‘Belief’ helped Slane through New Year hiccup

Without a win in four games, the BAWA were faultering. It was a run which put paid to any promotion hopes they harboured.

However, a run of eight wins in nine games since has proven the resilience of David Johnstone’s squad, much to the delight of the manager.

“We had a disastrous three weeks which cost us a place in the promotion hunt,” he conceded.

“I think the pressure and expectation got to some of the players. Every team goes through those patches but I think the secret is to believe in yourself and believe the players are good enough then do not panic.

“As a manager, I don’t pretend to have all the answers but in football the solution is usually work hard in training, during games focus on the basics and try to get players to enjoy their football.”

Their rejuvenated form has no doubt been helped by the squad’s senior players.

Johnstone said: “I have always tried to have experience in the team and players like the skipper Gareth Bingham, Stevie Coutler and Brian Quilty have been brilliant with younger players.

“Darragh Peden deserves special praise as on the pitch he leads so well and during the week as assistant manager he understands the game so well.”

Big performance from those players will no doubt be needed if Slane are to win on Friday.