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Northend United U10s 7 Banbridge Town U10s 3 Saturday 26th March 2011

This looked like a relatively easy home win for Northend on paper, especially after beating Banbridge away from home convincingly in November. From kick-off, Northend pressed forward in droves and took the lead after Aidan Graffin finished a neat passing move involving Rian Lennon and Sean McKay.

Rian Lennon added Northend's second, closely followed by a Sean McKay third goal. At this stage of the match, things looked easy for Northend, but this was not to last. Gradually, Banbridge worked hard to get back into the match and deservedly scored just before the break, leaving the halt-time score 3-1 to Northend.

Northend started the second half as they finished the first, and before they knew it, Banbridge had scored two more quick goals to tie the match at 3 - 3. At this stage, Banbridge looked the more likely victors. Northend appeared to rally again after a late challenge on Louis McAfee, the Northend goalkeeper.

Five minutes later, they went ahead again after a well taken goal by Sean McKay. Aidan Graffin added his second to make it 5 - 3 before Philip Kyle and then Conor McGarry scored one each to make it 7 - 3 to Northend.

This was a tremendous spectacle for the big crowd in attendance, and by winning the match, Northend ensured they would at least finish second place in the Shield this season.

Apart from a difficult fifteen minutes in this match, just before and just after half-time, Northend played really well and thoroughly deserved their win in the end. Oisin Connolly and Matthew Willighan both had good games at full back. Connor Meneely and Scott Sempey worked tirelessly in the middle of the park, and in the end, played a large part in driving the team to victory in this match.

Josh Mitchell and Rian Lennon in the first half, followed by Stuart Lecky and Conor McGarry in the second half, all played well up front and looked a threat in front of goal. Sean McKay produced some mesmerising runs at times, which the Banbridge defence struggled to defend against. Overall though, Connor Meneely had a superb match and deservedly won Man of the Match for his part in this great victory.

Man of the Match: Connor Meneely

Panel: L McAfee, O Connolly, M Willighan, R McCluney, R Campbell, S McKay(c), C Meneely, S Sempey, A Graffin, R Lennon, J Mitchell, S Lecky, C McGarry, P Kyle

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Donegal Celtic U10s 0 Northend United U10s 4 Saturday 19th March 2011

Northend travelled to Belfast for what looked like a tricky away fixture at Donegal Celtic. This was a great chance for Northend not only to play their attractive football on Donegal Celtic's first team pitch, but also to win and keep the pressure on Shield leaders, Sirocco.

The match itself started very evenly, with Donegal Celtic playing showing some good football but failed to test the Northend goalkeeper. Gradually Northend took control and pressed their passing game onto their opponents. This continued pressure led to Northend's first goal. Josh Mitchell and Sean McKay combined well together and a Donegal Celtic defender was left helpless, forcing a cross from Sean McKay into his own net.

Northend failed to add to their tally before the break and the score remained 0 - 1 to Northend at half-time.

Northend sprang to life in the second half and added three more goals without conceding any. Josh Mitchell provided a neat finish after some selfless work by Scott Sempey.

Sean McKay scored a twenty yard screamer direct from a free kick which went in off the post. Sean McKay then scored Northend's fourth and the final goal of the game by turning and half-volleying the ball, from thirty yards out, over the outstretched arms of the Donegal Celtic goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.

This was a great win for Northend and all the squad from goalkeeper to substitutes played their part in this match. Goalkeeper Louis McAfee looked assured in nets. Ruairi Campbell and especially Robert McCluney were outstanding at the back. Connor Meneely, Christy McKillop and Scott Sempey worked hard and dominated the middle of the pitch. Both Sean McKay and Aidan Graffin always looked threatening on the wings. Josh Mitchell made some great runs into space up front, regularly troubling the Donegal Celtic defence.

All four substitutes, Oisin Connolly and Matthew Willighan performed well at full-back when they came on and Stuart Lecky and Philip Kyle made a real difference up front. On the day, both Robert McCluney and Sean McKay just edged the rest to win Man of the Match.

Men of the Match: Sean McKay and Robert McCluney

Panel: L McAfee, T McAuley , S McCusker, R McCluney, R Campbell(c), A Graffin, S Sempey , C Meneely, S McKay, C McKillop, J Mitchell, W Willighan, S Lecky, O Connolly, P Kyle

Northend United U10s 3 Dromore Amateurs U10s 0 Saturday 12th March 2011

In damp and freezing conditions, Northend took control of this match right from the start. From the first whistle, Northend pressurised their opponents, giving them no time on the ball. This pressure led to Northend first goal from Josh Mitchell after some great work in the box from Sean McKay.

A fine individual goal from Sean McKay gave Northend a two goal lead at half-time.

The second half consisted of more of the same with Northend constantly putting the Dromore defence under more pressure. Due to this, Dromore became more physical and gave several free-kicks away around the box from which Northend failed to score.

Meanwhile, the Northend defence stood firm with Louis McAfee in goal, and back four of Thomas McAuley, Ruairi Campbell, Robert McCluney and Sean McCusker easily coping with the Dromore forward line.

It was one of Northend's defenders, Thomas McAuley who provided the killer through pass for Sean McKay to run through and score Northend's third and final goal of the match. The game finished three nil to Northend giving them a vital three points to remain in second place and put pressure on the Shield leaders, Sirocco.

There were several fine performances from Northend in this match. Thomas McAuley and Ruairi Campbell caught the eye in defence. Connor Meneely worked tirelessly in midfield before being replaced by Northend's youngest player at seven years old, Christie McKillop, who showed several great touches in his short time on the pitch. Sean McKay also gave a great performance on the right adding another two goals to his tally.

Overall, Ruairi Campbell just edged Man of the Match and played well in only his second game in defence.

Man of the Match: Ruairi Campbell

Panel: L McAfee, T McAuley, R Campbell, S McCusker, R McCluney(c), S McKay, S Sempey, C Meneely, A Graffin, S Lecky, J Mitchell, R Lennon, P Kyle, C McKillop

Bertie Peacocks U10s 3 Northend United U10s 0 Saturday 5th March 2011

Northend made several changes for this George Best Cup match and despite matching their opponents in the first half, were very unlucky to go into the break one goal down.

Bertie Peacock U10s took their only chance in the first half whereas Northend spurned three good chances to score.

In this hard fought encounter, Bertie Peacock U10s gradually took control in the second half and added two further goals to finish the game 3 - 0.

Despite fielding a much changed team, Northend more than matched their opponents in this tough cup-tie. Northend's back four of Rory Campbell, Robert McCluney, Sean McCusker and Thomas McAuley all performed well on the day.

Connor Meneely was the pick of Northend's midfield and Sean McKay worked hard with little to show for his effort. Overall, Robert McCluney just edged all these players to win Man of the Match.

Man of the Match: Robert McCluney

Panel: L McAfee(c), T McAuley, R Campbell, R McCluney, S McCusker, R Lennon, S Sempey, C Meneely, M Willighan, C McGarry, S McKay, S Lecky, A Graffin, O Connolly, J Mitchell

Northend United U10s 2 Sirocco Youth U10s 3 Saturday 26th February 2011

This top of the table Shield clash had all the right ingredients for a great match, but sadly this young Northend side just lost it by the odd goal. Northend started this match well and went ahead after ten minutes after a great solo effort by Sean McKay who easily skipped by three Sirocco defenders before unleashing a powerful shot past the Sirocco keeper.

Unfortunately, Northend then took their foot of the pedal, which led to Sirocco exerting more pressure and scoring two goals to lead 1 - 2 at half-time.

Northend began the second half as they ended the first, paying for this by going 1 - 3 down.

A change of personnel, namely Northend substitutes Rory Campbell and Rian Lennon, appeared to breathe new life into Northend and for the last twenty minutes of this match, Northend created chance after chance.

Sadly this was not to be Northend's day, as both the Sirocco defence and especially the Sirocco keeper, threw themselves into every tackle and at every shot, to maintain their lead. They held out until two minutes to go when Scott Sempey popped up to score after some great work on the left again by Sean McKay.

The whistle went shortly after this, with the match finishing 2 - 3 , with Sirocco the victors in this top of the table clash.

Despite being a younger and much smaller side, Northend gave Sirocco a great game, and despite switching off for ten minutes just before and after half-time, they could still have won this match in the end. On the day, Sean McKay, Conor Meneely and especially goalkeeper Louis McAfee, were the pick of Northend's players

Man of the Match: Louis McAfee

Panel: L McAfee, O Connolly, M Willighan, R McCluney, J Mitchell, A Graffin, C McGarry, S Sempey(c), C Meneely, S McKay, S Lecky, R Campbell, T McAuley, R Lennon, S McCusker

Castle Juniors U10s 1 Northend United U10s 7 Saturday 19th February 2011

Northend got back into winning ways with a fine away win at Castle Juniors in the Shield.

Sean McKay opened the scoring after ten minutes with a finely struck shot which easily beat the Castle Juniors keeper. Northend failed to add to this tally despite plenty of possession and when Castle Juniors broke free ten minutes later into the Northend box, they took their chance and levelled the scores.

However, Northend went ahead again after a Sean McKay free kick on the stroke of half-time was glanced into the net by a glorious Scott Sempey header. Northend went in at half-time 1 - 2 up.

Northend took complete control in the second half and added five more goals to their first half tally. Firstly, Aidan Graffin added a fine third just into the second half. Scott Sempey and Sean McKay both added to their first half goals with well taken chances.

Stuart Lecky scored his first after some great work by Scott Sempey. Sean McKay added the last and seventh goal to claim yet another hat-trick.

In the end, Northend easily secured a 1 - 7 away win to lift them into second place in the Shield. All the Northend players performed well in this match but overall with, Scott Sempey outstanding in midfield and Sean McKay scoring yet another hat-trick , both walked off with Man of the Match.

Men of the Match: Sean McKay and Scott Sempey

Panel : L McAfee, O Connolly, C McGarry, J Mitchell, R McCluney, R Campbell, S Sempey(c), C Meneely, A Graffin, S McKay, R Lennon, S Lecky, M Willighan, T McAuley, S McCusker

Northend United U10s 1 Lisburn Youths U10s 5 Saturday 12th February 2011

A much improved Northend side were quietly fancied in this Majors Cup quarter final tie. Unfortunately, they were well beaten by a bigger and more experienced side on the day. From the kick-off, Lisburn Youth were on top and quickly went three goals up by half-time.

Northend's makeshift defence could simply not cope with the Lisburn Youth forwards and Louis McAfee done well to keep the score line to three by half-time. When Sean McKay missed a penalty and hit the bar from the rebound just before the break, it became clear it was never going to be Northend's day.

Northend were hastily re-arranged at half-time and although they performed much better in the second half, they created few chances and needed an own goal to get on the score sheet. Despite this minor set back, Lisburn Youth scored two more to run out 1 - 5 winners on the day.

Men of the Match: Robert McCluney, Louis McAfee

Panel: L McAfee, R Lennon, M Willighan, S McCusker, R McCluney, R Campbell, S Sempey, C Meneely, C McGarry, A Graffin, S McKay(c), J Mitchell, O Connolly