Preston’s Men Press On
For the second week running, Johnstown emerged from a Navan derby with all 3 points but by the slenderest of margins. A second half strike from Ian Murphy, was enough to overcome stern opposition from Parkvilla on Wednesday evening.
The opening stages saw little between the teams as both sides retained possession without causing any trouble for their opponents.
Midway through the first half, Parkvilla created their best opportunity to open the scoring. A smartly taken corner, driven low into the box, was met by an attacker on the run. His first time shot from close to the penalty spot flew narrowly wide of Tekoris’ goal.
A moment of indecision in the Johnstown defence, gifted the ball to Parkvilla on the half hour. With the forward racing through, looking favourite to score, the peerless Dave Grumley came to the hosts rescue with a fantastic last ditch tackle.
With halftime looming ever closer, Johnstown began to create chances with some regularity. A through-ball from Peter Dempsey set up Ian Murphy but his first shot having come on as a sub, was charged away. Next, in first half injury time, Dempsey tried his luck from the edge of the box only to watch as the Parkvilla keeper saved well.
The visitors certainly had the better of the first half but Johnstown started to exert more pressure and control right from the off in the second half. Dempsey once again tried his luck from range with a first time volley that disappointed following his initial touch over the head of his marker.
Just a couple of minutes later, Shane Sheridan, playing on the left wing, saw an opportunity to catch the keeper unawares. His shot from about 25 yards out was looping into the far top corner, looked certain to open the scoring, until the Parkvilla custodian recovered and got a strong outstretched hand up to divert the ball to safety.
It was to prove to be 3rd time lucky for Johnstown during this spell of almost constant pressure. Rory McGrath launched a long free kick from deep. Peter Dempsey, a constant thorn in Parkvilla’s side, rose highest to win the aerial battle. Having anticipated where the ball would drop, Murphy was perfectly placed to volley the ball home giving Johnstown the lead.
From then on there were few chances of note for either side until late on when the visitors looked to have equalised. Parkvilla, enjoying the lion’s share of the ball in the closing stages, crossed from deep. The forward’s header powered passed Tekoris but thundered back off the cross-bar and away.
Having survived that late scare, the final whistle was a welcome relief to Johnstown, as they made it 4 wins from 4 and perhaps of equal importance it signalled a 3rd successive clean sheet for Garry Preston’s side.
Next week, Johnstown face the trip to Slane Wanderers, hoping to keep their 100% start intact.
Johnstown FC Team: M. Tekoris, M. Coleman, D. Grumley, B. Halpin, G. Merrigan, K. O’Connell, A. Burke, R. McGrath, S. Sheridan, J. Kennedy, P. Dempsey.
Subs: P. Dandy, I. Murphy, D. Conway, B. Sanfey, D. McElroy.
