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Northend United 1 Warrenpoint Town 2 Saturday 16th December 2023

The boys played a really competitive match today and the result could have gone either way. It was a game of 2 halves. Northend started the match really well. The boys were up for it and put Warrenpoint under pressure from the first whistle. There was good defensive work breaking up attacks with nice forward play to put Warrenpoint under pressure and create chances. During an early push forward Conal found himself in space just outside the box and took a shot which was blocked by the defender. The ball dropped to Michael who went through on goal and finished well to make it 1 nil. Northend continued to win possession and press forward creating more chances. We won a free kick outside the box, Conan struck it well which beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by a defender. Towards the end of the first half Cormac received the ball upfront, turned and made a great attempt from long range which came off the top of the crossbar. We went into the break one up and with Warrenpoint not having a single shot on target in the first half. Half time 1-0

Warrenpoint came out fast at the start of the 2nd half. They were quick off the mark and the score was level within the 1st few minutes after their forward found himself in lots of space with time to set himself and fire a good shot into the top of the net. The battles continued in midfield and down the wings. The play was end to end with strong performances and work rate by the boys. Fionn and Noah made some good tackles and runs down the wings and Michael was a nuisance with his closing down and high press, not giving the defenders any time on the ball. He was quick to pick up breaking balls and force mistakes. Unfortunately, Warrenpoint broke the deadlock and went 2-1 up with a goal from a soft free kick conceded on the left side of the box.

Both teams had more chances to score. Michael had a one on one with the keeper but the keeper reacted quickly, closed down fast and pulled off a good save. Seth had a busy 2nd half and made some great saves and kept Warrenpoint from stretching the gap on a few occasions.

Northend came back into the match putting more pressure on as the second half was nearing a close but couldn't get a 2nd goal to level the scoreline. Full time 1-2

Player of the Match: Michael Killough due to great work rate, battling and forward play.

Panel: Seth O Mulvenna, Cormac McGill, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Charlie Herald, (c), Noah McGarry, Fionn McGarry, Jack Curry, Michael Killough

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Northend United 2 Colin Valley 2 4-5 AET Cup Semi-FinaL Saturday 2nd December 2023

Northend Youth can hold their heads high after a tough match this morning against Colin Valley. We started on the back foot with Colin Valley taking initial control from kick off and putting pressure on our defence. Charlie, Caelan and Cormac battled very well to keep Colin Glen away from goal by breaking up each attack and clearing the danger.

After a short time the boys really settled into the game and were playing lovely football. With some great passing and movement in the middle of the field Colin Valley were on the back foot and feeling the pressure. This resulted in a penalty, given for hand ball from a corner we won after good work down the left side. Conan stepped up to take the penalty which he slotted into the bottom corner to put us 1 nil up.

The great work continued from goalkeeper to striker. Seth and Callum made good saves and Charlie, Caelan and Jack didn't allow Colin Valley in behind. Wide players Noah, Fionn and Cormac stayed wide, worked up and down and created a good few chances with Michael closing down and pressing from the front. It was great to watch the hard work all over the pitch. Halftime: 1-0

2nd half started with Colin Valley getting in behind our defence quickly to bring the scoreline level at 1-1. The boys didn't let this get to them. They pulled themselves together, stepped up and played some great football and created chances. They fought hard, tackled well and continued to press forward but couldn't get that second goal. Colin Valley reverted to dirty tactics and started kicking out and making deliberate and at times nasty fouls. The referee didn't stamp it out which enabled Colin Valley to continue with this approach causing injuries to a few of our players.

Colin Valley then broke the deadlock with a well worked move down the right and crossed into the box with a good finish to put them 2-1 up. Northend kept their heads up and played with intent, showing their ability and never give up attitude. They were pushing forward and trying to get that equaliser with time running out.

Into the last few minutes, one final push forward resulted in Cormac being fouled on the left hand side of the box. He got up and struck a great free kick which was saved by the keeper who couldn't hold on to it resulting in a bit of a goalmouth scramble. Northend were quicker to react to put the ball over the line. Noah confirmed he got the final touch. Full time: 2-2

As this was a cup match, the game went to penalties and this unfortunately didn't go our way today 4-5 to Colin Valley.The coaching team are very proud of each and every one of the boys today.

Player of the Match: Charlie Herald - great defensive performance, battling and work rate

Panel: Callum Quinn, Seth O Mulvenna, Cormac McGill, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Charlie Herald, (c), Noah McGarry, Fionn McGarry (c), Jack Curry, Michael Killough

Colin Valley 3 Northend United 1 Saturday 18th November 2023

This morning we had a tough game against Colin Valley. In the first half the Youth team gave up too much space allowing Colin Valley time on the ball to create chances, they soon took the lead and followed up with another towards the end of the first half. Northend Youth 2-0 down half time. Half time 2-0

In the second half the Northend started better, closing down and not allowing Colin Valley as much time on the ball. Northend created a few chances but could convert. Colin Valley was able to score a 3rd. Northend worked hard and came back into the game. We pulled a goal back from a free kick which was well saved but Noah McGarry reacted first and placed the ball into bottom corner. Some nice work at the back by Charlie pushed us forward and few other chances created but the time ran out with the game ending 3-1. Full time 3-1

Player of the Match: Caelan Donnelly - good defensive work and positional play.

Panel: Seth O Mulvenna, Cormac McGill, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Charlie Herald, Noah McGarry, Jack Curry, Michael Killough, Callum Quinn

Northend United 1 Hillsborough Boys 3 Saturday 4th November 2023

This match started off with plenty of battling by both teams which restricted the number of opportunities created. No clear-cut chances and a few long range efforts wide of the target. Half time: 0 - 0

2nd half saw Northend unsettled, giving away possession with unforced errors throughout the pitch which allowed Hillsborough to push forward and create the better chances. The opening goal scored by Hillsborough via a hit and hope from distance while going into a 50 50 tackle looping over Seth.

Hillsborough scored a 2nd goal soon after with a curling shot from the right hand side into the bottom left corner. Northend settled a bit better from the restart and had a few good passages of play. A good run by Noah down the left followed by a cross into the box. The clearance fell to him with his shot just over the bar.

Northend won a freekick by putting pressure on the Hillsborough defence. This was around 20 yards out, Cormac struck it well which required a good save by Hillsborough keeper. Hillsborough pushed forward again and won a corner. The cross into the box ended up in the net putting them 3 nil up.

Northend started pushing forward trying hard to pull one back, the boys displaying their ability with few good passages of play, last of which ended with Cormac scoring from a shot going in off the post. With time almost up we were unable to close the gap further. Full time: 1-3

Panel: Seth O Mulvenna, Cormac McGill (c), Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Charlie Herald, Noah McGarry, Fionn McGarry, Jack Curry, Michael Killough