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Bertie Peacocks 2 Northend United 1

Northend played Berties last Wednesday evening in yet another competition, the semi-final of The U11 Plate. Northend invited two of their U11 players, Oisin Connolly and Charlie Metrustry, to join their squad for this tie, as permitted by the rules of the NWCDYL, for this U11 competition. Northend's squad was now down to just nine fit players, having lost another player to injury, the last time they played Berties. For this reason, Northend were more than grateful for both Oisin and Charlie, offering to help out.

Northend started this match well and pressed Berties backwards, dominating early possession. Despite this, Berties took the lead, hitting Northend on the break, scoring a good goal to go one nil ahead. This appeared to encourage Northend more, they continued to press forward, and were rightly awarded a free-kick, after Pat Ferris was hit with a late tackle, just on the edge of Berties box. Harry Wylie stepped up and put an unstoppable shot by the Berties keeper. Half-time 1-1

The second half will be remembered by Northend, for all the wrong reasons, sadly football not being the winner on this occasion. Northend started the second half even better than the first, and pushed Berties back to the edge of their own box. Although dominating early possession, Northend did not create many clear cut chances, and as they pushed forward more, Berties looked threatening on the break. The first decision that changed the match, occurred just after Christy McKillop, had unfortunately failed to convert the best chance of the match missing a great chance at the back post (Christy has been knocking these in all year). Berties knocked the ball long, there was a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to a Berties player, he clearly controlled it with his hand, Northend's players and the Berties player stopped and looked at the referee, then the Berties player turned and knocked the ball into the net. Sadly, the referee failed to spot this. With five minutes to go, Northend launched attack after attack and in between these, Euan McSparran made a couple of superb stops, to keep out Berties. With a minute to go, Christy McKillop was upended on the edge of the box again, after yet another late tackle. Once again, Harry Wylie stepped forward. Harry Wylie struck the free-kick well, the Berties keeper got a hand to the ball, the ball bounced in front of him, and Oisin O'Mullan pounced first, to knock the ball into the net. The referee blew his whistle, said 'not one but four Northend players were offside' and that amazingly, that the Berties manager agreed with him. Prior to this, the referee had not blew for one off-side the entire match, and there had been a few, for both sides. Northend's players, coach and supporters rightly felt aggrieved. Their argument was justified when two watching NWCDYL officials on the line, said the goal should have stood. Despite a grave sense of injustice, Northend's players and coach, rightly lined up and shook Berties players and coaches hands.

Northend have played Berties four times this year, four times in Coleraine and once in Larne. For the four matches in Coleraine, they had the same referee. Northend lost all four, three of these matches by the odd goal. When Northend played Berties in Larne, they had a neutral referee, who did not know both teams, played them off the park and won the game. Fact.

This was Northend's first foray into nine aside football, on a bigger pitch, and prior to this match, they had not practiced nor played, a competitive nine aside match. For this reason, Northend were really impressive in this match, and overall, all players were excellent on the night.

In summary, this has been a great season for Northend. This young Northend team have developed incredibly this year, and their hard work and good football has paid off, elevating them from a mid-table team last year, to runners-up in the league. 'Player Development' is engrained in Northend's ethos, and they never have, or never will, adopt a 'win at all costs' attitude, sadly displayed by some teams. They have played bright, attractive and attacking football all season, and this has been voiced by neutrals and other teams, not just members of the Northend fraternity. Their football has earned the respect of other teams and coaches, which in my eyes, goes side by side, with player development. This young Northend team should be proud of themselves, and as I am sadly moving on, I wish them all the best for next season and beyond.

Men of the Match: Euan McSparran, Harry Wylie

Panel: E McSparran, C Kilgore, F McQuillan, O Connolly, O O'Mullan, C Campbell, H Wylie, C McKillop, P Ferris, C McCarroll, C Metrustry

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Northend United 3 Ballymena United 1 Saturday 27th April 2013

Northend wanted to win this final game for many reasons, but mainly because a win would guarantee them second place in the league. Ballymena had also beaten Northend 1-0 in the league only two weeks ago, and Northend were thirsty for revenge.

Northend went on the attack from the first whistle with Harry Wylie, unlucky not to put Northend up, with a great shot, in the first minute. In the second minute, Ballymena were fortunate to go one nil ahead, after a mix-up between goalkeeper and defence, finished with the ball, rolling into the Northend net. At one nil down, Northend did not drop their heads drop, instead they rolled their sleeves up, put trust in their passing game, and dominated this game for the remainder of the match.

First Oisin O'Mullan, then Pat Ferris, were unlucky not to draw Northend level. At this stage, Northend were carving Ballymena open with ease, and when Christy McKillop broke free from the right, Pat Ferris took control of the ball in a tight space, then turned and shot past the Ballymena keeper. Half-time score 1-1.

Pat Ferris made it 2-1, two minutes into the second half, with a sensational turn and shot. At 2-1 ahead, Northend visibly got stronger and put together a number of great passing moves, with Harry Wylie and Ciaran Campbell, in the middle of everything that was good. All Northend's players, at this stage of the match, played as well as they have done this season, and it was only a matter of time, before they scored again. This moment of glory, fell again to defender come striker Pat Ferris, who rifled in another great shot, to make it 3-1 to Northend, and score his first hat-trick ever. Final score 3-1 to Northend

This was a great victory for Northend, securing second place in the league, after defeating derby rivals Ballymena United.

Man of the Match: Patrick Ferris

Panel: E McSparran, C Kilgore, C Campbell, O O'Mullan, H Wylie, C McKillop, P Ferris, F McQuillan

Coleraine Academy 0 Northend United 1 Saturday 27th April 2013

Northend started this match, knowing a win was necessary, to have any chance of finishing runner-up in the league. Northend started like they had a point to prove, and came out on top in the opening exchanges. Pat Ferris caused Coleraine problems at the back while Harry Wylie, Oisin O'Mullan and Christy McKillop, outshone Coleraine in midfield. The first half was reduced to half-chances for both sides, with Northend unlucky, not to go into the break, at least one goal ahead. Half-time 0:0.

Northend went up a gear at the start of the second half. They outpassed their Coleraine opponents and were first to nearly every second ball. With Calum Kilgore and Fiontan McQuillan strong at the back, Ciaran Campbell was pushed forward and this caused Coleraine, more headaches in defence. This increased pressure, led to the only goal of the match. Oisin O'Mullan cut in from the left, unleashed a powerful shot from fifteen yards, the Coleraine keeper fumbled, and Ciaran Campbell pounced, to put Northend one nil ahead. Northend battled strongly to the finish to win one nil. If ever there was a comfortable one nil win, Northend provided this today, and this win lifted them level with Coleraine in second place. Final score 0-1

Man of the Match: Ciaran Campbell

Panel: E McSparran, F McQuillan, C Campbell, H Wylie, O O'Mullan, C McKillop, P Ferris, C Kilgore

Northend United 1 Coleraine Academy 2 Saturday 20th April 2013

Northend started much the better of these two sides with Pat Ferris causing problems with his strong running up front and Fiontain McQuillan looking calm and assured at the back. Northend's domination early on led to them going one nil ahead through Christy McKillop, after some great play from Ciaran Campbell and Oisin O'Mullan. Shortly after, Pat Ferris forced a great save of the Coleraine keeper and then within a minute, saw another shot rebound of a post. Northend looked strong at this stage, with Harry Wylie dictating play from the back, and Oisin O'Mullan, Ciaran Campbell and Christy McKillop dominating the midfield. Coleraine forced their way into the match just before the break with Euan McSparran easily saving their first shot on target. This was a good first half performance from Northend who can count themselves unlucky, not to go into the break at least two goals ahead. Half-time score 0:1.

The second half started much more evenly with both sides coming close to scoring. Coleraine equalised, after a goal-mouth scramble. Northend pressed once again with both Oisin O'Mullan and Christy McKillop going close. The match looked to be heading for extra time, when Coleraine scored the winner, from yet another goal-mouth scramble.

Northend can count themselves unlucky to lose this match. They do however, have to learn how to defend better from set-pieces/corners as currently, this is the only way they are conceding goals, which is turning possible victories into defeats. At times today, Northend were excellent and not adding to their solo goal in the first half when so much on top, probably cost them a semi-final place here.

Men of the Match: Christie McKillop, Ciaran Campbell

Panel: E McSparran, F McQuillan(c), H Wylie, O O'Mullan, C Campbell, C McKillop, P Ferris, C Kilgore, C McCarroll

Northend United 0 Ballymena United 1 Saturday 13th April 2013

This was far from perfect footballing conditions for this local derby, with a hard bumpy pitch plus strong winds, but both sides provided an end to end spectacle, for all supporters present. Unfortunately, Northend were to lose this match by one goal to nil .Both sides created chances in the first half, with Northend definitely having the better of these. The best chances for Northend in the first half fell to Oisin O'Mullan, who was unlucky with a half-volley from a Christy McKillop cross. Christy McKillop then forced a good save from Ballymena's keeper then just before half-time, Christy unluckily hit a post, with the ball rebounding wide. Euan McSparran in Northend's goals was just tested once in the first half, in which he made a good save. Half-time score 0 - 0.

Northend attacked straight from the kick-off in the second half, forcing corner after corner, but failed to score. Ballymena took full advantage of this and found the net to go one nil up, after Northend failed to clear, in a goal mouth scramble. Euan McSparran made a great double save to keep Ballymena out, shortly after this. From this point, Northend dominated the remainder of the match, but sadly failed to score. Virtually all Northend's players had good chances to score, but sadly did not hit the net, mainly due to a stubborn Ballymena defence and goalkeeper. Four times Ballymena cleared off the line in the last ten minutes and this was looking like a day that Northend were not going to score. A missed Northend penalty, with two minutes to go, proved this was definitely, not going to be Northend's day.

Northend's players were definitely below par in this match, and performed well below their usual standard. Even so, as bad as they were today, they still deserved at least a draw in this match. They did try to play football at times, unlike their Ballymena counterparts, but did not come close to matching Ballymena in terms of effort and hard work. Be prepared for plenty of running at training on Monday night.

Men of the Match: Patrick Ferris, Fiontan McQuillan

Panel: E McSparran, F McQuillan, C Kilgore, C McKillop, O O'Mullan (c), H Wylie, C Campbell, P Ferris, C McCarroll

Northend United U10s 6 Institute U10s 2 Saturday 6th April 2013

Northend won this cup-tie without ever hitting top gear. Northend took the lead early on when from a Harry Wylie corner, Oisin O'Mullan squared the ball to Christy McKillop, who finished nicely. Within five minutes, Northend made it two, when this time Christy McKillop, crossed to Ciaran Campbell , who neatly laid it into the path of Oisin O'Mullan, who drove the ball into the net. It was at this stage of the match, when Institute crept into the game and deservedly scored to make it 2 - 1. Institute were beginning to put a lot of pressure on Northend when Oisin O'Mullan scored the goal of the match, with a delightful chip over the Institute keeper from fifteen yards. Ciaran Campbell made it 4 - 1 shortly after before Christy McKillop made it 5 - 1 just before half-time. Half-time score 5 - 1.

The match opened up even more in the second half, with both sides creating lots of chances to score. It was Institute who hit the target first to make it 5 - 2. Northend came back almost immediately and Oisin O'Mullan scored his third and hat-trick, after being assisted by Ciaran Campbell. The matched petered out and both sides missed further opportunities to score. Final score 6 - 2.

Man of the Match: Oisin O'Mullan

Panel: E McSparran, F McQuillan, C Kilgore, H Wylie, C McKillop (c), O O'Mullan, C Campbell, C McGall

Larne Soccer Sevens Tuesday 2nd April 2013

Having not played a competitive match since 2nd March, this young team were raring to go in this tournament. Northend were drawn in Group 1 with Larne Youth, Bertie Peacocks, Barn United and Carniny. In their first match, Northend easily disposed of a high -flying Larne Youth team from the South Belfast League. Oisin O'Mullan scored both goals in this match, the pick of which was Oisins opening goal, a superb diving header from a great Christy McKillop cross. Second up for Northend was their great Coleraine rivals, Berties Peacocks, who they defeated by one goal to nil. Northend were superb in this match, they matched Berties all over the park, the hero of this match being Harry Wylie, who scored a cracker free-kick from fifteen yards, into the top corner of the net. How Berties enjoyed that!!! Next up was local rivals Carniny. Oisin O'Mullan scored a great goal in this close encounter, a match in which Northend should have scored more than just one goal. Last up in the group stage was Barn Utd. Northend won this match by two goals to nil. Scorers here were Pat Ferris and Oisin O'Mullan again. Northend won all four group games, without conceding a goal, topping the group.

Northend were drew against Coleraine Academy for the first semi-final. In this match, Northend got stronger as the match wore on. Coleraine were slightly fortunate to take the lead but Northend bounced back immediately, Oisin O'Mullan drawing them level with a great right foot finish into the bottom corner of the net. Northend deservedly took the lead, when Calum Kilgore found Oisin O'Mullan with a brilliant cross field pass, which Oisin easily slid past the Coleraine Keeper. Northend unluckily failed to add to their goal tally, and Coleraine found the net again, after a last minute goal mouth scramble. The referee actually blew his whistle while Euan McSparran, the Northend keeper, picked the ball out of the net. Unfortunately, Coleraine won the penalty shoot-out, and Northend were out of the tournament.

All Northend's players should be proud of their performance here and remember, their results here were four wins and one draw. Nobody defeated them in normal time. Euan McSparran had a great day in nets (four clean sheets out of five). Defenders on the day Fiontan McQuillan, Calum Kilgore and Pat Ferris must also take a lot of credit for this. Just edging the other two defenders was Calum Kilgore who will be remembered for two brilliant tackles, one against Berties and one against Coleraine. Christy McKillop, Harry Wylie and Oisin O'Mullan were arguably three of the best midfielders there. Harry Wylie will forever be remembered for that free-kick against Berties while Oisin O'Mullan was on fire that day, every one of his six goals were crackers. Up front, Ciaran Campbell and then Cadyn McGall, caused problems for each team they faced.

Panel: E McSparran, F McQuillan, C Kilgore, H Wylie, C McKillop, O O'Mullan, C Campbell, P Ferris, C McGall