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Northend United v Antrim Rovers Saturday 2nd December 2017

With the Christmas break in Harry Gregg Foundation SSG, Saturday gave the boys a chance to play teams from other leagues. Games had been arranged at the impressive 4g pitch at Randalstown against Antrim Rovers and 64th Newtownabbey. From the very start the boys started brightly and created numerous chances with the style of football they have been working hard on at training. Everyone got a chance to play in various positions to help their development which was pleasing for the coaches.

Special mention to Ryan O'Boyle who made the step up from the Youth team and impressed the coaches.

Panel: Andrezej Smolinski, Ryan O'Boyle, Aodhán McGarry, Danny Hector, Samuel Rogalski, Kevin McGillian, Jamie Gregg, Charlie McCudden, Jack Patterson

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Northend United v Coleraine Academy Saturday 18th November 2017

Saturday saw us paired with Coleraine Academy U10s in the late kick off in Coleraine. The boys started brightly and created a few chances with the busy Kevin McGillian up front and Aodhán McGarry striking a post. Coleraine started to get a grip on the game and the constant pressure on Smolinski's goal finally paid off and they went in at half time 1-0 down.

An injury to star man Ryan McClintock before the half seem to unsettle the shape of the team and Coleraine ran out convincing winners in the second half, with some very well worked goals.

Great saves all day from Andrej Smolinski kept the score down and gave the boys a chance to attack but it wasn't to be.

All the team send best wishes to Ryan McClintock who suffered a compound fracture of his leg in this encounter and will be on crutches for a few weeks

Man of the Match: Andrezej Smolinski - great saves all match

Panel: A Smolinski, R McClintock, A McGarry, D Hector, S Rogalski, K McGillian, J Gregg, C McCudden

Northend United v Bertie Peacocks Saturday 11th November 2017

The Baby Blues were up against local Coleraine side Bertie Peacocks this week. Both sides were equally matched and the game was full of excitement. Northend were first to take charge and with 6 minutes gone and some very good passing football an opening goal from Kevin McGillian put Northend in front. Bertie Peacocks came back strong and Andresz Smolinski pulled off some amazing saves but couldn't stop all of them. Jamie Gregg and Danny Hector had their work cut out in defence and managed to take control of the game from the back and opened up the game with the pacey duo of Jack Patterson and Charlie McCudden on each wing to send Sam Rogalski onto goal and the striker battled hard to secure our second of the game.

With a few positional changes and substitutes at half time the Baby Blues took their eye off the ball for a split second and gifted a goal to their opponents. The game took a downturn as the blues were on the end of some strange refereeing decisions. This however did not weaken Northend's drive to perform well and with a gear change from all the boys, they came storming back. Ryan McClintock's fresh legs rushed at the Peacock's defence and set up Aidan McGarry who narrowly put one over the bar. With several more shots on goal from Jack Patterson and Sam Rogalski it was super striker Kevin McGillian who finally put Northend ahead 3-2. Jamie Gregg was on top form this week and held the back line tight with clearances from all angles.

Into the last 5 minutes of the match and with a Northend defender down hurt and calling for assistance play was waved on by the referee and Peacock's took advantage to draw the match level. With the dying seconds approaching Northend got a rare freekick. Danny Hector stepped up and whipped the ball towards the top corner only to be denied by a glancing head from a Peacock's defender.

A challenging game this week but clearly training is paying off as week after week the quality of football witnessed by the Northend coaches gets better. The maturity and composure on the field from each player is a credit to the club.

Panel: A Smolinski, R McClintock, J Patterson, J Gregg, S Rogalski, C McCudden, K McGillian, D Hector, A McGarry

Northend United v Coleraine Olympic Saturday 4th November 2017

It was an early start for the Wee Blues this week against a very well-rounded Coleraine side. The game started fast and the Wee Blues wasted no time in taking charge. A neat piece of passing from defensive duo of Jamie Gregg and Ryan McClintock opened up the game and a one-two with Jack Patterson sent Sam Rogalski onto goal and the striker wasted no time and buried the ball into the Coleraine net.

Coleraine fought back with their long-range throw ins and tough tackling forwards to draw the game level. The Northend midfield rose to the physical challenge and Danny Hector battled his way through three Coleraine defenders to set Sam Rogalski up for his second of the game. Goal Keeper Andresz Smolinski had to be on top form as numerous Coleraine corners were saved off the line. Defensively the Wee Blues were solid throughout.

The second half started just like the first, the pacey Charlie McCudden in midfield was too much for Coleraine and with Jack Patterson crossing in premier ship quality balls super striker Kevin McGillian found his form and the back of the Coleraine net. Coleraine were relentless in their pressure though but the Wee Blues battled hard and within a few minutes McGillian had struck again with his second of the game.

With the pressure mounting and a 4-1 lead Northend took shot after shot and their eye off the ball and within 10 minutes of play Coleraine had pulled back 2 more goals. It wasn't long though until Northend took control again and with shots going narrowly wide for Danny Hector, Jack Patterson and Charlie McCudden, Northend held it to the end.

A really hard-fought game this week as Coleraine gave us a real battle. Good to see our determination and our physical presence on the pitch throughout the full game and especially from the start of each half. Keep up the good work lads.

Panel: Andresz Smolinski, Ryan McClintock, Jack Patterson, Jamie Gregg, Samuel Rogalski, Charlie McCudden, Kevin McGillian, Danny Hector.

Northend United v Limavady Colts Saturday 28th October 2017

Saturday saw Northend United U10s paired with Limavady Colts U10s in the HGF small sided games in Coleraine. The boys started brightly and created numerous chances before the Colts broke the deadlock This theme continue for the rest of the half with Limavady scoring against the run of play and Northend creating chance after chance and even a missed penalty but still no breakthrough. It wasn't long before the passing and movement that has been worked on in training was in play and Kevin McGillian was apply to reduce the score.

Second half was more like the boys as they closed down their opponents quickly and moved the ball resulting with in some great play from the back by Ryan McClintock and Sam Rogalski but the ball just wouldn't go in.

Great saves all day from Andrezej Smolinski kept the score down and gave the boys a chance to attack but it wasn't to be

Man of the Match: Samuel Rogalski - some great touches and passes.

Panel: A Smolinski, R McClintock, A McGarry, D Hector, S Rogalski, K McGillian, J Gregg, C McCudden

Northend United V Ballycastle United Saturday 14th October 2017

Saturday saw Northend paired with Ballycastle United U10s in Coleraine. The stronger physical Ballycastle side quickly found themselves goals up as the Northend boys tried to find their feet. It wasn't long before the passing and movement that has been worked on in training was in play and Kevin McGillian was apply to reduce the score.

Second half was more like the boys as they closed down their opponents quickly and moved the ball resulting in fine finishes from Aodhán McGarry, Sam Rogalski and Kevin McGillian.

Great saves all day from Andrej Smolinski reduced Ballycastle chances, defence was well marshalled by Danny Hector and captain for the day Jamie Gregg. Sam Rogalski, Aodhán McGarry, Ryan McClintock, Charlie McCudden in midfield worked hard and upfront Kevin McGillian was a handful.

Man of the Match: Jamie Gregg - read the game, some great defending and talked all day to the team.

Panel: Andrezej Smolinski, Ryan McClintock, Aodhán McGarry, Danny Hector, Samuel Rogalski, Kevin McGillian, Jamie Gregg, Charlie McCudden.

Northend United v Dungiven Colts U11s Saturday 7th October 2017

A grassy wet pitch greeted the Wee Blues this week in Coleraine and an older physical Dungiven turned out their best squad. It was a slow start for both teams with neither side giving anything away. Northend looked solid in defence with the new duo of Ryan and Jamie stopping anything that came their way. Dungiven capitilised on some sloppy play to go 1 up after 15 minutes and got a good run of play to go 2 nil up. Andrzej Smolinski in nets was kept busy and pulled off some amazing saves to keep the Dungiven strikers at bay as several long range shots where hammered into the box. The Wee Blues dug deep and with 5 minutes of the half remaining got a corner. A well worked piece of play inside the goal mouth saw Danny Hector lay the ball out to Jamie Gregg who drove a 20 yard wonder strike low and direct past the keeper. The rest of the half seen the Wee Blues finish strong with strikes from Sam Rogalski, Jack Patterson and Kevin McGillian all saved by the cat like Dungiven keeper. Just before the half an unfortunate tackle on Sam Rogalski forced an early exit for the striker.

The second half seen a much more physical Dungiven side again first to react and had two easy goals in quick succession but again the Wee Blues not so dominant in this area started to outplay them and went on an all out attack fearing a 4 / 1 defeat. Charlie McCudden created some great play with the midfleld and went close on two occasions.Gaps started to open up for Northend who took the advantage and a well managed change of formation by our 2 new level one coaches Davy and Kamil let the boys drive forward. Some excellent passing saw Kevin McGillian whip in a top corner screamer. With a comeback underway spectators got behind the boys and we seen some great cormers with Danny Hector bravely going 50/50 with his marker but narrowly heading one over the bar. With less than 10 minutes remaining it was all Northend and the boys really let Dungiven know it. Kevin McGillian made the most of quick back pass and one for goal of the season flicked up the ball and with a looping volley dipped it over the top of several players to score a fantastic goal to bring both teams level at 4/4.

Northend kept on the pressure and with 10 seconds left on the clock had several more chances deflected by the Dungiven keeper.

Panel: A Smolinski, R McClintock, J Gregg, S Rogalski, J Patterson, D Hector, K McGillian, C McCudden