Town midfielder Josh Carson led Northern Ireland’s U19s to a 3-1 victory over Belarus in the second game of the their European Championship qualification mini-group in Belfast last night. The 18-year-old skippered the side and created the first goal.
The Northern Irish youngsters went in front in the 13th minute when Burnley’s Shay McCartan headed Carson’s corner into the net.
Liverpool’s Ryan McLaughlin added a second before Pavel Savitski pulled a goal back for Belarus, but Preston’s Michael McLellan netted the third with the visitors reduce to 10 men late on.
Town academy midfielder Cormac Burke was an unused sub having been in the side which lost the opening game 5-1 to Germany.
The Germans confirmed their place in next spring’s elite round of qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Montenegro and Northern Ireland could join them if they win, or perhaps even draw, Tuesday’s final game against the Montenegrins, again in Belfast.
Northern Ireland U19s: Deane, McLaughlin, Watson, Robinson, Morgan (Wilson 59), McCartan, Carson, Ball, Winchester (McCaffrey 74), Toland, McAlinden (McLellan 74) Unused: Brennan, Burke.
Photo: Action Images/Jason Cairnduff