A DECIMATED Northern Storm team travelled to Armidale but cometh the hour, cometh the man, as a swag of teenagers rescued a comeback and a 2-1 victory.

Northern Storm coach Eric McCarthy praised his team of young guns .

“We had a good win against a very good physical side up in Armidale,” he said.

“A decimated squad travelled with fifteen-year-old Gurkirit Dhariwal, sixteen-year-old Matt Newberry, eighteen-year-old Jesse Crick, eighteen-year-old James Tial and nineteen-year-old Ethan Andrews all making their first grade debuts for the Storm.

“Storm dominated possession for the opening fifteen minutes of the game before South Armidale hit over the top and caught an inexperienced backline asleep and took a 1-0 lead,” Eric said.

“Not backing down, the Storm held their shape and continued playing an attractive passing game which created a few chances until Chris Mirindi levelled before the break.

“A half-time regroup allowed the teams a breather and five minutes into the second half the Storm took the lead through Tayne DeNardis with a back post tap in from a Mirindi cut back.”

Coach McCarthy spent a nerve-racking last twenty minutes of the match urging the defiant young guns to stay strong.

“The final 20 were nail biting with Armidale throwing all but the kitchen sink at it, but the Storm matched them toe to toe with young Dhariwal in goals pulling off two worldie saves to keep the Storm ahead.

“Storm missed a few chances to extend the lead but the game closed out 2-1.

“Standout performances for the storm came from Conor Lewis in the heart of midfield and Chris Mirindi, Ama Mite and Paul Matten running their socks off from one end of the pitch to the other.

The Northern Storm make the short journey to Woolgoolga for round four of the national Australia Cup competition.

“Next week’s encounter should be a great test for both the Storm and the Woolgoolga Wolves at High Street.

“It will be a good proper test to see where both teams are at before the new league kicks off in earnest.

“Storm should be back to a full complement less a couple of injuries for Saturday’s match,” said the charismatic Irishman.

By David WIGLEY