Crusaders U10s 5 Northend United U10s 1 Saturday 29th October 2011
Northend travelled to Crusaders at the Grove pitches in North Belfast. As the match kicked off Crusaders broke down the left wing and took a shot at the Northend keeper, Jason Givens, who thought it was going past the post but instead it went in past the post, making it 1-0.
Play went from end to end with both teams attacking the other. Northend broke away and a through-ball from Oliver Hampshire found Rian Lennon and he slotted it home, past the advancing Crusaders keeper, making it 1-1.
Play again continued from end to end as Crusaders broke down the field and added another goal, making it 2-1. Just on the stroke of half time, Crusaders added a killer third goal, leaving the half-time score 3-1 to Crusaders.
Both teams had chances in the second half. The Northend Babies found their shape and started playing the football that we are accustomed to but somehow could not find the net. With the Blues pushing forward looking for goals, it created a couple of holes in the field of play as Crusaders added another two goals, making it 5-1. Thanks to the parents for travelling and the support they gave.
Men of the Match: Rian Lennon and Oliver Hampshire.
Panel: J Givens, J Coates, O Connolly(c), F Andrews, M Stewart, O Hampshire, K Mitchell, A Graffin, C Forsythe, S Higgins, T Murdock, E Fischer, D Kyle
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Northend United U10s 1 Ballymena United U10s 6 Saturday 15th October 2011
The local derby against Northend United and Ballymena United started with ballymena getting of to a flyer with them scoring the first goal within one minute, within thirteen minutes it was five. There was good football from both teams,but Ballymena seemed to want it more. Ballymena scored another two making it seven. Northend managed to pull one back from a through ball by Aidan Griffan to Rian Lennon who slotted it home, leaving the half time score 7-1.
The second half pity was the same as the first with Ballymena adding another three. Northend had chances to score at the other end but couldnt take them. Ballymena then added another three with the game ending up 13-1
Thanks again to the large crowd of northend parents and especially the parents who put up the nets.
Men of the match: Oliver Hampshire and Aidan Griffan
Panel: J Givens, J Coates, O Hampshire, O Connolly, T Murdock, A Griffan, J Scuillon, K Mitchell, R Lennon(c), S Higgins, C Forsythe, E Fisher, D Kyle
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Loughgall Youths U10s 4 Northend United U10s 1 Saturday 15th October 2011
Northend got off to a good start in this game and scored in the tenth minute from Josh Coates to give them the lead.
They continued to have the better of the first half and could of scored a second goal from Frankie Andrews his shot from the edge of the box just over the crossbar.
Loughgall made it 1-1 on twenty-three minutes. Two brilliant saves from goalie Jason Givens kept his team in this game. The Half time score remained 1-1
The second half was a big disappointment as the Wee Blues just could not get their game going with Loughgall adding three more goals in the second half. A few more great saves from Givens and some good defending from Oisin Connelly kept Loughgall out.
Men of the Match: Jason Givens, Oisin Connolly
Panel: J Givens, J Scullion, M Stewart, F Andrews, O Connelly, O Hampshire (c), A Graffin, J Coates, S Higgins, R Lennon, C Forsythe, D Kyle, T Murdock, E Fisher
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Northend United U10s 4 Shankill Juniors U10s 8 Saturday 8th October 2011
The Blues U10s had their first run-out under floodlights in this week's Friday Night Slot at the Ballymena Showgrounds. Northend had a poor start to this game and were five goals down after just fifteen minutes, but they got themselves back into the game again with a Rian Lennon goal in the sixteenth minute.
Northend also had first half chances missed by Lennon and Aidan Graffin.
Shankill scored again in the nineteenth minute to make it 6-1 A great Jude Scuillion save kept Northend in the game.
Northend were awarded penalty in the twenty-fifth minute which was missed by Rian Lennon. But the Wee Blues kept their heads up and just before half time Oliver Hampshire scored from an Aidan Graffin free kick to make it 6-2 at half time.
The second half saw a very much improved Northend team performance. Aidan Graffin had a fantastic shot from the edge of the box saved from the keeper.
More Northend chances were missed from Lennon and Graffin which would have put them back in the game.
Shankill made it 7-2 in the 41st minute. The Wee Blues scored their third goal from Aidan Graffin in the 50th minute.
Chance after chance was missed by Northend they were really taking the game to Shankill now and scored their fourth goal from Oliver Hampshire who was having a great game.
Shankill scored again to make the final score Northend United 4 Shankill Youth 8.
Man of the Match: Oliver Hampshire
Panel: J Scuillion, J Coates, M Stewart, F Andrews, O Connelly(c), O Hampshire, R Lennon, A Graffin, S Higgins, J Givens, K. Mitchell, T Murdock, D Kyle, E Fisher, C Forsythe
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Lisburn Youth U10s 8 Northend United U10s 2 Saturday 1st October 2011
Northend United travelled to Lisburn Youth for a top of the table clash on Saturday, knowing it would be a tough enough game. Lisburn came out of their starting blocks flying and it was not long before they scored, making the score 1-0 on ten minutes, then quickly added a second goal which made it 2-0.
In the twelfth minute they were awarded a penalty, but Jude Scullion saved a great save to keep the Northend Babies in the match. Northend could not settle and they paid for it with Lisburn adding another two before half time making it 4-0.
Lisburn started the second half the way they ended the first half adding another three goals. Northend only started to play in the last ten minutes of the match, getting a goal from a through ball from Rian Lennon to Aidan Graffin to score. Then two minutes later Aidan Graffin turned provider when a through ball found Rian Lennon and he went on to score Northend's second. Then Lisburn added another goal just before the end.
Northend know that they didn't do themselves justice today and will learn from this experience. They now look forward to the visit of Shankill Juniors to their base at Dunfane next week
Manager Danny Mitchell said after the game "This League is a learning process for the Boys and a few things will be addressed at training in midweek."
Men of the Match: Oisin Connolly, Josh Coates
Panel: J Scullion, D Kyle, J Coates, K Mitchell, M Stewart, R Lennon, A Graffin, O Connolly, C Forsythe, O Hampshire, F Andrews, E Fischer, S Higgins
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Northend United U10s 3 Dungoyne U10s 2 Saturday 24th September 2011
The Northend Babies entertained crack Belfast outfit Dungoyne at their Dunfane base on Saturday. Fresh from two good wins, the Northend Blues team was full of confidence.
The match opened with both teams attacking at every opportunity, with Rian Lennon in the Northend net being the busier of the two keepers.
The visitors broke away on twenty minutes and opened the scoring, only for Northend to reply almost immediately when Kurtis Mitchell fed a through ball to Aidan Graffin and he levelled the score on the twenty-fourth minute with a good goal. With no further scoring, the half time score remained 1-1.
The second half started off again with both teams having chances at each end. The visitors broke down the left to make in 2-1 on thirty-eight minutes. Manager Mitchell made a tactical change with Jude Scullion going in nets and Rian Lennon came out to bolster the Northend attack. Northend almost immediately had a chance to level the score but just couldn't get back into the game.
With time running out, on fifty-five minutes, Oisin Connolly fed the ball through to Aidan Graffin and he beat the keeper with a good shot to level the score at 2-2.
Both teams had chances towards the end of the game to take all three points but it was the Blues who scored the all important goal. Kurtis Mitchell passed the ball to Josh Coates and ran on to take delivery of the through ball and the Wee Blues Captain lobbed the keeper to give Northend the lead on fifty-eight minutes and send the large home support wild with delight. The final whistle went minutes afterwards and the Northend Babies had got maximum points from their first three matches, to sit proudly at the top of the George Best Youth League.
Manager Danny Mitchell said after the game "I would like to thank all the parents for coming to support the boys on their first home game. The turnout was fantastic."
Man of the Match: Rian Lennon, Oisin Connolly
Panel: R Lennon, D Kyle, J Coates, K Mitchell (c), M Stewart, A Graffin, O Connolly, J Scullion, C Forsythe, O Hampshire, F Andrews, E Fischer
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Sirocco Youth U10s 2 Northend United U10s 10 Saturday 17th September 2011
The Northend Babies fresh from their good win last week, started brightly in this game and opened the scoring on ten minutes, when a good through ball from Oisin Connolly led to Rian Lennon slipping the ball past the advancing keeper.
Sirocco came back at Northend and they scored an equaliser on thirteen minutes. This was the queue for Northend to move up a gear and take the game to Sirocco.
Oisin Connolly was again provider when his good pass on thirteen minutes allowed Aidan Graffin to give Northend the lead 2-1.
It was all Northend at this stage and Rian Lennon further increased their lead after good work from Oliver Hampshire.
Sirocco pulled another goal back at this stage of the match, before Rian Lennon completed his hat-trick to give Northend a commanding 4-2 lead. On the stroke of half-time, Lennon turned provider and allowed Aidan Graffin to score his second and Northend's fifth of the match to give them a 5-2 half-time lead.
In a one-sided second half, Aidan Graffin completed his hat-trick on thirty-two minutes. Almost immediately, Callum Forsythe scored his first goal for Northend, to increase the score to 7-2.
Northend weren't finished yet and Rian Lennon scored his fourth goal of the game and five minutes later, capped a fine individual performance, when he scored his fifth goal of the game, to give Northend a 9-2 lead.
Next, Northend were awarded a penalty when their striker was fouled inside the box. Up stepped Oisin Connolly to take the kick but he slid the ball narrowly wide of the goal.
In a final flurry, Josh Coates scored a tenth goal for Northend to give them full points from their opening two games.
Man of the Match: Rian Lennon
Panel: J Givens, D Kyle, J Coates, K Mitchell, M Stewart, R Lennon, A Graffin, O Connolly, J Scullion, C Forsythe, O Hampshire, F Andrews, E Fischer
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Hillsborough Boys U10s 5 Northend United U10s 6 Saturday 10th September 2011
The Northend Babies started off their George Best League in fine form. Kurtis Mitchell gave the Blues the lead on five minutes, when he ran onto a through ball and slid the ball past the Hillsborough keeper. The Blues increased their lead through a spot kick from Aidan Graffin, after Christie McKillop was brought down inside the box , giving Northend a 2-0 lead.
However the Babies showed their inexperience by allowing Hillsborough to come back at them and they scored two goals in quick succession to level the score at 2-2.
Another defensive error allowed Hillsborough to take the lead right on the stroke of half-time.
Northend came out more determined for the second half and were unlucky when Aidan Graffin went close. However on the next attack, Hillsborough increased their lead to 4-2 and the writing looked on the wall for Northend.
Rian Lennon pulled a goal back for the Blues, and it was Northend at this stage of the match. Aidan Graffin was next to score for Northend, leaving the score finely balanced at 4-4.
Josh Coates capped a fine display, when he gave Northend the lead, when he slotted the ball past the Hillsborough keeper.
Northend were piling on the pressure at this stage and got their second penalty of the game when Oisin Connolly was upended in the box. Aidan Graffin again stepped up to take the penalty and gave the keeper no chance, increasing Northend's lead to 6-4.
Hillsborough pulled a goal back, just before full time to leave the final score of the match 6-5 to the Northend Babies.
Manager Danny Mitchell said after the game "Playing in the top U10 league in Northern Ireland was always going to be a challenge for the boys but they showed real determination to win in their first ever competitive game."
Man of the Match: Josh Coates
Panel: J Givens, J Coates, K Mitchell, M Stewart, R Lennon, D Kyle, C McKillop, F Andrews, A Graffin, O Connolly, O Hampshire, J Scullion, C Forsythe, E Fischer
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Magherafelt Sky Blues U11s 6 Northend United U10s 5
This was the second friendly game of the season for the Northend Babies. Magherafelt were very strong opponents for the boys and they had all the early pressure with Jason Givens pulling off some fine saves.
Magherafelt took the lead in the tenth min. The Northend boys came close in the sixteenth minute when Rian Lennon fired just wide of the post. Northend then scored when a rebound from the keeper fell to Callum Forsythe and he smashed in a great shot.
Magherafelt then scored another two quick goals to make it 3-1. Jude Scullion then came on to replace Dane Kyle. Magherafelt scored again from a free kick to make it 4-1 at half time.
The management then made a few quick changes for the second half and the Northend boys came and made a great start to the second half. Kurtis Mitchell pulled one back for Northend and the boys were starting to play some great football. With Northend now in control of the game they scored again from Aidan Graffin to make it 4-3.
Aidan Graffin then took a free kick that was just over the bar. Christy McKillop had a shot saved from the keeper in the forty-sixth minute, then Rian Lennon scored for the Blues after good work down the wing from Aidan Graffin, to leave the score finely balanced at 4-4.
With Jason Given having a fine game in goals and the defence playing really well and with Oliver Hampshire making some great tackles in midfield. This was a great second half display from Northend.
However, Magherafelt went on to score two more goals to make it 6-4. Just before the end of the game, Jude Scullion, making his Northend debut, scored from a volley from a Aidan Graffin cross, to leave the final score 6-5 to the Sky Blues
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Northend United U10s 6 Hillsborough Boys 4 Wednesday 17th August 2011
The U10s continued their pre-season campaign with a win against Hillsborough Boys as they warm up for their debuts in the prestigious George Best Youth League.
Play started with good end to end play between both teams and Northend took the lead when a through ball from Aidan Graffin found Rian Lennon who rounded the keeper to give the Blues a 1-0 lead. Oliver Hampshire then made it 2-0 to the Blues and Aidan Graffin added a third.
However Northend now took their foot off the pedal and allowed Hillsborough to pull it back to 3-2 just before the half-time whistle.
The second half started again with some good end to end play. Northend increased their lead when Kurtis Mitchell played a superb through ball to Rian Lennon, who went on to slot the ball home to give the Blues a 4-2 lead.
Oliver Hampshire, who was having a good game, increased the score to 5-2, with a well taken goal. Hillsborough were not to be outdone and pulled another goal back to leave score at 5-3.
In the closing minutes of the game, Aidan Graffin stamped his authority on the game with a well taken goal before Hillsborough scored their final goal of the game with seconds remaining on the clock.
At the final whistle , Northend had recorded a convincing 6-4 victory, with a experienced squad of players who have already played in the George Best League. Many thanks to the large crowd of parents and fans for all their support.
Panel: J Given, K Mitchell, A Graffin, O Connolly, C McKillop, J Coates, O Hampshire, R Lennon, M Stewart, C Hynds, R Gamble, F Andrews, Valkdo, D Kyle
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