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Sirocco Colts U10s 0 Northend United U10s 12 Saturday 29th January 2011

An in-form Northend side travelled to this tricky away fixture, determined to get their first win in the new George Best Shield. From the kick-off, Northend pressed the Colts defence, and captain on the day, Aidan Graffin, had several shots cleared of the line or saved by the Sirocco Colt keeper.

The breakthrough came after seven minutes when a Stuart Lecky shot rebounded of the post and Sean McKay followed up to score. Sean McKay added two more to complete a hat-trick by half-time and the same player also crossed for a superb Scott Sempey half-volley into the roof of the net. Northend led 0-4 at half-time.

The second half led to continued pressure from a relentless Northend, who scored another eight past their helpless opponents to win the match 0-12. Sean McKay added a second-half hat-trick to take his personal tally to six on the day. Rory Campbell also joined the hat-trick club by scoring three in the second half. Young Super-subs, Kieran Campbell and Christy McKillop added one each also, to finish off a great away day for the Northend Blues.

This turned out to be an easy outing for the Northend defence and goalkeeper, and with no goals conceded, goal-keeper Louis McAfee has now two clean sheets in a row. With such a convincing win, the whole team, including subs, performed well on the day. However, Conor Meneely was outstanding in midfield and Sean McKay, with his six goal tally, led to them both winning Man of The Match.

Men of the Match: Sean McKay, Connor Meneely

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

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Northend United U10s 4 Glendowan U10s 0 Saturday 15th January 2011

This Mayor's Cup-tie looked a close encounter on paper after Northend drew 1-1 away with Glendowan in the league earlier in the season.

Glendowan started the stronger side, with Northend looking like a side that hadn't played for several weeks. Gradually Northend took control of the match and went three goals clear before half-time.

Northend opened the scoring with a well struck Aidan Graffin shot from just inside the box. Conor McGarry added the second after a Scott Sempey corner, with Captain Sean McKay adding the third on the stroke of half-time.

Northend claimed most of the possession after the restart and nearly scored on several occasions from Stuart Lecky and Sean McKay efforts before Aidan Graffin added his second of the day, to give Northend a 4-0 lead.

Glendowan had few chances in this match but Louis McAfee pulled off a great save towards the end, enabling Northend to keep a clean sheet in their first match of the New Year.

Despite a slow start, this was a great performance from the Northend Babies in the end, with several strong performances in this young, determined side. Overall, Aidan Graffin deserved Man of the Match and capped a hard working performance with his first two goals of the season.

Man of the Match: Aidan Graffin

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

Banbridge Town U10s 1 Northend United U10s 5 Saturday 20th November 2010

Northend fielded an almost full-strength team in this tricky away fixture at Banbridge. Despite being favourites to win this match, Northend started the match slowly and Banbridge first tested the Northend goalkeeper after five minutes with Louis McAfee pulling off a great save.

This appeared to awaken this young Northend team because within ten minutes they took the lead. A superb Oisin Connolly through-ball on the right, allowed Sean McKay to beat two defenders before striking a great shot high over the Banbridge goalkeeper into the net.

Although going one nil up, Northend appeared to take their foot of the pedal and a terrible lapse in defence allowed a Banbridge forward to tap into the net to equalise the score, just before half-time. Scores remained 1 - 1 until half-time.

The second half revealed a more determined Northend side who continually pressed the Banbridge defence but it was fifteen minutes into the second half before they went ahead again.

A Matthew Willighan through ball on the left allowed Conor McGarry to race through and shoot past the Banbridge keeper.

Northend totally dominated the last fifteen minutes. Assists by Aidan Graffin, Stuart Lecky and Rian Lennon allowed Conor McGarry to score one more goal. As Northend totally dominated, Sean McKay added two more goals to claim his first hat-trick of the season.

Northend finished the game winning by five goals to one. Rian Lennon and Sean McKay were the pick of Northend's players on the day. Scott Sempey battled hard in midfield and now appears close to his best form again. Overall, Sean McKay's hat-trick made him Man of The Match.

Man of the Match: Sean McKay

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

Northend United U10s 1 Lisburn Distillery U10s 3 Saturday 13th November 2010

Northend United faced a tough match against top three side Lisburn Distillery, and were not helped by the absence of first-teamers Scott Sempey and Sean McKay.

Northend started slowly and found themselves one nil down early on, after some slack tackling on the edge of their own box let in a Distillery forward to score.

Despite this, Northend slowly took charge of the game with their forwards Stuart Lecky and Rory Campbell causing many problems for the Lisburn Distillery defence.

Their pressure led to the Northend equaliser, letting Rian Lennon score from 10 yards. Both sides had further scoring chances but the game finished 1 - 1 at half-time.

Lisburn Distillery took control of the game of the game in the second half with the Northend forwards failing to retain possession up front, letting the Lisburn midfield control the game.

For most of the second half, the Northend defence held firm with Blain Scott, Robert McCluney and Matthew Willigan outstanding. Louis McAfee also made several good saves in goal.

Lisburn Distillery were awarded a penalty after a hand-ball in the penalty area but their penalty taker failed to hit the target. Northend tried to hold on but two defensive errors in the last ten minutes enabled Lisburn Distillery to score two further goals and win the match 3 - 1.

Man of the Match: Blain Scott

Panel: L McAfee, O Connolly, M Willigan, R McCluney, B Scott, T McAuley, C McGarry, R Lennon, C Meneely(c), S Lecky, R Campbell, P Kyle, A Graffin, C McKillop

Sirocco Youth U10s 1 Northend United U10s 1 Saturday 6th November 2010

Northend United extended their unbeaten run to four games, getting a draw at this difficult away fixture, and can count themselves unlucky not to have claimed all three points.

Northend started this match strongly and dominated this match from first minute to last. They played the better football over the hour, out-passing and out-attacking Sirocco.

Despite being a smaller and younger side than Sirocco, Northend won over 90% of the tackles in the game, and dominated possession for the entire sixty minutes.

In the first half, Northend attacked in droves and continually cut through the Sirocco defence with decisive passing. Conor McGarry almost opened the scoring with a typical mazy run and shot then shortly after, Stuart Lecky set up Sean McKay in the box, but his shot failed to beat the Sirocco keeper.

The game finished scoreless at half-time with Northend failing to convert any of their many chances.

Northend started the second half in a similar fashion forcing corner after corner, save after save, until they were awarded a penalty after handball by a Sirocco defender.

Sean McKay struck the penalty well, but unfortunately, it was straight at the Sirocco goalkeeper. This did not deter this young and determined Northend side and five minutes later, they finally got the goal, their play deserved. Scot Sempey released Conor McGarry on the left wing; Conor sidestepped the right back and beat the Sirocco goalkeeper with a fierce shot.

This goal appeared to awaken Sirocco, and they gradually began to put pressure on the Northend defence but Northend always looked most likely to add to their tally, catching Sirocco on the break.

Sirocco equalised with two minutes to go, one of their forwards hitting a powerful shot from just inside the box, which the Northend goalkeeper on the day, Rian Lennon got a hand to, but was powerless to stop. Although this was a good point for Northend and extended their unbeaten run, they can count themselves extremely unlucky not to have taken all three points.

Northend had some fine performances on the day. Blane Scott, Robert McCluney and Matthew Willigan in defence and Scott Sempey, Conor McGarry and Conor Meneely in midfield, were outstanding on the day. Oisin Connolly, Thomas McAuley and then Philip Kyle all performed well on the right hand side. Stuart Lecky and especially Sean McKay left the Sirocco defence dazed with their hard work and movement up front, all day.

Special mention must also go to Rian Lennon who was goalkeeper on the day, having to stand in for Louis McAfee who was ill. Overall, Sean McKay just edged his team-mates, to win his first Man of The Match.

Man of the Match: Sean McKay

Panel: R Lennon, O Connolly, M Willigan, R McCluney, B Scott, T McAuley, C McGarry, S Sempey, C Meneely, S Lecky, S McKay, P Kyle