Johnstown 5
Enfield Celtic 5
For the second week running, Johnstown were involved in a free scoring O’Neill’s Sportswear Division 1 encounter as they shared 10 goals and the points with visitors Enfield Celtic on Thursday night at the MDL.
Johnstown started slowly and could have been 3 down inside 10 minutes, but for some wayward shooting from Enfield Celtic. Their poor quality of finishing was not to last however, and the visitors were 3 to the good by half time.
In need of some drastic changes, assistant manager Christy Kavanagh, brought on the returning Arnold Ruksenas for centre-back Jay Connolly. Last season’s NEFL Division 1 Player of the Year wasted no time and was immediately involved in the action. His pace and power were instrumental is setting up Sean Challenger in the 1st minute of the second half, with Challenger’s shot flying just over the bar.
Johnstown’s first of the evening came 4 minutes after the interval. Kacper Zeberek beat 2 Enfield defenders before laying the ball out to Wayne Cahill cutting into the area from the left. His low driven shot nestled into the net at the far post. Johnstown were back in the game.
Shortly after, Johnstown reduced the deficit further when Zeberek and Ruksenas combined quickly at the throw in. Ruksenas then ran directly at Enfield back line before teeing up Challenger who made no mistake with his accuracy this time as his shot found the bottom corner making it 2-3, and capping a superb performance by the midfielder.
It was to get even better for Johnstown when, just after the hour mark, captain Darren McQuillan completed his sides astonishing comeback. The Enfield keeper allowed a Mark Grumley corner slip through his hands. It fell to McQuillan’s feet at the back post and gratefully accepting the invitation, he levelled the game at 3 apiece.
On 66 minutes, Kacper Zeberek was felled in the area. Unfortunately, his spot kick was well saved by the Enfield net minder and the game remained 3-3 but not for long.
2 minutes later, McQuillan was again on hand, as he latched onto a loose ball in the Enfield area. His low shot across the goal, aided by a slight deflection, gave Johnstown the lead for the first time on the night.
On an evening of end-to-end football, Enfield recovered from Johnstown’s blistering 2nd half performance to go 5-4 up in the next 10 minutes.
Having hauled themselves back into a game that looked lost at half time, Johnstown would have to do it all again. This time with the clock working against them.
For the third time on the night, McQuillan was involved in the Enfield box. Rising highest at the back post, his goal bound header was stopped on the line by an Enfield defender’s hand. Another penalty, and this time a red card. Up stepped Ruksenas and levelled the game 5-5 with just 4 minutes remaining.
When asked for his thoughts after the game, assistant manager Christy Kavanagh joked “Someday we’ll keep a clean sheet and win 5-0!”, his mood at full time being a polar opposite to that when the half time whistle went.
Johnstown FC Team: E. Kairys, J. Colton, J. Connolly, D. McQuillan (c), M. Grumley, D. Bollard, S. Conroy, W. Cahill, S. Challenger, G. Lynch, K. Zeberek
Subs: A. Ruksenas for Connolly, Arron Mooney for Cahill, E. Donnelly for Lynch.
