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Northend United 1 Dungiven Celtic 6 Saturday 1st March 2014

Northend went into the game full of confidence following last week's excellent win. A sluggish start saw the Wee Blues gift two early goals to Dungiven and it took until the seven minute mark before the boys settled into any sort of rhythm. When they did, Northend started to create chances and were unfortunate not to score when both Owen Campbell and Jack Adams saw efforts go narrowly wide. Peter Bristow forced the Dungiven keeper into action and Owen Campbell again went close when a he got a toe to a loose ball in a goal-mouth scramble, only to see the ball creep past the upright. At this point in the game you began to wonder if the Wee Blues would ever turn one of these chances into a goal and Kevin Cosgrove pushed forward to help bolster the numbers in midfield. Dungiven scored their third with a well taken effort from the edge of the box before Corey McMillan hit a thunderous shot effort from within his own half and David Magill saw two long range efforts test the Dungiven keeper. Half-time score 0-3.

In an effort to pull themselves back into the game, the Wee Blues went with a back two for the remainder of the match, further chances came and the Dungiven keeper looked unbeatable when he either deflected or held onto volleys from Jack Adams, Corey McMillan and Kevin Cosgrove. Corey McMillan certainly looked to have regained the 'eye-catching' form that he displayed towards the end of last season and his defensive partnership with David Magill saw the boys work tirelessly to win the ball. Peter Bristow pulled a goal back for Northend with a great piece of skill, taking the ball out of the air and beating his marker with one touch before placing the ball into the net. Full-time score 1-6.

The difficulty today was Northend's failure to convert the chances that came their way and at least three to four goals were gifted through silly mistakes when the Wee Blues had possession. The Dungiven keeper was outstanding and despite the score-line the back two played really well together, although they were occasionally overran with opponents when Dungiven broke up-field.

Men of the Match: Corey McMillan and David Magill.

Panel: C Wilson, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams and O Campbell and B O'Neill

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Northend United 4 Coleraine Olympic 1 Saturday 22nd February 2014

The Wee Blues started the game only a bare squad, however the 'magnificent seven' stood up to the challenge and produced an outstanding performance for their supporters. The young Ballymena side quickly settled into a good rhythm and were retaining possession well. The breakthrough came on four minutes when Owen Campbell and Peter Bristow harried the Coleraine defence and forced an error which saw Peter Bristow drill a breaking ball into the far corner. Northend were dictating the game at this point and allowed their opponents little time to settle on the ball. Ben O'Neill saw an effort go inches wide and Peter Bristow thundered a long range effort off the upright. Coleraine forced a corner on sixteen minutes and scored when a deep cross deflected off a Northend defender and fell favourably to an Olympic player. The Wee Blues re-grouped and immediately put pressure onto the Coleraine defence. With twenty minutes gone, Jack Adams swung a corner kick into the goalmouth and Peter Bristow got ahead of his marker to smash a volley in off the cross-bar. Kevin Cosgrove was once again in commanding form, marshalling the defence and making good use of the ball. Half-time score 2-1.

A strong wind blew up for the second half and with Northend playing into the breeze, the boys done well to keep the ball on the ground and play a solid passing game. Corey McMillan was starting to influence the game along the left flank and made good use of the ball to create a number of chances for his team mates. Owen Campbell was working tirelessly up front and was unlucky to see a driven effort shave inches past the post. Curtis Wilson was having a quiet morning in goals, but done well to hold on to a high looping effort from Coleraine. With ten minutes gone Jack Adams and Ben O'Neill forced a Coleraine defender into a mistake which led to an own goal and from that point forward the Wee Blues created chance after chance. It was five minutes from the end however when Peter Bristow collected a loose ball in the centre of the pitch and powered his way through a gap to round off an impressive performance with his third of the day. Full-time score 4-1.

Man of the Match: Peter Bristow.

The improvement in the Wee Blues is clear to see and this result was down to a tremendous team performance. Well done boys.

Panel: C Wilson, B O'Neill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams and O Campbell

Northend United 4 Berties Little Ants 7 Saturday 8th February 2014

Goals, goals and more goals in a highly entertaining game that could have been 10 -10 at the final whistle. The Wee Blues had looked impressive during a number of friendlies during the winter break and their improving form continued into this game. The match was all square for the first seven minutes, then the scoring started, and chance after chance was created in both goal areas as the Wee Blues and Berties entertained everyone with their attacking play. Berties took advantage of two half chances to get their noses in front, before Owen Campbell worked hard to close down the Berties defence and cut the ball back for Kevin Cosgrove to smash the ball into the bottom corner. Three minutes later and Peter Bristow found Kevin Cosgrove in space. The young Northend player again looked very sharp in front of goal and he notched his second of the game. Jack Adams and David Magill performed heroics to clear the ball off the goal-line following a hectic scramble with several Berties players and Curtis Wilson made an excellent save from a long range effort. But as the chances kept coming at both ends the young Ballymena side paid a heavy price for being slow to close down the ball when they leaked two further goals just before the break. Half-time 2-4.

Both sides went for it again in the second half and it was the wee blues who struck first through Kevin Cosgrove. Berties responded with another goal before some great build up play by Corey McMillan saw Kevin Cosgrove scored his FOURTH, and best of the day, when calmly used the inside of his foot to steer a dropping ball into the far side of the net. With only a goal separating the teams and the crowd engrossed in this fantastic game it seemed cruel that either side would have to loose. With minutes remaining it was Berties who edged further in front. Full-time 4-7.

Fantastic display by the boys today and I think it's clear that there are good things to come from this group

Man of the Match - How could it be anyone other than the four goal man Kevin Cosgrove - absolutely lethal in front of goal today.

Panel: C Wilson, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams and O Campbell

Northend United 3 Ballymoney United 1 Saturday 18th January 2014

On a wet morning at the Ballymena Showgrounds Northend kept themselves ticking over during the NWCDYL winter break with a friendly against Ballymoney United. Both sides were intent on playing passing football and regardless of the damp conditions they certainly entertained the large crowd. The wee blues were enjoying the balance of possession and went close to taking the lead when Jack Adams burst clear only to see his shot saved by the Ballymoney keeper. Northend were defending well and Niall Devine looked solid in goals. As the half drew to a close Peter Bristow showed great alertness when he rolled a short corner towards Corey McMillan. The young defender wasted no time in driving home a shot from the edge of the area for his first of the season. Half-time 1-0.

Ballymoney pulled themselves level within two minutes of the re-start when they were quicker to re-act to a breaking ball from a corner kick. The wee blues soon settled into a good rhythm of play. Northend were retaining good possession between their defence and midfield and Owen Campbell was in outstanding from, harassing the Ballymoney back-line. Owen Campbell went inches wide with a good strike before Jack Adams smashed a volley off the cross bar. With five minutes remaining the wee blues got their reward for some excellent football when Corey McMillan leapt above his marker to head an in-swinging corner beyond the keeper. Within a minute of the re-start Peter Bristow put the game beyond doubt when he beat three players before neatly finishing from a tight angle. Full-time 3-1.

Northend United 5 Northend Youth 2

The second game was against Northend Youth (Northend again fielded three teams at this level) and both sides demonstrated just how far they've progressed this season with some excellent football on show. It was United who took the lead in the opening minute with an early goal from Peter Bristow. Youth responded immediately when Connor McKillop powered home a header from a corner kick to draw the game level. Kevin Cosgrove restored United's lead on the five minute mark with a mazy up-field run and clinical finish. Liam Allen went close for Northend Youth before Owen Campbell extended United's lead with a well -deserved goal. As the half drew to a close Peter Bristow was brought down in the goal area and David Magill slotted home the penalty to notch his first goal for the club. Peter Bristow added a fifth for United before the break. Half-time 5-1

Youth gave a debut to John Devlin in goals for the second half and the young keeper's confidence grew despite a few early wobbles. Youth pulled a goal back on six minutes when Jordan McFetridge continued his golden streak with a powerful finish from the edge of the area. Both sides continued to play some great passing football and each of the boys deserve credit for effort they put into the game. Full-time 5-2

Men of the Tournament: Whole squad - Every player put in a great deal of effort. It's clear the boys are listening to what the coaches are telling them in training and taking this into their games at the weekend. A really good all-round performance boys well done.

Panel: N Devine, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, J Adams, P Bristow and O Campbell

MINI SOCCER BLITZ Saturday 11th January 2014

Northend United 0 Larne Youth 2

United's first game was against an unbeaten Larne Youth side who are flying high in the South Belfast League. The game was played at a very high tempo from the first whistle and both sides produced some excellent football for the large group of supporters. Larne edged in front on seven minutes when a low driven corner was deflected into the net off a Northend defender. However , the Wee Blues responded strongly and gave a very good account of themselves against a side who have over ran the majority of the teams in the SBYL this season. Half-time 1-0.

Larne extended their lead within three minutes of the re-start but were then forced to defend deep into their own half as the wee blues went in search of a much deserved goal. Try as they might, Northend were unable to find a way past a well drilled Larne defence, although the overall performance was very pleasing against a talented side who fielded no less than three players attending excellence squads with Man Utd and Liverpool. Full-time 2-0.

Northend United 0 Larne Colts 1

The second game was against a second string Larne Youth side and it was one of those games which shows just how funny a game football can be at times. Northend looked comfortable in possession and were pressurising their opponents deep into their own half. Just as a goal looked inevitable for the Wee Blues, Larne made the most of a long up-field pass to take an unlikely lead. Half-time 1-0.

Northend started the second half with real purpose and created a string of chances as a result of some excellent passing football. No less than four one-on-ones and two open goals fell to the Ballymena side and a little more composure in front of goal would have put a wholly different complexion on the final score. That said, the quality of football was pleasing for the coaches. Full-time 2-0.

Northend United 4 Northend Youth 3

The final game on a very cold morning saw two of Northend's sides pitted against each other. Goals were high on the agenda during the early stages of this game and the first was scored by Jordan McFetridge for Northend Youth on three minutes. United regrouped and pulled themselves level within two minutes when Owen Campbell was the fastest to re-act to a breaking ball in the goal area. Less than a minute later and United edged in front following a cracking finish from Jack Adams on the edge of the area. Jordan McFetridge popped-up again to draw things level before Kevin Cosgrove and Jack Adams both scored for United ahead of the break. Half-time 4-2.

The game continued to entertain the large crowd in the second half although the goals had almost dried up. I did say almost, as that man - Jordan McFetridge - powered home another to notch his first hat-trick for the club. Full-time 4-3.

Player of the Tournament: Whole squad - On a really cold morning the boys blew away the cob-webs following their winter break and warmed everyone up with some really great football.

Panel: N Devine, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, J Adams, P Bristow, C Lennon, and O Campbell.