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Northend United 3 Hillsborough Colts 0 NIBFA Cup Saturday 30th January 2016

Northend had a rare home match in the NIBFA cup with a place in the last 16 up for grabs. Hillsborough travelled to Ballymena on a cold snowy morning and many supporters came along to brave the chilly conditions. Northend started at a fast pace and dominated the opening minutes with a high pressing game that forced the Hillsborough defender into an error and Billy Bell raced onto the ball to place it left footed into the corner of the net to take the lead within the first minute of the match. The Ballymena boys kept up the early pressure with first Shea O'Broin shooting wide and then Jay McKeown's effort being saved as Hillsborough couldn't get out of their own half. Stevie Bristow and Ben O'Neill were in control of the midfield battle and any time Hillsborough broke forward the defence of Ben Adams, Callum McAvoy and Zach Erwin were able to deal with it and George McClean raced out to clear the ball on a couple of occasions. O'Neill and O'Broin combined well to set up McKeown who rounded the keeper but his effort was cleared off the line with a last ditch slide tackle. Bristow won the ball in midfield again and spread it wide to Bell who crossed for McKeown to stab home the second in the 20th minute. Bell was running riot down the left wing beating his man on numerous occasions and set up McKeown with another chance but it went wide. Half-time 2-0

As the second half got under way the weather conditions deteriorated as a snow blizzard battered the supporters but the players bravely fought through the elements. It was a scrappy affair for a few minutes before Northend exerted their dominance again creating chance after chance. First Ben O'Neill raced through from half way but it went narrowly wide then Bell played McKeown through and as he bared down on the goal the ball somehow went wide. Bristow and O'Neill continued to dominate the midfield setting up McKeown again and as his shot was saved Kyle Wakefield picked up the loose ball and with the goal at his mercy his shot went wide. Then there was a two minute spell that decided the match as a dubious penalty was awarded against Northend and George McClean pulled off a brilliant save to the biggest cheer of the day. He quickly played the ball forward and as O'Neill slipped it through to McKeown he raced clear and smashed the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 and kill the match off as a contest. Northend continued to press forward with Wakefield wide with another effort and then O'Broin sent a beautiful left footed effort towards the top corner but the keeper pulled off a great save. Full-time 3-0

This was a great all round performance from the whole team and in reality there could have been another 3 or 4 goals on another day. A big thanks to all the supporters who braved the elements to support their team and have a last 16 home match against Warrenpoint to look forward to. A special thanks to JD for providing the food and especially the hot tea and coffee after the match so that everyone could feel their fingers and toes again!

Man of the Match: George McClean

Panel: G McClean, B Adams, C McAvoy, Z Erwin, B O'Neill, S Bristow, S O'Broin, J McKeown, B Bell, K Wakefield, J Magill

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Carrick Rangers Colts 0 Northend United 1 Saturday 23rd January 2016

Northend travelled to Belfast to play a tough Carrick team who they drew 0-0 with earlier in the season. The first half was a tight affair with both defences on top as defenders Stevie Bristow and Callum McAvoy were outstanding. Shea O'Broin set up the first opportunity with some good skill which resulted in a corner and Billy Bell was having a superb first half as he benefited from the space down the left wing. After making a good run he slipped the ball through to Jay McKeown whose shot was blocked, then another effort went just wide. Carrick pushed forward whenever they could and had a great opportunity but a brilliant slide tackle from Bristow prevented a certain goal. Kyle Wakefield and Ben O'Neill were playing well in midfield as O'Neill surged forward he picked out McKeown who spun and released Bell but his effort went narrowly wide. Half-time 0-0

A tactical change at half-time with Bristow pushing into midfield swung the balance of the game in Northend's favour as the extra control and possession made the difference. Northend started with some superb passing between Bristow, O'Neill and Bell resulting in O'Neill having his shot saved. Five minutes into the half Ben O'Neill battled to win the ball and play it through to McKeown who raced through one on one with the keeper and slipped the ball to the keepers left leaving him no chance as the ball rolled into the back of the net for the only goal of the match. Northend dominated the rest of the half with O'Broin and O'Neill having several chances but they just couldn't find the second goal. Bristow controlled the midfield area with excellent composure which released O'Neill to surge forward at every opportunity and set up the attacking trio of Bell, McKeown and O'Broin. Kyle Wakefield and Callum McAvoy were strong at the back with McAvoy at his commanding best with a strong challenge to prevent a shot on goal. Ben Adams filled in goals at the last minute and did an excellent job never putting a foot wrong. Ben O'Neill spread the ball wide to Billy Bell who played it across to O'Broin who made the space for a left foot effort that the Carrick keeper saved brilliantly putting the ball over the bar. Late in the game McAvoy summed up the Northend performance when he bravely put his head in to clear the ball and got a boot to the head but was quickly on his feet to see out the game. Full-time 1-0

This was a great team performance against a determined Carrick side and gives the side a confidence boost for their cup match against Hillsborough next week.

Man of the match : Ben O'Neill

Panel: B Adams, C McAvoy, B O'Neill, S Bristow, S O'Broin, J McKeown, B Bell, K Wakefield

Northend United 0 Windmill 4 Saturday 9th January 2015

For the first period of this game it was a pretty even affair with Northend creating a couple of half chance's through Billy Bell and Jay McKeown. Then a dubious free kick which everyone felt was a fair tackle from Ben O'Neill ended up giving Windmill the lead. The next period saw Windmill take control and a special mention has to be given to Calum McAvoy for some very well timed tackles and a string of great saves from George McClean. Then just before the break Windmill made it 2-0 with a very well worked goal. Half time 0-2

The second half started with a Windmill cross that deceived everyone and ended up in the back of the net. Stevie Bristow and O'Neill in the middle of the park tackled, harried and did everything in their power to try to get Northend back in the game, but it wasn't to be as Windmill scored again on the break. As the game finished, a great solo run from Jamie Magill from defence seen him through on goal only for a great save from the Windmill keeper to stop him. Final score 0-4

Men of the Match. Stevie Bristow, Ben O'Neill

Panel: G McClean, B Adams, J Magill, C McAvoy, Z Erwin, S Bristow, B O'Neill, S O'Broin, K Wakefield, J McKeown, B Bell

Colin Valley 0 Northend United 4 Saturday 19th December 2015

The last time these two sides met Northend were without their keeper and 3 outfield players and suffered a 6-0 defeat, so it was nice to put that nightmare to bed on a very windy day in Lisburn. The 1st half was a very tight affair though it did sway slightly towards Northend with Ben O'Neill and Jay McKeown having a couple of half chances, then the rest of the 1st half seemed to be a Midfield battle between two good teams and a resilient Northend defence of Zack Erwin, Ben Adams and Callum McAvoy not allowing Colin Valley an opening with McAvoy having his usual braveheart performance in the centre winning everything in both the air and the ground. Then with maybe three minutes remaining O'Neill went in for a 50/50 tackle and as the ball ricocheted out left and set up Shea O'Broin who hit a beauty of a 20 yard shot into the roof of the net leaving the Colin Valley keeper with no chance. Half time 0-1

With the 2nd half kicking off with even more intensity, Kyle Wakefield found himself with a couple of half chances from corners, Zach Erwin also ran the ball out of defence and hit a peach of a left foot drive from twenty five yards that cannoned back off the post, then the moment came for Northend to further their lead as an O'Broin corner seemed to swerve with the wind and came back off the crossbar it was McAvoy who rose the highest to send a bullet header into the net. Now Northend really got going and as the non-stop working Stevie Bristow sent a pass into McKeown with his back to goal on the edge of the box he took one touch and turned full circle to drive the ball into the bottom of the net to make it three within minutes of the match remaining, a foul committed out on the left on McKeown resulted in a yellow card for the Colin Valley player and a right footed free kick from McKeown over the wall and into the net to round off another great performance against strong opposition. Full time 0-4

Man of the Match: Callum McAvoy - A complete centre half performance with a goal to add to it:

Panel: G McClean, B Adams, Z Erwin, C McAvoy, J Magill, B O'Neill, S Bristow, K Wakefield, J McKeown

Northend travelled to Portadown to play their second round NIBFA cup match in pretty miserable conditions but it wasn't long before the supporters spirits were lifted when after 3 minutes Ben O'Neill picked up a loose goal kick, ran forward a couple of yards and unleashed a super left foot strike over the keeper into the top right hand corner. The Ballymena boys had to work hard against the Lurgan side as well as get used to not playing the offside rule. The defence of Callum McAvoy, Ben Adams and Zach Erwin were playing magnificently with Ben Adams having a particularly impressive match as he nipped in to win the ball on numerous occasions and distributing the ball very effectively. Stevie Bristow and O'Neill were linking well to dominate the midfield area with Shea O'Broin and Billy Bell on the wings. O'Broin scored the second as he picked the ball up in midfield and ran at the TTBS defence before cutting inside and firing a brilliant left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net. Jay McKeown was working hard up front and took a fantastic free kick out on the left which cannoned off the cross bar. TTBS pulled a goal back but it wasn't long before Northend took a two goal lead again as Bristow sprayed the ball wide to Bell who beat his man and raced down the wing before crossing to McKeown who controlled it, turned his marker and drilled the ball into the back of the net. Billy Bell was on fire as he again slipped his marker and sprinted down the wing but his effort hit the side netting. O'Broin swung over a corner and it was McKeown who reacted first to win the header and the ball ended up in the back of the net to make it 4-1 at half time.

The Lurgan side came more into the game in the second half and Northend had to rely on McAvoy on several occasions and George McClean pulled off a number of good saves. The best save was 5 minutes into the second half as McClean dived high to his right to prevent a certain goal and Adams followed up to clear the ball off the line. Bristow and O'Neill were playing some nice football in the middle of the park and there was good link up play from Lee Turner and Kyle Wakefield on the wings. O'Neill found space outside the box but his effort was just wide and then McKeown put Bristow in space but he fired wide. Turner was making good progress down the left wing and crossed for McKeown but the defence cleared it. O'Broin took a quick throw to O'Neill who used his strength to beat 2 men before coolly chipping the ball over the keeper to make the game safe and finish up at 5-1.

This was a superb all round performance against a quality TTBS side who didn't deserve to get beat 5-1. There were numerous players who put in first class performances but man of the match has to go to Ben Adams today who never put a foot wrong, won the ball on numerous occasions and found another Northend player with every pass. Northend progress into the next round of the cup with a home tie in January to look forward to.

Man of the match : Ben Adams

Panel: G McClean, B Adams, C McAvoy, Z Erwin, B O'Neill, S Bristow, S O'Broin, J McKeown, B Bell, L Turner, K Wakefield

Northend United 11 Oxford Sunnyside 3 Saturday 5th December 2015

Northend started this game on the front foot from the off with Billy Bell pressurising a Sunnyside defender into a mistake and cooly chipping the keeper to put Northend in front. Sunnyside came back strong and scored twice in a matter of minutes. Then as a Sunnyside defender handled from a Northend corner inside the box, Shea O'Broin made no mistake from the penalty spot to make it 2-2. A period followed that saw a Jay McKeown goal disallowed and Ben O'Neill and O'Broin both hitting posts. Then on the stroke of halftime a great passing move from Stevie Bristow, McKeown & O'Neill saw O'Broin rifle the ball into the bottom corner to see Northend go in at the break ahead. Half time 3-2

Although the second half was raining in Lisburn, it also turned out raining goals for Northend. As a Northend corner was headed back out to O'Broin, he cut outside onto his left foot and hit a shot that took a slight deflection into the net, then great work from Kyle Wakefield sent O'Neill away and he scored into the bottom left hand corner from the edge of the box. This was followed by a McKeown goal and an unfortunate O.G. from a Sunnyside defender. Then Bell added another after a period of play that involved at least six players. Sunnyside then broke very well from the centre to add a great worked goal but this didn't last long as the next five minutes saw probably the two best goals of the game as Wakefield run from the halfway line and a put a thunder of a shot into the top corner, followed by a peach of a 25 yard free kick from O'Broin. With Almost the last kick of the game Bell finished off another neat move from the edge of the box to make it eleven. Full time 11-3

Men of the match: Billy Bell and Shea O'Broin -Nthe two wide men who were involved in everything all match and scored seven goals between them : Billy Bell and Shea O'Broin.

Panel: G McClean, J Magill, C McAvoy, Z Erwin, B Adams, K Wakefield, S Bristow, B O'Neill, S O'Broin, J McKeown, B Bell

Northend United 4 Hillsborough Colts 0 Saturday 28th November 2015

The Northend management asked for a much improved performance from last week and the boys certainly didn't disappoint with some slick football and plenty of commitment. The midfield of Stevie Bristow and Ben O'Neill controlled the centre of the park with Bristow having a particularly impressive first half display. He set up the first move of the match with a strong run from midfield leading to a free kick which Jay McKeown couldn't get past the wall. Billy Bell was having a strong game on the left wing linking well with McKeown on several occasions. These two combined to send McKeown down the wing and he crossed to the far post for Shea O'Broin to slide in and put the ball into the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside. Space was starting to open up for O'Broin on the right and as he cut in from the wing he fired a shot into the side netting. Bristow had a long range shot tipped onto the bar and McKeown had several half chances but couldn't find the opening. Hillsborough sent the ball forward and an unlucky bounce resulted in one of the Northend defenders handling the ball on the edge of the penalty area. From the resulting free kick the Hillsborough midfielder smashed the ball off the crossbar but Northend responded immediately as Bristow took the ball forward before switching the play to the left to Bell who crossed but the Hillsborough defender cleared for a corner. O'Broin floated the corner over and as Jay McKeown and the defender jumped for the ball, it somehow came of McKeown's head and beat the keeper at the near post to make it 1-0. Bristow and Bell again combined well for Bell to cross and as O'Broin received the ball he turned his man and got the shot in but it was saved. Hillsborough put the pressure on late in the first half but the defence of Callum McAvoy, Ben Adams and Kyle Wakefield stood strong and George McClean was able to handle anything that came at him. Half-time 1-0

With the wind in their backs in the second half Northend took complete control of the game with Ben O'Neill and Shea O'Broin particularly to the fore. O'Neill beat a couple of men in midfield before spreading the ball wide to O'Broin, he crossed to set up Jay McKeown but his shot was saved. O'Broin and McKeown struck up a real understanding between each other in the second half playing some neat one twos to leave the Hillsborough defence bamboozled. One of these moves left O'Broin with a clear run at his man who he skipped past and shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. Northend were really turning on the style now with Bristow dominating midfield and as he played the ball wide to O'Broin he worked a one two with McKeown but his shot was wide. McKeown then burst through with a fine effort and O'Broin cut through the defence but neither could finish. Lee Turner received the ball wide on the left before cutting in and playing the ball to O'Broin, he played a one two with McKeown whilst sliding in just before the keeper could get to the ball for it to roll into the back of the empty net. O'Broin again beat his man before setting up Ben O'Neill to go past two defenders and placed the ball in the corner of the net with his right foot to round off a fine display from the Ballymena team. Full-time 4-0

Man of the Match: Stevie Bristow

Panel: G McClean, K Wakefield , B Adams, C McAvoy, B O'Neill, S Bristow, S O'Broin, J McKeown, B Bell, L Turner, J Magill

Northend United 0 Colin Valley 6 Saturday 21st November 2015

Northend with no goal keeper, key players missing and no subs still fielded a pretty strong team, but lacked their usual effort and commitment.

Although 3-0 down at Half Time they could have came in 3-3 but the ball refused to go in. Half time 0-3

The second half was really the same story with another 3 goals conceded due to errors. Northend also had a Penalty saved in the last minute. Final score 0-6

Man of the Match: Ben O'Neill

Panel: B Adams, R Campbell, J Magill, C McAvoy, K Wakefield, B O'Neill, S O'Broin, B Bell, J McKeown

Northend United 3 Colin Valley 3 Saturday 7th November 2015

In torrential rain Northend put in a very good performance against a very defiant Colin Valley team, although Colin Valley were on the back foot for the first 10 minutes it was them who took the lead. Soon afterwards Shea O'Broin sent in a corner that was met with a strong Jay McKeown header into the bottom corner of the net. The game then flowed from end to end with George McClean in brilliant form in Northend goal with his hands and feet. With Billy Bell not giving the Colin Valley defence a minute on the ball this is exactly how his goal came by pressurising a defender into a mistake, then stealing the ball and curling a brilliant left foot shot past the keeper at his near post. With Kyle Wakefield filling in on the right hand side of defence and looking as if he plays there every week, it was him who started the play that lead to Northend's third playing it up the right side to McKeown who beat his man and sent a lovely low and hard cross into the box and Billy Bell was on hand to make it three. Half time 3-1

Colin Valley started the second half very strongly and it wasn't long till they pulled one back due to defensive errors. Then they got their equaliser due to a very cruel deflection off Ben Adams leg that left McClean with no chance. Now it was Northend's turn to get their grip back on the game and barring a great McClean save onto the post it was them who controlled the rest of the game. With Ben O'Neill having a great shot deflected over the bar, Bell with a one-on-one with the keeper than he put wide and a curling free kick from O'Broin which the keeper did well to keep out. Full time 3-3

Northend Coaches and players felt they should have had the win, even though they were down to the bare bones with no subs. Although this was a very good draw against a very well drilled Colin Valley Team.

Men of the Match: Kyle Wakefield playing out of position very well and George McClean who is showing his goal keeping coaching is paying off. He was neither at fault for any of the goals and his decision making on when to come or stay and his use hands or feet was faultless.

Panel: G McClean, J Magill, B Adams, K Wakefield, L Turner, B O'Neill, S O'Broin, J McKeown, B Bell