Liam Sloan
Scored twice against Laurelvale.

KILMORE enhanced their giant-killing reputation with an impressive second round Intermediate Cup win away from home.

The Rec, who are still without several regulars, started positively and used attack as the best means of defence. This adventurous outlook paid rich rewards and with 16 minutes gone Gary Kennedy was brought down in the box.

Liam Sloan maintained his recent, impressive scoring spree when he beat the Laurelvale goalkeeper with a perfect spot kick.

Alas, Kilmore’s joy was shortlived and two minutes later Laurelvale drew level when their midfielder crashed an unstoppable free kick into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Karl Lewis, John Young, Ian Smyth and Philip Traynor were working their socks off in the middle of the park and their industry was rewarded when they won a corner in the 31st minute.

Kennedy played the ball short to Lewis, he worked himself into a shooting position, but his stinging effort was parried out by the Laurelvale custodian.

The ball fell out as far as Traynor and he made no mistake with a clinical finish to put Kilmore back in front.

With 39 minutes gone Smyth, who is playing as well as he has ever done, created a chance for the diligent Traynor, but he shot narrowly wide.

The frenetic action of the first half continued unabated and with 42 minutes gone Kieran Gordon earned a double helping of corn when he made two brilliant saves in quick succession.

Down at the other end, Laurelvale used their physical superiority to great effect when they equalised after an untidy goalmouth scramble.

The visitors remained unbowed and a minute later Sloan, who is thriving in the freedom of playing at right back, pushed forward and let fly with a scorcher to give Kilmore a 3-2 lead.

Laurelvale came out for the second half in determined mood and Gordon made another stupendous save to keep the Rec’s noses in front.

Fifteen minutes of end to end football concluded with Lewis testing the Laurelvale goalkeeper after good approach play from Neil Obank.

Kilmore didn’t have long to wait for their insurance goal and a minute later Young played a delightful pass into the path of Stevie Rogan and the ‘wee man’ rattled the back of the net with a sublime finish.

With 80 minutes gone Gordon, the man of the match, made another outstanding save before Ciaran McGarritty and Chris McVarnock combined to create a couple of chances for Young, but he was out of luck after some enterprising play as Kilmore finished on top.

Kilmore: K. Gordon, P. Greener, P. Gill, M. Miskelly, L. Sloan, K. Lewis, J. Young, I. Smyth, P. Traynor, G. Kennedy, S. Rogan. Subs: C. McVarnock, C. McGarritty, N. Obank.