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Maiden City 8 Northend United 3 Saturday 26th October 2013

A slow start to the game led to a nightmare for the Wee blues in this Halloween fixture. For the first sixteen minutes Northend were second to every ball and conceded too much possession in their own half. As result Maiden City made the best of the time and space they were being allowed and notched five goals without reply. With the game now well beyond doubt the Blues decided to play and gradually took control of the game for the final nine minutes. Owen Campbell pressurised the Maiden City defence and Peter Bristow went close on a couple of occasions. As half time approached you certainly got a feeling that the young Ballymena looked likely to pull a goal back. Half Time score 5-0

Northend made a good start to the second half when David Magill won possession at right back and played a nicely weighted ball behind the Maiden City defence for Owen Campbell . Owen done well to pull the ball back for Jack Adams, and the Northend striker produced a neat finish to pull a goal back. Within minutes Caolan Lennon received a throw-in from Magill, and forced his way to the by-line before crossing the ball to Owen Campbell for a well worked goal. The wee blues now looked full of confidence and Peter Bristow was gaining control of the game in midfield. With ten minutes gone the Blues scored their third when Caolan Lennon used his strength to make enough time to get a good shot on goal from outside the area. With the sniff of a 'comeback' in the air, someone cruelly pulled the plug on this idea and the wee blues again allowed their opponents too much time and easy possession during the final ten minutes of the game. Full-time score 8-3

When the Wee Blues rolled up their sleeves and worked hard for each other they certainly looked a good match for Maiden City. That said, the opening and closing ten minutes of the game highlighted just how unforgiving the upper tier of the U10 league can be, with any minor mistakes being punished with goals. Keep the heads up boys- either side of half time you all showed the coaches and parents just how well you're capable of playing.

Man of the Match : Ryan McGrath and the defence all played well - and were under a lot of pressure in the opening sixteen minutes. Peter Bristow worked really hard in midfield and each of the goal scorers took their chances well. It's just too difficult to single anyone out this week.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, K Cosgrove, B O'Neill, J Adams, P Bristow, C Lennon, O Campbell

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Northend United 0 Bertie Peacocks 4 Saturday 19th October 2013

On yet another bright and sunny morning at Ballysally, Northend and Bertie Peacocks served up a cracking game that was action packed from the first whistle. Both sides worked hard to gain the upper hand and for the opening ten minutes there was little to choose between either team. Berties took the lead on fourteen minutes when Northend were slow to respond to a short corner and allowed their opponents too much time to get a shot on goal. The Blues responded well and went close with a long range effort from David Magill. Moments later some excellent build-up play between Jack Adams and Caolan Lennon created a couple of chances for Peter Bristow, who forced two excellent saves from the Berties keeper. With five minutes remaining in the half Berties notched their second goal when once again they were allowed too much space on the edge of the box. Half time score 2-0.

Liam Allen and Cal O'Brien both started the second half and worked hard on their first appearance for this team. The game was once again being keenly contested and Ben O'Neill produced another performance well beyond his years (Ben would qualify to play for the U8's). Both teams realised the next goal was going to be very important and Ryan McGrath was more than equal to anything which came his way. With ten minutes gone Berties floated a cross into the Northend box and were very fortunate to see this drop favourably to their striker and score a third goal. Liam Allen, Peter Bristow and Jack Adams each had half-chances but were unlucky not to get anything from the game and with minutes remaining Berties scored their fourth. Full-time score 4-0

The difference between the today's sides was Berties ability to re-act a little more quickly to situations within the game and the need for Northend to be faster when closing down their opponents. The U10s did however put in a good performance and it's clear that a number of the boys are starting to get some consistency into their game. For the third week running, the level of effort and teamwork on display was very pleasing. Keep this going boys - a win is just around the corner!!

Man of the Match: Kevin Cosgrove - Fantastic ability to read the game.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, K Cosgrove, B O'Neill, J Adams, P Bristow, C Lennon, L Allen, C O'Brien

Carniny Amateurs 5 Northend United 1 Saturday 12th October 2013

Northend made a strong start in this game with new signings Caolan Lennon and Ben O'Neill making a very good impression. The game was being played at a ferocious place, as is the norm with fixtures between these local rivals, with both sides being fully committed to every challenge. Carniny took the lead on eleven minutes following their first spell of pro-longed possession in the game. Northend's response was immediate as they besieged the Carniny goal. The equaliser came on fourteen minutes when Caolan Lennon took a short corner with Jack Adams, Jack then curled a beautiful right foot shot into the net from long range. Fantastic strike!! Peter Bristow and Jack Adams each went close in the next few minutes and it was a real sucker punch when Carniny scored minutes before the break. Half time score 2-1.

With so little to choose between two very evenly matched sides, the second half once again served up a real treat for the spectators. The game flowed from end to end and both sides deserve credit for their effort. Ryan McGrath made great use of the ball from the back and each of the outfield players highlighted just how far they have developed this season with a number of excellent performances. Owen Campbell worked hard to pressurise the Carniny defence and Lewis Hextor went close with a half volley which the keeper did well to save. With nothing more than a single goal in the game until the final eight minutes, the Blues were unlucky to see Carniny capitalise upon a few half chances and extend their lead before the final whistle. Full-time score 5-1

Despite the final score-line this was a really good display by the U10s and clearly highlighted the progress being made this season. The level effort and teamwork on display was very pleasing and it's great to see the boys enjoying their football.

Men of the Match: It really wouldn't be fair to separate the defensive trio of David Magill, Kevin Cosgrove and Ben O'Neill. Three great performances today boys!

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, K Cosgrove, B O'Neill, J Adams, P Bristow, C Lennon, O Campbell, L Hextor

Northend United 1 Limavady United 5 Saturday 5th October 2013

The U10s were slow to start in this game and Limavady made them pay with two goals in the opening four minutes. To their credit, the wee blues kept trying to play the ball out from the back and for the next fifteen minutes or so gradually pulled themselves back into the game. The defensive trio of Kevin Cosgrove, David Magill and Josh McPeake each played out of their skins and thwarted several attacks from a much physically stronger Limavady side. The real killer blow came just before half-time when Limavady were given too much time on the edge of the box before netting their third. Half Time 3-0

The second half started at a cracking pace with both teams having a real ding-dong battle in midfield. Kevin Cosgrove and Peter Bristow both tried to get things going for the Blues and Ryan McGrath again caught everyone's eye in goal with a number of good saves. As the game wore on the greater physical presence of Limavady started to show against a tiring Northend side. Limavady took advantage to extend their lead. Northend did pull one back when a quick free kick from Jack Adams set Peter Bristow through on goal and last season's top scorer wasted no time in notching his first of the season. Full-time 5-1

The U10s have certainly found the early part of the season tough going in the upper tier of the NWCDYL. That said, the boys will clearly benefit from coming up against some very strong teams in each league fixture and this will help their development. The key lesson from this game was however the need to avoid giving the ball back to you opponents whenever you have worked so hard to win possession. Keep the heads up boys. There were some really good things evident today, not least the effort put in by each of you.

Man of the Match: Peter Bristow

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, K Cosgrove, J McPeake, N Devine, J Adams, P Bristow, O Campbell, L Hextor

Dungiven Celtic 4 Northend United 0

Despite the final score, this was an absolutely cracking game of football between two evenly matched sides. Northend were slightly quicker out of the blocks and dominated possession for the opening five minutes. Owen Campbell was causing all manner of problems to the Dungiven defence and went close to opening the scoring on a couple of occasions. With seven minutes gone Jack Adams drove a Peter Bristow cross against the post from distance. Dungiven countered with a quick break up-field and were fortunate to go one up from their first attack of the game. Northend continued to create chances and produced a number of fine save from the Dungiven keeper. Kevin Cosgrove and David Magill both went close with long range efforts, Owen Campbell saw an effort rebound off the wood work and it seemed as though an equaliser would eventually fall the Blues way. Dungiven's midfield pairing were gradually finding their way back into the game and it was perhaps a little against the balance of play when, minutes before half-time, they scored a second from a breaking ball on the edge of the Northend box. Half time score 2-0

Both sides picked up where they had left off before the break with non-stop attacking play. Ryan McGrath was having an excellent game in goals and the back three of David Magill, Josh McPeake and Kevin Cosgrove looked impressive. Dungiven were now limited to a handful of long range efforts and Peter Bristow must surely have covered every blade of grass on the pitch in an effort to pull a goal back for the Blues. Jack Adams played well, Lewis Hextor and Niall Devine continued to impress and the team work being displayed was outstanding. Dungiven scored again at the mid-point of the half and again just before the final whistle; on both occasions these were from one of their midfield pairing who demonstrated a real ability to strike from distance. Final Score 4-0

Man of the Match: Team Performance - Greatly improved upon the previous week. Each of the boys played out of their skin and really deserved so much more from this game.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, K Cosgrove, J McPeake, J Adams, P Bristow, O Campbell, L Hextor, N Devine

Northend United 0 Ballymoney United 7 Saturday 21st September 2013

Northend United U10s went into their opening league fixture on the back of a highly impressive display against Larne Youth. The opening minutes were extremely hard fought and both sides looked hungry for possession. It was however Ballymoney who took the lead on four minutes following some excellent build-up play. Northend struggled to re-produce their form from the previous weekend and soon found themselves two down as Ballymoney started to take control of midfield. As the first half progressed Northend defended well, but lacked the over-all sharpness being displayed by their opponents. Half-time score 5-0

Ballymoney looked intent on picking up where they had left off and despite the Wee Blues trying to retain possession and play the ball out form the back, it was clear Northend were not going to turn this game around. Ryan McGrath had a good game in goal, although the 'pick' of the Northend players was Josh McPeake with a tireless defensive display. Final Score 7-0

Man of the Match: Josh McPeake - You deserved that burger after the game.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, K Cosgrove, J McPeake, J Adams, P Bristow, L Hextor, J McKeown, O Campbell

Larne Youth 2 Northend United 10 - Friendly Saturday 14th September 2013

In a re-arranged fixture from the previous weekend, Northend United U10s travelled to Sandy Bay for a game against Larne Youth's unbeaten reserve squad. Both sides produced some great passing football and served up a really entertaining game for the large group of supporters. In the end, the young Ballymena side were just that little bit sharper in front of goal and all of the squad adapted well to playing in a number of different positions.

Jay McKeown and Lewis Hextor both made a good impression on their debuts and with the league starting next week it's great to see this young group of players continuing to develop.

The Northend coaches and parents would like to thank the coaches and parents of Larne for the hospitality after the game on Saturday at their clubhouse.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, K Cosgrove, J McKeown, J Adams, P Bristow, O Campbell, L Hextor