Battling show from Colts against leaders

Carrick Rangers Colts Under-12s entertained Lisburn Youth on Friday night in the Lisburn League Cup quarter-final.

In what was a terrific contest, the 5-0 scoreline doesn’t justify the efforts of the valiant Carrick team. In fact, it was only in the last 10 minutes that Lisburn showed why they are unbeaten league leaders when they scored three late goals to give the scoreline a very flattering look.

The first half ebbed and flowed but Carrick had the balance of possession. However, they fell behind 10 minutes before the interval.

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The Carrick forwards were causing the visitors problems with wide men Nicholas Mulholland and Owen Barrons always keen to get on the ball. The Colts had a strong penalty appeal waved away by the referee when Scott Wilson appeared to be upended before the defender made contact with the ball. There was another appeal involving Wilson though it appeared this time the defender got to the ball first.

Carrick peppered the Lisburn goal with Cameron Long, Gareth Rees and Lewis Patterson all testing the keeper from range.

Lisburn were, perhaps, not expecting the match to be as tight as it was and changed tactics in the second half by deploying a sweeper.

A great break saw Wilson thread a pass to Mulholland but the chance just eluded him. Unfortunately a second goal proved decisive for the visitors who took control in the final quarter.

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Goalkeeper MacFarlane pulled off a series of wonder saves whilst the ever-reliable Nathan Swain cleared off the line before the visitors added three late goals.

The scoreline may have been disappointing, but for the majority of the game Carrick played as well as they had all season - they just didn’t get the rub of the green. Coaches Ian Barrons and Alan Hall can take great pride in the performance against a team which had put 16 goals past them in two previous fixtures.

Keeper MacFarlane was awarded Man of the Match.

Carrick Colts Under-12s: Aaron MacFarlane, Ethan Hall, Nathan Swain, Lewis Patterson, Gavin Anderson, Nicolas Mulholland, Owen Barrons, Scott Gardner, Scott Wilson, Cameron Long, Andrew Martin, Gareth Rees, Dara Devine, Marcus Baird.