Carniny Youth 2014s, sponsored by Milano's

Carniny Youth under-13s returned to winning ways with an emphatic win over St Malachy's Galacticos at the Valley Leisure Centre on Saturday.

Having seen their perfect start to their South Belfast Youth League campaign come to an end with a draw last week, the Ballymena boys, captained this week by Jake W, responded by producing their best performance of the season so far.

They took the lead on 10 minutes when excellent pressing from the front players saw St Malachy's give away possession to Josh, whose through ball sent Alex clear to score.

Carniny doubled their lead a couple of minutes later when the St Malachy's goalkeeper lost his grip on the ball on a slippery pitch and Seth was quickest to react to steer home the loose ball.

The Reds scored a third goal in a five-minute period when Harlow's initial corner was headed back out to the midfielder who produced a pinpoint cross which was powerfully headed home by the in-rushing Mark.

Carniny then successfully defended a spell of St Malachy's pressure before breaking to good effect as Harlow's pass from the centre circle sent Alex racing clear of the defence to score.

Alex then took a pass from Caleb and spun a defender before firing past the keeper and just a minute later, Mark's decision to make a run to the back post paid dividends as he arrived unmarked to smash home Harlow's corner

There was still time for a seventh Carniny goal before half-time. Harlow got an initial slice of fortune as his first shot rebounded back into his path but there was no disputing the quality of his left-footed finish.

St Malachy's scored the first goal of the second period when they converted at the third attempt after keeper Jake R had kept out two initial shots from a free kick.

But Carniny quickly regained control with good work on the left from Alfie who teed up Alex to score at the second attempt and the same two players then combined - this time with the roles reversed - for Alfie to get on the scoresheet.

Billy rattled the crossbar for Carniny before St Malachy's scored a second with a strike from distance.

A good advantage from the referee enabled James to take Carniny's tally into double figures before Josh rounded off the scoring.

In an excellent overall team performance, the coaches had any number of potential man-of-the-match candidates with Alex eventually getting the nod.

Carniny: Jake R, Frankie, Mark, Jake W, Luca, James, Harlow, Billy, Caleb, Alfie, Seth, Josh, Alex.