very end, and we will play them again in the league later this year.
The win sends us into the last 16 of this competition. Best wishes to Emer and Alexandra on their recovery from injury. We are back to league action next week when we welcome Rathcoole to the Bawnogues next Monday.
