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Northend United 2 Ballymoney United 2 Saturday 21st February 2015

Northend started the game brightly and edged themselves in front after two minutes. Lewis Hector fired a powerful shot towards goal and although this effort was blocked by the keeper, Callum McMurray was the first to re-act to the breaking ball and slot home from close range. The Ballymena boys looked much hungrier for the ball and went close again with a long range effort from David Magill. The blues eagerness to extend their lead from the resulting corner led to them over committing in numbers going forward and Ballymoney equalised through a swift counter attack. Northend quickly settled back into their pattern of play and the central midfield pairing of Kevin Cosgrove and Jack McIlhatton looked comfortable in possession. With eleven minutes gone Northend went close to notching their second when David McKay's well struck shot went narrowly wide. The recently re-structured defensive trio of David Magill, Peter Bristow and Jack Adams looked in impressive from and were more than equal to physical play of the Ballymoney attack. Half-time score 1-1.

Curtis Wilson had time to enjoy the sunshine during the second period as the Ballymena side dominated play for the majority of the half. Peter Bristow went close around the five minute mark with a strong run and shot from midfield. Jack Adams was up next and smashed an unstoppable shot narrowly over the bar from the edge of the box. With eleven minutes gone, Jack McIlhatton made a surging run from his own half and forced a good save from the Ballymoney keeper. Moments later it looked as though the Northend boys had edged themselves in-front when David McKay and Peter Bristow worked a neat short corner, Peter crossed to Callum McMurray at the edge of the box and the young striker fired a cracking half-volley past the goalkeeper and was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the goal-line by a Ballymoney defender. As the pressure built upon the Ballymoney defence Northend were dealt a huge slice of misfortune when a rare Ballymoney attack saw a miss-hit cross loop over the head of the helpless Curtis Wilson. With eight minutes remaining Northend continued to put the Ballymoney defence under pressure, further efforts from Lewis Hector, David Magill and Jack Adams all went close. With moments remaining Lewis Hector made a strong run along the right wing and fired a powerful shot towards goal. The Ballymoney keeper produced another fine save, but it was that man again - Callum McMurray - who followed up the effort on goal and was on hand to fire the ball over the line and claim a very well deserved draw for the team. Full-time score 2-2.

Once again this was a very good performance from the boys today and overall the teams display probably deserved more than a draw.

Man of the Match - A very good performance by the back three - Jack Adams, Peter Bristow and David Magill.

Panel: C Wilson, D Magill, K Cosgrove, P Bristow, J Adams, D McKay, L Hector, C McMurray, J McIlhatton and Corey McMillan

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Mountjoy United 2 Northend United 0 Saturday 14th February 2015

A place in the last 16 of the NIBFA plate was up for grabs as the Ballymena boys made the long journey to Omagh.

It was clear from the opening period of play that this was going to be a closely fought affair and both sides tested each other with early efforts on goal. Mountjoy edged themselves in-front after seven minutes when their left midfielder latched onto an over-hit cross from the far side of the pitch and volleyed a screamer into the roof of the blues goal. Undaunted by the early set back, Northend started to settle into the game and the central midfield pairing of Kevin Cosgrove and Jack McIlhatton were enjoying greater possession. Jack Adams was having a good game in an unfamiliar left back role and linked well with Cal O'Brien along the left flank to create some trouble for the home defence. With the game finely balanced, Northend went close to pulling themselves level on sixteen minutes when a strong run from Owen Campbell led to a thundering effort from Lewis Hector that was blocked by a great diving save. Half-time score 1-0.

An early attack from Mountjoy led to the referee awarding a free kick on the edge of the Northend box and the Ballymena boys were unlucky to see a glancing header bounce off the far post and into goal. Northend always looked dangerous and on eleven minutes a free kick on the edge of the Mountjoy area saw a Jack Adams effort shaving past the up-right. Peter Bristow and David Magill both produced strong performances in defence and Curtis Wilson looked back to his best in goal with some very assured handling. With sixteen minutes gone the Kevin Cosgrove spotted an excellent run in from the right wing by Lewis Hector and the Mountjoy keeper again produced a full length diving save to keep the blues from edging back into the game. Northend were looking the stronger side during this period and a strong run along the left wing saw Cal O'Brien's shot hit the side netting. With four minutes remaining an in-swinging cross from Cal O'Brien was flicked goal-ward by Callum McMurray and agonisingly hit the post. Full-time score 2-0.

This was a very good performance from the boys today and a lot of positives from each of the players. Some great determination shown by everyone after the second goal by Mountjoy and a very strong second half performance shows exactly what this group of players are capable of producing. There was a great reception from the home side and the Northend boy's strong finish extended to the excellent catering provided by their opponents - The sandwiches and buns went down a treat.

Man of the Match: Jack Adams.

Panel: C Wilson, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C O'Brien, P Bristow, J Adams, O Campbell, L Hector, C McMurray and J McIlhatton.

Northend United 3 Berties Little Ants 6 Saturday 7th February 2015

This match hopefully signalled the beginning of the second half of the season for the boys, in what has been a very punctuated season so far. The Ballymena boys looked sluggish in the open ten minutes and despite the best efforts of Curtis Wilson in goal, they paid a heavy price with Bertie's firing themselves two goals ahead. Jack McIlhatton was making a good impression on his debut and scored a cracking goal too, beating three players with a strong run from midfield before slotting the goal past the keeper. The game was a bruising encounter, with Lewis Hector and Owen Campbell working tirelessly for the team and creating good space along the left wing. Bertie's notched another before the break to keep their noses in front. Half-time 3-1.

Kevin Cosgrove move into midfield and for the next ten minutes the Northend boys really pressurised their opponents. The Ballymena boys started to create a few openings for themselves, although Bertie's were always dangerous on the counter attack and were quick to move the ball into wide areas. The defence of David Magill, Peter Bristow and Corey McMillan were looking more assured in the second half and Jack Adams dropped deeper to protect the Northend goal. Callum McMurray finished off a good move to pull the Northend boys back into the game. It was Bertie's though who enjoyed the better slice of luck and as the game went on they notched a fifth to pull themselves clear. Full time 3-6.

Men of the match - Jack McIhatton and Kevin Cosgrove.

A lovely comment from an Official at the end of the game for the boys and 'it is great it is to see a team play with a smile on their face and enjoying their football regardless of the score'.

Panel: C Wilson, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams, O Campbell, L Hector, C McMurray and J McIlhatton

Northend United 0 Ballymoney United 4 Saturday 10th January 2015

This was a challenging draw for the Northend boys against one of the favourites for the NIBFA Cup. Ballymoney won the toss and elected to play with a strong wind at their backs in the first half. Northend started brightly and matched their opponents in each area of the pitch. Ballymoney took the lead after five minutes when they worked an excellent short corner, the Northend boys struggled to get any distance on their clearance and a Ballymoney player made the most of a half chance to edge his side infront. Northend changed their formation with Jack Adams moving into an unfamiliar left back role and the defensive trio of Adams, Magill and Cosgrove stood up to a difficult period of play. Curtis Wilson made a fabulous save from a long range effort and once again gave a fine goalkeeping display. Ballymoney scored their second goal after ten minutes when they were first to re-act to a loose ball in midfield and quickly created an opening. Peter Bristow and Niall Devine began to enjoy better possession and an in-swinging Peter Bristow free-kick led to a half chance for Owen Campbell which saw Owen's effort drift past the upright. Cal O'Brien then made a surging up-field run and crossed the ball into the goalmouth for Niall Devine. The Northend midfielder was upended by the goalkeeper in the box and agonisingly saw his goal bound effort cleared off the line. With half-time approaching, Ballymoney again worked a short corner and as the Northend boys again found it difficult to clear their area a Ballymoney player fired home a half chance to extend their lead. Half time 0 - 3

Northend made a bright start to the half and began to benefit from the advantage of the wind. Ballymoney were under increasing pressure but showed just how dangerous a side they are when they scored a fourth when a fortunate effort wriggled past Curtis Wilson at the front post. Kevin Cosgrove pushed into midfield and was unlucky to see an effort go narrowly wide after nine minutes. Moments later Lewis Hector burst through on goal and went close with a left foot shot. Ballymoney were always dangerous on the counter attack, although the Northend boys created a number of further chances. The pick of these fell to David McKay who made an excellent run along the right wing and his shot forced a top class save from the Ballymoney keeper. Full time 0-4

Despite the score-line this was a very good performance against one of the most talented U11 sides in NI. The Northend boys now have a home draw against Enniskillen in the shield to look forward to.

Men of the Match: Cal O'Brien and Jack Adams.

Panel: C Wilson, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C O'Brien, P Bristow, J Adams, O Campbell, L Hector, N Devine and D McKay

Northend United 4 Larne Colts 1 Saturday 3rd january 2015

After a slow start to the 14/15 season and a pro-longed break due to transfer tests, the Northend boys kicked off the 'New Year' with an impressive display against a physically strong Larne side. Ten minutes had passed before the Ballymena side started to find their way into the game and during this early spell Larne edged themselves in front with a long range shot. Curtis Wilson made an excellent reflex save shortly afterwards and this proved to be the turning point of the game. Jack Adams and Peter Bristow were gaining the upper hand in midfield and it was through some good build up play by David McKay along the right flank that saw the ball break to Lewis Hector. The young striker quickly dragged the ball past his marker and fired the equalizer into the bottom corner of the goal. Half-time score 1-1.

Northend started the second half brightly and the defence of Magill, Cosgrove and McMillan were in commanding from. United's second came from a quick break down the right, Lewis Hector's shot was partially blocked by the keeper and Owen Campbell's strong supporting run left him with a simple tap-in at the back post. David Magill and Corey McMillan each saw long range efforts go narrowly wide and with Jack Adams dictating the play in midfield it was only a matter of time before United extended their lead. With fifteen minutes gone Peter Bristow intercepted an up-field clearance from the Larne keeper and clinically fired home from twenty-five yards. Moments later David McKay fired a shot towards goal and as the keeper dropped the ball Lewis Hector was on hand to notch his second. Kevin Cosgrove introduced further guile to the midfield for the closing part of the game and was unlucky not to get his name on the score-sheet. Full-time score 4-1.

This was a good run out for the boys today following a disrupted start to the season. There were a number of really encouraging performances ahead of a tough cup game next week. When the boys eventually settled into their pattern of play the passing and movement clearly gave their opponents a real problem. Build upon this boys and a good second half of the year lies ahead.

Man of the Match: Team performance - every boy played their part in the win.

Panel: C Wilson, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams, O Campbell, L Hector, and D McKay