FOOTBALL: Junior Gers set up NI final with Linfield

Carrick Rangers' 2005s booked their spot in the Northern Ireland Boys' Football Association Cup final with a 2-1 win over Warrenpoint on Saturday.
Carrick Rangers' 2005 group have reached the Northern Ireland Cup final. INLT 16-908-CONCarrick Rangers' 2005 group have reached the Northern Ireland Cup final. INLT 16-908-CON
Carrick Rangers' 2005 group have reached the Northern Ireland Cup final. INLT 16-908-CON

Goals from Justin Waite and Noah Bailie put the junior Gers through to meet Linfield in the showpiece match on May 2.

The Under-11s made history by becoming the first Taylor’s Avenue team to reach a NIBFA final. Now skipper Joel Thompson is eager to get his hands on the silverware.

Justin Waite’s goals - nine so far in the competition - have proved key to Carrick’s success and he’ll be aiming to reach double figures against the Blues.

At the other end of the pitch the defence has also been superb, conceding just two goals in the five rounds.

There’s a huge amount of talent in the group with seven players part of the East Antrim squad at the NI Primary Schools’ District Cup in midweek.

Coach Gary Scott wrote on Facebook: “We’ve won nothing yet and we will take that pride, fight, passion and belief with us to the final.

“These boys work their socks off week in, week out, and it shows on the pitch!”

Road to the final

R1, Dungoyne 0-5 Carrick. Goals: Justin Waite (2), Sol Davison, Logan Wallace, Bradley Lockhart.

R2, Hillsborough Boys 0-6 Carrick. Goals: Waite (2), Wallace (2), Luke Bennett (2).

R3, Rosario 0-5 Carrick. Goals: Waite (2), Luke Bennett, Wallace, own goal.

Quarter-final, Glentoran 1-3 Carrick. Goals: Waite (2), Luke Bennett.

Semi-final, Carrick 2-1 Warrenpoint Town. Goals: Waite, Noah Bailie.

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