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Northend United 3 Carniny Amateurs 4 Saturday 21st February 2015

Northend started this game at a fantastic pace and found themselves 3-0 up within the first 10 minutes. For the first, Carniny got a corner in the first minute but the cross was cut out by Stevie Bristow who cleared the ball up the pitch and it ran through for Jay McKeown to race clear and slot the ball into the corner of the net. Two minutes later Ryan Campbell headed a Carniny clearance through to McKeown to take it past one defender and wrong footed the keeper as the ball rolled into the opposite corner. Carniny were rattled with Northend continuing to pile forward and Ben O'Neill played a through ball to McKeown but the striker fired the ball just over the bar this time. On 8 minutes the ball was cleared by the Carniny defence and it fell nicely for Ryan Campbell to unleash a thunderous shot from 20 yards into the top corner to make it 3-0. Some nice play between O'Neill and Shea O'Broin opened up an opportunity for O'Broin to shoot just past the post. Carniny started to get into the game and were putting pressure on the Northend defence but Stevie Bristow was having a superb game at the back making numerous interceptions, clearances and bringing the ball out of defence. The pressure eventually told in the 18th minute when some slack defending down the right hand side left space for the winger to cross and their striker had space to slot the ball into the net. Olly Kerr was making his debut in nets for Northend and pulled off a couple of fines saves and Lee Turner made his first appearance of the season with a solid game at left back. Just before half-time Carniny pulled a second goal back to set up an exciting second half. Half-time 3-2

The second half was a gripping encounter with Carniny going all out for the equaliser and Northend defending well and trying to hit Carniny on the break. Carniny were pressing forward but the Northend defence were standing strong with Bristow particularly impressive and Zach Erwin looking assured at left back. The long throw-in of the Carniny defender was causing all sorts of problems for Northend at the back and they had to rely on Olly Kerr to save them on a few occasions. Shea O'Broin and Tyler Boyd were working tirelessly in midfield and trying to link up with McKeown but chances were limited in the second half. A momentary lapse in concentration at the back left an easy opportunity for the Carniny centre forward to score the equaliser. With only 5 minutes left Carniny were full of confidence and pressing forward for the winner and it eventually came in the last minute when one of their long throw-ins wasn't dealt with and their midfielder nipped in to nod the ball into the net. It was harsh on the Northend team who put everything into this game but can be pleased with their progress in the last number of weeks. Full-time 3-4

Man of the Match: S Bristow

Panel: O Kerr, R Campbell, S Bristow, B O'Neill, T Boyd, J McKeown, S O'Broin, L Turner, Z Erwin

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Northend United 1 Coleraine Alexandra 8 Saturday 7th February 2015

Northend U10 came up against one of the top teams in the league and with a couple of regulars missing it was a difficult morning for the Ballymena boys. After three wins in a row the boys were somewhat complacent going into this game but soon realised they had a match on their hands against a physical and skilful Coleraine team. Stevie Bristow and Ben O'Neill had to be at their best to keep the strikers at bay early on but the pressure told when Coleraine scored 2 quick goals. Shea O'Broin and Eoin Mitchell battled hard in midfield and Jay McKeown didn't get much change out of the strong defence. PJ O'Donnell pulled off a couple of fine saves before some nice skill from the Coleraine striker beat him at the far post. O'Broin had a fine effort just over the bar before some poor defending left space for the fourth and a missed clearance left an east fifth. Half-time 0-5

The second half was a much better performance from Northend with Eoin Mitchell full of running and tackling which inspired the other boys. Callum Lutton came on and had an outstanding performance in defence and added steal to the tackling. Bristow and O'Neill were getting used to the pace and touch of the strikers and were able to get in front of them to set up numerous attacks. Coleraine scored another goal before Northend got a goal back following some nice play from O'Broin and McKeown making space for Tyler Boyd to slot the ball into the corner of the net. Eoin Mitchell was again winning the tackles in midfield and played the ball through to McKeown but he couldn't beat the keeper. PJ O'Donnell was growing in confidence and pulled off a couple of good saves and the midfielders were working hard but couldn't break down a solid Coleraine back line. Final Score 1-8

This match was a harsh lesson for the boys but one that they will have learnt a lot from playing against quality opposition. They need to show the same desire and hunger that they showed in the second half and with a bit of improvement in passing and control the boys will be able to compete with the top teams in the league.

Man of the Match: Eoin Mitchell

Panel: PJ McDonnell, C Lutton, S Bristow, B O'Neill, T Boyd, J McKeown, S O'Broin, E Mitchell

Northend United 9 Coleraine Olympic 2 Saturday 24th January 2015

Northend U10 had their first taste of a 9 a side match and they took to it like a duck to water. The larger pitch gave the attacking trio of Peter Bristow, Shea O'Broin and Jay McKeown the space to show off their finishing skills. Straight from the kick-off Bristow ran at the heart of the defence weaving his way through before firing Northend into an early lead. Northend continued to dominate possession and got their second when Shea O'Broin hit a long range which Jay McKeown dummied and the keeper was wrong footed as the ball rolled into the net. Some neat midfield play between Eoin Mitchell and Tyler Boyd left Bristow with the space to thread the ball through to McKeown who didn't waste the opportunity to slot the ball into the net. Coleraine came back strong but the defence of Stevie Bristow, Ben O'Neill and Ryan Campbell were able deal with anything thrown at them and anything that got past them was saved by PJ O'Donnell. A Northend corner by McKeown was fumbled by the keeper and O'Broin was on hand to put the ball into the empty net. Eoin Mitchell had a great strike saved before some lovely interplay between Peter Bristow and O'Broin put Bristow through to neatly side foot the ball into the corner of the net. Half-time 5-0

In the second half Ben O'Neill pushed forward into midfield and his impact was immediate as a drilled ball across the face of the goal resulted in the Coleraine defender putting the ball into his own net. Northend were beginning to really enjoy the larger pitch with some delightful play between the midfielders and Peter Bristow got the opportunity to take a shot for the edge of the area but the keeper saved only for the ball to fall to McKeown to slot home. Soon after, the striker completed his hat-trick when he smashed in as he found space in the box. With everyone pushing forward for more goals it left space at the back for Coleraine to get 2 consolation goals but the last goal of the match went to hat-trick man O'Broin who weaved his way through the defence to finish with ease. Final score 9-2.

Man of the match: Ben O'Neill

Panel: PJ McDonnell, R Campbell, S Bristow, B O'Neill, T Boyd, J McKeown, S O'Broin, C McAvoy, P Bristow, E Mitchell