Carniny Youth U12s 1–3 Cliftonville
South Belfast Youth League
Sponsored by Robinson’s Supermarket

Carniny Youth 2014s suffered their first league defeat of the South Belfast Youth League campaign with a 3–1 loss to Cliftonville at Suffolk Playing Fields.

The opening half was tight and competitive, with Carniny carving out the two best chances of the period. Both Alex and Seth broke through one‑on‑one, only to be denied by excellent saves from the Cliftonville goalkeeper. At the other end, the Belfast side were restricted to long‑range efforts which Jake R handled confidently.

Cliftonville edged in front early in the second half when Carniny were unable to clear a corner and a quick-thinking attacker backheeled the loose ball into the net.

Carniny responded superbly. A well‑timed pass sent captain Alex in behind the Cliftonville defence and his shot struck the inside of the post, rolled along the goal‑line, and crept in off the opposite upright to level the match.

The equaliser lifted the Ballymena boys, but Cliftonville soon regained the lead with a long‑distance free kick that sailed into the net. A third goal followed from a corner, this time a powerful header, leaving Carniny with a mountain to climb.

The Reds pushed hard in the closing stages and came agonisingly close when Alex rattled the crossbar, but they couldn’t find a second goal.

Man of the Match
Caleb – Showed excellent composure throughout and consistently looked to thread through balls to launch Carniny attacks.

Squad
Jake R, Jake W, Isaac, Mark, Harlow, Luca, James, Caleb, Frankie, Billy, Seth, Alex.