Super Slane thrash Celtic as Mark bags a hat-trick

Manager Johnstone made five changes from last week deciding to use the game to rest some players and give an opportunity to others.

Johnny Kernaghan, Neil Taylor and Ritchie Nesbitt were all rested while Ryan Shilliday and Stevie Coulter dropped to the bench.

In came Mark Ervine, Justin Hanna, David Boyd and new signing Adam Stewart, while keeper Stevie White returned.

‘Slane started the game well and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 20 minutes when Mark Ervine thumped the ball into the roof of the net from 14 yards.

After failing to convert a number of chances the home team extended their lead when an intelligent pass from Gregg Harrison put Mark Ervine clear and he coolly rounded the keeper to slot home. Just before the break skipper Gareth Bingham picked up an injury and was replaced by Stevie Coulter.

Jonny Gibson came on for Adam Stewart as ‘Slane came out and really increased the tempo of the game. Switching to three strikers, the away team had no answer and the goals started to flow. Gareth Rees cut inside his man from the left and blasted past the keeper from 12 yards.

Darragh Peden then side footed home at the back post from a corner. Gregg Harrison was then on hand to connect to a Gareth Rees cross to get his name on the score sheet.

Stevie White produced a fine save blocking a point blank shot. Ryan Shilliday came on for Darragh Peden.

At 5-0 frustration boiled over for the away team as a player was shown a red card for dissent. When play resumed the home team poured forward and Brain Quilty scored a brace, Jonny Gibson hit a spectacular 25 yard thunderbolt before Mark Ervine completed his hat trick with a fine finish when 1v1 with the keeper. A comprehensive performance as Slane progress to the 4th round of the Marshall Cup

Manager DJ commented after the game: “I cannot be anything but pleased after that performance. Considering Cookstown Celtic beat us 2-1 last year in this cup, a 9-0 victory shows how far the team has progressed. The attitude before the game was spot on and the intensity and workrate was beyond anything the opposition could match. It also shows the strength of the squad that we could make five changes and still achieve this level of display.

“It was good to give new signing Adam Stewart his debut and after being out for a year with injury I was glad he lasted 45 minutes. Superb display all round but MoM has to go to Mark Ervine for his impressive hat trick of finishes.”

SLANE: White, Quinn, Boyd, Hanna, Peden, Ervine, Stewart, Harrison, Quilty, Rees, Bingham.

Subs: Coulter, Gibson, Shilliday.