Understrength U17s win in Newry

Moneyslane U17s 3

SLANE’S U17s travelled to Newry on Saturday to play Windmill Stars in the league.

This was an evenly fought out game and the manager had six first team players missing for this game but has a great squad to pick from.

Slane had the best of the chances and could have been 3-0 up in the first 10 minutes only for missed chances. They got a corner and Ally Fairley swung it in only for the defender to somehow clear off the line from Matthew McKnight’s header.

Then Slane got a free kick about 10 yards outside the box. Up stepped Jamie Wharton who fired in a brilliant shot only for it to skim the top of the crossbar.

Then came the best chance when Slane put together a string of passes and the final shot was saved by the keeper.

Slane were causing Windmill all sorts of problems all over the pitch. The football wasn't pretty as the pitch was very sticky and players were finding it hard to control the ball.

Slane got their reward for some great pressure on what was a dogged display by the Windmill defence. They got a corner, again Ally Fairley swung in a great ball right under the keeper and he dropped in at the feet of Johnny Adair who tapped it into the net.

The second half started with Windmill having a couple of great chances to score but for some great goalkeeping by Matthew Kerr who was brilliant in nets. This was Slane’s wake up call.

A great ball was crossed in from the left and Matthew McKnight brought it down rounded the keeper to score Slane’s second of the game.

Slane were now looking for their third and could have got it but again Windmill’s defence held firm. Slane finally got their third goal when Matthew McKnight dribbled the ball around three Windmill players then cut the ball back where Johnny Adair was waiting to get his second of the game.

Man of the match was hard to choose but just edging it was Jamie Wharton who swapped his role as striker for the day and went into centre defence.

Team: Matthew Kerr, Brian Davidson, David Henry, Gary Porter, Jamie Wharton, Robbie Little, Jordan Fairley, Ally Fairley, Matthew McKnight, Johnny Adair, William Martin, Jordan McRoberts.