Fairley heads home first senior goal on debut for Moneyslane FC

From the last game Kerr was out injured with Jordan Fairley and Mark Anderson coming into the squad.

The game got underway on a normal Spring night but within minutes there was heavy rain and that continued for most of the game.

The first number of chances went to the home team as on two occasions they failed to hit the target when well placed. Slane huffed and puffed without really forcing the home keeper to work.

Incredibly the next two chances fell to Richhill when from long throws into the box firstly Murdoch just managed to divert a goal bound header over the bar and then Blevins produced a fantastic point blank save.

A change of formation saw the away team go to 4-3-3 and while they got into some good positions in the final third, particularly down the left with Adair, the final ball or shot lacked quality.

Then some determined play by centre back Murdoch when he won a strong tackle in midfield and after striding forward he hammered the ball into the roof of the net from outside the box. A Gracey free kick brought a good save from the keeper.

After a stern half time talk Slane got on top and started to create chances. Harrison had a shot just wide, Nesbitt fired wide before a good cross to the back post saw debut boy Jordan Fairley head home well for his first senior goal.

The home team never gave up and caused problems for the Slane defence with a shout for a penalty and then Blevins producing a double save.

Chances came and unfortunately went with Harrison firing just wide from an angle, Anderson’s shot saved, Ervine somehow failed to score five yards out from a Harrison cross and a header form a corner was well saved. The best move of the match saw a passing move between Davenport, Whitten and Anderson who squared the ball for Nesbitt but his fierce shot hit a defender with the keeper beaten.

Right at the death a rash challenge saw Richhill awarded a penalty which was converted and at the restart the final whistle went.