AT 2-0 down the writing looked on the wall for the Northern Storm, but one of the youngest teams in the Coastal Premier League (CPL) launched a stunning comeback to defeat an in-form Macleay Valley Rangers 3-2.

Goals from Andrew Trist, Tayne De Nardis and Nic Sweeney wrapped up the three points to give the Storm momentum up the CPL ladder.

The emphatic victory was one of coach Eric McCarthy’s most memorable moments.

“The Macleay game was right up there as one of the games I’ve coached where I couldn’t be prouder of my team,” he said.

“To come back from 2-0 down with a half hour to go and win 3-2 is a great achievement for any side, but to do it against a team who are on a good run shows fabulous character.

“We were down seven first grade players so the young lads really had to step up again this week.

“We had six players under the age of 20 start the game and these kids are just going from strength to strength.”

The youthfulness of the Storm was epitomised by their teenage captain who led the charge.

“Campbell Brear, who just turned seventeen this week, captained the club for the first time with Kizz injured and led by example, and young Nic Sweeney, who was still recovering from the flu, came off the bench and scored the winner with a sensational counter attacking goal.

“Of our squad of 28 this week across firsts and reserves, only seven players were over the age of 20 and thirteen of them are still under 17s.”

After a sluggish start to the season the Storm are turning their home ground at Korora into a fortress as the young guns continue to gel.

“We’ve started to click finally after a poor first half to the season.

“We should’ve taken all three points off Bello last week, the lads got a good hard talking to two weeks ago about why we’re here and what’s expected of them.

“Age isn’t an excuse for a lack of effort, I think it’s hit home as our last two games we’ve taken four points off the third and fourth placed teams.”

The next two weeks will define how far the team have progressed and if the results go their way, the charismatic Irishman will be celebrating.

“The next two weeks are gonna be tough games again, Port United at home and Coffs (United) away.

“I’d be happy with two points from those, I’d be delighted with three, I’ll empty the Moonee Beach Hotel bar with four points and god help my liver if we can take six points,” he laughed.

“Our club is blessed with our depth in juniors, with the amount of guys missing or injured or sick every week we would have been in trouble but these kids are so good, our club’s going to be in great hands,” said Eric.

After a slow start to the season, co-coach Craig Caruana is pleased with the concentration levels required for the CPL.

“Back to back 90 minute performances was the most pleasing aspect of our game, our ball retention and movement was better and we worked well without the ball.

“Plenty of signs the boys are starting to gel but we have a big game next week against port which will determine how much we have improved,” he said.

The Storm will host Port United on Saturday 2 July at Korora Oval with a 3pm kick off.

By David WIGLEY