Johnston 3

Neyland 2

Johnston just came out on top in a fivegoal thriller against close neighbours Neyland at the Glebelands Ground.

The hosts started brightly and it took a terrific save by Nomads keeper Patrick Hannon to deny Steve Mills opening the scoring early doors with a vicious strike from distance.

On the half-hour mark, the Tigers broke the deadlock as James Skudder turned in the box to place his shot effortlessly past Hannon and give Johnston a slender one-goal cushion at half-time.

Ten minutes after the break and the Tigers extended their lead with a terrific goal scored by Liam Boswell. The midfielder cleverly controlled the ball over his shoulder and struck a stinging first-time volley that flew in the top corner.

On 65 minutes the Tigers added a third and looked to be coasting as Joe John scored with an instinctive striker’s finish from inside the box.

But the Nomads rolled up their sleeves and quite literally got stuck in to mount a serious fightback. Sean Hannon lashed home with a brilliant strike and ten minutes from full time Nathan Warlow hit a 30- yard screamer to set-up a tense nervous finale, and the Tigers were mighty relieved to hear the final whistle.

Johnston: Martin Langdon, Andrew John, Chris Ormond, Kristian Griffiths, Steve Mills, Luke Hayward, Scott Murray, Mark Jones, Ben Skudder, Joe John, Liam Boswell. Subs: Ben Phillips, Richard Davies, Martyn Tweedie.

Neyland: Patrick Hannon, Sean Hannon, Andrew Kemp, Jarred Campbell, Steve Peterson, Jeremy Evans, Arran McQuillan, Mikey Chandler, Wayne Parry, Craig Lucas, Paul Hannon. Subs: Nathan Warlow, Joe Craxford, Henry Durrant.

Referee: Adrian Wilson.