Moneyslane seal gr-eight win to ease into next round after Nesbitt hat-trick

The early part of the game gave no indication of the goals that followed.

Slane started brightly with some good attacks down the right but with the wind at their backs Craigavon City had their fair share of possession and caused a few problems breaking from midfield.

Stevie White saved well before the home team took the lead after 20 minutes when Ritchie Nesbitt picked up the ball in his own half, rode three or four challenges before striding through the defence and slotting past the keeper for a special solo effort.

Just before half time Jonny Kernaghan picked up the ball on the left, cut inside his marker and found the bottom corner to make the score 2-0.

The second half was dominated by the home team. Ritchie Nesbitt fired home from the edge of the box after good work by Gregg Harrison.

Then Slane’s top scorer, Harrison fired home from a corner before Richard Nesbitt added another to make it 5-0.

With 20 minutes left Jonny Gibson and Neil Taylor came on for Mark Ervine and Ally Quinn.

Brian Quilty curled a shot just wide and Gregg Harrison saw a shot saved before the latter broke from his own half to slot past the advancing keeper to make it 6-0.

David Boyd then came on for Ryan Shilliday. Jonny Kernaghan then scored a spectacular left foot shot before young Gareth Rees finished off the rout with a well taken finish.

Manager, David Johnstone was impressed with his side’s performance.

He said: “I am really pleased with the performance today. Keeping our first clean sheet of the season was positive but so too was the clinical finishing.

“Ritchie Nesbitt was outstanding today. Obviously there has been attention on him regarding the registration issues but today he was man of the match, not just because he scored three goals but his work rate and energy breaking caused them problems.

Johnstone chose to rest Darragh Peden and give a debut to Justin Hanna at the heart of the defence.

Johnstone added: “Justin Hanna had a solid game on his home debut.

“The team is playing well and are full of confidence as we now look forward to the derby game this Saturday against Banbridge Town in what promises to be yet another milestone for the team.”

Team: Stevie White, Stevie Coulter, Ally Quinn, Ryan Shilliday, Justin Hanna, Mark Ervine, Gregg Harrison, Ritchie Nesbitt, Brian Quilty, Gareth Rees & Jonny Kernaghan

Subs: Neil Taylor, Jonny Gibson, David Boyd & Darragh Peden