Ross’ relief after Kilby late show
McNeil puts EK in front as winning run continues
games, admitted as he feared their run was over with their hosts proving a tough nut to crack.
The Kilby striker, from St Leonards, told the News: “There was a huge sigh of relief, not just because we want to keep the run going but because we want to win the competition and we want to defend our trophy.
“Their keeper made at least five top saves and we hit the post as well, so it was looking like it would be one of those days. I hit the bar with a header as well just before we scored.
“For the last 15-20 minutes we were bombarding their goal, but nothing would fall for us.
“We kept probing and probing and we finally we got the goal from a corner and Joao finished it off with the second goal.
“It was great to get over the line, but we’ve won nothing yet.
“Everyone is talking about the run, but it’s only at the end of the season we’ll know if it’s been a success.
“We’ll just keep taking it one game at a time, like the gaffer keeps telling us, and not look beyond the next game.”
The games are coming thick and fast for Kilby and they will play their third game in seven days tonight (Wednesday) when they host Civil Service Strollers.
Kilby will know not to underestimate the Lowland League newcomers after they had to come from 1-0 down to knock them out of the Challenge Cup in the first round.
But the game takes on extra significance with East Kilbride knowing they will hit a new milestone with another victory.
McNeill said: “It would be great if we can hit 30 wins and keep the run going, but we are treating Civil Service like just another league game.
“Civil Service gave us a tough time in the cup earlier in the season, so we know it will be a difficult game.
“Every team that plays us now wants to be the team that ends our run or becomes the first team to beat us.
“The last few weeks teams have been finding that extra 10 per cent, so we need to keep pushing ourselves as well.”
Kilby boss Martin Lauchlan insisted his side were never in danger of losing the game.
He said: “The winning record was never in danger.
“We were the better team for the whole game. Their keeper had one of those days when he was absolutely excellent, but I felt we were always going to win.
“It was just a matter of seeing if they could hang on in the 90 minutes or if we would win it in extra-time.
“We were a wee bit jaded, but Ross McNeil came off the bench again and got a vital goal.”