Untitled

Northend United 3 Ballymacash Rangers 1 Saturday 26th February 2022

With the U11s having a 12pm kick off this week the OMCO Garden Rooms sponsored team didn’t have the usual slow start and were attacking straight from the whistle. The first goal came after 10 minutes when some good passing from Marco Smyth and Finn Hudson made space for Jonah Weir-Rogers to rifle into the bottom corner of the net. The second goal came just before half time when a free kick was awarded to Northend on Ballymacash’ s by line which Rory Garrett shot and went in off their goalkeeper. Half time 2-0

The second half was very much the same as the first half with Sonny Martin playing centre half cleaning up anything Ballymacash threw at him. Ballymacash got back into the game when a mistake by the stand in goalkeeper made it 2-1. The two goal cushion was soon back when Jayden Cassley collected the ball and skipped past one player and then played an inch perfect pass for Garrett to make no mistake when one on one with the goalkeeper. Full time 3-1

Panel: S Quinn, A Carroll, S Martin, F Hudson, J Melarkey, M Smyth, J Weir-Rogers, C O’Neill, R Garrett (c), D Biegacz, J Cassley

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

Northend United vrs Anderstown Community Saturday 12th February 2022

The OMCO Garden Rooms sponsored Northend United U11s were up against Anderstown Community for the second time in a month and were hoping for the same result as the previous game. As usual the team got off to a slow start and found themselves 2-0 down within 10 minutes. With regular goalkeeper Phelem Devlin being sidelined with a injury, young Jude Melarkey put the team before himself and jumped into nets. Northend got themselves back into the game when a cross by Jonah Weir Rogers hit the defender and went into his own goal. Half time 1-2

Northend changed their goalkeeper at half time with Jayden Cassley jumping in to give Melarkey a run down the wing. A lovely passing move between Melarkey and Weir Rogers put Rory Garrett through on goal who just put his shot wide of the upright. As the half wore on, Northend were camped in Anderstown’s half and Charlie O’Neill had a shot on goal which the keeper saved but Garrett tapped in the rebound only for the ref to call it offside. Attack after attack and it didn’t look like it was going to be our day until Weir Rogers scored straight from a corner. Full time 2-2

Panel: J Melarkey, A Carroll, R Garrett (c), F Hudson, C O’Neill, J Weir Rogers, M Smyth, S Martin, J Cassley

Ballymena United 0 Northend United 1 Saturday 5th February

The OMCO Garden Rooms sponsored U11s United team were up against local rivals Ballymena United in the Lisburn league cup. The match started at a frantic pace with both teams having a few chances but both goalkeepers looked comfortable. Northend took the lead after 15 minutes when good battling by Smyth the ball fell to Weir-Rodgers who went past one player and shot from distance to score in the bottom corner of the net. Half time 0-1

The second half had very few chances, but Melarkey had a good opportunity which just went wide. The best chance of the second half fell to Weir-Rodgers again when O’Neill crossed the ball from the right and Weir-Rodgers guided the ball goal bound only for Ballymena's goalkeeper to pull off a wonder save. Captain Garrett was having a solid game and looked assured at the heart of the Northend defence. With only 10 minutes remaining, Northend were under pressure for the rest of the game with Ballymena having corner after corner, but the team held strong and got the win. Full time 0-1

Panel: S Quinn, R Garrett, (c) F Hudson, A Carroll, J Melarkey, M Smyth, J Weir-Rodgers, C O'Neill, J Cassley, S Martin

Northend United vrs Lisburn Rangers Saturday 15th January 2022

The 2011s had a early 9am start in Lisburn this week against Lisburn rangers and once again they were caught sleeping and found themselves 1nil down after a couple of minutes. Northend got themselves back on level terms when Charlie O’Neill hit a shot at the keeper only for Jonah weir Rodgers to smash the rebound in. The game was end to end with both teams having chances. Phelem Devlin in nets looked comfortable and never looked like he was going to concede again. Just before half time it was 2-1 to the Blues when some nice football from Marco Smyth and Jayden Cassley with the latter releasing the ball to O'Neill on the right who made no mistake when putting the ball into the back of the net. Half time 2-1

The second half continued as the first ended with end to end football with the back line being organised well by captain Rory Garrett. NE went further ahead when O'Neill got his second goal when released by weir-Rodgers. Garrett got the fourth goal when looking to place the ball into the corner the shot took a slight deflection which gave the keeper no chance. Weir-Rodgers got his second goal of the game when he was rewarded for his man of the match performance when he smashed the ball in from close distance following a scramble in the goal mouth. Great performance all over the pitch and a great way to start the year. Full time 5-2

Man of the Match: Jonah Weir-Rodgers

Panel: P Devlin, R Garrett (c), A Carroll, F Hudson, M Smyth, J Weir-Rodgers, C O'Neill, J Melarkey, J Cassley, S Martin, D Biegacz

Northend United vrs Anderstown Community Saturday 11th December 2021

The U11s United team were up against Anderstown Community on a cold and wet Saturday morning, and it looked as if they didn’t want to be there as they found themselves 3 nil down after 10mins. Jude Melarkey had a opportunity to bring Northend back into the game but dragged his shot wide. With 10 minutes of the half remaining the game was now being played in Anderstown’s half and with a powerful display from Marco Smyth and Finn Hudson with some great tackles it was only a matter of time before the score line would change. Northend’s first goal came when Jonah Weir Rodgers skipped past 2 players to hit a shot from distance which sneaked in below the keeper. Anderstown were rattled at this stage and Rory Garrett and Ava Carroll had the defence under control and were reading the situation very well. The Blues got back in the game when Smyth passed the ball out to the left wing to Melarkey who cut in on his left foot to then curl a 25 yard shot into the top corner. Half time 2-3

The second half started as the first half ended with Northend dominating, Hudson and Melarkey were having great success down the left with some lovely passing between the 2. The 3rd goal came when Northend were awarded a free kick which Garrett passed to Charlie O’Neill who took a touch and then hit a bullet into the top corner.

Anderstown had a couple of chances but Phelem Devlin in goals was up to the task and looked very comfortable at this stage. The winning goal came for Northend to cap a remarkable comeback from 3 down when O’Neill smashed a cross into the box which hit a Anderstown player for the 4th goal. Daniel Biegacz was not rewarded today for his work rate, but a tireless shift was needed as the team had no subs and with Garrett going off injured with 10 minutes remaining, the 8 players remaining had to step up. Great performance from the whole team and a great way to finish for the winter break. Full time 4-3

Panel: P Devlin, R Garrett (c), C O’Neill, A Carroll, J Weir Rodgers, M Smyth, F Hudson, J Melarkey, D Biegacz