Johnstown 5  – Boca Rovers 0

A polished display by Johnstown saw them rout Boca Rovers 5-0 at the MDL on Sunday morning, thanks largely to 5 goals from top scorer Arnold Ruksenas.

The home side were eager to put defeat to Muirhavnamor in their last outing 3 weeks ago behind them and went at the visitors right from the off. Inside the first minute, both Pierce Challanger and Wayne Cahill had opportunities to opening scoring but Boca managed to scramble the ball away.

Johnstown’s quick movement and slick passing soon led to the breakthrough. Cahill took possession in midfield and went on mazy dribble which resulted in him being taken down in the box by the last man when through on goal. A penalty was awarded but the expected red card did not materialise and Boca escaped with their full compliment still on the field. With 4 minutes on the clock, Arnold Ruksenas opened the scoring with a firmly struck penalty beyond the keeper’s reach.

Further chances fell to Adam Ivers and Pierce Challenger throughout the first half but Johnstown had to wait until the 42nd minute before they could make their dominance count.

Again Wayne Cahill’s pace and quick feet were instrumental in the creation of the chance. In possession on the left, Cahill ran into the area, dibbling past a number of defenders. When he reached the goal line he pulled the ball back to the closely marked Ruksenas. Using his strength to hold off his marker, Ruksenas turned and fired in his 30th goal of the season.

2 goals in a minute, on the hour mark, put this game beyond the visitors. Both goals were virtually identical. A deep pass out from the back, set Ruksenas free. His pace left the defenders standing. On both occasions, he was through 1 on 1 and just picked his spot, beating the keeper and stretching Johnstown’s lead.

Just 8 minutes later, Johnstown were awarded a free out wide on the their right. Sean Challenger’s perfect delivery was met by the head of Ruksenas who steered it into the net, completing the rout with his 13th goal in the last 5 games and his 33rd goal of the season, reaching the target he set himself in August, with 4 games to spare.

While the front men have grabbed the spotlight, a word of praise is deserved for the defensive unit today. They worked tirelessly, and handled a very dangerous Boca attack with relative ease and merited their hard earned clean sheet today, their first since October.

Johnstown FC Team: G. Baltinas, J. Colton, J. Connolly, D. McQuillan (c), M. Grumley, A. Ivers, S. Challenger,  J. Flynn, P.Challenger, W. Cahill, A. Ruksenas

Subs:P. Dempsey for Flynn, J. Forde for Colton, D. Grumley for S. Challenger.