Northend United 2 TW Braga 1   Saturday 26th October 2024

After last week’s defeat in their penultimate game still fresh in their memory, United Youth found themselves paired against TW Braga in their final league match of this current campaign. Level on 19 points with their opposition this game turned out to be a straight shootout for promotion. The victorious side would advance to top division in the u10s Castlereagh & Lisburn League but another block in the second tier, for the side who fell short.

Early on, in uncharacteristic fashion Northend allowed their opposition to have more of the ball, with the pressure of occasion possibly playing a factor in the opening exchanges. It took a couple of big challenges and timely interceptions from Oisin Logan at the back to finally kick start his teammates into life. United seemed to settle and the midfield trio of Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker and Shay Termonia started to win a few challenges of their own, stringing a few passes across the lines in the process. Holly O’Neill, like always, was full of running up front and her pace and close control was menacing to the Braga backline but this was a tense affair and Belfast side stayed firm limiting Northend to some snatch snaps and shooting from distance. Preston Balmer was on defensive man marking duties and often found himself in a foot race against a skillful and speedy Braga forward but Balmer relishes this type challenge and celebrated like he scored a goal of his own everytime he stopped a Braga attack. With minutes remaining, in a half when shots on goal were limited, Braga finally got their first shoot on captain Sam Stewart’s goal but he was powerless to stop Braga taking a one nil lead. Half time 0-1

Trailing at half time, the coaches spoke to their players and there was genuine belief that the game was there for the taking, all that was needed was hard work and unity amongst camp. Termonia, whose work ethic is never questioned, responded first. With a lot a play now on his right side of midfield he battled to win the ball back for his side and drove down the flanks. Lewis Hill, who was now playing behind Termonia in the defensive man marking role, followed suit and constantly was infront of his man to win the ball back for United. With under 15 minutes remaining, it seemed like Northend were running out of time and fresh legs were needed but Gabriel McQuillan ready for the call. From a long Stewart goal kick, he expertly found McQuillan and frontman’s trickery evaded two challenges to get an effort on goal in his first passage of play. Crilly then won the back at the edge of the Braga box, with his effort blocked the ball bounced back into Termonia’s path. The youngster settled himself and struck an unstoppable half volley shot into the top corner, game on! Walker always has a target on his back and when he was again upend on the left flank it presented an opportunity in the final minutes to bring big Logan up from the back. Crilly floated the towards the defender’s head but the Braga keeper palmed the effort away. It fell to that man Termonia again, with a composed first touch he floated a delicate cross to the back post and in kung-fu style finish McQuillan was on hand to put his side ahead. Moments later the ref blew his final whistle and euphoria hit the blue and white support from inside The Dome as this Northend side has secured promotion to the summit!! Full time 2-1

It has been a roll-coaster of emotions for this young side these last two weeks. With two games remaining it seemed promotion was an absolute certainty but after letting a two nil lead slip last week and then losing the game with 12 minutes remaining today it showed nothing can be taken from granted. The kids all showed massive resilience to overcome adversity and get the win when it needed but there was one player that was catalyst. He was undoubtedly the star of show today and his performance was what helped his side finally get over the line and they needed someone to stand tall!!

United Panel: Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Gabriel McQuillan

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Northend United 2 Newcastle Town 3 Saturday 19th October 2024

Even in the early stages of the season, game week U8’s fixture against the County Down opposition always seemed destined to be as a top-of-the-table clash. Northend had won 6 of their 7 previous fixtures, only drawing 1 with Newcastle having been victorious in all of their opening fixtures. The early stages of the game presented a cagey cat and mouse affair. Oisin Logan and Preston Balmer were particularly busier than usual in the Northend’s backline but were showing early signs that they could be POTM contenders by thwarting any Newcastle attacks. On the few occasions that their opposition got in behind and a goal seemed beckoning, Sam Stewart stood strong and saved anything coming his way. This game was very much in the balance, with a you-attack we-attack attitude. Caleb Crilly was winning the ball back for his teammates in the centre of the park and releasing the energetic Eoin Walker and Shay Termonia in the flanks. They in turn were feeding the lively Holly O’Neill up top who was full of running in the first period. O’Neill and Walker linked up well on a few occasions and used their pace, skill and craft to evade Newcastle challenges and were both unlucky not to put their side ahead. Late in the half Walker was again fouled, which was flavour of the game and Crilly placed the ball down 20 yards from goal. His curling free kick struck the post and ricocheted into the path of Logan and Walker to which the latter was able to poke the ball home to give Northend the lead going into the break. Half time 1-0

An unfortunate injury to Balmer, who had put in the performance of his season so far resulted in the youngest player in the squad and birthday boy during the week, Lewis Hill being introduced to the fray. The game was fast paced but Hill was ready and instantly adjusted to the level required as not long into the second period, he produced a perfect lunging sliding block to prevent a shot on Stewart’s goal. The big goalie was alert as ever and commanded his box making a string of great saves and diving on the ball before Newcastle could get shots away. Midway into the half, Crilly showed composure to jinx past his opponent and released Walker on the left. With two black and white jerseys in front of him, he weaved past them at ease and unleashed an unstoppable shot into bottom corner to double the advantage. Hill and Logan were defending astutely but to their dismay, coaching staff and supporters alike a corner was given against them when it was clear and obvious that a goal kick was the right call. This presented Newcastle a lifeline to which they halved the deficit. Logan, Termonia and Walker were getting kicked all round the pitch but “play on” was the phrase on repeat. A questionable Newcastle free kick in a dangerous area then resulted in a shot on goal. Stewart watched the ball sail into his net after a call from an outfield player suggested it was going wide. All square. In the dying minutes, Newcastle snatched the result from the jaws of victory with a superb solo effort which Stewart could do nothing about.

This was an excellent competitive game for our kids against a very strong and well drilled County Down side but it was somewhat spoiled by very poor and unfair officiating, to which even the Newcastle dugout empathised with us after the game about the decisions gone against us. There was a number of players who could have won POTM but even conceding 3 goals, 2 he could have done nothing about and the other a miscommunication, it could have been a lot worse if our goalkeeper wasn’t between the sticks. A gentle reminder to why he is the 2015’s No.1. Full time 2-3

Panel:  Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Gabriel McQuillan

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Northend United 1 Hillsborough Colts 1  Saturday 5th October 2024

After five wins on the bounce, this Utd Youth side would face their toughest opposition yet in the form of Hillsborough Boys Colts. Northend started well, with Sam Stewart dealing with any shots coming his way. In front of him, Oisin Logan and Preston Balmer commanded the backline with Balmer showing increased confidence by winning numerous tackles and playing out from the back similar to how Logan had been playing from the start of the season. Midfield trio Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker and Shay Termonia played in similar fashion to their early season exploits, direct, fast, free-flowing football feeding the live-wire Holly O’Neill who was creating havoc, with her quick feet and pace, up top. Captain for the day, Termonia was particularly impressive with his work rate but succumbed to injury and his absence seemed to upset the balance. Northend had to weather the storm for the remainder of the half and when a high bouncing ball wasn’t dealt with by the Northend defence, Stewart’s goal was finally breached. It could have been worse if it wasn’t for Walkers intervention with a timely sliding block just before the half. Half time 0-1

Emotions were running high amongst the players and unplanned personnel changes were needed but the youngster in the group, Lewis Hill, still had a cool head and his introduction, along with Termonia seemed to steady their team. Attack after attack was the measure of the half for this Utd Youth side but efforts from Gabriel McQuillan and O’Neill just wouldn’t go in. The Hillsborough keeper was on fire and further efforts from Crilly and Walker were pushed aside and then when a Termonia effort went begging it seems it wasn’t to be Northend’s day. In the dying minutes, a training drill tactic was utilised. A quick throw in from Hill released Termonia, his pass then inside to Crilly cut Hillsborough open and his ball to O’Neill, gave Northend a two-on-one counterattack. O’Neill’s then delicious through ball to Walker was confidently finished to salvage a point for 2015 Utd Youth and keep their unbeaten run intact.

Today games was just one of those days, when the teams with the lion’s share of possession, just couldn’t score but that happens in football and hopefully this 2015 side will have learnt something from this experience. POTM was a hard one this week but in the end, one kid was in the right place at the right time at the end of each half which directly impacted the scoreline therefore on that basis there was only one winner. Full time 1-1

Panel: Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Gabriel McQuillan

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Northend United 5 Camlough Rovers 2  Saturday 28th September 2024

An uncharacteristic slow start from this United Youth side seen them going a goal behind in the first five minutes. From their own corner, Rover countered and even with the best attempts from Preston Balmer, he found himself in a two-on-one situation and the helpless Sam Stewart was unable to prevent his side going a goal down for the first time this season. A blessing in disguise as this shot Northend into life. Twinkle toes from Shay Termonia allowed him to evade a couple of tackles on the right side and his effort on goal was too hot to handle. Holly O’Neill accepted the gift by slotting to ball into the open net for the equaliser. Eoin Walker was starting to cause havoc on the left side and his switch of play set Termonia free, who confidently put United 2-1 up. Oisin Logan, with a commanding display at the back, won the ball from a Rovers attack. From his tackle the grass opened up, he drove into the space before rifling a shot from distance, which caught the Newry based keeper unawares, allowing Northend to increase their advantage. Walker’s trickery on the left enabled him to cut inside and get a shot away which the keeper spilled; the onrushing midfielder Caleb Crilly was on hand to make it four for his side in the first half but they weren’t done yet. A Walker corner was then fumbled by the Camlough keeper and O’Neill showed her predatory instincts by getting her second of the half, with a coolly finished side foot volley. Half time 5-1

Gabriel McQuillan and Lewis Hill were introduced at half time and added value to the side, with McQuillan’s craft creating the odd opening up top. Hill at the other end of the pitch was alert and often turned defensive into attack. Stewart had a few more shots on his goal in the second period and performed admirably with only once having had to pick the ball out his net for a restart. The midfield trio of Crilly, Termonia and Walker worked tirelessly in their efforts to release McQuillan but United were unable to add to their impressive first half scoreline. In truth the game was won at half time and this Northend side simply just had to shut up shop and see the game out. Full time 5-2

There was a number of impressive displays on the park today and POTM could have went to a number of candidates but on this occasion, “Mr Twinkle Toes” edged it. Termonia’s quick feet and ability to dance his way out of difficult situations often drew plaudits from his supporters’ sideline but it was his defensive display, tracking back and interceptions made, that particularly pleased his coaches’ touchline

Panel: Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Gabriel McQuillan

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Northend United 5 Lisburn Youth Colts 2  Saturday 21st September 2024

United Youth started the game how they played their previous three, attacking from the off. A free kick from the right was whipped in at pace by Caleb Crilly who found Eoin Walkers late run to the back post and the left sided midfielder glanced the ball into the bottom corner. After great one touch football from Crilly, Walker and Holly O’Neill, the latter tried to release Shay Termonia through on goal but was halted by a deliberate handball, resulting in a direct free kick right outside the box! Up stepped Crilly who doubled his team’s advantage by rifling the ball into the top corner, giving the Lisburn goalkeeper no chance. The opposition then started to present a challenge of their own but the dynamic duo of Oisin Logan and Preston Balmer, were up to the task, aided by some excellent saves from the reliable Sam Stewart. Late in the half, a short Lisburn goal kick was intercepted by Crilly who’s perfect weigh of pass allowed O’Neill with a first time shot and the big striker was never going to pass her opportunity to get on the scoresheet. Half time 3-0

Utd weren’t done as early in the second period, Walker played one of his signature, eye of the needle through balls, releasing Gabriel McQuillan. The second half sub was one-on-one and showed his confidence, with a fake shot before rounding the Lisburn keeper, giving Northend their 4th. All wasn’t plain sailing thereafter as Lisburn cut their deficit in half which could have been more if it wasn’t for some great Stewart saves and last ditch defending from Balmer, Walker and Lewis Hill. A technical switch was needed with Logan and Termonia being brought back into the game, to which this pair seemed to steady the ship. They were also directly involved in United’s 5th and final goal of the game as late on, a Northend free kick allowed Logan to come up from the back and he put the game to bed after being found by a lovely Termonia cross. Full time 5-2

This 2015 side came up with a problem that they hadn’t experienced this season, conceding two goals back to back but credit to this young group of players by showing resilience and not allow dropping their heads. Crilly and Walker were particularly impressive but Logan, on the week of his 9th birthday, showed his teammates his worth, with his presence sorely missed whenever he was not on the field.

United Panel: Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Gabriel McQuillan

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Northend United 6 Andersonstown Community Eagles 0   Friday 13th September 2024

This weekend’s fixture presented a top verses bottom clash at Colin Glen and this is exactly how the match played out.Early in the match, Shay Termonia surged down the right wing and floated a cross to the back post where he founded unmarked teammate Eoin Walker at the back post, who cushioned the ball into the back of the net. Walker returned the favour with a defence splitting pass into Termonia path, who slotted the ball home into the opposite corner. United soon added two more, when Holly O’Neill collected the ball at the edge of the area. She spun left and drove at the ACFC right-back before cutting back onto her favoured right foot, delivering a low hard cross into the six yard box, all the helpless West Belfast defender could do was deflect it past his own keeper. A corner then allowed Oisin Logan to come up from the back, where the big defender played havoc in the opposition box. He eventually found space and met a delicious Termonia cross with a sweet volley. Termonia was in on the act against with his 2nd of the evening after another O’Neill assist after dogged centre forward play. Half time 5-0

A tactical switch introduced Lewis Hill to the game to play alongside the reliable Preston Balmer and they continued to marshall Sam Stewart’s backline, reducing ACFC to a few pop shots from distance, similar to how Logan and Balmer set up in the first. Gabriel McQullian’s first bit of action was some excellence footwork on the left side of the forward line. He looked up and found O’Neill, now playing on the right wing, who got her first of the night with a volley of her own. A short ACFC kick out was intercepted by O’Neill, who duly slipped McQuillian through, to which he coolly rolled the ball into the Andersonstown goal. United were unlucky not to add another late on when Caleb Crilly broke from midfield, drew in a defender before unleashing McQuillian to bare down on the goal. The ACFC keeper stood firm and made sure the result wasn’t even more devastating for his side.

The United squad were brilliant, played as unit and outplayed their opponents on this occasion, particularly Termonia and O’Neill. The former was directly involved in 4 goals which screams POTM but O’Neill was a 9/10 as a centre forward in the 1st half and again in the 2nd when she was asked to play on the right side of midfield and as a result she will have the privilege of wearing the captains armband next week Full time 6-0

United Panel: Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Gabriel McQuillan

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Northend United 5 Glendowan Colts 2  Saturday 7th September

In their 2nd game of the season, this Northend team started how they finished the last. In the second minute, Eoin Walker won the ball on the left side of midfield and played a killer through ball to Holly O’Neill. The big striker outmuscled the Glendowan defence and coolly slotted the ball home from outside the box. O’Neill then returned the favour as her hard work, put a West Belfast defender under pressure who passed the ball straight to Walker. He looked up and gave the Glendowan keeper no chance, the ball hitting the top corner as soon as it left his left peg. Before the end of the half, a bit of pinball in the Glendowan box presented Walker with his second of the game. Half time 3-0

Glendowan seemed more up for the fight and threw the first punch of the second half by scoring directly from a free kick. Gabriel McQuillian had now entered the fray and it was his quick feet that allowed him to evade a challenge before a composed finish into the bottom corner. Glendowan hit back from a corner before another Walker assist. With his tireless runs down the left side he noticed the late run from Caleb Crilly into the box. The midfield put the game to bed when his initial touch bounced up to allow him to execute an effort on the half volley. Full time 5-2

Northend 2015s Youth side are now two from two at the start of the season and confident is high amongst the camp, however sterner opposition will face them throughout the season. Nonetheless, if the effort and teamwork shown today continues in the same vein, then they should be a match for most opposition.

United Panel:  Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Caleb Crilly, Eoin Walker, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Gabriel McQuillan

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Northend United 5 Windmill Colts 0  Saturday 31st August 2024

Northend started brightly with the starting seven stringing some nice passes around the Windmill opposition. Caleb Crilly’s cross-come-shot opened the scoring before a point blank save from Sam Stewart and defensive work from Oisin Logan ensured Northend went in at the break with a slender lead. Half time 1-0

In the 2nd half, Northend started strong, with the midfield trio on top. Two quick-fire Crilly goals seen him twice break from midfield, after hard battling from his midfield counterparts, Eoin Walker and Shay Termonia. Crilly direct free kick gave him his 4th before the hardworking Termonia finished off the scoring with a well-deserved goal of his own

To a man, the 2015s Northend Youth team were outstanding, showcasing the range of skill and passing ability whilst growing in confidence as the game went on. Full time 5-0

United Panel: Sam Stewart, Oisin Logan, Shay Termonia, Eoin Walker, Caleb Crilly, Holly O’Neill, Lewis Hill, Preston Balmer, Gabriel McQuillan

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