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Hillsborough Boys 1 Northend United 0 NIBFA Cup Quarter Final Saturday 11th March 2017

Northend United faced Hillsborough Boys this weekend in a NIBFA Cup Quarter Final game at Lisburn Rec on Saturday in what was an even affair from the start. Northend started the brightest and arguably had the better chances in the first half with Euan Pirie finding himself in some good positions. Callum Burnside came closest to breaking the deadlock with a couple of free-kick attempts, but the game finished in a stalemate at half-time as Northend could not convert any of their efforts. Half Time 0-0

Hillsborough started the second half sharply and the back three of Lewis Devlin, Conor O'Hara and Callum Hendron impressed throughout to keep the attacks at bay. Shea 'the octopus' McGinley was also called upon to make some vital saves to keep Northend in the game. The deadlock was finally broken ten minutes from time, when from a Hillsborough corner the ball broke on the edge of the box and after some initial good defending, a Hillsborough player was in hand to fire into the roof of the net. Northend rallied and attempted to equalise through efforts from Captain Pearse McAuley but ultimately could not find the breakthrough. Northend can be encouraged by this resolute team performance in their maiden NIBFA Cup campaign and wish Hillsborough the best in the semi-finals. Full Time 0-1

Panel: S McGinley, L Devlin, C O'Hara, C Hendron, P McAuley, S Mc Dermott, C Burnside, P Mitchell, E Pirie, H Connon , C McAuley, D Patterson

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Northend United 3 Windmill Stars 0 NIBFA Cup Round 4 Saturday 25th February 2017

Windmill Stars of Newry were this week's opposition for Northend United in the last 16 of the NIBFA Cup at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Saturday. The game started evenly as both teams struggled to get a foothold early on. After some early chances from Euan Pirie and Pauidin Mitchell, Northend finally broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Lewis Devlin rose highest to confidently head home from a Callum Burnside corner. Shortly after the lead was doubled, again from a Burnside corner, when Sean McDermott's audacious front post flick found the top corner. Windmill had a chance to peg one back just before half-time, prompting a fantastic double-save from Shea 'the octopus' McGinley to preserve the two-goal lead. Half Time: 2-0

Northend started the second half brightly and showed good energy throughout with Daniel Patterson, Conal McAuley and Harry Connon adding new pace to the attack. After some great work in tight spaces through Captain Pearse McAuley, the ball eventually broke to Callum Burnside whose thunderous half-volley found the bottom corner of the Windmill goal, sparking off the home team's celebrations. Windmill battled well throughout and the defensive trio of Callum Hendron, Lewis Devlin and Conor O'Hara were called into action on a number of occasions to stifle the attacks and maintain the clean sheet. Full Time: 3-0

Northend will play Hillsborough Boys away in the quarter-finals on 11 March.

Man of the Match: Lewis Devlin

Panel: S McGinley, L Devlin, C Hendron, C O'Hara,,C Burnside, P McAuley, P Mitchell, E Pirie, S McDermott, C McAuley, D Patterson, H Connon

Northend United 6 Antrim Rovers 0 NIBFA Cup Round 3 Saturday 29th October 2016

Saturday saw Northend United U11s return to NIBFA Cup action. This was round 3 and the team welcomed Antrim Rovers to the University in Coleraine. From the start the team pressed, moved the ball quickly and caused Antrim Rovers problems. The game continued with the boys playing some great passing football with players getting the chance to play in various positions.

The final whistle saw the team safely through to the last 16. Big thanks to NWCDYL for hosting the game and good luck to Antrim Rovers for the rest of the season.

Panel: S McGinley, C Hendron, L Devlin, H Connon, S McDermott, P Mitchell, P McAuley, C Burnside, E Pirie, C McAuley, D Patterson

Ballyclare Colts 0 Northend United 2 NIBFA Cup Round 2 Saturday 15th October 2016

The U11s opened their account in the NIBFA Cup on Saturday for the first time against Ballyclare who are flying high in the Lisburn League. The game started off brightly with Northend closing down well with some great passing moves. The pressure finally paid off halfway through the first half when a shot from Paudin Mitchell could only be parried by the Ballyclare goal keeper and Sean McDermott was on hand to finish. The momentum was with Northend now and after some skills by Callum Burnside he was brought down 20 yards from goal. The same player brushed himself down and fired in an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. Half time 0-2

The second half saw Ballyclare come out but couldn't not breakdown the back 3 of Callum Hendron, Lewis Devlin and Conor O'Hara. The one occasion they did saw a great save from Shea McGinley in nets. The game flowed from end to end but no team could add to the scoreline. Full time 0-2

This was a great game to watch, with plenty of brilliant football from both teams. Special mention to the ref who was officiating his first ever game.

Panel: S McGinley, C O'Hara, L Devlin, C Hendron, C McAuley, P Mitchell (Cpt), S McDermott, C Burnside, E Pirie, D Patterson and C Lyness