Debut joy for Josh as Slane hit three at Laurelvale

Manager David Johnstone made four changes with Jonny Gibson and Ally Quinn returning, a first ever start for young Josh Buchanan and Nigel Fry coming out of retirement to put the gloves on.

Buchanan was to net on his debut, in between goals from Jordan fairley and Gregg Harrison as Slane got the win.

John Whitten was suspended and Gareth Bingham and David Boyd on the bench.

On a nice spring day, it was Slane who came out of the blocks quickly and almost took the lead in the opening minutes when Mark Ervine just failed to poke home.

Gregg Harrison then saw a left foot shot go wide. A long range shot from the home team failed to trouble veteran Nigel Fry in nets.

Jonny Gibson and Brian Quilty fired over from outside the box. Ervine, who was having an excellent game, then picked up the ball on the left and cut across field beating three players before his 20 yard effort cannoned off the bar. The home team were lively on the break and forced a number of corners

Jordan Fairley came on for the injured Mark Ervine and he could have scored two in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Firstly Gegg Harison made a good run from the half way line and slipped the ball through to Fairley who fired wide. Then a Brian Quilty cut back saw the substitute go just wide again. Slane were now dominating proceedings and Harrison saw a shot well saved.

The visitors could have been forgiven for thinknig it wasn’t going to be their day but soon after skipper Gareth Bingham came on for the injured Mark Anderson, the opener arrived. The breakthrough came on 65 minutes when Jordan Fairley controlled a pass and, ignoring the overlap from a supporting player cut inside on his right foot and unleashed a superb effort into the bottom corner.

Slane pushed for another, with Jonny Gibson and Brian Quilty controlling the midfield. On 75 minutes, Ally Quinn won the ball on the half way line, burst forward and when the cross came, in Josh Buchanan headed into the far corner.

The home team rallied and almost got a goal back when a scuffed clearance landed at he feet of a striker but his shot was just wide.

David Boyd then came on for scoring debutant Buchanan and Slane made the game safe on 82 minutes when Harrison raced through on goal and cheekily chipped the advancing keeper.

MONEYSLANE: Fry, Shillidy, Quinn, Coulter, Peden, Gibson, Quilty, Buchanan, Ervine, Harrison, Anderson.

Sub: Bingham, Fairley, Boyd.