U16
The Colts’ first match of 2012 was marked by a gutsy performance and a well-earned win over Ards Youth at Blanchflower.
Ards had the better of the early exchanges and only a couple of tremendous saves from goalkeeper Luke O’Neill prevented them from taking the lead.
Against the run of play Carryduff took the lead with a marvellous goal when Paul Maguire’s superb cross was headed home at the back post by Matthew McConville.
Carryduff’s keeper O’Neill suffered a bad injury following a brave save and ended up in hospital for observation for the afternoon.
Following the restart the Colts began to take a foothold in the game and O’Toole’s free-kick was superbly headed home by man-of-the match Doherty to make it 2-0 at half time.
In an entertaining second half both teams pushed forward and the Colts were unlucky not to score again. Kevin Mockey went close when his shot was blocked inside the six-yard area while the Ards keeper made a great save from Pearse McCabe at the back post.
Conor McCluskey’s powerful shot was saved off the line while Oliver Gormley fired over from a corner.
COLTS: O’Neill, McCluskey, Gormley, O’Toole, Gillan, McConville, Maguire, White, Doherty, McKeown, Power, McCabe, Mockey, Caskey, Holden, Devine.
U14 NIBFA Cup
Carryduff Colts 1
Hillsborough Boys 0
Colts advanced to the third round of the NIBFA Cup with a fine performance at Lough Moss.
The home side went on the attack from the start and in the first ten minutes the Colts had several half chances with Hamilton and McCabe going close only to be foiled by the Hillsborough goalkeeper.
Hillsborough created a few half chances but goalkeeper Peter O’Neill was in top form.
In the closing minutes of the half, Colts dominated particularly in midfield with Loughran and McGowan, and down the wings with Madden and Van Merkom causing havoc.
The second half continued with the Colts well on top and Hillsborough rarely threatened with the Colts defence of McCrea, Henderson, Doherty and Davies rock solid.
The Colts brought on fresh legs after 15 minutes with McGleenan and White coming into the fray.
With five minutes to go the game looked like it was heading for extra time until a cross from Madden was met on the half volley by White who drilled the ball into the net and sealed the win to send the Colts through to the last 16.
Carryduff: P O’Neill, J McCrea, G Henderson, C Davis, J Doherty, R Van Merkom (C McGleenan), E Madden (J Kennedy), P Loughran (E White), O McGowan, D Hamilton, O McCabe. Subs: A Waddell, J Carville.
U13
Carryduff Colts 3
Aquinas 0
Colts started the strongest but despite the early pressure the Colts couldn’t find the breakthrough with the front two of Dylan Stronge and Tommy Connery both going close.
However, in a rare attack Aquinas broke forward and were awarded a penalty.
The penalty was hit hard and low to Simon Henry’s right and at full stretch he blocked the shot and retrieved the ball, showing why he is widely regarded as the best keeper in the league.
The save inspired the Colts and a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box presented Ben Davis with a free-kick opportunity which he sent into the top left corner.
With their tails up the Colts were relentless and it came as no surprise when the second goal came a minute later when a through ball found Tommy Connery who drilled it home.
Aquinas couldn’t respond and just before half time they went 3-0 down with the best goal of the game – a brilliant solo effort from Ben Davis.
Unlike the first half the second half was an anti-climax but the win keeps the Colts in touch with the top three.
Colts: Henry, Hynes (McCann), Murtagh, Lavery, Cunningham, Agnew, Davies, Campbell (Coogan), Mulholland (Foy), Connery (Reid), Strong.
U12
Sirocco 0
Carryduff Colts 7
The table topping Colts made a great start to the second half of the season with this emphatic win.
Simon Turkington was the star man with five goals with Caleb Keating and Kyle Toan getting one each.
Leo McGowan, Peter Duncan, Caolan Cunningham and Jonny Wilson all had chances before Turkington opened the scoring after great work from McGowan and Caolan Cunningham.
His second was a nice finish from the left after a lovely through ball from Jonny Wilson with Keating slamming home number three.
Turkington then completed his hat-trick with a scrappy goal after good work from McGowan and Michael Lawson while Kyle Toan made it five as he pounced on a rebound after a great run and cross from Daniel McCrudden.
Four subs were introduced at the beginning of the second half with Peter Duncan, Owen McMahon, Josh Hyland and Kevin Morgan all making an impact.
Sirocco came flying out after half time, forcing Eoin Maguire to make a couple of comfortable saves, with the defence marshalled by the classy Adam McAleenan and assisted by the improving Matthew Devlin.
Simon scored his fourth after rounding the keeper while the final goal came from a well-worked corner.
Jonny Wilson, who controlled the game in midfield, gave the ball to Turkington who smashed the ball past the helpless keeper.
