Stevie Is A Sloan Shark

Aug 17 2008 Anthony Brown At Galabank

Third Division

ANNAN ATHLETIC 2

EAST STIRLING 1

SUPER Steven Sloan fired Annan in to dreamland after taking a ribbing from boss Harry Cairney.

The little redhead popped up to smash home a dramatic late winner and take the SFL new boys clear at the top of the table.

The goal had Galabank rocking and left boss Cairney scratching his head in disbelief.

He said: "When Sloaney rattled in the winner I couldn't believe it. He's not a good striker of the ball and I told him before the game he can't kick the ball further than 30 yards so he should stick to playing short passes.

"He certainly silenced me with that strike. I was kidding him on and told him it only went in because of these new fly-away balls.

"Seriously though, he was the best player on the park and really deserved that. He was disappointed with his performance in the first home game last week but has more than made up for that.

"We're top of the league but will be keeping our feet on the ground because people will be sitting up and taking note of us now."

As they had done in their previous two league games, Annan suffered a shocking start when they fell behind early on.

Inside 60 seconds Shire's Colin Cramb latched on to a Jimmy Gibson pass and chipped home a fantastic opener from the edge of the box. It might be the best goal the division will see all season.

Cramb then saw a carbon copy lob caught by keeper Craig Summersgill before he curled a free-kick just wide.

But the home side forced themselves in to the match and Derek Townsley saw an effort headed off the line by Michael Bolochoweckyj before Sloan shot just over after a superb mazy run in to the box.

Annan deservedly equalised four minutes in to the second half when Mike Jack kept up his record of scoring in every league game. The midfielder slotted home a penalty after Steve Archibald had been downed by keeper John Hillcoat.

Cairney's men sensed a winner.

But just when it looked as if they would have to settle for a point Sloan produced his moment of magic to bring down the house.

With a minute left the winger cut in from the left and fired home a super shot from the edge of the box.

Galabank went wild and after a subdued atmosphere at the ground in last weekend's draw with Stenhousemuir, Cairney was delighted with the backing his troops had from the home support He said: "The place was buzzing.

The atmosphere was much better than last week.

"And the players were a lot less The performance certainly lifted the crowd."

Shire boss Jim McInally admitted Annan were far better than his sloppy side and said: "I'm disappointed to lose at such a late stage but we were well beaten.

"We had a great start but then went in to our shell.

"All credit to Annan because their desire to win was relentless. They deserved to take three points.

"We need to do a lot better than that. It simply wasn't good enough."