Kilkolly downplays record chase

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 1 June 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Top scorer Angus Kilkolly is just enjoying the moment as he inches closer to equalling a club scoring record that has stood for nearly 16 years.

The 25-year-old striker joined the Navy Blues prior to the start of the Northern League season and after a stuttering start has turned on the after burners scoring ten goals in ten games.

Of particular note is Kilkolly's form in the last seven games where nine of his goals have been scored.

His late strike against Auckland United FC in Saturday's Dominion Road Derby lifted him into second place behind Keryn Jordan who scored in ten consecutive games and above club luminaries Emiliano Tade, Myer Bevan and Ryan De Vries who each scored in six consecutive games.

Kilkolly's tenth goal of the season couldn't have come any later with substitute Dylan Manickum chasing down a seemingly lost cause before nudging an opponent out of the way and unselfishly picking out the Hastings-born striker to slam home into an empty net in the fifth minute of additional time.

The one-time OFC Champions League winner's goal ensured Auckland City FC picked up a first off win over second placed Auckland United FC and opened up a four point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand to come.

"I definitely owe Dylan Manickum a big favour for that one. I can't speak more highly of Dylan, it shows how unselfish he is and how unselfish a squad we have. We've got players like Dylan and Reid Drake coming off the bench to affect games and bring top quality with them.

"That unselfishness is important to our squad. Nobody really cares who is scoring the goals, as long as we are scoring them as a team, winning games and picking up points.

"When we went in front it felt like we were in control of the game and back on top and we were ready to crack on but United deserve credit for the way they came back at us.

"They came back with a bit of punch and made us work harder to pick up the win which adds something to the victory for us given we had to go right to the wire to secure the points," he said.

Auckland City FC face Lotto NRFL 1st Division side Ellerslie AFC in the Chatham Cup on Saturday then take on Bay Olympic in back-to-back Northern League matches on Monday 7 June and Saturday 12 June, the first at Olympic Park, the next at Kiwitea Street.

The chances of Kilkolly staying on target to equal the Jordan record in those three games is a reasonable pitch to any outside observer but he insists that's not part of his thinking.

"Keyrn's record is one of the last things on my mind - his record is an incredible run. Right now, I'm just enjoying the ride, enjoying playing every week while the goals are coming for me. As a striker, you go through spells where the goals aren't always easy to find. When they do come, you just have to be grateful and enjoy the moment," he said.

Making the moment sweeter was Saturday's 3-1 win over United in front of a big crowd at Kiwitea Street.

"I picked up a yellow card in the first half and it went through my mind I had to be careful but it also meant I had to be smarter and draw on my experience and not get drawn into fouls.

"Its part of the game to deal with defenders who try to dominate you and as I said, playing a bit smarter is key.

"They came off one of their best performances of the season and Saturday was their cup final in a sense. They tried to get as tight to us as possible and leave little niggles here and there.

"It was more of a physical battle than a tactical battle and we did well to weather that opening period where they put us under a lot of pressure. Our ability shone through in the end."

Ends

AUCKLAND CITY FC - CONSECUTIVE GAMES GOAL SCORING RECORD:

10 consecutive games: Keryn Jordan, 17 goals in ten domestic games consecutively between November 12, 2005 and January 28, 2006. Included three hat-tricks.

7 consecutive games: Angus Kilkolly, 9 goals in seven domestic games consecutively between 17 April 2021 and 29 May 2021. No hat-tricks.

6 consecutive games: Ryan De Vries, 11 goals in six domestic games consecutively between 31 January 2016 and 6 March 2016. Included one hat-trick.

6 consecutive games: Emiliano Tade, 10 goals in six domestic games consecutively between 9 February 2014 and 16 March 2014. Included one hat-trick.

6 consecutive games: Myer Bevan, 9 goals in six domestic games consecutively between November 2, 2019 and December 8, 2019. Included one hat-trick.

6 consecutive games: Emiliano Tade, 9 goals in six domestic games consecutively between 22 October 2017 and 25 November 2017. No hat-tricks.