Johnstown 2 – Woodview Celtic 1
Johnstown kicked off their 2015-2016 campaign with a well deserved 2-1 win over Premier Division side Woodview Celtic in the Kilmessan Shield at the NEFL complex on Sunday morning.
The visitors from Dundalk started the brighter and took full advantage of their early superiority when they opened the scoring inside 3 minutes. A cross played in from their right was met by the head of their forward who flicked the ball across goal and into the back of net.
Despite this early set back, Johnstown did not let their heads drop. For the remainder of the half, they controlled possession and play but just failed to find that spark in the final third to create any danger for the visiting keeper.
The chances Johnstown’s play deserved started to come in the second half. First, Arnold Ruksenas took possession in midfield and ran directly at the visiting defence. As covering defenders were sucked across towards the man on the ball, it left space on the far side. Ruksenas spotted Mark Grumley in this space and squared the ball to him. Alas, Grumley could not take advantage of the chance as he pulled his shot wide of goal.
On the hour, after another strong run Ruksenas crossed from the right to Lee Fahy. He shot first time across the goal and wide.
As the half went on, the hosts began to turn the screw, increasing pressure on the Woodview goal.
Immediately after his introduction, Obi Pilane twice found himself on the end of some vigorous defending. On each occasion the referee awarded a free kick. the second of these produced another excellent chance for an equaliser. Jonny Forde whipped the free kick into the far post where Mark Grumley was waiting once again. Unluckily, his stooping header went over the bar.
With 9 minutes left, the equaliser Johnstown so desperately sought finally came. Craig Murphy, played a measured through ball to Fahy on the right. He squared to the unmarked Ruksenas who tapped it in at the back post.
2 minutes later, Woodview could have retaken the lead. For the first time since their goal, they managed to break through the Johnstown rearguard. Having had little to do all game, Gintas Baltinas in the Johnstown net stayed alert and quickly came out off his line to save with his feet.
The Johnstown keeper then began the move that won the game for the home side. His clearance found Craig Murphy in space in midfield. He moved the ball quickly on to Ruksenas racing clear of the defence. As the keeper came out, Ruksenas picked his spot and buried his 2nd of the day earning victory for his side.
Johnstown FC Team: G. Baltinas, J. Colton, J. Connolly, D. McQuillan (c), J. McDermott, M. Grumley, J. Forde, C. Murphy, S. Challenger, L. Fahy, A. Ruksenas
Subs: S. Conroy for Challenger, O. Pilane for Colton, D. Grumley for Forde.
