Carniny AYFC progressed through to the Final of the McAuley Cup on Saturday after a 2-1 win against Romania NI FC out in Connor
The first half saw Carniny playing in to the wind, with Romania taking full advantage keeping Carniny pinned back into their own half. Carniny kept playing out from the back but the pressing from Romania closed any break out from the reds. Carniny were guilty of taking too much time on the ball allowing their opponents to win the ball back and attack on frequent occasions but none of the attacks threatened the Carniny goal with only two efforts on target. Romania earned themselves several corners in succession throughout the half but just couldn't convert any chances. Any attacks from Carniny never threatened their opponents with Sean Byrne going closest, hitting his shot into the side netting. the game was still goalless at the break.

Carniny came out in the second half determined to take control of the game and five minutes after the restart a well worked corner from Lee McCallion and Aaron Johnston saw the former cross in to see his shot come off the cross bar, and with Andy Mulholland at the back post, he made no mistake in firing in the rebound. A few minutes later Carniny looked certain to add to their tally when Johnston picked up a loose ball to cross in only to see Apreutesei in the Romanian goal pull off two great saves to deny Johnston and then Dean Wright who got on the end of the first rebound. Carniny did get their second on 61 mins when they broke out with Jay Peacock lobbing the ball into the path of Johnston, who shrugged off a pull back from the last defender, going 1 on 1 with the keeper and slotting home. Carniny had another chance on 80 minutes with Byrne unable to direct a cross in from Wright into the goal. Moving into injury time Romania were awarded a penalty, which they duly converted, but there was no time left to get back in the game with Carniny seeing out the game to earn a spot in the final where they will meet Ruby's Rovers.