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Northend United 4 Oxford Sunnyside 2 Saturday 2nd December 2017

This was a massive improvement in performance from last week. Northend started slow and gifted Oxford the first goal in 5th min. The Wee Blues turned it round and started shifting the ball fast and the big Oxford side started to struggle against the slick Northend side. Lewis McDonald and Charlie McIlhatton dominated the midfield area. The Ballymena Blues pulled a goal back when there was a great passing movement involving McDonald as he slotted the through ball for Calvin Termania to slot home. The Wee Blues were now on top were Thomas McLaughlin scored another goal from a corner. Half time 2-1

Into the second half, and with Oxford resorting to some ungentlemanly play, the Wee Blues just keep going. Calvin Termonia got hurt from a bad tackle. Thomas McLaughlin then moved into left wing and Jackson Greer came on 28 min. Northend remained very strong in defence, with Robert Crooks holding the line very well with his partners Mark Campbell and Paul Finnegan working off him.

Northend further extended their lead, when they hit a counter attack with Jackson Greer slotting in the net. As Northend kept pressing, Lewis McDonald had one goal disallowed for offside. Oxford pulled a goal back on 40 minutes. The Blues were just too quick on the counter attack and Jackson Greer got another goal on 45 minutes. Full time 4-2

This was a really good game of football with Northend playing really fast football. Super team performance by all 10 players.

Man of the Match: Lewis McDonald

Panel: D Glass, R Crooks, P Finnegan, C Maguire, C McIlhatton, M Campbell. L McDonald, C Termonia, J Greer, T McLaughlin

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Loughgall Colts 2 Northend United 3 Saturday 25th November 2017

Northend started off on the front foot with Charlie McIlhatton and Lewis McDonald pulling the strings in midfield and Calvin Termonia stretching the Loughgall defence. Northend took the lead, when Termonia cut inside his marker and planted a long range shot past the Loughgall keeper, following good work from McDonald and McIlhatton.

Northend kept pressing and were unfortunate with a number of chances which on another day would have ended up in the back of the net. Midway through the half, the Wee Blues further extended their lead when Thomas McLaughlin scored the second. However, Loughgall pulled a goal back just before half time following hesitancy in the Blues defence. Half time 1-2

Into the second half and Northend weren't as sharp in their passing as the first half and with Mark Campbell feeling unwell, the Blues defence was reorganised with Clodagh Maguire dropping back from midfield and Gary Kenny being introduced up front. Northend kept pressing but couldn't find a way past the well drilled Loughgall defence until Lewis McDonald whipped in a corner which deceived the Loughgall defence and ended up in the back of the net.

Loughgall got their second goal minutes before the end of the match to set up a grandstand finish, but the Wee Blues held on to record another good win. This was a good win for Northend, who were not at their best today, against a very good Loughgall team. Full time 2-3

Men of the Match: Charlie McIlhatton, Lewis McDonald

Panel: D Glass, D Higgins, P Finnegan, C Maguire, C McIlhatton, M Campbell. L McDonald, C Termonia, J Greer, G Kenny, T McLaughlin

Northend United 1 Banbridge Lions 2 Shield Saturday 11th November 2017

The Wee Blues were up against it this week against a much bigger Banbridge Town side. Banbridge started the strongest, with the Northend defence not dealing with long balls or getting their tackles in. Dylan Glass made a couple of good saves to keep the Blues in the match but then on fifteen minutes, Banbridge made it 1-0. This was the wake-up call for the Wee Blues and they dominated play for the rest of the half. On the 20th minute Northend made a great move involving Clodagh Maguire and Calvin Termonia before Termonia's through-ball found Lewis McDonald on the wing. McDonald then cut inside, beating two defenders and slipped the ball past the advancing keeper. This galvanised the Wee Blues but it just wasn't to be their day, as Robert Crooks hit the bar twice from headers and the Banbridge keeper made some good saves to keep them in the game. Half time 1-1

Into the second half and Gary Kenny came on in the striker's role and went on to have a very good game without getting the all-important goal. Banbridge took the lead on the 48th minute when a high cross evaded the Northend keeper and ended up in the net. This didn't deter the Blues and they came storming back again found the Banbridge keeper I top form. Northend had a late penalty call turned down as Peter Finnegan got hit a bad tackle in the Banbridge box but the referee saw otherwise. Full time 1-2

Man of the Match: Dylan Glass

Panel: D Glass, D Higgins, P Finnegan, C Maguire, M Campbell. L McDonald, C Termonia, J Greer, R Crooks, G Kenny

Draperstown Celtic 2 Northend United 6 NIBFA Plate Saturday 4th November 2017

The Wee Blues started off this match on the front foot against a big strong Draperstown side.

The smaller and nimbler Blues side got into their rhythm with some outstanding passing play, putting the Celtic side under pressure. Northend took the lead on the 16th minute when Daire Higgins hit a low shot into the corner of the Draperstown net following a deflection from a corner. The Celtic team came storming back at Northend and equaliser on the 21st minute. Jackson Greer gave Northend the lead just before half time when his pace got him in front of his marker and he made no mistake. Half time 1-2

Into the second half and Draperstown caught Northend sleeping and equalised after one minute. Worse was to follow, when Jackson Greer got injured and had to leave the field. This gave the chance to Gary Kenny to come on and make a name for himself as he ran the Celtic side ragged. Kenny went on two score two goals and further assists from Calvin Termonia and Charlie McIlhatton left the final score 6-2 in the Wee Blues favour. Full time 2-6

Man of the Match: Daire Higgins - never put a foot wrong all day

Panel: D Glass, D Higgins, P Finnegan, C Maguire, C McIlhatton, M Campbell. L McDonald, C Termonia, J Greer, R Crooks, G Kenny