Carniny U-17s climb table after encouraging win at Derry

The boys travelled to Greysteel to take on Derry Colts, proving worth the trip when they came away with a valuable away win which saw them climb up the table.

The Under 13s were not so lucky when lost out to league leaders Linfield in the Subway National League Premier division despite a spirited performance.

Also in the Subway National League the U15s had a miserable day in the rain up at Mallusk losing out to an impressive table topping Glentoran side.

The Under14s were all ready to go with their match against Linfield down at Wakehurst Playing fields but the referee deemed the pitch unplayable right at the last minute.

Up in the North West, the two Under 10 sides had contrasting results, with the Amateurs notching up an impressive win against Dungiven Celtic but the Youth team falling to a good Portrush side. The Under 11s and 12s had no competitive matches due to the transfer tests but the U12s kept in action with a friendly win over Antrim Rovers in 7 a side action.

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Results: Carniny Youth 1, Portrush 7; Carniny Amateurs 2, Dungiven Celtic 0.

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Carniny Youth 2, Linfield 6: A result that flattered Linfield when Carniny was well in the game for three quarters of the game.

Carniny started well and were competing all over the pitch until a lapse in concentration let a cross come shot find the bottom corner to make it 1-0 Linfield.

Another cross was allowed that ended in a glancing header to make it 2-0.

The second half again started well for Carniny and their continual pressure forced an own goal from Linfield to make it 2-1.

Carniny forced a number of corners with White unlucky with his header cleared off the line.

At this stage Carniny had Linfield worried and it looked like they were going to get something out of the game. That was until Carniny’s centre back Robinson had to be taken off with concussion and with no more subs Carniny were up against it.

Linfield took advantage of the situation and with only 15 minutes left scored 4 quick goals.

Even to the end Carniny never gave up and finished with another goal when Graffin crossed to White who finished with a great header to make it 6-2.

Carniny; McNicholl, Lamont, Robinson, Young, Simpson, White, Hunter, Lynn, Holland, Hamilton, Anderson, Graffin.

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Result: Carniny Youth 0, Glentoran 7.

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Carniny Youth 2, Derry Colts 1: On Friday evening Carniny U17s travelled to play Derry Colts U17s in the NIBFA Subway National Youth League.

Derry took the lead when one of their players was left unmarked in the Carniny penalty area and he was able to shoot past McWilliams in the Carniny goal.

Carniny made a few positional changes and equalised just before half time when Jaworski was brought down in the Derry penalty box and Balmer scored from the resulting penalty.

Midway through the second half Carniny took the lead when Jaworski played a great ball out to the right wing to Doherty who in turn crossed to Aaron Johnston who was able to flick the ball over the despairing dive of the Derry keeper and into the net.

Carniny had to withstand a late rally by Derry but a good double save by Travis McWilliams and some steadfast defending kept the score at 1-2.

Carniny: McWilliams, Calderwood, Bunting, McCartney, McComb, Millar, Jaworski, Price, O’Mullan, Doherty, Balmer, Graham, Letters, Johnston.

NIBFA CUP DRAWS

Club secretary Billy O’Flaherty left the Northern Ireland Boys FA Cup draw last Tuesday night reasonably happy with five of the club’s six age groups earning home draws with four of them earning byes into the second round.

Carniny themselves have a good record in this competition and since the club’s formation in the year 2000 have regularly competed in this ‘blue riband’ competition.

The full draw for the Carniny clubs in action is as follows:

Under-11s v Coleraine Youth Academy (a): David Hanna’s boys face a difficult away trip against their Bannside neighbours. The Carniny ‘reds’ though have assembled a good side capable of taking on any side at this age group.

Under-12s v Warrenpoint (a): Jonny Wilson’s team couldn’t have drawn opposition more distant. Being an Irish League academy side though it should be a difficult encounter.

Under-13s v Glentoran (h): This mouth watering tie is without doubt the ‘tie of the round’ and on their day Jason Hunter’s young lions are capable of beating anyone and have the best young players of this age group from the Borough in their ranks.

Under-14s v Strabane or Rosario (h): Davy Parker’s side are capable of beating either of these two teams and will be hoping that ‘home’ advantage and the long journey may affect the visitors. With the addition of Alex Rainey in the coaching staff his experience can only be beneficial especially in these big games.

Under-15s v Whitehead or Dungoyne (h): Arguably the club’s best side, well prepared by coaches Davy Leetch, John Henderson and Dessie Lemon who have an excellent record in this competition.

Under-17s v Dungannon Swifts (h): Another ‘tie of the round’ with two National League quality sides meeting at Ballymena Showgrounds.

Little separated the sides when they met in the league earlier in the season when a disputed penalty earned Swifts a share of the spoils. Ian Morton and Davy McComb have excelled better than any expectations this season considering how many players they have in their side a year young.

INJURED PLAYERS RECOVERING

Several of the clubs long term injured players look to be well on the road to recovery and will be a welcome addition to the clubs respective sides when they are back in ‘the fold.’

The 17s team are the worst hit, injury wise, with Thomas Johnston, Luke Calderwood and Michael Hagan either just back or soon to make a return.

Young Ronnie Marshall suffered a horrendous facial injury a couple of weeks ago but incredibly has shown he is a fast healer and should be back soon. Kyle Anderson from the 13s will hopefully make a welcome return in a squad which is small enough.

The Under 14s will certainly willing their Goalkeeper Jake Parker on for a quick return also, having broken his wrist a few weeks ago.

The Chairman, committee, staff and players at Carniny Amateur & Youth FC wish all the aforementioned back to full health in the very near future.