A stellar performance from Johnstown saw 6 different players find the net in this 9 goal midweek romp as they completed a league double over local rivals Navan Cosmos.
The tone was set for the night ahead, when in the very first minute Johnstown went close to opening the scoring courtesy of a Peter Dempsey free-kick that went narrowly wide. Just minutes later, Rory McGrath played Marius Tekorius in on goal. Tekorius’ touch took him round the keeper but too close to the goal line where he could not get his shot on target.
The goal the hosts had been threatening in the opening stages came on 9 minutes. A deep corner by Rory McGrath, was met at the far stick by the head of captain Dave Grumley, as he comfortably opened the scoring making it 1-0 to Johnstown.
Johnstown had to wait until the half hour mark to double their lead. McGrath picked out left winger Tekorius who took the ball in his stride and advanced into the area. As the keeper came out, Tekorius found J. Byrne with his back to goal and under pressure from the defence. Some quick thinking by the forward, saw him finish the move with a cheeky back heel scoring his second of the season.
More than a hint of controversy followed 5 minutes later. As Peter Dempsey raced through and rounded the keeper, the referee adjudged the visiting custodian to have handled outside the area. Although Dempsey put the ball into the net, the official had awarded a free kick and left himself with no option but to reduce Cosmos to 10 men.
Having seen his goal struck from the record, Dempsey was not letting anyone else take the resulting free kick on the edge of the D. His effort in the opening minute, proved to be a perfect sighter, as he dispatched a perfectly placed shot in off the underside of the bar putting Johnstown 3 to the good.
Dempsey’s half was not finished there as 2 quick fire goals, ably assisted by Tekorius, in the final minute of the half saw him complete his hat-trick in an astonishing 7 minutes!
Johnstown’s 5-0 half time lead soon became 6 just after the restart. McGrath, pulling the strings from central midfield all evening, found the perfectly timed run of Tekorius. The winger, who’d played the role of provider for much of the game, was through one on one. He took his time, picked his spot and finished easily passed the stand-in keeper.
Next to add their name to the score sheet was Dave McElroy. Grumley noticed McElroy’s run from deep and played a pinpoint pass up the right midfielder as he ran clear of the defence. McElroy made no mistake and blasted in Johnstown’s 7th of the night.
McElroy, a source of boundless energy since his introduction, showed good strength and fast feet delivering a cross to the back post. Darren Conway rose highest but saw his goal bound header cleared by the hand of a Cosmos defender. The referee pointed to the spot and perhaps knowing Johnstown had the game won, he chose not to send a second Cosmos player to the showers early. The penalty was duly converted by the impressive McGrath, getting the goal his performance deserved.
Later in the half, Dempsey again found himself in acres of space in the Cosmos area. Showing the cold blooded streak evident in all good strikers, he picked his spot and finished his 4th of the night, Johnstown’s 9th, completing the rout.
Johnstown FC Team: P. Hegarty, B. Sanfey, D. Grumley, B. Halpin, G. Merrigan, S. Sheridan, D. Byrne, R. McGrath, M. Tekorius, P. Dempsey, J.Byrne
