Slane U8s play in derby game

Both teams fielded eight players and deployed a role on role off subs strategy and the shots were raining in on both keepers in the early stages.

Slane opened the score with a tidy finish from Josh Penny when he was fed the ball from Sam McConnell on the right side of the pitch.

The visitors were lethal up the left and soon found the equaliser from the talented young winger who rounded two Slane players and hammered into the bottom corner.

Luke Cochrane squared to right back Joseph Weir, he threaded the ball up the line to Marc Cochrane who hurdled the challenge and rifled his effort goal bound but the Gers keeper finger tipped onto the bar and the danger was cleared.

New signings Ethan Trimble and Russell McCready both combined well and Trimble hit inches wide of the target.

Ewan Hayes and Marc Cochrane were strong in the middle of the park and both players hit efforts just over the bar.

The visitors hit Slane for another goal just before the break.

Niall Martin played a one-two with Luke Cochrane and he sent Trimble racing through but the keeper pulled off a great save to deny him his first goal for Slane. The Gers were on fire up front and they scored twice again to send them into the second break 4-1 up

Marc Cochrane hit a brilliant goal with a solo run up the left and he hammered his powerful shot into the top corner of the net to bring Slane back into the game.

Penny and McCready had shots well saved by the Banbridge keeper who was in fine form and the Slane strikers were finding him hard to get past. Ewan Hayes pulled off two great saves for Slane between the posts.

Luke Cochrane and Joseph Weir were solid at the back with new signing Sam McConnell who was firing himself into every tackle with confidence and distributing the ball well up the right to Trimble. Trimble passed to McCready who in turn found Marc Cochrane free up front and he unleashed an unstoppable shot that whizzed past the outstretched hand of the keeper.

Team: Ewan Hayes, Sam McConnell, Luke Cochrane, Joseph Weir, Marc Cochrane, Ethan Trimble, Josh Penny, Niall Martin, Russell McCready

The club would like to thank all those who came to watch the game, Mark from Banbridge Rangers who brought their kids who all had a great night’s fun and entertainment and also new Slane coach Jake Johnston who is relishing the Development Centre games project.

This week the Development Centre will travel Banbridge Rangers at U8 and U10 level and it will be played at the Havelock Park, Banbridge with a 10am kick off.

- Moneyslane Thirds will open their season in the Newcastle League on Saturday September 1 with an away tie against Carryduff Colts and the game will be played at Lough Moss Park with a 2pm kick off.