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Ahoghill 1 Northend United 8 Rainey Cup Rd 1 Saturday 26th February 2022

The Blues went into this match looking for a good result in the first round of the Rainey Cup. The young Northend side laboured in the first half, with Ferris giving them the lead midway through the half, and chances going a begging for Fullerton and Ferris, as the half wore on. Half time 0-1

Some tactical changes at half time, saw a more fluent Northend side in the second half and it was only a matter of time before the Blues added to their score with further goals from Ferris, Fullerton and Metrustry.

Ahoghill scored their goal with fifteen minutes of the match remaining when Northend didn’t deal with a corner, leaving the score 5-1. Northend weren’t to be outdone and further goals from the strikeforce of Ferris and Fullerton left the final score 1-8 to Northend. Full time 1-8

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, J Montgomery, L Rea (c), J McClelland, P McClelland, C McKillop, C Gordon, J Agnew, P Ferris, C Fullerton, C Metrustry, J Hunter, C McKenna, C Black

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Waveney 0 Northend United 5 Sammy Moore Cup Rd 2 Saturday 19th February 2022

In the Quarter final of the Sammy Moore knockout cup Northend were away to Waveney FC at Ballykeel. The early stages were very even and Northend did strike first as Patrick Ferris played a ball into Chris Fullerton who slotted home.

Waveney however came flying out after the goal and put Northend under a lot of pressure. One good chance did go narrowly wide as they were very close to an equaliser.

A situation after a free kick was awarded led to a red card for a Northend defender, and this buoyed Waveney in the search for an equaliser who came close again with a shot that came off the bar.

Northend managed to get to half time with their slim lead in place. Half time 0-1

The second half performance was a much better intensity from Northend and they started to create a lot more chances as Ferris and Fullerton both went close, with Fullerton hitting the bar on one occasion. A second goal came as Ferris was put in behind and he rounded the keeper to tap home and extend the lead.

The young northend team seized the game at this point and after a good high press, Jack Agnew won the ball high and fired into the bottom corner. A fourth came as a corner from Jamie Spiers went in off the goalkeeper.

Fullerton wrapped up a good second half performance from the team as Speirs took a quick free kick and released Fullerton who cut inside and fired in at the near post.

A decent second half performance from the team with 10 men and they move into the hat for the semi-finals. Full time 0-5

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, J Montgomery, L Rea (c), O Connolly, P McClelland, J Speirs, C McKillop, C Gordon, P Ferris, C Fullerton, J Agnew, C Black

Northend United 4 Steadfast 1 Sammy Moore Cup Rd 1 Saturday 12th February 2022

In the First round of the Sammy Moore knockout cup Northend hosted Steadfast at the Showgrounds. The early stages were cagey but Northend broke the deadlock when a nice move was worked to Conall Gordon who chipped the keeper from the corner of the box to find the net with a lovely finish.

Northend continued to attack and found some confidence in passing, and another slick move fell to Conor McKenna on the edge of the box, who, on his first start for the team, struck a curling shot in off the bar to extend the lead. The quality of finishing continued to be high as another Northend attack led to Ben Dallas releasing Jamie Speirs and he chipped the keeper from 25 yards out to score an incredible goal.

Northend went close as Chris Fullerton forced a couple of saves, and Steadfast found some joy in attack as a 5/10 minute period of pressure caused the Blues some issues, but the Northend defence managed to stay strong. Half time 3-0

The second half brought a different Northend who increased their intensity and Jack Agnew had the first real chance after being set through by Spiers, only for the Steadfast keeper to make a good low save.

A similar move with good build up by Fullerton and Oisin Connolly down the left led to Speirs cutting inside one player and curling a fantastic shot into the top corner to score his second of the game. On his debut Connolly continued to have a big impact from full back and created another chance for Gordon who fired across the face of goal.

Steadfast did hit back with a well finished chance which found the bottom corner but Jason Givens made some routine saves to prevent any sniffs of a comeback. Full time 4-1

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, O Connolly, J Montgomery, L Rea (c), C McKenna, P McClelland, J Speirs, C Gordon, B Dallas, C Fullerton, J McIlhatton, J Agnew, C Black

Northend United 1 Seven Towers 4 Saturday 29th January 2022

The Galgorm Trophies group stage as Northend faced Seven Towers at the Showgrounds.

The game started in the worst possible way as even early stages were broken by a cross to the back post for Towers and their winger turned it into the net. Soon after another long ball to the same player punished Northend as he unleashed a great strike into the net to make it 2-0.

It felt as though northend didn’t deserve to be behind but Patrick Ferris gave the Blues a lifeline as he picked up the ball on halfway and went on a great run before slotting the ball into the corner of the net.

Northend were so close to a leveller when Ferris intercepted a Towers pass and struck a great strike from outside the box against the bar. Half time 1-2

Another even period of the game in the second half led to both teams cancelling each other out, but again it was Towers who struck first in this half as a deflected strike from the edge of the area sailed past Givens who had no chance. Northend again pushed for chances and Ferris looked the most likely, as another great run brought a chance which rolled just past the post. Jack Agnew also created a good shooting opportunity but forced a string save with his strike.

In the last minutes as Northend tried to push for goals, spaces appeared at the back and Seven Towers punished the defence with a late goal. Full time 1-4

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, J Montgomery, L Rea (c), J McClelland, C McKillop, P McClelland, C Gordon, B Dallas, P Ferris, J Agnew, D Young, C Fullerton, C Black

Northend travelled to Larne to take on a well drilled Ruby side who showed their experience throughout the game. Both sides started brightly moving the ball about well, but it was Ruby Rovers who slotted the first two goals in by a great finish from outside the box and a header from 6 yards out. Northend then replied with a high press that put the defenders under pressure only for Christy McKillop to chip the keeper from 25 yards out. Half time 2-1

Ruby’s started the second half the brightest again when a low driven cross found a player back post that he couldn’t miss. Northend replied when Jack Agnew beat two men to be brought down in the box to be awarded a penalty, only for Jamie Speirs to slot it past the keeper. This gave Northend a bit of hope of getting a result, but the game was closed out by Rovers when a strike from outside the box went top corner to extend the lead, before a set piece goal in the last minutes killed the game off. Final score 5-2

Special mention to Michael Armstrong that had to come off first half with a ankle injury. Hope it’s nothing too serious.

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, J Montgomery, L Rea (c), M Armstrong, J McClelland, P McClelland, C McKillop, C Gordon, C Metrustry, P Ferris, J Speirs, D Young, J Agnew, C Fullerton, C Black

Antrim Eagles 0 Northend United 2 Saturday 8th January 2022

In their first game of 2022, Northend faced Antrim Eagles for the third time this season in their opening fixture of the Galgorm Cup. From the first whistle Northend created an opening within seconds as an early drive forward resulted in Conall Gordon putting in a nice cross which the returning Patrick Ferris stretched for and couldn’t quite get his header on target.

Apart from the early exchanges were fairly even between the two teams as both sides created a few half chances from distance failing to seriously trouble the goalkeepers. It was Northend who broke the deadlock as a loose ball fell to full back Jonny McClelland and his vicious strike was well saved, only for the ball to fall to James Hunter who continued his great goal scoring form and tapped in.

Whilst the game continued to be even in the middle third of the pitch, Northend’s attack seemed to have that little bit extra as they created a number of good chances. Patrick Ferris forced a great bit of goalkeeping as the Eagles keeper dove at his feet to stop one attack, and another Gordon cross was put over the bar by Charlie Metrustry.

The Ballymena team extended their lead as some great interplay through the midfield led to Hunter finding himself through on goal and slot past the keeper to score his second of the game. Eagles we’re certainly still a threat at the other end and were extremely unlucky not to score as a shot rifled the bottom of the bar only to stay the right side of the line from a Northend perspective before being cleared away. Half time 0-2

The second half was much the same, a relatively even match where both sides created good opportunities. Jamie Montgomery made a couple of vital interventions in defence. Eagles best chance of the game came as an attacker got through on goal and Givens stayed big to save the first effort, before recovering brilliantly to smother the rebound.

Northend continued to force chances and Conall Gordon twice forced good saves from the Eagles keeper, as well as Chris Fullerton having a great chance which was also brilliantly saved. The game brought no further goals and Northend held on to win the game. Full Time 0-2

Panel: J Givens, J Montgomery, J McClelland, L Rea (c), M Armstrong, P McClelland, C McKillop, C Gordon, C Metrustry, P Ferris, J Hunter, C Fullerton, J Dallas, D Young, J Agnew