Johnson strike sees Clarets finish campaign with win over Champions

Daventry Town and a good second half display was capped with the only goal that saw the visitors to lose for only the second time in the League campaign.

There was a strong wind down the pitch that the Clarets had the benefit of in the first half but rarely threatened visiting keeper Lustin Cerga.

Town saw the first chance, Tom McGowan fed Luke Emery in the box, his shot under pressure was only at home custodian Lewis Elsom, McGowan then progressed into the box, he laid into Kieran Fitzgerald whose shot was well cleared from the line by Luke Hunnings.

A swift home break had Scott Mooney clearing from his penalty area to release Cameron Johnson down the right, he held, sent in a cross that just evaded Tyler Walker at the far post, Walker retrieved and delivered into the goal area where Daventry defender Rico Alexander nicked the ball away as Mooney arrived to finish.

Rangers were close again when Elsom’s deep kick floated over the Town defence but Mooney was inches from getting a decisive touch, at the other end Fitzgerald collected a long pass from Phil Cassidy, he made way into the box where Luke Andersen made a fine block to thwart the danger.

Good home play saw Johnson touch the ball over the Town back line where Henry Dunn’s touch saw the ball get away from him and on the stroke of half time Dan Jarvis tried a speculative lob from 50 yards that just floated over the bar.

Half Time – Deeping Rangers 0 Daventry Town 0

Deeping started the second half on the front foot, Jarvis pressed forward, he went through a couple of defenders before blasting at goal to see the ball crash against the bar and away, Dunn collected and drove his way into the box, his lay off allowed Mooney to hit goal wards only to be blocked by two Town defenders.

A Charlie Coulson corner was retrieved by Mooney, the low ball into the goal area had Adam Confue making a good clearance, Mooney met another Coulson corner with his header clipping the bar again.

Jarvis won well and supplied Mooney whose shot pulled just wide of the far post, Mooney fed towards Johnson, the ball fell for Jarvis to touch past the defender and hit his shot that skied high.

A good chance came as Dunn dribbled his way into the visitors box, he crossed to the far post for Michael Simpson, the shot missing at the far post.

Town had a rare chance, sub Adam Creaney’s corner saw Emery flick his header just over the goal.

The decisive goal came on 84 mins, Matt Carter won well in the Clarets half, he sent a long ball over the Town defence, Johnson chased hard and won the ball, keeper Cerga was out to allow Johnson to finish into an empty net

One last chance for the Champions saw Fitzgerald into the home box where Dan Flack was over smartly to quell the threat.

The final table shows the Clarets finished 6 points behind Daventry and eight points in front of third placed Rugby, so another good season from Mike Goode and his management team and the players with a second 2nd Place finish in 3 seasons!!

Full Time – Deeping Rangers 1 Daventry Town 0

Match Sponsor - Main Club Sponsor - JC Security

Deeping Rangers: 1. Lewis Elsom, 2. Tyler Walker, 3. Dan Flack ©, 4. Luke Andersen, 5. Luke Hunnings, 6. Dan Jarvis, 7. Henry Dunn, 8. Charlie Coulson (15. Matt Carter – 75), 9. Scott Mooney, 10. Michael Simpson, 11. Cameron Johnson (12.– 30)

Subs (not used): 12. David Burton-Jones, 14. Cameron Baldock-Smith

Daventry Town: 1. Lustin Cerga, 2. Joe Merrill, 3. Dan Childs (16. Dean Lukeman – 75), 4. Ross Harris ©, 5. Rico Alexander, 6. Adam Confue, 7. Kieran Fitzgerald, 8. Tom McGowan, 9. Luke Emery, 10. Phil Cassidy (15. Jordon Orosz – 65), 11. Taylor Orosz (12. Adam Creaney – 63)

Subs (not used): 14. Ollie Stanbridge, 17. Matt Finlay

Attendance - 105

Referee: Abdul Kadir

Assistants: Lauren Impey and Chris Coles