PREVIEW: Johnstown v Chord Celtic

Friday 26th October - 8pm
NEFL Kilmessan Shield 2nd Round
Johnstown FC v Chord Celtic FC 
MDL Navan

Our Friday night coverage takes us to the MDL grounds in Navan where NEFL Div 2 side Johnstown will host Chord Celtic from Div 3 in this Kilmessan Shield second round clash, 8pm, writes Justin Burke.
Christy Kavanagh's Johnstown team come into the game on the back off their first defeat in the league last week after they travelled to play top of the table Redeemer Celtic and lost 4-3. 
They had previously won all three league matches before then, and he would hope they can bounce back straight away. 
Gary Leahy's Chord team haven't played in nearly a month so his side could be a little rusty, though they won the last time out 5-2 at home to Newtown United and his side do sit mid-table in Div 3 with a record of two wins, two draws and two defeats. 
Johnstown will be without long term injured player Kacper Zeberek, Adam Ivers (collapsed lung) and Dave Grumley, who injured his foot last week, but Sean Challenger might be available. 
Chord Celtic will be down a few players due to work commitments and they will check on Dillon Delaney's availability for this match. 
Johnstown competed in Div 1 last season, but were regraded to Div 2 this year and their main goal is to get the club back up. 
Chord Celtic played in Div 4 last season where they finished third and were regraded to play in Div 3 this season. 
Johnstown brought in a couple of new and old players to the club for the short season, Tony Smith and Ryan Farnham coming in from Kells/Blackwater and Daragh Keegan rejoined the club from Bohermeen Celtic after he played all his football with Johnstown schoolboy set up. Chord have basically a whole new squad from last season's exploits. 
Johnstown main goal threats will come from top scorer Farnham who knows how to score goals, and Shane Conroy has been helping with goals from midfield. Adam Foy is only back and scoring for Johnstown with two goals in as many games. 
Chord's main goal threats will be Niall Gates who has helped himself to six goals this term, Jake Devine has been impressive too as he has bagged a couple of goals as well, but they will miss Stephen McGinn's midfield talent as he has returned to college in the UK. 
Key players to watch out for at Johnstown are centre-back Jamie Connolly, midfielder Shane Conroy and of course their main hitman Farnham. 
Chords key players will be Niall Gates and Jamie King upfront, midfielders Cian McCabe and Jake Devine and of course their defensive partnership of Fiachra Jein and Sean Leahy. 
"Our side always go into games looking to win and it will be the same against this opposition on Friday, but we will be giving a number of youth players a decent run in the match as they are ready for the step up now," said Johnstown manager Christy Kavanagh.
Chord Celtic manager Gary Leahy won't be available on Friday as he's attending a funeral, but he believes his side are full of confidence for this match.
"We will play attacking football from the very first whistle and are looking to win and cause a big shock in this competition," he concluded.

Prediction - Johnstown know this pitch very well as they play all their home games on astro and it might suit them more than Chord Celtic. A lack of games for the away side might go against them here, although they might give Johnstown a tough game, I would expect a home win.