Under 17's sponsored by Finlay Communications - Match Reports
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- Under 17's vs Coleraine (NIBFA CUP) - 16/01/10
- Under 17's vs Bangor Amateurs - 07/11/09
- Under 17's vs Aquinas - 17/10/09
- Under 17's vs SOPYC - 10/10/09
Under 17's 3 - 0 Coleraine
Colts give masterclass in finishing to Coleraine!
Carrick Rangers Colts U17's played Coleraine at Woodburn on Saturday 16th January, in the second round of the NIBFA cup. The match had been due to be played at Beltoy but was transferred, due to Beltoy being waterlogged. Coleraine were quick of the mark and immediately took the game to the Colts, who took a while to come to terms with a quick Coleraine midfield. The first opportunity of the game indeed went to Coleraine, when a long ball from midfield over a flat footed Colts back four left a Coleraine forward in a straight sprint with Crothers in the Carrick goal, and thankfully for the Colts, it was Crothers who managed to clear the ball for a throw in on the left hand side. This stirred the Colts and they finally managed to put the Coleraine defence under some pressure, when Johnston and Devine combined well only to see Devine's shot go wide.
This gave the Colts heart, as they had struggled to come to terms with a well organised and mobile Coleraine team. The breakthrough came though after only 10mins when a free kick was awarded to the Colts after Devine was fouled on the right hand side of the Coleraine box. Up stepped Stevie Grant who left footed, bent the ball round the Coleraine wall and into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. 1-0 to the Colts. Straight from the kick off, Coleraine weaved their way through the Colts midfield and only an excellent tackle from Colquhoon prevented Coleraine from getting in a shot. Things were to get even better for the Colts when from another free kick, excellently delivered by Nathan Poulter, Lee Lowry managed to out jump a Coleraine defender at the back post to thunder a header into the roof of the net. Remarkable for a player not normally known to head the ball, not even in training! 2-0 to the Colts.
Coleraine to their credit kept on coming at the Colts and only some well timed tackles from the Carrick defence kept Coleraine out. After 25mins Coleraine thought that they had scored when they managed to penetrate the Colts defence and a forward managed to shoot past Crothers only for the ball to strike the crossbar and the Colts managed to scramble the ball away. With only 5 mins of the half remaining, Carrick scored again when some neat play between Lewis, and Lowry allowed Darren Devine to cross into the Coleraine box, were Stevie Grant managed to shoot past the Coleraine keeper for his second goal and Carricks third.3-0 to the Colts. With half time approaching, tempers started to rise after one particularly late tackle on Lewis on the halfway line. Only the intervention of other players and the referee stopped things turning ugly.
3-0 to Carrick Colts at half time.
The second half was very much one of containment for both sides, as Coleraine pushed to get a goal that would get them back into the match, and the Colts worked hard at not letting them score and opportunities were limited for both sides. The Colts back four of Stewart, Colquhoon, Lewis and Poulter were not allowing the Coleraine forwards any room or time on the ball. Even when Stewart had to leave the pitch for treatment to a head injury, Poulter and co held firm. The match ended without any further goals being scored and the Colts progress to the next round 3-0. This was by far the best team performance from the Colts this season. Work rate, concentration and at times "never say die attitude" from the whole team earned them a great victory over a very skillful Coleraine team. It would be wrong to single out anyone player as "Man of the Match" as it was a complete team performance that won the day.
Carrick Rangers Colts: Crothers, Lewis, Stewart, Colquhoon, Poulter, Lowry, McDonagh, McGivern, Grant, Devine, Johnston, Pollock, Robb and Murdock
Special thanks go to the "Spirit of 76" supporters and "The Dugout" team, who provided after match refreshments for everyone at Taylors Avenue after the match.
Under 17's 6 - 5 Bangor Amateurs
Carrick Rangers Colts edge 11 goal thriller!
On Saturday 7th November, Carrick Rangers Colts U17's played Bangor Amateurs at Hydebank in their latest South Belfast Youth League game. The Colts made a number of changes from their last league game, two weeks ago (last weeks game being called off due to a waterlogged pitch), with Stephen Grant taking over in goal from Paul Crothers, and Mark Pollock returning at left back.
The Colts have been slow starters in recent games, and were keen to start the game on the front foot, and this is exactly what they did, with both Colquhoun and Devine testing the Bangor keeper from distance. The game was only 10 minutes old when Colquhoun run onto a through ball from Devine and chipped the ball beyond the advancing keeper to give the Colts the lead. Carrick were in total control, with McGivern controlling the centre of the pitch, and creating chances at will for both Devine and Colquhoun. After an excellent move down the Colts left involving at least 4 players the ball was passed to Colquhoun who smashed the ball low and in of the right hand upright to give the Colts a 2-nil lead.
It got even better for the Colts soon afterwards when the excellent Devine was able to out muscle the Bangor centre halves and score easily past the stranded Bangor keeper. Bangor were being given a lesson on how to pass and move, from what has been by far the best 40 minutes of football played by the Colts this season. The half ended with the Colts comfortably in the lead by three goals to nil, and it could very easily have been at least 3 more, with Colquhoun missing 2 easier chances than the ones he did convert.3-0
Bangor started the second half like a team possessed, and had obviously been given a strong talking to at the interval by their coaches, and came at the Colts with some conviction. This caught the Colts by surprise, and they struggled to keep Bangor at bay. Carrick were definitely on the back foot, but for all their possession, Bangor were not testing Grant in the Colts goal. This was short lived however, as just when it looked like the Colts had weathered the Bangor storm, and were getting a foothold in the game again, Bangor reduced the deficit when a loose ball in the Colts penalty area was not cleared and a Bangor forward was able to score.3-1 Despite this set back, the goal seemed to galvanise the Colts again and they started to control the game again, with both English and McDonagh going close.
The Colts made a substitution, with Colquhoun coming off and being replaced by Robb, which paid dividends nearly right away when a long punt up field from Grant was allowed to bounce by the Bangor centre halve and with the Bangor keeper hesitating, Robb was able to run between the two and tap the ball into the empty net.4-1 Surely this goal was the one that broke Bangors spirit, but instead of pushing on and trying to kill the game off, Carrick took their foot of the gas, believing the game to be won, when there was still 20minutes left. Further substitutions were made by the Colts with the excellent McGivern coming off to be replaced by Crothers, and these changes seemed to unbalance the Colts as they allowed Bangor to score again to make it 4-2. This second goal spurred Bangor on, who were starting to believe that they could get something from the game, and some great battles were developing all over the pitch, and some meaty tackles being made, mostly by Bangor as they pressed to reduce the deficit again. One such tackle on Stewart which left the Colts player in agony, give the Colts a free kick which was delivered into the Bangor goalmouth by Pollock, and was met by Devine who slotted home.5-2
Surely this was the goal that broke the Bangor spirit and won the game for Carrick, but back came Bangor again and they scored again when the ball wasn't cleared properly from the Carrick left.5-3 With time running out on Bangor they pressed again and again, hoping to capitalise on the panic that had crept into the Colts play, all that fluent possession football played in the first half was fogotten, as they kept giving the ball straight back to Bangor. The next goal, whoever scored it could be decisive for either team, and it was Carrick who scored it with McDonagh keeping his composure when finding himself free on the righthand side of the Bangor goal, and calmly shooting past the keeper.6-3
With barely 3 minutes left to play the Colts nearly comitted football suicide, when they allowed two quick goals in succession to be scored by Bangor and were left hanging on at the end to finally win 6-5. What a game and a great advert for youth football, with the Colts demonstrating both sides of the beautiful game, the calm precise controlled pass and move football they displayed in the first half, with the mistake strewn panic football, shown in the second half. The Colts owed their win to that first half display when McGivern, Devine and Colquhoun were outstanding.
Carrick Rangers Colts U17's: Grant, McDonagh, Neill, Chambers, Pollock, English, Stewart, McGivern, Poulter, Devine, Colquhoun, Robb, Murdock, Crothers and Lewis.
Under 17's 2 - 4 Aquinas
Carrick Rangers Colts U17's played Aquinas away at Strangford Park on Saturday 17th October, in their latest South Belfast Youth League game, a return to last weeks venue when the Colts drew 5-5 with S.O.P.Y.C. The Colts nearly conceded from the kick-off, as an opposition forward, caught the Colts back four napping, and only a poor shot in the end saved Carrick from another dreadful start to a game. The warning though, was not taken as Aquinas took the lead after only three minutes of the game gone, when a forward managed to shrug off a weak challenge from a Carrick centre half and put the ball past Crothers in the Carrick goal. This goal seemed to wake the Colts from their slumber, and they started to create a number of chances for themselves, and after good work from Grant, and Robb, forced the Aquinas keeper into making an excellent save from Devine. This gave the Colts more confidence as the game progressed and they took complete control of the midfield, where Colquhoun and McGivern started to create chances for Robb and Devine. The Aquinas goalkeeper was definitely the busier of the two keepers and but for three really outstanding stops, the Colts would have equalised, but at half time the score remained 1 nil to Aquinas.1-0.
The Colts would consider themselves to be unfortunate to be a goal down at half time, and looked to continue the game, as they had finished the first half, with Aquinas on the back foot, but it didn't work out that way, as it appeared to take the Colts some time to get going again, and Aquinas were able to score twice in the space of 10 second half minutes, the Colts again failing to deal with the big Aquinas centre forwards. It got worse for the Colts when a clearance from a corner dropped unchallenged to an opposition player who was able to volley the ball from all of 20yards beyond the helpless Crothers in the Carrick goal, who has had really nothing to do, other than pick the ball out of his net.
To their credit though Carrick didn't give up and after a lazy run on the left from Poulter who beat three players, to slot the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 4-1. With plenty of time still to play this lifted the Colts and they again took control of the match. A penalty appeal was turned away, after Devine was quite clearly pushed off the ball just as he was about to shoot, but the stand in referee (an Aquinas coach, the match official didn't turn up) waved away all claims and the ball was cleared up field.
A penalty was awarded though shortly afterwards, when Devine was fouled in the box again, and this time it was given. The penalty was taken by Colquhoun, who blasted it wide of the right hand post, and the Colts were left wondering if only! The score remained 4-1. Still Carrick pressed, not giving up on the game, as they saw that all confident had gone from Aquinas's play and when the ball was squared to Colquhoun a full twenty five yards out, he let fly and the ball flew into the roof of the net, what a goal and what a pity he hadn't scored from half as far out a few minutes earlier. 4-2.
What a last few minutes to come as the Colts threw everyone into attack to try and make up the deficit, but to no avail, as Aquinas held on to win. The score didn't really reflect the game, as the Colts dominated the game for long periods and but for only an Aquinas goalkeeper in outstanding form, they really should have got something from the game, but again, the Colts are learning the hard way that you can't afford to keep on giving teams a 2 or 3 goal head start and expect to get any points from the game!!
Carrick Rangers Colts: Crothers, McDonagh, Stewart, Chambers, Pollock, McGivern, Colquhoun, Grant, Poulter, Devine, Robb, Lewis, Johnston, Murdock and Neill
Under 17's 5 - 5 SOPYC
On Saturday 10th October, Carrick Rangers Colts U17’s were at “home” to St Oliver Plunkett Youth Club at Strangford Park, Dunmurry. The Colts had a free weekend last week and are hoping to continue where they left off, with another win.
The Colts got off to the worst possible start, when a long punt up field by SOYPC, caught the Colts defence flat footed, allowing one of their strikers to get behind them, and as Crothers in the Colts goal came out to claim the ball on the wet surface, he brought down the SOPYC forward, and the referee had no option but to award a penalty and yellow card the keeper. This was duly despatched and the Colts found themselves 1 nil down. 0-1.
Perhaps missing a game last week had an effect on the Colts as it took them longer than normal to get going, but as the game progressed, slowly but surely chances were being created, with Devine and Grant in particular starting to cause problems for the SOPYC defence. Disaster struck again though, when the Colts failed to clear the ball in their box, and allowed a SOPYC forward to slip the ball past the keeper. 0-2.
The Colts needed a goal and they needed it quick and to be fair, they did up the tempo and started to create some clear cut chances and McGivern very nearly got on the end of a cross by Grant, only for the SOPYC keeper, making a great save to turn the ball round the post for a corner. From the resulting corner Devine struck the crossbar, with the keeper stranded, and another great chance went begging. With the Colts pressing, frustration got the better of one of the SOPYC players, when after his keeper making yet another save, took his anger out on the referee, who give him a straight red card for directing foul and abusive language at him. Perhaps the Colts could now get back into the game, and this proved to be the case when after playing a one-two with Devine, Johnny Robb scored past the stand in goalkeeping. The Colts were back in the game.1-2.
With still 10 minutes of the half remaining, and after pressing for an equaliser, the Colts left themselves open at the back and SOPYC scored a third, completely against the run of play.1-3. With half time approaching, the Colts needed a goal to keep them in the game and give themselves confidence that they could get something from this game, despite the opposition being down to 10 men, and this came from the impressive Devine, who once again is proving to be a problem for defences to contain. He managed to lose his marker and after good work from Grant and Poulter, he steered the ball pass the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.2-3. The score remained the same until half time, but the Colts were back in the game and starting to make their superior numbers tell.
Straight from the kick off, the Colts put pressure on the SOPYC defence and after failing to hold a shot from Alex English, Johnny Robb was able to tap in to equalise.3-3. The Colts were in full flow now and were creating chances at every opportunity, with shots raining in on the SOPYC goal, but importantly, none were being converted and you got the impression, that this would come back to haunt them. With 15 minutes of the half gone, the Colts finally went into the lead, with McGivern getting his second goal of the season, after good work from Stewart.4-3.
The game was entering a critical period and the next goal could prove decisive, but who would score it was in doubt as, SOPYC were not giving up and kept pumping the ball long to their lone striker who was proving to be a thorn in the Colts defence. The Colts decided to make a couple of changes, with Chambers and Johnston coming on for Neill and McGivern respectively. This nearly paid dividends, as the speed of Johnston was causing a problem for the SOPYC left back, and yet another chance went begging. On one of these long punts up field, SOPYC equalised, when hesitancy in the Colts defence was punished.4-4 .
A shoulder injury to Poulter, forced him off, with Pollock coming on at left back and with English struggling with a knee injury, he was replaced by Murdock. Again chances went begging from both teams, but Johnston was in the right place at the right time, when the SOPYC keeper dropped the ball, allowing him to tap the rebound into the unprotected goal.5-4. Surely now the game was won, with barely 2 minutes plus injury time left to play, the Colts would hold out. This was looking assured when the SOPYC goalkeeper was red carded for foul and abusive language directed at the referee.
Deep into injury time, Colquhoun appeared to have been fouled, under a heavy tackle from a SOPYC player and while the Colts stopped, the referee waved play on and a SOPYC forward was allowed to shoot pass Crothers in the Colts goal. Mayhem broke out, as nine men SOPYC celebrated their equaliser with their line, and the Colts surrounded the referee to protest about the tackle on Colquhoun, but the referee waived away their protests and the goal stood.5-5. There was no time for the Colts to strike back and the game finished all square, with the protests still ongoing as the teams left the pitch.
Carrick Rangers Colts U17’s: Crothers, McDonagh, Stewart, Neill, Poulter, McGivern, English, Colquhoun, Grant, Devine, Robb, Pollock, Chambers, Johnston, Murdock and Lewis.