Untitled

Northend United 1 Waveney Swifts 1 George McAuley Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg Saturday 29th April 2023

The Seniors were up against Waveney Swifts this week in the semi-final 1st Leg of the George McAuley Cup, played at the Showgrounds. With no fewer than 4 of the Club’s successful U17 team players in the match panel, the Club is building for the future and providing a pathway into adult football for its young footballers..

In a one sided first half, The Northend defence were the busiest of both teams, with Waveney taking the lead in the 40th minute. However, not to be outdone, Northend were unluckly to see a scoring chance cleared off the Waveney goal line, with their goalie beaten. Half time 0-1

Into the second half and with a number of substitutions being made, Northend came more into the game. Midway through the half, Waveney were awarded a penalty kick when their striker was fouled in the box. However, the Northend keeper, Jason Givens, was equal to the kick and pulled off a great save. Northend pulled level in the game when Ben Dallas scored in the dying minutes of the match, following some good work from the Northend midfield who at this stage of the game, featured two 16 yr olds and a 15 yr old in their engine room. Full time 1-1

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, C Martin, J Montgomery, C McAuley, C McKillop, J Agnew, C Metrustry, C Gordon, B Dallas, K Barr, J Rocks, E Pirie, P McAuley, L Devlin, L Heggarty

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Seven Towers 1 Northend United 5 George McAuley Cup Saturday 15th April 2023

In the second leg of the George McAuley Cup Quarter Final, Seven Towers and Northend United faced up with the tie evenly balanced at 2-2, as they fought for a place in the semi-final.

Northend started the game at a great tempo and carved out some early opportunities which caused issues for the Towers defence. Conall Gordon pulled back a cross which Charlie Metrustry poked goal wards which produced a fine save from Stephen Elliott in the Towers goal. Minutes later, Metrustry would be denied again in a one on one as the onrushing Elliot closed the angles and saved well. Northend were pushing hard but Towers did look to cause issues when they came forward and set pieces looked a likely route for a goal as one Towers free kick was headed over the bar. The breakthrough came from Northend after 20 minutes as Joseph Dallas got forward from right back to cut inside and fire a shot goal wards. The shot was well kept out by Elliott but Patrick Ferris reacted quickest to poke the ball home. The Northend attack continued to function and a Christy McKillop pass released Ben Dallas behind the defence. Ben rounded the keeper but stumbled as he did so, but showed great composure to recover the ball and swivel to pull the ball back for Conall Gordon who fired high into the net. Half time 0-2

The second half saw Towers respond with a period of pressure but the Northend back line played very well to repel the danger with Jason Givens being solid when called upon in nets. The pace options in attack for Northend were always going to be an issue on the counter, and Ben Dallas was released by Patrick Ferris to charge into the box, before being felled by a Towers defender just as he was about to shoot leading to the award of a penalty. Dallas dusted himself off and then dispatched the penalty into the bottom corner to extend the advantage.

Towers still had a bit of magic left in them, as Darren Burgoyne swivelled in midfield to find space and played an inch perfect through pass to Conlin Neill who rifled the ball into the far corner with a stunning finish.

Not to be outdone, Northend responded with their goal of the day as Conall Gordon found space on the right of the box and fired a fierce shot over the keeper for his second of the day and to restore the 3 goal advantage.

The Blues weren’t finished yet, and Ronan McKillop provided the cherry on top, as he weaved through the towers defence and rolled a low strike into the bottom corner.

A very strong performance from the Blues to give them a spot in the Semi Finals. Full time 1-5

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, C Martin, J Montgomery, C McAuley, C Metrustry, C McKillop, B Dallas, C Gordon, J Rock, P Ferris, J Agnew, K Barr, L Heggarty, R McKillop

Northend United 2 Seven Towers 2 George McAuley Cup Saturday 25th March 2023

In the first leg of the George McAuley Cup quarter final, Northend hosted Seven Towers for a place in the semis. The first half of the game was a fairly turgid affair with neither side really being able to seize control of the game. Jamie Montgomery and Connor McAuley were excellent in the centre of defence and limited Towers to a small number of half chances. Both teams came close with their respective best chances of the half, towers having a header bounce onto the top of the crossbar, and for the Blues, Conall Gordon cut inside and curled an effort onto the bar only to see it bounce over also. Half time 0-0

The second half was a much more exciting period, as Seven Towers seized the early initiative. A corner was headed in at the back post to give Towers the lead. Northend hit back in similar fashion, as a corner from Charlie Metrusty was fired in and in the swirling wind ended up straight in the net.

Towers came back and on a fast paced counter, fired over the keeper retake the lead with only 10 minutes remaining in the game. Not to be beaten, the Blues hit back again as an early Montgomery free kick found Jack Agnew in space on the left, and he showed great feet to beat a defender and then pass a pinpoint cross to the feet of Conor McAuley to equalise on the line. The tie is set up well for the second leg with all to play for. Full time 2-2

Panel: J Rocks, J Dallas, J Montgomery, C McAuley, C Martin, A Steele, J Agnew, K Adger, C Gordon, B Dallas, K Barr, C Metrustry, L Heggarty

In the only BSML Division 2 game of the weekend, Northend went to Broughshane to face a Braid side who had won the reverse fixture 3-0 earlier in the season.

Northend, needing some important points in the league table, found themselves penned in early in the game as Braid held most of the ball, but weren’t really able to fashion any clear-cut chances. A Braid midfielder did have a long range effort take a big deflection and loop onto the bar but the Northend defence were comfortable enough dealing with the early Braid threat.

The Blues were trying to advance the ball quickly when they did have it and use some pace on the counter attack, and when they earned a corner, Conall Gordon swung in a cross for Jamie Montgomery to jump highest and find the bottom corner to give Northend the lead. Braid continued to hold the ball well, but a loose touch in defence allowed Kurtis Adger to capitalise and as he raced through, timed a pass perfectly for Ben Dallas to slot home and double the advantage for Northend.

The lead was to be eradicated in a fantastic 5 minutes for Braid before the half, as firstly, Josh Logan pounced on a rebound to just squeeze the ball over the line, and minutes later received the ball on the edge of the box and fired home on his left foot to square the game up. Half time 2-2

In the second half Braid came out with a lot of fight and energy and did find the breakthrough after Logan again junked his way through midfield before a curled effort into the corner to give the Broughshane team the lead. Northend’s players responded well, and defended excellently not allowing any clear chances to threaten their goal for the rest of the half, with Braid only coming close with a cross which was mis-hit and hit the bar.

At the other end, Northend felt there was something in the game for them, and Conall Gordon raced down the right before seeing his cross blocked by the keeper, only for Dallas to react quickest and poke the ball home to equalise for Northend. There was time for one last big chance and as Jack Agnew played Dallas in behind, bringing the chance for a hattrick and a win, the Braid keeper stayed big and managed to save with his foot to keep the game level. Full time 3-3

Panel: C Clarke, J Dallas, J Montgomery, C McAuley, C Martin, A Steele, J Rocks, K Adger, C Gordon, J Givens, B Dallas, K Barr, B-J Kernohan, J Agnew

Ruby’s Rovers 4 Northend United 3 Saturday 11th March 2023

In the second round of the Rainey cup, Northend travelled the short distance to Larne to take on 1st Division Ruby’s Rovers for a place in the hat for the next round. Northend’s depleted squad included 2 of our U17s making their debut for the senior side, Caelyn Clarke and Kurtis Adger.

The Blues, underdogs going into the game, started the game at a great tempo and should have led early on as Adger broke down the left and squared to captain Jason Givens who couldn’t quite get the contact required to score the chance. This didn’t stop the Blues and 5 minutes later Adam Steele played a lovely pass behind the defence for Givens to latch on to, and as he rounded the keeper he was felled and awarded a penalty. Jack Agnew stepped up and calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

The buoyed Blues continued their high tempo football and a flowing counter attack by Ciaran Martin, Adger, and Kai Barr led to Barr splitting the defence and Givens again arriving to slot past the Goalkeeper.

The division one side were not to lie down however and a response came in the form of a penalty after a coming together in the Northend box, which was dispatched into the top corner to half the Northend lead. Half Time 1-2

The second half saw a fired-up Rovers continue their attacking onslaught and goals 2 and 3 came in the form of a free kick which was headed in; and then a lovely chest and volley which rifled off the bar past Clarke.

With Northend seeing themselves falling behind, they continued to look dangerous themselves on the attack, and Ben Dallas came off the bench to create problems. Dallas found himself with a volleyed chance which he pulled past the far post and Conal Gordon had a good chance which was well closed down.

Dallas did manage to spark the Northend lads into life and a well-timed run in behind saw him slotting home to equalise with 10 minutes left. Cruelly, after a hard fought game, a corner from Ruby’s was headed in 3 minutes from time and handed them the tie.

A very good performance but just short of the result for the young Blues Full time 4-3

Panel: C Clarke, J Dallas, J Montgomery, C McAuley, C Martin, A Steele, J Agnew, K Adger, C Gordon, J Givens, K Barr, B-J Kernohan, B Dallas, L Heggarty

North Ballymena Rangers 1 Northend United 2 Saturday 11th February 2023

Having been dragged into a relegation fight in recent weeks, Northend came to the showgrounds knowing a positive result against North Ballymena Rangers would be huge for them.

The first half was scrappy with both teams not really getting many chances. Northend felt they were on top throughout the first half but for a few dangerous counterattacks that the Blues back line dealt with superbly.

The team had been disrupted early in the half as Mike Armstrong was caught late by Rangers man and had to immediately leave the field to go to hospital. The player got a yellow card for his tackle, and 5 minutes before the half seen the referee dish out a second yellow card to a NBR player that left them a man down after another late challenge on Luke Rea. Half time 0-0

The second half started with NBR on top with a few long balls in behind our defence but the centre back partnership of Rea and Jamie Montgomery held strong and dealt with any trouble. Northend got the break they needed when Jack Agnew came off the bench to split the defence with a pass and as the onrushing keeper came out, Ben Dallas expertly listed the ball over his head to give a valuable lead with 15 minutes to go. North Ballymena equalised straight away however as a lapse at the back allowed a chance for the depleted team.

With the game opening up with 10 minutes to go, debutant Connor Mcauley found himself at a tight angle and kept his composure once again to lob the keeper and send the Blues in the lead. With 5 to go plus additional the lads battled through it and got a well-deserved 3 points. Full time 1-2

Also to Michael who broke his collar bone during the game, we wish you a speedy recovery

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, L Rea, J Montgomery, C Martin, M Armstrong, M Taggart, B Dallas, C Gordon, K Barr, J Rocks, C McAuley, BJ Kernohan, J Agnew

Randalstown Ramblers 3 Northend United 1 Saturday 14th January 2023

This week Northend took on a Randalstown Ramblers side who had won the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

The early stages started in a terrible way for the Blues as an early free kick was swung in and met with a front post header which was dispatched into the Northend net.

The reaction from the Blues was excellent and Paul O’Boyle drove down the left before linking with James Hunter, whose low cross was blocked by the hand of a Ramblers player and the referee awarded a penalty. O’Boyle showed the confidence to step up in the absence of the usual 2 penalty takers, and drove it into the bottom corner to level the game.

The rest of the half was an even affair with both sides having chances. Jason Givens provided a fantastic save from long range strike that was angled for the top corner, and at the other end a brilliant move for the Blues ended in an O’Boyle effort going just past the post, but neither team were able to gain the lead. Half time 1-1

The second half was a much more attritional affair, with both defences having the advantage over their opposite attacks. Late in the game the Blues were hit with a sickening blow as Ramblers countered and even after a good save from Givens, a Ramblers attacker did follow up to give a late lead.

The Blues threw everything at the game for the last few minutes and after sending everyone into the box for a 92nd minute corner, the Ramblers broke at pace and tapped into an open net to seal the game. Full time 3-1

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, J Montgomery, L Rea, P O’Boyle, M Armstrong, M Taggart, J Hunter, C Martin, M Rocks, K Barr, A Cairns, L Heggarty

Connor 4 Northend United 2 Saturday 7th January 2023

After a 4 week break since their last match due to weather and festivities, Northend’s Senior team travelled to Kells to take on Connor FC. Due to the scheduling their last fixture for both of these teams was the reverse fixture where the Blues had come out as 2-1 winners, and so Connor were out for revenge to reignite their title push.

The early stages of the game saw chances for both sides. Northend had the ball in the net early after a low cross from James Hunter was turned in by Joe Rocks but the referee had missed the advantage and had awarded a free kick for a later challenge on Hunter to the frustration of the Northend players.

Connor had some chances themselves and looked particularly dangerous on the counter with 2 very quick wingers and some smart forward play causing the young Blues early problems, but Jason Givens was solid in keeping out any long range efforts, including one flying save to his right from a well struck volley. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute as Conal Gordon found some space on the right after a high press, and when everyone expected a cross he whipped a vicious shot over the keeper and into the far side of the net for a brilliant finish.

Connor tried to rally before the halftime whistle but the Northend defence dug in to prevent an equaliser coming before the break. Half time 0-1

In the second half, Connor’s reaction was instant and powerful, as 2 quick counter attacking goals were brilliantly finished to turn the game on its head completely and give the Kells team a 2-1 lead. Not to be beaten easily, Northend managed to find an extra gear and again brought some pressure of their own in their search of an equaliser. Joe Rocks and James Hunter combined well before Christy McKillop switched the ball to the left for the charging Paul O’Boyle, and his beat pass to Jamie Spiers led to the midfielder finishing at the second attempt to equalise for the Blues.

As Northend looked the most likely to score, an unfortunate defensive mistake brought a golden chance for Connor and their striker punished the Blues to give Connor the lead again. With only minutes left in the game, as Northend threw everything they had looking for an equalizer, Connor went on the core a 4th goal. Full time 4-2

Panel: J Givens, J Dallas, L Rea, J Montgomery, M Armstrong, C McKillop, J Speirs, C Gordon, M Taggart, J Hunter, J Rock, P O’Boyle, K Barr