Johnston progressed to the second round of the Senior Cup on Saturday (Nov 29) with a 7-1 victory over fourth division Milford Athletic writes Jonathan Twigg, the game played on the Clubs reserve pitch at The Croft after the recent rainfall made their Glebelands fortress unplayable. The match was officiated by veteran whistler Sean O’Connor, a man who has graced the blue ribband event as a player, manager and referee.
The Tigers showed their teeth early as prolific frontman Ryan Doyle opened the scoring after 3 minutes following a set up from defensive midfield anchorman Geno Cleal, the score doubled when midfield maestro Charlie Hughes benefited from some unselfish play from speedster Josh Knapp, after referee O’Connor played an excellent advantage on the quarter of an hour, the livewire winger hitting the bar minutes later himself as danced clear once more. The venerable Marcus Allen left his defensive duties to make the scoreline 3-0 at halftime, skipper Joey George's cultured left foot the provider on the half hour.
The blue shirted Athletic showed their fighting qualities against a side plying their trade two divisions higher, striker Ciaran Lewis netting 10 minutes after the restart following excellent work from Josh Sture, the Pill Lane outfit skippered by Peter Tunstall, one of two players over 30 having four sixteen year olds, a brace of seventeen year olds and two other teenagers in their matchday squad to stand them if good stead for the future.
The orange shirts of Johnston ran away with the game as the second half progressed, Doyle securing the match ball with a hat trick as George and then Allen were the wage-earners on his behalf, full back Allen netting the final goal for his second of the match to cap a fine performance, his skipper's electric work rate lighting up the approach play. Ashden King added his name to the list of scorers against his former club thanks to an assist this time from ageless centre half, Steve Allen.
Johnston
Martin John; Ashton King; Steve Allen; Marcus Allen; Lewis Boswell; Geno Cleal (Jonathan Davies; 75); Josh Knapp; Charlie Hughes; Ryan Doyle; Alfie Crawford (Rhyan Nolan; 46); Joey George ©️.
Milford Athletic
Declan Collins; Janekes Pelmanis (Sam Thomas; 80); Tom Jones (n/a; 63); Peter Tunstall ©️; Diyar Yagir; Leon Mayne (Jacky Lin; 80); Josh Sture; Ethan Roberts (Chad Harrison-Bevan; 81); Ciaran Lewis; Jack Cooper; Gethin Howard (Bobby Gray;81).
Referee
Sean O’Connor (Fishguard)
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
