‘Slane back to winning ways
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Moneyslane 3, Oxford/Sunnyside 0. MONEYSLANE recovered from the post-Christmas blues with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Lurgan side Oxford/Sunnyside.
After three consecutive defeats, Glenn Moffett's men got off to a fantastic start and were 1-0 up inside three minutes.
Mark Ervine played a through ball to John Davenport who used his pace to beat the defender to the ball and he rounded the keeper and tapped into the empty net.
Moneyslane continued to press and David Boyd played the ball up the line to Davenport who pumped a 40 yard cross field pass to Thomas Lockhart. He plucked the ball out of the air with a skilful touch and nipped inside his marker but his shot went just over the bar.
The injured Cullen Feeney had to be replaced on the half hour by Mark Anderson and Davenport slipped into defence with the hard working Boyd, O'Neill and Weir.
The commitment, attitude and desire to get the right result was evident from all the 'Slane players who were up for the challenge. Colin Brown and Lee Feeney were covering a lot of ground in the middle of the park, putting in a good shift.
Weir pulled off a great tackle and found the feet of Lockhart up the line and he played a one two with Brown and raced up the flank and whipped in a good cross to Ervine, who hit inches wide.
McConnell and Ervine were combining well up front, the pair interlinked and the resulting cross from McConnell to the back post was latched on to by Anderson, who had his effort pushed around the post by the Oxford keeper. McConnell swung in the corner and Ervine headed with power and the ball bounced off the bar and over.
‘Slane were trying hard to get the second goal before the half and again the woodwork denied them. McConnell picked out Ervine who played in Anderson who hammered his shot off the foot of the post and Feeney hit the rebound wide.
Feeney almost found the net when Anderson crossed to the back post and the outstretched foot from Feeney nicked the ball inches wide.
‘Slane started the second half the way they started the first - with an early goal - only this time it was the unfortunate defender who put the ball in his own net to put 'Slane firmly in the driving seat.
And they could have made it 3-0 five minutes later when Feeney was played through with a defence splitting pass by Brown and he raced in on goal, rounded the keeper but skied over the bar.
The visitors hit a free kick over the bar and Fry pulled off a brave save at the feet of the attacker as Oxford tried to make a comeback.
But with 10 minutes to go Joel McConnell put the game to bed with a well taken individual goal.
The visitors didn't give up and pushed 'Slane back deep into their own half for the last five minutes but the 'Slane defence stood strong to the final whistle to keep a clean sheet.
It was a good, hard working performance by 'Slane who bossed the game from start to finish. A few players limped off injured and this will be a worry for the management staff of Glenn Moffett and Neil McCullough.
Best on the day for 'Slane was Robbie Weir at right back, a young player who is getting better week by week, skilful, strong and great at going forward with the ball.
Team - N Fry, R Weir, J O'Neill, D Boyd, C Feeney, J Davenport, C Brown, L Feeney, T Lockhart, M Ervine, J McConnell, N Bingham, M Anderson A Rowan.
Subscribe to read full newspaper »
Send to a friend
Please complete the following form to inform a friend about this page.
