Ervine stars for U15s with a hat-trick

This was not a game for the faint hearted. Tackles were fierce and goals were aplenty.

Slane were the dominant team in the first half. They were passing the ball well and tackling with great vigour.

They took the lead on 12 minutes when Matthew Ervine fired in a great free kick past the hapless keeper.

Slane continued to push Lisdrum back and could have had a second only for the ball to shave the bottom of the post.

Then Slane doubled their lead on 29 minutes when again Matthew Ervine fired in another free kick. This one was better than the first as it went up and over the wall and dipped into the net. It was like watching Gerrard.

On 34 minutes Slane were awarded a penalty when Joshua Cargin was in on goal and was upended in the box. Up stepped Matthew Ervine who coolly slotted the ball past the keeper for his hat trick.

Slane were deserving of their three goals at half time.

Slane came out in the second half looking to capitalise on a great first half but instead gave away a penalty on 40 minutes.

Slane tried to push forward at every opportunity but Lisdrum were now getting themselves organised and were firing in some heavy and unsavoury tackles which seemed to unnerve some of the Slane players. With 50 minutes gone Lisdrum got a second and it was game on.

Credit to the Slane lads, they never gave up and with 55 minutes gone Curtis Gibson collected the ball on the right wing thanks to a great pass from Matthew Smyth, ran at the Lisdrum defence and shot high into the net.

Slane could have made the game safe when Curtis lobbed the keeper from distance only for the ball to strike the crossbar.

With the score now at 4-2 Slane thought they had the game won, but on 55 minutes Lisdrum got a corner and their big defender rose highest to cut the defecate to one.

Slane tried to hold on but with two minutes left on the clock Lisdrum equalised. This was not what the lads had deserved but on a positive note Lisdrum beat this side very comprehensively last season so this was a great result.

Man of the match was Matthew Ervine for his three goals from a young player who has improved to no end in the last few season and a real leader in the middle of the park.

Team: William Maxwell, Jordan Clydesdale, Adam Gibson, Gareth McCabe, Ross Kerr, Matthew Smyth, Matthew Ervine, Steven Adair, Keith McGuigan, Joshua Cargin, Curtis Gibson, Kurtis Bain, Dale McMullan, Andrew Neill, Kyle Murray.

Next up for Slane is a home game against Magherafelt Sky Blues at home next Saturday.