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Northend United 4 Hillsborough Colts 3 Saturday 31st October 2015

Northend came up against another Hillsborough team and welcomed the return of Shea O'Broin after 3 months out with an ankle injury. The Ballymena boys started brightly with Jay McKeown and Ben O'Neill combining well to set up a corner. O'Broin sent over the corner and the ball fell to Ryan Campbell who hit his first time shot over the bar. They continued to press forward as first Stevie Bristow and then Shea O'Broin went wide with long range efforts. The goal eventually came with some nice play from Ben O'Neill who crossed and O'Broin laid the ball off to McKeown for a neat finish into the corner to make it 1-0. Hillsborough came back into the game with some slack play from Northend and had to rely on George McClean to pull off a couple of smart saves. Zach Erwin was having his usual composed game at the back ably supported Ryan Campbell and the impressive Ben Adams who was nipping in to win the ball and making goods runs forward. Bristow and Billy Bell combined well in midfield to spread the ball wide to O'Neill who crossed for McKeown to get to the ball first and lift the ball over the keeper to double the lead. Late in the first half Hillsborough got a free kick just outside the box. Their striker curled a beautiful free-kick towards the top corner which McClean got his fingertips to but it came back off the bar into the path of the onrushing Hillsborough forwards to leave an easy finish. Half-time 2-1

Early in the second half as Northend were pushing forward, Hillsborough caught them on the break as their striker raced clear to smash his shot off the bar and down over the goal line to leave it all square. Northend raised their game again as first Ben O'Neill had his shot deflected wide, then Jay McKeown was wide with his effort before Shea O'Broin put one over the bar after some neat footwork. McClean had to be at his best again to keep out a couple of Hillsborough efforts and Zach Erwin and Ben Adams made good tackles to prevent another goal. Lee Turner was making good progress down the wing as he played the ball to O'Broin who beat his man and passed it inside to McKeown who laid it off to Campbell who hit a cracking shot but it was saved. The third goal came in the 15th minute as O'Neill slipped the ball to McKeown and he raced clear from the half way line. His first effort was well saved but he brilliantly followed up to send the rebound into the roof of the net. Soon afterwards Ben O'Neill found space before working the ball onto his left foot to unleash an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner. Hillsborough weren't finished as they pushed forward and McClean had to make another smart save but the ball fell to one of their forwards who sent the ball into the roof of the net to set up a tense finish. Kyle Wakefield was playing well in midfield and he passed to Billy Bell who sent Lee Turner down the wing. He crossed to the far post but neither McKeown or O'Broin could get onto the end of it. Full-time 4-3

Man of the Match: Ben Adams

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

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Northend United 4 Hillsborough Juniors 2 Saturday 24th October 2015

Hillsborough started this match the stronger with George McClean having to pull off two smart saves in the opening five minutes. Northend were getting overrun in middle and an early tactical switch to bring Jay McKeown into centre midfield and put Ben O'Neill on the left wing meant that McKeown and Stevie Bristow gained much more control in the centre of the park. This also released O'Neill to make his trademark runs down the flank. Ryan Campbell took a free kick from his own half and Billy Bell won the ball before playing the ball to O'Neill but his left foot shot went narrowly wide as Northend were getting into their stride. Then out of nothing McKeown found himself in a half yard of space and he got the shot away but it hit the post. Hillsborough were dangerous on the counter attack but the defence of Callum McAvoy, Zach Erwin and Ryan Campbell were playing well. Another Campbell free kick found the head of McAvoy but his header was well saved for a corner. From the corner the ball fell to Campbell whose shot hit the post. The goal was coming and it was in the 21st minute O' Neill won the ball in midfield and he played it to McKeown who beat his marker before unleashing a right foot shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-0. Three minutes later O'Neill went on a good run and squared the ball to Bell in space but the keeper somehow saved his shot for a corner. Campbell floated the ball into the area where McKeown rose highest to steer his header over the keeper into the far corner of the net to double Northend's lead. In the last minute of the half Hillsborough broke forward and got a goal after the defence failed to push out as a unit allowing the striker to get in behind them and slot the ball past McClean. Half-time 2-1

Early in the second half McClean made a brave save as the ball hit the bar but ended up getting injured resulting in Ryan Campbell having to pull on the gloves with Ben Adams slotting in at right back. Bristow was having a superb game in midfield covering every blade of grass and the whole team had to put in extra effort in the second half to keep on top of the energetic Hillsborough players. Ben O'Neill and Lee Turner were working hard up and down the wings and McAvoy and Erwin were playing superbly at the back. A couple of corners from Erwin resulted in decent chances for Northend, first a Callum McAvoy header went wide and then McKeown had his header saved. Erwin passed the ball forward to Turner who played it to McKeown who took it forward and got his shot away but the keeper saved it and the rebound fell to Bell to slot the ball into the net. O'Neill had a great shot that went over the bar and then some nice football between Bell and McKeown sent Kyle Wakefield down the right wing before he was bundled over for a free-kick. From out wide on the right McKeown took the free-kick and sent a terrific shot over the keeper into the back of the net to make it 4-1. Hillsborough scored a late consolation to leave the final score 4-2.

This was a very pleasing performance against a team that beat us 4-3 earlier in the season and shows the progress the team has made this season. All the training on Monday and Wednesday nights is really paying off and the coaches are delighted with the commitment and attitude of the whole squad. Keep it up boys.

Man of the Match : Callum McAvoy

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

Northend United 5 Glenavon 1 Saturday 17th October 2015

Northend started the game very brightly with winning at least two corners in the first five minutes and it wasn't long before the deadlock was broke with Callum McAvoy winning the ball at the back and hitting a perfectly weighted pass to send Jay McKeown through and he slotted the ball into the net with ease. Another corner soon followed and as Ben O'Neill hit it in the defender headed it straight back out to him and this time he decided to have a shot himself and in it went off the front post. The first half ended with Zach Erwin controlling the midfield and some great running from Kyle Wakefield. Half Time 2 - 0

Northend started the second half just as they did the first, great work from Jamie Magill and Erwin saw Erwin send McKeown away toward goal again and McKeown in the form he is at present made no mistake for Northend's third and his sixteenth of the campaign. Then great work from Lee Turner and McKeown down the left saw the ball being played into the box and Billy Bell hit it first time on the half volley into the net. Then in a rare switch-off from the Northend defence saw Glenavon score their only goal. This only spurred Northend on as an O'Neill strike hit one post then rebounded off the other and somehow stayed out. Then with minutes remaining as a Ben Adams shot was only half cleared Turner was on hand to slot the ball into the net. Full Time 5-1

A special mention has to go to Ryan Campbell for stepping up and taking the goalkeeper's shirt and did an excellent job. The Man of the Match however has to go to Zach Erwin coming out of Defence and playing the holding roll in Midfield. He protected his defence at all times and started attack after attack.

Man of the Match: Zack Erwin

Panel: R Campbell, J Magill, C McAvoy, B Adams, Z Erwin, K Wakefield, B O'Neill, B Bell, J McKeown, L Turner

Northend United 6 Oxford Sunnyside 1 Saturday 10th October 2015

Northend took the lead within the first 2 minutes as Jay McKeown unleashed an unstoppable free-kick from 20 yards for the first of his 5 goals against Oxford Sunnyside. The opposition responded quickly with an equaliser within 5 minutes as the ball was not properly cleared from the Northend defence. Ben O'Neill was having a terrific game on the right wing cutting inside on several occasions and linking well with the other forwards. McKeown was wide with another effort and O'Neill had his 20 yard shot well saved. Some good play from Stevie Bristow and Lee Turner in midfield put Billy Bell through on goal but his shot hit the side netting. Northend took the lead again after some net play in midfield by Bristow and O'Neill gave Bell the opportunity to run at the Sunnyside defence and he slipped the ball through to McKeown who drew the keeper wide before cutting the ball into the far corner on the net. Bell had a good shot saved and as McKeown followed up he blazed his shot over the bar. A minute later McKeown completed his hat-trick with the simplest of goals as he intercepted the ball from a poor goal kick from the Sunnyside keeper and strolled towards the net before slotting the ball into the corner. McKeown was on fire with some delightful touches and passes to bring wingers Turner and O'Neill into play and it was one of these that started his and Northend's 4th goal. He played the ball to Zach Erwin who brought it forward and passed in down the line to Turner, he played it inside to McKeown who fired it first time into the bottom corner. When Sunnyside came forward the defence of Callum McAvoy, Ben Adams and Zach Erwin were able to deal with it and anything that got past them was dealt with by George McClean who pulled of a good save from a corner. O'Neill had a fierce free kick saved and as Sunnyside broke forward they managed it get it past McClean and as the ball was about to roll over the line, somehow Bristow got back to clear the ball away. Half-time 4-1

Sunnyside started the second half brightly as Northend got slightly complacent and George McClean had to make a good save from a free-kick. Bristow and McAvoy were at their brilliant best to continually cut out and clear the ball when any danger arose. Northend thought they had their 5th goal when substitute Kyle Wakefield burst down the right wing and crossed it to O'Neill in the centre and as it flicked it to McKeown he lifted it over the keeper into the back of the net but it was ruled out for off-side. McKeown was all over the pitch as he won the ball in midfield and laid it off to O'Neill who brought it forward and played it wide to Turner who beat his man and crossed for McKeown but his effort was cleared for a corner. Ryan Campbell came on as a substitute and made a big impact as he was pushing forward at every opportunity, he beat his man but his shot was saved. Next he won the ball at the back, played it down the line to Wakefield who played it back inside to Campbell who had continued his run but his shot was saved for a corner this time. Then the move of the match saw Bristow win the ball in midfield who played it forward to O'Neill, he released McKeown who laid the ball off for Campbell steaming forward to take one touch and send a thunderbolt into the back of the net. McKeown saved his best goal to the last as he picked the ball up in midfield, danced and skipped through 3 defenders before rifling a right footed shot into the top corner of the net to make it 5 for him and 6-1 to Northend.

Man of the Match: Jay McKeown

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

Northend United 2 Windmill 3 Saturday 1st october 2015

Northend came into this shield match full of confidence after a convincing win last week and started very positively but knew they were in for a tough match from the beginning especially from Windmills tricky left winger. Stevie Bristow and Billy Bell were battling hard in midfield to gain control of the match, with Ben O'Neill and Kyle Wakefield working tirelessly on the wings to create the chance for Jay McKeown up front. The first real opportunity came from a free kick won by O'Neill on the left wing which McKeown hit but was saved by the keeper for a corner. O'Neill swung the ball into the far post and Callum McAvoy was on hand to tap the ball into the back of the net. The lead didn't last long as a speculative long range effort from the Windmill midfielder flew over George McClean and into the back of the net. O'Neill crossed the ball from a corner and a McAvoy header was saved and as the ball fell to Ryan Campbell up from the back his effort sailed over the bar. McClean made a super save from a free kick and as Northend broke forward down the right with the energetic Wakefield who won a throw in. Campbell threw to Billy Bell whose trickery beat two players and he slotted the ball inside the near post to make it 2-1 in the 17th minute. Zach Erwin brought the ball out of defence and found O'Neill who beat his man and played it to McKeown and as he headed towards goal was fouled. O'Neill took the free kick which was well saved by the Windmill keeper and as the ball fell to Wakefield he could only find the side netting. Wakefield was again involved as he surged down the wing and played the ball inside to Bell but his shot was narrowly wide. Half-time 2-1

The Newry side came out full of attacking intent in the second half and Northend had to battle hard and defend well to keep them out. McAvoy was in commanding form at the back clearing numerous times and Stevie Bristow was breaking up the midfield attack with some powerful play and composed passing. Windmill kept attacking looking for the equaliser and George McClean had to make 2 good saves to keep them out. O'Neill was always a good outlet taking on and beating his man to set up the odd Northend attack. Ben Adams and Jamie Magill came on and played well with timely clearances but Windmill were piling the pressure on and McClean had to make another good one on one save as the attacker broke through. Windmill eventually make the breakthrough with 6 minutes remaining when the ball fell kindly to one of their forwards who raced through and slotted the ball into the corner of the net. From the kick off Northend lost the ball as one of the Windmill players nipped inside the centre circle and took the ball forward before being fouled 25 yards from goal. The Windmill left winger stepped forward to unleash an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. Northend fought hard in the last 5 minutes but just couldn't find the equaliser.

This was a superb performance from all of the players particularly Kyle Wakefield who worked tirelessly up and down the wing and Stevie Bristow who battled hard in midfield breaking up their attack. It was very unfortunate to concede the 2 late goals, we will just have to come back again next week against the same opposition and make sure we finish them off this time.

Men of the Match: Stevie Bristow and Kyle Wakefield

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

Northend United 10 Glenavy 1 Saturday 26th September 2015

With Northend missing 4 regulars they were forced to make a lot of changes. In the first minute Jay McKeown sped down the left and as the keeper could only parry his shot, Billy Bell was on hand at the back post to score from an acute angle. A few minutes later Ben O'Neill slipped the ball through to McKeown, who placed the ball low into the bottom right corner. As Lee Turner switched the ball to McKeown he pulled it back across the box, and as it sat up O'Neill ran onto it and volleyed it in off the crossbar to make it 3. With Glenavy struggling after a mix-up in their own box, Bell and McKeown linked well for McKeown to slot the ball home. With 10 minutes remaining of the first half, Jay McKeown reminded us of his array of finishing, firstly receiving the ball, after great work from Kyle Wakefield and putting the ball in the top corner with his weaker left foot, then a long range effort with his right only to finish the first half with a bullet header from a Ryan Campbell corner. Half Time: 7-0.

As the second half started the defence of Zach Erwin, Ryan Campbell and Jamie Magill started to get tested a little more and George McClean, who was merely an onlooker during the first half was called upon a few times and his handling was good, but could do nothing about a very well worked Glenavy goal. This only kick started Northend again as O'Neill got his grip on the game again, in Midfield, just as he had the entire first half. With Tyler Boyd and Kyle Wakefield causing Glenavy all sorts of problems down each wing, it wasn't long before McKeown added another and then a 20 yard belter from Zach Erwin followed. As the match came to a close O'Neill hit another from range, which the keeper couldn't hold and Boyd made no mistake of the rebound for the 10th. Full time 10-1

A great team performance and well done to the two debutants, a double hat-trick from Jay McKeown which illustrated 6 different brilliant ways to put the ball in the net, and an outstanding performance from Ben O'Neill who dictated the match from start to finish in Midfield.

Man of the Match: Ben O'Neill

Panel: G McClean, J Magill, Z Erwin, R Campbell, L Turner, K Wakefield, B O'Neill, J McKeown, T Boyd, B Bell

TW Braga 1 Northend United 2 Saturday 19th September 2015

Northend put in a great performance against a TW Braga side who had started the season very impressively. Right from the start you could see the boys were up for the battle with every one of them putting in extra effort compared to last week. George McClean was called upon early in the match with two fine saves but it wasn’t long before the defence of Callum McAvoy, Zack Erwin and Ben Adams got organised to contain the Braga forwards. Ben O’Neill and Jay McKeown combined well to put McKeown through with his effort being saved. Steve Bristow won the ball in midfield and surged forward before spreading the wall wide to O’Neill who crossed to the far post but Kyle Wakefield couldn’t make contact as he slid in. When Braga broke forward Callum McAvoy showed his usual strength to win the ball time and time again and Ben Adams continues to impress each week with his speed and energy. Zach Erwin played the ball forward and McKeown won the ball in the air and as it fell he volleyed it against the bar and the rebound was blazed over the bar by Ben O’Neill. Ryan Campbell floated over the corner and as the ball fell to the edge of the area Ben O’Neill was on hand to fire his left footed shot into the far bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0. Northend dominated the rest of the half as first McKeown fired wide and then Bristow hit a first time volley narrowly wide from 20 yards. Half-Time 1-0

The second half started with Northend on the attack again as Zach Erwin played a long ball forward which McKeown ran onto but his shot was saved for a corner. McKeown swung in the corner and as McAvoy battled for the ball it fell to Tyler Boyd at the back post and from five yards out he made no mistake as he fired it into the back of the net. Braga came back strong and were putting pressure on but they were unable to beat George McClean who was in great form between the posts. Erwin, Bristow and O’Neill were combining well down the left hand side with some lovely passing football creating chances for McKeown and Wakefield but they couldn’t get the finishing touch. Tyler Boyd was working tirelessly down the right wing and won a corner which McKeown took and McAvoy found himself with space into the box but his header was cleared off the line. McClean was called into action again as he made a good save down low and then pulled off the save of the match as he somehow kept out a thunderbolt from close range from the Braga forward. Braga pulled a goal back in the last couple of minutes when McAvoy was off injured but Northend had done enough to hold on for the deserved win after a top class performance from the whole team. Full-time 2-1

Man of the match : George McClean

Panel: G McClean, R Campbell, C McAvoy, B Adams, Z Erwin, B O’Neill, S Bristow, J McKeown, T Boyd, K Wakefield

Northend United 3 Hillsborough Juniors 4 Saturday 12th September 2015

Northend came up against Hillsborough Juniors for their first match on the impressive pitches at The Rec in Lisburn. Northend started this match slowly and struggled to get control in midfield getting used to the bigger pitch and the nippy Hillsborough players thinking that little bit quicker. Callum McAvoy was having a commanding game in defence using his strength to wrestle the ball away from the Hillsborough attackers when necessary and Ben Adams was impressive at left back getting to the ball first and playing the ball forward at every opportunity. Jay McKeown was battling hard up front but wasn't getting much change out of their defenders. The Hillsborough midfielder played the ball forward and as it broke lose in the box their striker got a shot away but George McClean made a fine save. After fifteen minutes Northend lost the ball in midfield and the Hillsborough midfielder ran forward before slipping the ball through to their striker who finished with ease into the corner of the net. Northend immediately upped their game with Stevie Bristow and Ben O'Neill gaining more control in midfield and playing the ball wide to Lee Turner and Kyle Wakefield. The equaliser came in the twentieth minute when Callum McAvoy played a long ball forward and Jay McKeown closed down the defence and got to the ball just before the keeper and rolled the ball into the back of the net. Half-Time 1-1

Northend started the second half on the attack with Lee Turner playing the ball into Jay McKeown but his effort went wide. Hillsborough went into the lead again following some slack defending in the Northend penalty box. Tyler Boyd came on and immediately made an impact as the ball was played forward to him by Ryan Campbell he beat his man and played a lovely ball into McKeown who hit a fine effort into the side netting. Hillsborough went a further goal up with a fortunate effort from out wide that drifted over everyone into the back of the net. Northend responded well and broke forward with a ball from Ben Adams to Lee Turner whose cross was cut out for a corner. Ryan Campbell swung in the corner and Callum McAvoy won the ball with his effort being saved on the line but Jay McKeown was first to react as he stabbed the ball home to make it 2-3. Northend had their tails up and Stevie Bristow played the ball forward to Lee Turner who won a free-kick which McKeown took but it was deflected for a corner. As the corner kick came in McKeown won the ball and laid it off for McAvoy but his shot went wide. Hillsborough got a fourth after some sloppy play at the back but Jay McKeown completed his hat-trick with a superb free-kick from 25 yards that flew into the top corner. Northend pressed for the equaliser but in the end they ran out of time to finish with a narrow defeat. Full-time 3-4

Man of the Match: Jay McKeown

Panel: G McClean, R Campbell, C McAvoy, B Adams, L Turner, B O'Neill, S Bristow, J McKeown, T Boyd, K Wakefield

Carrick Rangers Colts 0 Northend United 0 Saturday 5th September 2015

Northend U11s made their debut in the Daily Mirror Lisburn Youth league on a lovely sunny Saturday morning in Belfast and put on an entertaining display in a goalless draw. Ben O'Neill was in his usual attacking mood and had a good shot early on but was saved by the Carrick keeper who proved to be a thorn in the side of Northend all match with an excellent display. The defence of Callum McAvoy, Ryan Campbell and Zach Erwin were able to deal with anything Carrick threw at them as they got used to the off side rule this year. Jay McKeown worked tirelessly up front closing down the defenders and got an opportunity but his shot was saved. From the resulting corner Campbell swung the ball in and McAvoy had a great chance but his header was saved on the line. Tyler Boyd played the ball through to McKeown who timed his run perfectly but his effort was saved. In the last minute of the first half Stevie Bristow played the ball wide to Ben O' Neill in space but his shot sailed over the bar. Half-time 0-0

Early in the second half Northend continued to dominate possession and Kyle Wakefield had a half chance which he sent wide. Northend had numerous corners throughout the second half and time and time again Ben O'Neill swung the ball in and Callum McAvoy got his head on the ball with his best effort hitting the bar. Carrick were proving difficult to break down and on the odd occasion they came forward George McClean, in nets, was able to deal with it especially a fine save with the feet after a goalmouth scramble. Ben Adams was having an impressive game in defence with his energetic tackling and runs forward as one of his crosses went to McKeown who played in to O'Neill but his left footed shot was saved at the far post. Lee Turner came on in midfield and added good energy to the side with one of his runs being played to McKeown whose effort hit the side netting. Zach Erwin was having a superb game with timely tackles and intelligent passes from the back and as he crossed the ball to Ryan Campbell he hit it on the volley over the bar. With both sides pressing forward for the winner it left spaces at the back and as Carrick broke through it was left to George McClean to pull off a great save one on one with the striker. Campbell had another shot which went for a throw-in and as he took the long throw into the box the ball fell to Stevie Bristow on the edge of the area who unleashed a superb volley which the Carrick keeper somehow managed to save as the game ended 0-0.

It was very pleasing display from the young Northend team with some good performances, especially Zach Erwin and Callum McAvoy and a solid start to the Lisburn league campaign with a point that so easily have been three with a little more luck.

Man of the Match: Zach Erwin

Panel: G McClean, R Campbell, C McAvoy, Z Erwin, L Turner, B O'Neill, S Bristow, J McKeown, T Boyd, B Adams, K Wakefield