Another Thursday night of misery for all involved with Johnstown as their winless streak continued. This week’s visitors, leaving with all 3 points after a competitive local derby were Kentstown Rovers.

The home side were largely in control from the off. Despite their possession, Johnstown just could not break down the well organised Kentstown defence until midway through the first half when Wayne Cahill latched onto a decisive pass from captain Sean Challenger. Unfortunately for his side, Cahill just could not keep his shot down to trouble Darren Lynch in the visitors’ net.

The only goal of the game came with 8 minutes of the half remaining. A free kick on halfway was launched high into the Johnstown area. Keeper Dan Shields came out to clear however a Kentstown head beat him to it. The ball broke to Stephen Cummins who volleyed home into an unguarded net.

Early in the second half, a short corner routine led to Dylan Bollard’s driven shot destined for the top corner until intervention of the Kentstown keeper, clawing the ball wide for a corner.

Half time substitute Peter Dempsey had 2 good efforts around the hour mark. His first followed a good strong run on the ball. Sadly, he did not connect as he’d have liked and his shot was rather tame and straight at the keeper. His 2nd chance in this spell, with the aid of a deflection, momentarily troubled the keeper but he recovered and saved comfortably.

As the game wore on, Johnstown threw more and more bodies forward in search of the equaliser but still could not find the breakthrough. Kentstown, dangerous on the counter attack, almost doubled their lead in the final moments.

An intercepted pass in their defensive third lead to them racing the length of the field. As the visiting player entered the Johnstown area, he pulled his shot wide. This miss was not to prove costly however, as the final whistle went moments later condemning the hosts to their 5 defeat in a row.

Johnstown FC Team: D. Shields, J. Colton, J. Connolly, J. Gaffney, D. Bollard, J. McLoughlin, S. Challenger (c), B. Gibney, D. Halligan, V. Murphy, W. Cahill
Subs: P. Dempsey for McLoughlin, L. Kelly for Halligan, D. Grumley for Murphy, S. Brazil for Gaffney.