Northend Youth 2 Ballymoney Athletic 1
Today's was a very evenly-matched, thoroughly entertaining match, in which both teams
played very well. From the start, Northend demonstrated effective passing and held good
possession, threatening to score on several occasions. Alas, a counterattack by
Ballymoney and some misfortune to Northend keeper, Thomas Hasson, saw the lads concede a
goal midway through the first half. However, Northend did not lose heart and saw out the
half robustly, undeterred. Half time 0-1
Following a vigorous start to the second half, both teams looked like scoring, with
Northend grazing the post on no less than three occasions. The breakthrough for the
Northend lads came when sustained pressure in the Ballymoney box saw an unfortunate
own-goal evade their excellent goalie.
The remainder of the second half provided sustained tension for both sets of fans and
players alike, with both goalies fending off attempts. One Ballymoney assault on the
Northend goalmouth even led to renewed calls for goal-line technology - laughed off by a
perfectly positioned referee.
The decider came when Harry Connon completed a great sequence of passing play by driving a
shot home. The rest of the half saw end to end play, but with the Northend lads holding
firm until the whistle.
Superb defending and many critical interceptions from Callum Lutton, Ryan Stevenson and Kevin McAllister; relentless running, passing and forward surges from Carter Reid, Luke McCluskey and Timmy Gillen; Finn Connon, Harry Connon and Oliwer Maka displaying great handling, supporting runs and providing the critical second goal. Assured handling from Thomas Hasson, unfazed by the first half goal. Full time 2-1
Very good performance from all the lads, against well matched opposition - well done!
Panel: T Hasson, F Connon, H Connon, T Gillan, C Lutton, O Maka, K McAllister, L McCluskey (c), C Reid, K Stevenson
.png)
.png)
