Northend United Youth FC

Northend United U10s 3 Ballysillan Youth U10s 0

Saturday 20th March 2010

Having returned to winning ways last week, Northend U10s took to the field against Ballysillan at Smithfield, in a match which would virtually seal second place in the league if they won.

The game started at a lively pace with both teams getting the ball down and playing some attractive football, and Northend soon had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

Northend's defence of Tarlagh MaCrory, Aaron Campbell, Alex O'Boyle and Scott Sempey was very solid, mopping up most of the danger, and on the few occasions Ballysillan did break through, Aaron Montgomery coped well in his first game in goals, deputising for flu victim Kieran O'Boyle.

Taylor Kernohan was introduced after ten minutes for Little, who was struggling with an injury, and Northend continued to press forward with Jamie Stevenson in particular playing a blinder in midfield. Indeed it was Stevenson who opened the scoring when he raced through and fired an unstoppable shot from the corner of the eighteen yard box into the far top corner, to make the score 1-0 Northend.

Both teams continued to play some good attacking football, using the wings when possible, but defences held firm and neither team were able to create any clear-cut chances for the remainder of the half, where the score remained 1-0 Northend.

In the second half, Northend took advantage of the wind at their backs, with almost every kick out from Aaron Montgomery reaching the halfway line, putting the boys into an attacking position, and the Ballysillan 'keeper had to deal with several efforts from long range.

The second goal came from a corner, and when Alex O'Boyle floated a fine ball into the area, Taylor Kernohan was on hand to convert with a calmly taken volley at the back post to make it 2-0 Northend.

With a few tired legs on show, Northend then introduced their subs, with Aidan Graffin, Eoin McNally and Jamie Wray coming on for Erwin, Sempey and Campbell, and after MaCrory blocked a swift Ballysillan attack, he cleared to Matthew Downey, who fed Stevenson just inside the opponents half, and he produced a brilliant piece of individual skill, beating three men before calmly lobbing it over the advancing keeper to make it 3-0 and wrap up the game.

To Ballysillan's credit though they continued to press and look for a way back, and they earned a penalty after their striker was upended in the box, but the penalty was scuffed wide, and although both teams played some good football, neither keeper was troubled for the remainder of the game, which finished 3-0 Northend.

Another good win for the boys, who have come on in leaps and bounds after a shaky start to the campaign, excellent performances from everyone, well done boys!

Men of the Match: Jamie Stevenson and Tarlagh MaCrory

Panel: Aaron Montgomery, Tarlagh MaCrory, Aaron Campbell(c), Alex O'Boyle, Scott Sempey, James O'Loughlin, Jamie Stevenson, Shea O'Brien, Matthew Erwin, Matthew Downey, Cory Little, Eoin McNally, Taylor Kernohan, Aidan Graffin, Jamie Wray

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Northend United U10s 4 Whitehead Eagles U10s 3

Saturday 13th March 2010

On a fine bright morning, Northend United U10s took to the field against Whitehead Eagles, hoping for an improved performance following last weeks disappointing result.

Right from the start both teams were battling in a match that swept from end to end with some really attractive football being played by both sides. It was Whitehead who broke the deadlock to make it 1-0, but Northend kept pushing forward, with the midfield of Matthew Erwin, Aaron Montgomery Shea O'Brien and Jamie Stevenson combining well to provide service to Downey and Little up front.

They got a well deserved equaliser when Shea O'Brien found space on the edge of the box to drill a low shot into the corner to make the score 1-1. The game continued in this attacking vein and Northend's defence of Jamie Wray, Aaron Campbell, Alex O'Boyle and Scott Sempey had to be on their toes.

However Whitehead took the lead again to go 2-1 ahead, and it took a brilliant tackle from Scott Sempey to prevent them going even further behind.

Northend continued to apply their own pressure, and were rewarded when Shea O'Brien converted an Alex O'Boyle corner with a fine headed goal to make the score 2-2.

Both teams continued to pile forward and Whitehead found the net just before the break to make it 3-2 to Whitehead after an eventful first half.

In the second half, Northend began to dominate the play, and when O'Brien laid the ball off from a free kick, Cory Little rifled a shot into the top of the net to make it 3-3.

Northend continued to make chances, and Matthew Downey was unlucky when he raced through the middle but unfortunately screwed his shot wide. Northend made a couple of substitutions, with James O'Loughlin and Eoin McNally replacing Wray and Erwin.

It was all Northend now, and their constant attacking pressure paid off when Alex O'Boyle came up to take a corner, played it short and received a return ball, dribbled to the edge of the area and drilled a fine low shot inside the near post from the tightest of angles to give Northend a 4-3 lead, which they held quite comfortably for the remainder of the game.

A good performance from both teams today, and a well earned 3 points for the Northend Babies, coming from behind 3 times to win the game.

Men of the Match: Cory Little and Shea O'Brien

Panel: Kieran O'Boyle, Scott Sempey, Alex O'Boyle, Aaron Campbell(c), Jamie Wray, Matthew Erwin, Matthew Downey, Jamie Stevenson, Aaron Montgomery, Shea O'Brien, Cory Little, James O'Loughlin, Aidan Graffin, Eoin McNally

Northend United U10s 0 Barn United U10s 2

Saturday 6th March 2010

Northend United Under 10s entertained league leaders Barn United at the showgrounds on Saturday after some mixed results recently.

The first half never really got flowing with both midfields closing each other down quickly. Northend struggled to get any service to Cory Little and Blaine Scott up front, and a makeshift Northend defence, with Shea O'Brien filling in for the unwell Alex O'Boyle alongside Aaron Campbell, Tarlach Macrory and Scott Sempey, was able to handle any Barn attempts to come forward with relative ease, and the first half finished goalless.

In the second half, Barn began to dominate the game, with their midfield finding the passes through to their big striker, who was proving a handful as the game wore on. Barn scored their first when Northend failed to clear a crossed ball and it was hit through a crowded goalmouth into the net to make the score 1-0 to Barn.

Northend introduced their subs then, with Taylor Kernohan, James O'Loughlin, Eoinn McNally, Ruairi Campbell and Ruairi McAllister coming on for Montgomery, Erwin, Scott, Campbell and Sempey, and the fresh legs inspired Northend to come more into the game and create a couple of chances of their own, with Little going close when he latched on to a Matthew Downey through ball only for the Barn 'keeper to save well. Northend kept pressing but were unable to find a way through a solid Barn defence, and with 5 minutes left, Barn scored their second from a counter attack down the right, effectively killing the game off.

An off-day for the boys today, lets hope they can put it right and get back to winning ways next week, when they face Whitehead Eagles at Smithfield.

Men of the Match: Kieran O'Boyle and Matthew Downey

Panel: Kieran O'Boyle, Scott Sempey, Shea O'Brien, Aaron Campbell(c), Tarlagh MaCrory, Matthew Erwin, Matthew Downey, Jamie Stevenson, Aaron Montgomery, Cory Little, Blaine Scott, James O'Loughlin, Ruairi Campbell, Aidan Graffin,Ruairi McAllister, Eoin McNally

Ballysillan Youth U10s 3 Northend United U10s 0

Saturday 13th February 2010

Northend United U10s played Ballysillan at the 3 Mile Water playing fields, looking for the victory which would take them to their first trophy final. Right from the start the Northend Babies took the initiative and went on the offensive, with Jamie Stevenson once again, pulling the strings in midfield to set up a series of Northend attacks.

The first real effort on goal came on ten minutes, when Jamie Stevenson fed Shea O'Brien in the box, and his lay off was struck superbly by Matthew Irwin, only to see his effort cannon off the crossbar and Ballysillan cleared the ball to safety.

Northend continued to press but were unable to capitalise against a Ballysillan 'keeper in fine form. Ballysillan were able to counter a few times, but the Northend back line of Tarlagh MaCrory, Alex O'Boyle, Aaron Campbell and Scotty Sempey held firm, snuffing out most threats with ease, and on the few occasions when Ballysillan penetrated the defence, Kieran O'Boyle in Northend's net was out in a flash to mop up the danger.

With the game still goalless and a cup final place at stake, it became a somewhat cagey affair and the score remained 0-0 at half time.

The second half saw Northend up their game again and cause problems for the Ballysillan defence. When Matthew Irwin kept pressure on Ballysillan's centre half, he was forced into a wayward back pass which was too wide for his goalkeeper, and the ball rolled into the corner of the net for Northend to take a 1-0 lead.

Northend then made a few subs, with Jamie Wray, Blaine Scott and Aaron Montgomery coming on for Ruairi Campbell, Aaron Campbell and Scott Sempey. The second goal came shortly afterwards when Cory Little burst clear from the halfway line, held off two challenges, side footed past the 'keeper and the ball went in off the post to make the score 2-0 to Northend.

They almost increased their lead five minute later, when Aaron Montgomery fed a great ball through and Matthew Downey raced through on goal, only to see his effort well saved by the Ballysillan 'keeper. From the resulting corner, the ball was only half cleared to Matthew Irwin on the edge of the box, and he struck through a crowded goalmouth into the net to make it 3-0 and kill the game off.

Northend then made their remaining substitutions, with McNally coming on for the impressive MaCrory and Aidan Graffin for Irwin. Both teams created a few chances in the last few minutes, but both goalkeepers were in inspired form. The final score remained 3-0 and the Northend Babies go through to the final of the knockout cup, where they will meet Barn United.

Men of the Match: Kieran O'Boyle and Tarlagh MaCrory

Panel: Kieran O'Boyle, Scott Sempey, Alex O'Boyle, Aaron Campbell(c), Tarlagh MaCrory, Matthew Erwin, Matthew Downey, Jamie Stevenson, Ruairi Campbell, Shea O'Brien, Cory Little, Blaine Scott, Aaron Montgomery, James O'Loughlin, Ruairi Campbell, Aidan Graffin, Jamie Wray, Eoin McNally

Barn United U10s 4 Northend United U10s 3

Saturday 6th February 2010

Northend U10s took to the field against Barn United on a wet and windy morning at Greenisland, in the second of three round robin games, knowing a win would virtually seal a place in the shield final.

However the boys were sluggish from the start, finding it difficult to get a foothold in the game and Barn went into the lead after ten minutes with a pacey attack to make the score 1-0 to Barn United.

Northend's back line of Jamie Wray, Aaron Campbell, Alex O'Boyle and Scott Sempey were tested throughout the rest of the half, and the midfield of Aaron Montgomery, Jamie Stevenson, Matthew Downey and Matthew Irwin found it difficult to get any service to O'Brien and Little up front.

Shortly before half time, Barn United doubled their lead with a counter attack down the left flank, and the score remained 2-0 to Barn at the interval.

The second half saw the introduction of Ruairi McAllister for Sempey. Northend lifted their game and began to dominate this spell of the game, controlling the play in midfield. They got their just rewards when an O'Boyle's corner fell to Cory Little in the box and he made no mistake, blasting the ball into the corner to reduce the deficit to one goal.

Play opened up after this, with both teams creating chances, and when Barn were awarded a penalty, Kieran O'Boyle in Northend's goal was up to the task, saving brilliantly to keep the scoreline 2-1.

Barn United went on to score again, to increase their lead to 3-1 after some sloppy defending. With nothing to lose, Northend introduced their subs now to try to turn the game around, with Blaine Scott, James O'Loughlin and Ruairi Campbell coming on for Montgomery, O'Brien and Irwin.

The changes paid off almost immediately, with Ruairi Campbell wreaking havoc down the right wing, and he earned his side a penalty when he was upended in the box. Matthew Downey calmly struck the ball into the corner of the net to make the score 3-2 to Barn United.

Ruairi Campbell again caused all sorts of problems, and was unlucky not to be awarded a second penalty when he was again brought down inside the box, under a heavy tackle, leaving him injured and unable to continue, with Aidan Graffin coming on for the last ten minutes.

With the game opening up again, Barn were able to score again after a poor clearance fell straight to the feet of their striker who had the simple task of side-footing home from twelve yards, to make the score 4-2 to Barn with less than five minutes remaining.

Northend weren't giving up easily, and when Cory Little picked up the ball on the halfway line, he raced past three Barn defenders and slotted the ball through the goalkeeper's legs at his near post to score his second of the game and bring the scoreline to 4-3. This set up a final charge by Northend, but despite their efforts, it wasn't enough on the day and the final score remained Barn United 4 Northend 3.

A poor first half performance contributed largely to this disappointing result which leaves the boys facing a must win match against Whitehead in the final game of the shield series.

Men of the Match: Jamie Stevenson and Alex O'Boyle

Panel: Kieran O'Boyle, Scott Sempey, Alex O'Boyle, Aaron Campbell(c), Jamie Wray, Matthew Erwin, Matthew Downey, Jamie Stevenson, Aaron Montgomery, Shea O'Brien, Cory Little, Blaine Scott, Ruairi McAllister, James O'Loughlin, Ruairi Campbell, Aidan Graffin