Miserable weekend of cup exits for Carniny Youth sides

The 17s kicked off the weekend against Ballymena Utd losing out in the ‘mini’ derby.

The 11s, 13s, 15s and 16s all exited their respective NIBFA Cup competitions.

UNDER-11

Carniny Youth 2, Ridgeway Rovers 4: In sub zero temperatures Carniny began well and pressured Ridgeway from the start.

Jack Kennedy stole the ball from a throw in and his instant shot with the outside of his right foot went just wide.

From the resulting goal kick, Anthony Greer picked the ball up in midfield and fired a fierce shot goalwards. Leon Graham’s intelligent dummy deceived the keeper and the shot went straight into the bottom corner.

Ridgeway took the game to Carniny and miscommunication between Greer and Kenzie McMullan allowed Ridgeway to gain possession. Their midfielder drove on and shot from distance past Adam Tweed in nets to equalise.

With the game fairly even, Adam Douglas and Joel Murray were called upon to clear their lines in icy conditions and feed the wingers of Sam Magee and Cameron Moody. Douglas came off injured after a tackle and replaced by Harvey Scott.

Murray was starting to get back to his old self and showing his strength in the tackle and allowing Carniny to attack. Greer performed a great reverse pass to Kennedy but the ball just ran away from him in the conditions.

Great interplay between Moody and Graham saw a shot flash just wide and the half ended 1-1.

A through ball from Moody allowed Graham to shoot and it ricocheted back off the post. From the resulting goal kick, Carniny dallied and the Ridgeway attacker won the ball. His pass to a midfielder saw them take the lead 2-1.

With Lewis McKee providing fresh legs on the right Carniny continued to attack forcing several corners which were all cleared. Magee then picked up the loosed ball in centre midfield and went on a Ricky Villa style mazy run that took him past 3 defenders. He feinted to shoot before rifling home the equaliser.

Still celebrating the goal Carniny went to sleep and didn’t clear the ball to let Ridgeway score again.

Pushing for all out attack, Ridgeway then scored a fourth to seal it.

A competitive game that was played in very difficult conditions could have went either way and Carniny can count themselves unlucky not to get a positive result. Another lesson to be learned from the game for the boys in taking their chances and being more decisive when battling for the ball.

Carniny: Tweed, Douglas, Murray, K McMullan, Greer, Moody, Magee, Graham, Kennedy, McKee, Scott

UNDER-13

Carniny Youth 1, Magherafelt Sky Blues 5: Carniny U 13 ‘s kicked off their home draw in the NIBFA cup in very wet and difficult playing conditions at Ballykeel.

The home side were pegged back in the first 15 minutes and resolute defending by Carniny’s back four and their goalkeeper kept the score 0-0.

It was McAuley in goal who brought off a number of outstanding saves.

Carniny got their first chance on 20 minutes and scored from it when Telford and Young linked up well with some neat passing to put Adams free in the penalty box.

He took the ball past the left back and slotted it up to give Carniny a 1-0 lead at half time against the run of play. They almost had a 2nd when a couple of chances went narrowly wide.

A muddy pitch didn’t help Carniny in the second half. Continuous pressure was hard to withstand and despite some hard tackles Carniny were made to pay 10 minutes in when the Magherafelt forward beat the unfortunate McAuley to make it 1-1.

Carniny continued to battle but tired legs and a physical opposition led to a few goals in quick succession with the visitors scoring 4 goals in 10 minutes to make it 5-1.

A hard game for the U13’s and they will look forward to returning to league action

UNDER-15

Result: Carniny Youth 0, St Oliver Plunkett 2.

UNDER-16

Result: Carniny Youth 0, Holywood Youth 2.

UNDER-17

Carniny Youth 1, Ballymena United 3: On Friday evening Carniny U17s played host to neighbours Ballymena U17s in the NIBFA Subway Elite National league.

The opening ten minutes of this game saw Ballymena with the majority of possession forcing a couple of corners and a few half chances.

Carniny’s midfield five gradually got a foothold in the game and it was Carniny who opened the scoring when Conor Doherty hit a great free kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner of the net.

Ballymena came close to scoring when a shot forced Carniny goalkeeper Gareth Kealey to somehow get a hand on the ball and tip it over the bar.

With ten minutes to go to half time Ballymena equalised when a good through ball was slotted home by a Ballymena forward.

The second half was very even with both teams creating several half chances.

Carniny’s defence were putting in a solid performance with U16 debutant Cormac Lemon looking particularly assured.

Carniny’s two holding midfielders Curtis McVeigh and Aaron Johnston were also providing good protection and giving the Ballymena forwards very little room.

As the game entered the last quarter it looked like the team who would score next would go on and win the game and with ten minutes left it was Ballymena who scored.

As Carniny pushed forward looking for an equaliser they conceded another with virtually the last kick of the game.

Although losing the game this was a much improved performance from last week with all the players putting in ‘a good shift’ and special mention goes to the three U16s who adapted really well.

Carniny: Kealey, Hull, McVeigh, Lemon, McComb, McKee, Johnston, Mucka, Doherty, Greer, Rankin, Stewart, Holmes, Hassan, McDonnell, Young.

COACHING OPPORTUNITIES

Carniny Amateur and Youth FC are currently on the look out for enthusiastic aspiring coaches to join their progressive local football club. The club are particularly interested in recruiting coaches for their Football Development Centre currently catering for children born in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2009.

Coaches will have the opportunity to achieve Coerver Coaching Diploma award and will also be progressed by the club through the Irish FA Coaching ladder. If anyone out there thinks they would like to start out on their coaching career, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the club.