Reds spot-on to earn important point at Cookstown

On the Saturday two of the club’s teams who will compete in the North West and Coleraine District Youth League, the Under 10s and 11s put the final touches to their pre season plans with friendly matches against BUFC YA and Kells and Connor Cougars.

The two teams from the Under 9s and 10s and the nine a side Under 11s will be looking forward to their league kick off next Saturday up in Ballysally. With a late league fixture call off of for the Under 15s they kept in action with a good work out against Ridgeway Rovers in a friendly at the Showgrounds finishing 0-0.

In the club’s remaining National League fixtures whilst there were goals being scored there were no rewards for the Under 12s, 13s and 14s as all lost out to their respective opponents, Loughgall, Oxford Utd and Glentoran.

COUNTY ANTRIM EXCELLENCE SQUAD

All at the club would like to congratulate Under 12 players, Nathan Clarke, Scott Hunter and Craig Simpson who made it into the County Antrim Excellence Squad after a series of trials and also Under 13 player, Conor Stewart who has made it into the last selection stage for his age group.

UNDER-12

Carniny 2, Loughgall Youth 4: Carniny were brought back down to earth after their emphatic win last week.

Carniny started the brighter and were unlucky not to go 1-0 up when Moore forced a great save from the advancing Loughgall keeper. Loughgall had a few chances themselves and it was only the woodwork that denied them scoring. Carniny then got the break they needed when from a Lee Lynn corner it was Craig Farquhar who finished with a snapshot just inside the box.

Loughall piled on the pressure and it wasn’t long before they equalised just before half time when Carniny defenders allowed the cross into the box and allowed an easy finish for the striker.

The second half it was Carniny’s turn to create a few chances. Aidan Graffin was unlucky with his efforts before being taken off injured. Loughgall were then more clinical with their chances and went 3-1 up within 10 minutes.

To Carniny’s credit they did not lie down and were given a lifeline when Craig Farquhar got his second from 40 yards that looped over the Loughgall keeper.

With only a couple of minutes left and Carniny pushing for the equaliser Loughgall got their fourth despite a great effort by McNicholl in goals.

Carniny: McNicholl, Farquhar, Lamont, Hamilton, Simpson, White, Clarke, Lee, Hunter, Graffin, Mearns, Moore, Currie, Scullion and Young

UNDER-13

Carniny 3, Oxford Utd Stars 4: Carniny took an early lead when Archer fed the ball through to Conor Stewart who calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner.

Carniny then doubled their lead with a ball up the line from Close to Blane Warren who turned and hit a high strike which gave the keeper no chance. Oxford then had a quick reply with a tidy finish.

Dane Archer had the ball in net but was ruled off side. But minutes later the same player had the ball in the net and the goal did stand.

Oxford pulled a goal back at the start of the second half to keep the pressure on Carniny.

As the minutes ticked away the ball was lost and a quick break was on for Oxford and from a cross from the left wing the ball was tapped home to level the game.

Now Carniny had to be very careful not to concede again but with only a couple minutes remaining a free kick was conceded in a dangerous area. From the free kick the ball was headed home to break Carniny’s hearts. From the restart the final whistle blew. A valuable lesson learned from this young Carniny side who in no doubt do not look out of place in this league.

Carniny: Parker, Ervine, Close, Winter, Fleming, Stewart, J Logan, O’Boyle, Archer, Gordon, Neeson, Warren, Courtney, Kirk.

UNDER-14

Carniny 1, Glentoran Academy 2: Marshall and McGarry in midfield were proving hard to work with but Carniny went two behind with Glentoran scoring two goals in 3 minutes in the 18th and 21st minutes.

Carniny came into their own in the second half and controlled the game making it very difficult for Glentoran to have any chance in front of goal. Ryan McGarry was superb in the midfield missing nothing in the air and when Marshall went on a run on 42 minutes into the Glens area, where he was sandwiched by two defenders giving Carniny a penalty.

Jordan Stewart converted from the spot and Carniny went on the charge and had the Glens pinned back in their own half. Carniny pressed hard for the equaliser with Young, Henderson and Houston coming close, but it just wouldn’t happen.

Carniny: O’Brien Lemon Henderson Houston Laverty Stewart Young McGarry Marshall(c) Downey McDonnell McHenry Foster Reid Magill.

UNDER-16

Cookstown Youth 1, Carniny 1: Carniny started the match well with a couple of free kicks awarded around the Cookstown area and from one of these Matthew Shevlin rattled the crossbar and the ball bounced to safety.

Cookstown took the lead after another corner was awarded and the ball was headed into the net after slack defending from Carniny.

Carniny went on the attack in the second half in search of an equaliser but just when it looked as if the reds would get nothing from the game, 6 minutes into added time Carniny were awarded a penalty when the referee pointed to the spot for a push following a corner.

Matthew Shevlin scored the resulting penalty and the game finished one all.

Carniny: Marquess, Macartney, Balmer, Rowe, Wojtowicz, Platt, Killough, Elliott, Moore, Jaworski, Shevlin, Flynn, Price, Ferguson

FIXTURES

Matches for Carniny Youth sides this weekend are:

Friday 20th - Under 13s v Larne Youth (a).

Saturday 21st - Under 12 v Linfield (a); Under 14 v Glenavon (a); Under 15 v Glenavon (a); Under 16 v Glendowan (h).

CLUB CONTACTS

2006 and above (Football Development Centre) Davy 07803974402; 2005- Niall Greer 07920095385; 2004 - Davy Hanna 07791297755; 2003 - Jonny Wilson 07704550454; 2002 - Jason Hunter 07885899290; 2001 - Davy Parker 07835020446; 2000 - Davy Leetch 0773280858; 1999 – Darren McGall 07812604932; 1998 and coaching opportunities - Billy O’Flaherty 07850669666.