Johnville 0   Southend United 0

The Johnville goalkeeper Joe Gahan and his counterpart, Cliff Kearney of Southend joined the ranks of the unemployed in St Martin’s Park on Sunday morning.
Both had very little to do in what was a pretty dire contest played on a bumpy pitch. Southend required the points on offer to remain in touch with the leaders Tramore while Johnville needed points to move away from the relegation area.
It was hard to tell however because two teams who were missing some key players failed to produce anything worthwhile during the course of what proved to be a very dull encounter.
James Fatomoso of Johnville turned and shot from just outside the penalty area after seven minutes but his effort was blocked by the Southend defence. The Johnville right full back Alan Ryan crossed to the far post after 32 minutes but Kristian Walsh headed weakly over the crossbar.
The only shot Southend had during the opening period came from Paddy Carey on 43 minutes but his effort went well wide of Joe Gahan’s left upright.
The second period was even more boring than the first. Johnville midfielder David Murphy tried his luck from 30 yards on 71 minutes but Kearney had no difficulty getting down to gather the ball.
Southend had a great chance to win the game in the last minute when he cut into the penalty area from the right but with a number of options on offer, including pulling the ball back for three of his colleagues, he decided to shoot himself and that gave Gahan the chance to save easily.
Johnville: Joe Gahan, Alan Ryan, John Butler, John Kennedy, Declan Phelan, David Murphy, Gavin Phelan, Anthony Phelan, James Fatomoso, James Starmer, Kristian Walsh.
Southend United: Cliff Kearney, Kevin Gahan, John Starmer, Michael Caulfield, Paul Deveraux, Lee Russell, Aaron Butler, Barry Phelan, David Croke, Paddy Carey, Wayne Dunne. Sub: Ian Caulfield for Starmer (66 mins)
Referee: Anthony Walsh.