Colts take control at Stormont

The heavens opened as the game kicked off in atrocious conditions with the Colts seconds taking on the Civil Service at Stormont.

The Civil Service weathered the conditions better in the early stages and opened the scoring within 5 minutes. As the Colts tried to find their feet, the Service went 2 nil up with a long range effort after 15 minutes.

The Colts came storming back however and Darren Laverty dispossessed the full back before crossing for Mark Cleary to fire home to reduce the deficit. The Colts then  had the upper hand and Chris Cameron went close at the back post following a dangerous free kick from Eoghan Neill. The Colts had further chances and shortly before half time the impressive Carter King was upended in the penalty area after a fine mazy run and Darren Laverty converted the resultant penalty to make it 2-2.

The rain continued in the second half with the pitch now resembling something from the 1970s. The Colts continued to try and play their football despite the wet conditions. Jack Laverty  was magnificent down the right while Niall Dempsey delivered a number of tempting crosses but unfortunately no-one could convert for the Colts.

Stevie Laverty and Jack McKeown kept driving the Colts forward from midfield in search of a winner while Nicholas McDaid expertly marshalled the back four. The Civil  Service continued to be a threat however man-of-the match, Tiernan McCullough, made an unbelievable block on the 6 yard line to deny the hosts and keep the score 2-2.

Ewan Wilson then made a great save at the edge of the penalty area. With five minutes to go the Civil Service keeper could only parry a great shot from Nathan Murphy but Niall White followed up at the back post to score a deserved winner for the hard working and determined Carryduff Colts.