Rowland stars in Reserves debut

A good crowd travelled to Dromore to watch this encounter where Slane had to hard to work hard to earn the points but could and should have scored more on the day.

Slane had a free kick early in the game when Jonny Adair was up ended on the edge of the box. Mark Anderson placed the ball and curled it around the wall but their keeper got down well low to his left and pushed it around the post. The ball was swung deep into the box for Anderson to half volley and the ball rebounded back of the post and the danger was cleared.

Graham Kelly torpedoed one of his trademark throws into the six yard box and Anderson again came close but his volley rifled over the bar.

Young Adam Rowland was making his debut for the Reserves and he didn’t look out of place, commanding his area and making two fine saves on the bounce. A free kick was heading goal bound and the young keeper saved well and from the rebound he somehow managed to clutch onto the ball while he was still on the ground.

Kurtis Bain replaced Adam Gibson on the half hour and the speedy forward was unlucky when his header went inches over.

Gareth Wilson found Bain and his shot was inches wide.

David Cromie and captain Gareth Hamilton were solid for Slane at the back and Kelly and Mark Jardine were working well up the flanks supporting the midfielders at every opportunity.

Neil Bingham rounded two players and he found Ervine Boyd who hit wide from distance.

Boyd found the hard working Adair and he raced up the line and pulled back to Bingham and he cut it back to Adair who hit low and hard and the ‘Hedge keeper stretched out to push the ball around the post.

Again Bingham and Adair were combining well and Bingham released Adair up the line and he cut back to Wilson who this time found the back of the net.

Adair crossed from the left and Wilson half volleyed over the keeper but the ball was cleared off the line and Bain followed up but his effort sailed over the bar. Anderson lobbed the keeper from distance but his effort was inches over the top.

Rowland pulled off a great save low to his right to push the ball around the post and Bingham also came to Slane’s rescue when he cleared the ball off the line.

Wilson should have put the game to bed when he found himself in on goal but he dinked it around the keeper and it went wide of the far post.

Stevie Adair hit an effort just wide near the end and Slane held on well for the points.

Overall a poor performance in front of goal for Slane who could have won this game by five or six but three points in the bag. Best on the day was Adam Rowland in goals for Slane on his debut and he looks a cracking wee keeper for the future.

Big thanks to Mark Jardine who sponsored a new match ball on the day