CHRIS SHERRARD MONEY’S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION

Thornton refuses to talk up his early pacesetters as rising stock of most clubs will make winning the title a difficult proposition By

MONEYSLANE soared to the top of Mid-ulster Intermediate A on Saturday – but are under no illusions how hard it will be to stay there.

The Jubilee Park side (above) have racked up three wins from their opening three games, scoring 10 times in the process.

Their latest success came at home to Richhill AFC on Saturday – a 4-2 win over a tough Villagers outfit evidence of their abilities.

Manager Dan Thornton even had the capacity to rotate his starting line-up, making four changes.

And it’s that strength in depth which most pleases the Slane boss ahead of a tough season to come.

He said: “We were a bit reliant on a couple of players for goals last season but we’ve strengthened well – and already the goals are being shared about by the boys which is great to see.

“We’ve started well, we’re scoring goals and looking solid at the back so we’re pleased with how things are going.

“Going forward we’re very dangerous and have plenty of attacking options.

“The boys who have come in have done fantastically well already which has been a big boost.

“Everyone is buying into what we want to do and the boys all know that come Saturday nobody is sure of their place.

“We’ve a big squad and everyone is pushing each other hard – but there’s a long way to go.”

Slane are one of a handful of sides who could be considered realistic title challengers this season. But those others in that group also be gunning for top spot. And early talk of Moneyslane being the team to beat has been dismissed by the gaffer.

He said: “The league is so strong again this year – a lot have strengthened and the fact there are two good sides who have come up arguably makes it even tighter than last season.

“We’ve had a good start and some of the boys have said how they want to win the league.

“That would be great, of course, but we’re building for the longterm.

“The club is ambitious. ambitious manager.

“But it has to be built in the right way.

“We do a lot of work with the youth teams so we’re trying to get it right from the bottom up rather than just looking for a quick fix. I’m an Last season we were new to the league so we were finding our feet and managed to finish in the top six.

“We know what to expect this season so realistically we just want to better that position.”

Richhill may have been on the losing end in each of their opening two games in the top flight, but they’re no pushovers.

And they showed that for large spells of Saturday’s game at Jubilee Park, particularly in the first half.

The opening goal came when Brendy Kingsmore

(right) held his nerve when in one-on-one with the

Richhill keeper.

But Neil Rowntree’s side were level from the penalty spot right on the stroke of halfwill