Kilgetty bowed out of the Second Division Cup on Saturday losing a game which they had every hope of winning. This encounter with a team they had beaten a few weeks ago was not the best spectacle of footballing skills, more a war of attrition which neither team looked like winning, and a game which went into extra-time for the deciding goal.
The opening exchanges were frenetic and lively with the ball bouncing high and rebounding off the legs of both teams, making it difficult to gain any real control. This was a problem for both teams all afternoon as they struggled in the sunshine to counteract the hard playing surface.
As was to be expected, Johnston were strong and positive in their approach and caused problems for the Kilgetty defence with their long throw-ins and free-kicks, as well as through balls down the middle, and this led to some frantic clearances in an effort to keep the attacks at bay.
Kilgetty, on the other hand, tried to play the ball through midfield, with Michael Scale and Paul Mansbridge quietly endeavouring to prompt the team into flowing football. It was not to be, but the game was not without its occasional moments of inspiration and excitement as and when a few passes were strung together.
It was a devastating blow to this young team when Bobby Bevan had to retire after 15 minutes, having sustained ligament damage in a heavy tackle on the edge of his own penalty area. His commanding presence and vocal encouragement along with his physical commitment meant that the ship was left without a rudder for the rest of the game. In an early attack he had been involved in a goal attempt, heading the ball into the ground before it rose over the bar.
Kilgetty were more effective when they attacked down the right flank, with Adam Thorn and Darren Rossiter co-ordinating well to create problems for the Johnston defence. One such move saw the resulting cross slide off the head of Anthony Bevan, while another was sliced behind for a goal-kick.
Michael Scale sent Darren scurrying down the right wing with a through ball, which he hammered into the side netting. Adam Thorn, in an early foray down the right, crossed the ball behind the defence, only to see Jamie Morgan scoop it wide with his right foot.
At the other end, Johnston pursued the direct approach and earned themselves a free-kick. Dean Boswell put his kick over the defence of Simon Ormond to side-foot into the Kilgetty net for the opening goal.
Moments later Kilgetty had a free-kick in a similar position and their attempt at a pass over the top of the defence ended up safely in the goalkeeper's arms.
Johnston continued to press forward and almost capitalised on a misunderstanding between Simon Wood and Christian Phillips. Another attack was broken up and calmly dealt with by Michael Scale, back helping his defence.
Kilgetty gained more confidence and territory as the half drew to a close and, but for the skills of Steve James in the Johnston goal, could have earned an equaliser. He pushed one shot from Adam Thorn wide of the right-hand post and blocked a similar shot from Paul Mansbridge.
The second-half continued in much the same vein, with much to-ing and fro-ing. Simon Wood had three free-kicks within a matter of minutes - the first was struck into the wall, the second just wide of the upright and third, from the halfway line, was delivered safely into Steve James' arms.
The lack of control continued and the long ball game was much in evidence.
Kilgetty's equaliser, when it came, arose out of nothing and as the result of a cruel deflection. Jamie Morgan received the ball from a throw-in on the left-hand side and turned inside onto his weaker right foot. Another turn and it was on his favoured left, enabling him to fire it at goal. Steve James was moving to his left and had the shot covered, when a Johnston head deflected the ball into the opposite corner.
This gave Kilgetty greater momentum to push forward in search of a winner. Michael Scale gained possession on the right and fed a ball through to Anthony Bevan who crossed it into the danger area. It eventually fell to Darren Rossiter, and his shot brought another good save from Steve James. Adam Thorn also found himself through on goal only to find the 'keeper denying him a goal as he diverted it for a corner.
The near misses were also in evidence at the other end. Dean Boswell earned a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box and duly fed it across the face of the goal creating more consternation in the Kilgetty defence before it was eventually cleared. Near the end of full-time, Stuart Walley used his pace to save Kilgetty's blushes with an excellent save within his own 18-yard area.
The whistle signalled the end of 90 minutes and both teams knew that another 30 minutes of effort was required, with the stronger and more determined team likely to reap the reward of a place in the final. Tiredness and cramp was beginning to slow the game down and both defences were slower to press forward and support their midfield players.
The first 15 minutes were played out with a couple of half chances for each team, but no goal. The winning goal, when it did come, was scored early in the second period.
Johnston's attacking right winger crossed a deep ball into the Kilgetty box for his team-mate to head it past Christian, who managed to get a hand to it, but not enough to keep it out.
Despite their last ditch efforts, Kilgetty were unable to out-manoeuvre Glyn Rulof who had used his experience as sweeper to great effect all afternoon.
Kilgetty return to consolidate their recent success and haul themselves up the league table.