Untitled

Coleraine Olympic 3 Northend United 0 Saturday 26th October 2013

Northend United U11s played another very strong team in this half of the league. Northend started slow and never really got going in the first half. Coleraine Olympic were more physical in their challenges and Northend never competed.

The first half was a scrappy affair with the strength of Coleraine throughout the pitch breaking up any of Northend's play and putting in some stiff tackles. This week saw the normal offside rule put in place but someone forgot to tell the referee. Coleraine's goals came from a clear offside which caught Northend's defence asleep and another from a blatant push on Calum Kilgore both of which the referee never saw! Northend were slow to react to Coleraine's attacks and poor ball control all over the pitch continued to increase the pressure on the defence. Again the ever impressive Euan McSparron kept the score to 3-0 at half time. Half time score 3-0

The second half started with the introduction of Jamie Morrow for Montgomery and Corey McMillan for McGaughey. The defence was reshuffled with Ciaran Campbell going back to right back, Calum Kilgore into centre half and Harry Wylie into midfield. Northend showed more desire in the second half, they began competing for every ball and being stronger in their challenges. Northend began to find their feet and tried to pass the ball creating a couple of good chances. Coleraine did not create too many chances in the second half unlike the first half and Northend maintained a clean sheet.

Northend had too many players that had an off day and even at this level the opposition had an easy game. Much improvement is needed for the whole team especially closing down their opponents, stronger in the challenges and most importantly concentration. But it's a long season and the boys have the talent and attributes to make them into a strong team. Final Score 3-0

Man of the Match: Euan McSparran

Panel: E McSparron, R McQuillan, C Kilgore, C Campbell, H Wylie (c), P Ferris, J Morrow, C McMillan, J Montgomery, J Wilson, C McGaughey

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

Northend United 1 Moyola Park 2 Saturday 19th October 2013

Northend U11s came up against another very strong U12 team Moyola Park. Unlike the previous games Northend started from the first whistle and battled hard never giving their opponents time on the ball.

The first half was a scrappy affair with the strength of Moyola throughout the pitch breaking up any of Northend's play and putting in some stiff tackles. Northend was never threatened in the first half a few long shots by their opponents but could not pass the impressive Euan McSparron and Callum Kilgore. Half time score 0-0

The second half started with the introduction of Jamie Morrow for Montgomery and Pierce Esler for McMillan. Ciaran Campbell pushed into right midfield which made the difference in the second half. His link up play with Pat Ferris and his continuous hustling gave Northend the opportunity to create chances. Their link up play to striker Jordan Wilson who held the ball up front with great ease, against a much stronger defence gave time for the midfield to support. This in fact lead to Northend going one nil up, Calum Kilgore who cleared from defence found Ciaran Campbell out right who played it to P Ferris and he crossed finding Jordan Wilson at the back post giving Northend a well deserved lead,

However Moyola had struck the bar twice and also goal keeper Euan McSparron made several outstanding saves up to this. Moyola continued to show their physical strength and played long balls over Northend's defence. This led to a free kick after Kilgore brought down the forward on the edge of the box. Northend were caught sleeping at the free kick and an average shot beat the keeper at the near post. Shortly afterwards Northend found themselves 2-1 down after another long ball broke to a Moyola player in the box who poked it toward goal and somehow the ball squeezed under the keeper. Northend played their heart out but unfortunately they could not get what would have been a deserved equaliser. Northend had rode their luck on a few occasions but the fight and desire of the team along with good defending and passing against a physically stronger team should have got them something from the game. Final score 3-1

Man of the Match Ciaran Campbell

Panel: E McSparron, R McQuillan, C Kilgore, C Campbell, H Wylie, J Morrow, P Esler, C McMillan, P Ferris, J Montgomery, J Wilson

Roe Valley 3 Northend United 2 Saturday 12th October 2013

Northend United U11s played their third match against a solid Roe Valley hoping to start where they left off the previous week.

The first half got under way and with Callum Kilgore returning to centre half allowing Harry Wylie to dictate the play from midfield. Northend created some good chances continuing to play passing football. Harry Wylie had two magnificent shots strike the cross bar but as Northend grew confident in their play, Roe Valley's only chances came from the break. Northend failed to clear from a corner and Roe Valley bundled the ball over the line. If this was not disappointing enough another long shot by the opponents was pushed onto the cross bar by Euan McSparron but the ball fell over the line. Northend kept up the pressure pushing on and controversially had a goal disallowed for offside. The referee had judged that Conor McGaughey was more than the '5 yards allowed' between him and the defender after Harry Wylie had crossed a sublime ball in that Conor volleyed into the net. Undeterred Northend got a goal back from Pat Ferris who worked hard as usual. But again Northend had themselves to blame for not clearing the ball from another corner, Roe Valley pounced against the run of play to make it 3-1 at half time.

The second half started with the introduction of Jamie Montgomery for Pierce Esler, Jordan Wilson for Conor McGaughey and Rio Tsang coming on for Jamie Morrow. This change freshened the team up and there could only be one winner by the way Northend were playing. Half way through the second half Harry Wylie struck a great free kick which the keeper saved only for Callum Kilgore to knock in the rebound, 3-2 and the blue and white stripes were buoyant. Northend played their heart out but unfortunately they could not repeat last week's comeback. Final score 3-2

Northend must learn quickly how to start a game in the same manner as they finish and also cut out the scrappy goals.

Man of the Match: Harry Wylie

Panel: E McSparron, R McQuillan, C Kilgore, C Campbell, H Wylie, J Morrow (c), P Esler, C McGaughey, P Ferris, J Montgomery, J Wilson, R Tsang

Moyola Olympic 3 Northend United 5 Saturday 5th October 2013

Northend United U11s got their first win of the season against Moyola Olympic U12s. Returning to the squad was Pat Ferris and Ciaran Campbell with new signing Ryan McMillan making his debut at left back.

The first half was an even affair with Northend edging the better chances. Playing against a physical and large stature team Northend played some lovely passing football. Northend's defence of Harry Wylie playing centre half, Ryan McMillan left back and Ciaran Campbell right back proved too difficult for Moyola to break through.

The best chances fell to striker Conor McGaughey after some neat passing by Northend's midfield trio of Jamie Morrow, Pierce Esler and Rio Tsang with the very impressive Pat Ferris providing the link between midfield and attack. Northend's defence were solid at the back ensuring stand in keeper Corey Mellon had little to do. Half time score 0-0

Northend were slow to start the second half and out of nothing found themselves 2 nil down, Moyola took advantage from a free kick shooting high into the net. Northend were spurred on and shortly after Pierce Esler broke the offside trap and fired one back. The team's confidence grew and Pat Ferris gave the Moyola defence a torrid time managing to riggle clear on several occasions. Moyola however did not stop by bringing on two more subs of even taller stature! Northend found themselves 3-1 down with another long range shot giving the keeper no chance.

But the boys in blue and white kept going, substitute Jordan Wilson scored 2 goals on the bounce making it 3 all, Jamie Montgomery also came on with Corey McMillan in midfield. Again it was Pat Ferris's wonderfull skill setting up three of Northend's goals. Northend continued to attack passing the ball though the tall defence, Jamie Montgomery scored a half volley making it 4-3. With the last minutes of the game Harry Wylie made in 5-3 by hammering in a drive from a corner. Full time score 5-3

It was a fantastic comeback by the young Northend team with so many outstanding performances but man of the match has to go to Pat Ferris, without his touch and control up front allowing Northend to attack would not have made this result possible.

Man of the Match: Pat Ferris

Panel: C Mellon, R McQuillan, H Wylie, C Campbell, P Esler, J Morrow. R Tsang, C McMillan, C McGaughey, P Ferris (c), J Wilson, J Montgomery

Northend United 1 Ballymoney United 6 Saturday 28th September 2013

Northend United U11s got their much awaited season off to a start with a tough tie against a strong Ballymoney team. With Northend finishing runner up last year there was much anticipation and excitement to a new season moving to 9 aside. Northend had a complete new look to last year's team with only 3 players from last season's team.

Ballymoney started very strong and were dominant throughout, going one nil up after a few minutes. Northend struggled to stop Ballymoney's continuous attack down the right with the very impressive Euan McSparran making several tremendous saves. Northend continued to play football from the back and were caught out with sloppy marking allowing Ballymoney to shoot from distance making it four nil with twenty minutes gone. Northend had a number of players making their debut for the team, Corey McMillan at left back and Rio Sang at right back both had good games but the persistence of Ballymoney's attack was tough to defend. Another debutant Conor McGaughey almost pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time but his shot was partially saved and then cleared off the line. Half time score 4-0

The second half started much better for Northend. Fiontain McQuillan at centre back made a number of strong tackles to prevent Ballymoney stretching their lead. Northend fought well and battled to gain possession and when they did pass the ball they created good chances with Pearce Esler almost scoring with a ferocious shot which the keeper saved.

Northend did deservedly get a goal near the end of the game, Jordan Wilson also making his debut, scrambled the ball home from an excellent corner. Next week will see the return of 3 of last year's squad which will strengthen Northend considerably. Final score 6-1

Man of the Match: Euan McSparran.

Panel: E McSparran, F McQuillan, R Sang, C McMillan, J Morrow, P Esler, H Wylie (c), C McGaughey, Wilson, J Montgomery, C Mullan