Untitled

Maiden City Colts 2 Northend United 2 (3-1 pens) Saturday 23rd February 2013

Northend U11s went into this cup game in a very positive mind frame as they had gone down to an unlucky 1-0 defeat in this corresponding fixture earlier in the season and with the progress they have made in recent weeks they hard working Robert Iovu and Oisin Connolly dominating midfield, this gave the team a platform to build from. As a result Charlie Metrustry on the left and Jnew this was a game that they could get a result from, and so it proved.

The boys started very positively and played some great football with the ason Givens on the right were causing a lot of problems for the Maiden City defence and there was a feeling of 'when' not 'if' the Northend boys were going to score.

The opening goal in the game did arrive mid way thru the first half but unfortunately for the Northend boys it was Maiden City who got it totally against the run of play which must have been a sickening blow for the boys after starting so brightly.

From the resulting restart Northend took it up from where they had left off and pressed forward searching for an equaliser confident in the knowledge that the back three of Matthew Stewart, Jay Kirkpatrick and Josh Coates had the Maiden City forward line under wraps.

The inevitable equaliser arrived just before half time when Oisin Connolly fought hard to gain possession instead the box and poked home from eight yards. Half time score 1-1

Northend again started the second half brightly and took the lead after ten minutes of the second half when Charlie Metrustry arrived at the back post to fire a left foot volley into the roof of the net after good closing down from the hard working Leon Spurgeon.

Maiden city then pressed forward searching for an equaliser and a tiring Northend team allowed them to gain control of the game at this stage and as a result they scored an equaliser to tie the game at 2-2 in what was becoming a thrilling cup tie.

The game was tied at the final whistle and a period of extra time ensued. Neither team could make the break through during this period and the outcome of the game was to be decided through the dreaded penalty shoot out.

Two good saves from goalkeeper Sean Higgins and three coolly converted penalties from Robert Iovu, Jay Kirkpatrick and Oisin Connolly ensured Northend progressed to the next round.

Man of the Match: Matthew Stewart

Panel: S Higgins, M Stewart, J Kirkpatrick, J Coates, C Metrustry, O Connolly, R Iovu, J Givens, L Spurgeon, J Scullion, C Killough, C Meeke, C Forsythe

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Institute 1 Northend United 1 Saturday 16th February 2013

There was definitely a sense of the tide having turned with this performance at Ballysally on Saturday morning. The reverse fixture against Institute four months ago had resulted in a 6-1 defeat. However, such has been the improvement in this team that on this occasion a 1-1 draw was much less than they deserved.

The Northend Blues started brightly with the Institute keeper forced into making a catalogue of saves, under sustained Northend pressure. The deadlock was broken after ten minutes when, after the referee allowed an advantage in play, Oisin Connolly skipped around two Institute defenders and delivered a pin-point pass into the path of Leon Spurgeon, who gave the Institute keeper no chance with a thunderbolt shot.

The influential Robert Iovu was controlling midfield and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself. Northend continued to pressurise but were unable to find the elusive second goal. As the Blues pressed forward, Institute proved they were still a danger on the break. Jay Kirkpatrick with some well-timed interceptions and the tenacious tackling of Charlie Metrustry and Josh Coates ensured that Sean Higgins was rarely troubled in the Northend goal. Half time score 1-0

Northend made several positional changes and this appeared to unsettle the boys. Institute capitalised and scored the equaliser with five minutes to play. This sparked the Blues into life again and they bombarded the Institute goal for the remainder of the match. The winning goal didn't come on the day but it is only a matter of time before this team enjoys a run of victories.

Robert in midfield and Jay at centre-half had great games for the Northend Blues and were just pipped to the Man of the Match award by Oisin Connolly who revelled in a new role.

Man of the Match: Oisin Connolly

Panel: S Higgins, J Givens, J Kirkpatrick, J Coates, O Connolly (c), M Stewart, R Iovu, C Meeke, L Spurgeon, C Metrustry, C Killough, C Forsythe

Northend United 0 Magherafelt SB Galaxy 3 Saturday 9th February 2013

Northend U11s travelled to their usual venue of Ballysally on Saturday morning to fulfil their penultimate fixture before the league separates into the three respective league competitions where there will be a winner of each section.

Unusually for this improving side they were slow to come out of the blocks and slack defending lead to them conceding a soft goal within five minutes.

With the match only scheduled for thirty minutes due to a fixture back log this put the boys on the back foot, and they struggled to get a stranglehold on the game with the Magherafelt team looking hungrier and winning most of the loose balls in midfield.

Chances for Northend were few and far between and with the make shift defence coming under ever increasing pressure it seemed only a matter of time before they would concede again. And so it proved as a good period of passing from Magherafelt produced their second goal which was despatched to the roof of the net emphatically

A third goal soon followed although at this stage Northend were looking the more likely to score as they grew in belief as the game came to a close hitting the bar from a free kick and squandering a couple of good chances created from corners .

Unfortunately just as Northend looked like getting back into the game with some sustained pressure the referee blew for full time and brought the game to a close.

Panel: S Higgins, J Kirkpatrick, O Connolly(c), J Coates, C Meeke, J Givens, C Forsythe, M Stewart, L Spurgeon, C Metrustry

Northend United 2 Magherafelt SB Pumas 3 Saturday 2nd February 2013

Northend U11s made the trip to Ballysally on Saturday morning in confident form when they lined out against the Magherafelt Sky Blues Pumas. Conditions were ideal for football and the crowd were thoroughly entertained with a very competitive match, right to the final whistle.

Both teams opened brightly with Callum Forsythe and Charlie Metrustry going close for the Northend Blues. Oisin Connolly returning from illness, Josh Coates and Jay Kirkpatrick were containing any threat on goal from the Pumas. The game appeared to be heading towards a scoreless half-time when Magherafelt opened the scoring against the run of play. Half time score 1-0

Jude Scullion was introduced at half-time and made an immediate impact. A mazy run down the right wing brought the influential Matthew Stewart into play and after some close control he saw a fierce shot parried by the Pumas' keeper into the path of Leon Spurgeon, who blasted home the equaliser. The following period of play saw this exciting game swing from end to end until two momentary lapses in concentration allowed the Magherafelt Pumas to score two quick goals. The Northend team did not allow their heads to drop and were rewarded when Leon Spurgeon again hit a wonder goal to leave the bare minimum between the sides. As Northend pushed for the equaliser the renewed belief of this team was very much in evidence. Conall Killough, Connor Meeke in defence and Sean Higgins in goals made several brave clearances to ensure the game's outcome was in the balance, right to the end.

A narrow 3-2 defeat, whilst disappointing on the day, will leave the Northend U11s looking forward to the rematch. Leon, Callum and the ever dependable Josh had super games for the wee Blues and were just pipped to the Man of the Match award by Matthew Stewart.

Man of the Match: Matthew Stewart

Panel: S Higgins, M Stewart, J Coates, O Connolly (c), C Meeke, J Kirkpatrick, C Forsythe, C Metrustry, L Spurgeon, J Scullion C Killough

Coleraine Academy 5 Northend United 1 Saturday 26th January 2013

Northend U11s got the second half of the season off to an encouraging start even though they suffered a defeat at the hands of the excellent Coleraine Academy side.

It was evident to see from the start of the game why this Coleraine side stood at the top of the table as they dominated possession from the start and played some lovely football putting the Northend side under pressure.

But great credit must be given to the Northend side who battled hard with Jay Kirkpatrick and Josh Coates putting in some excellent tackles to keep Coleraine at bay.This coupled with a mom display from Sean Higgins ensured that Northend were very much still in the game as it approached the end of the first quarter. But alas as the half wore on the Northend team could not hold out anymore and conceded two goals in quick succession to trail 2-0.

But the tremendous spirit that this young side now possess came to the fore as a fiercely struck free kick from Jay Kirkpatrick caused panic in the Coleraine defence and poacher supreme Charlie Metrustry was on hand again to slam the ball home from close range.

Unfortunately some slack defending gave the Coleraine side an opportunity which they converted just before the end of the half to leave Northend trailing 3-1 at half time.

As conditions deteriorated both sides found it hard to get into any sort of rhythm in the second half and as a result a scrappy half of football ensued. Northend had their chances on the break but due to poor decision making they could not make them count.

Coleraine put the Northend side under greater pressure towards the end of the second half and got the goal that they deserved as the game crept towards its conclusion.

This was a spirited performance from all eleven Northend players and it can only bode well for future matches to come.

Man of the Match: Sean Higgins

Panel: S Higgins, C Meeke, J Givens, J Coates, J Kirkpatrick, M Stewart, C Metrustry, L Spurgeon, J Scullion, C Forsythe, C Killough

Northend United 1 Larne Youth 3 - Friendly Friday 11th January 2013

This match played on Friday night infront of a large crowd of family and friends from both teams enjoyed a great game of football as both teams put on a great display of football with goals, attacking and defending of the highest standard and it took something special to open the scoring when Larne broke the deadlock with a great strike from the big midfielder smashed his shot into the top corner to give Sean Higgins in goal no chance.

As Northend went looking for the equalizer Matthew Stewart in midfield did exactly the same as the Larne player but his shot smashed of the post and when the ball rebounded to Charlie Metrustry he hit his shot just wide of the Larne goal .The game moved from end to end with Connor Meeke and Jason Given as fullbacks seeing plenty of the ball and at every opportunity supporting the midfielder and front players. Larne then scored a second goal just before half time with another great shot, leaving the half time score 2-0

Larne went further infront after the restart but Northend kept coming at Larne and scored when Charlie Metrustry blasted home. Leon Spurgeon was causing problems for the Larne backline and made their keeper pull of a couple of good saves to keep them ahead. As the game when on, Jay Kirkpatrick in midfield, was growing stronger and cut out a lot of dangerous passes. Josh Coates and Oisin Connolly at the heart of the defence were solid as a rock and with support coming from Ryan Mark and Taylor Wallace, Northend played a great flowing game of football and on another day might of won this game with the chances they created.

Man of the Match: Leon Spurgeon

Panel: S Higgins, J Coates, O Connolly (c), J Givens, C Meeke, M Stewart, C Killough, J Kirkpatrick, C Metrustry, L Spurgeon, T Wallace, R Mark, J Scullion ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Northend United 5 Ballymoney United 3 - Friendly Friday 4th January 2013

The young Blues welcomed Ballymoney United to the Clough MUGA on Friday night for the first of their warm-up games in preparation for the second half of the League campaign, which commences at the end of January.

The U11s continued their recent good run of form with a confident display at Clough 3G on Friday night, against a very strong Ballymoney United side. This group of players are beginning to show real evidence of their footballing ability. Their coaches and parents alike were treated to a great display of teamwork and desire to win. Five different goal scorers on the night was testament to the combined team effort. Goal scorers on the night were Jay Kirkpatrick; Jason Givens; Callum Forsythe; Jude Scullion; and Leon Spurgeon in this entertaining match.

The U11s continue their build up to the League recommencement with a match against Larne Youth next Friday night.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: S Higgins, C Meeke, J Coates, O Connolly (c) J Givens, M Stewart, j Kirkpatrick, C Metrustry, J Scullion, L Spurgeon, C Forsythe, C Killough