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Warrenpoint Town 5 Northend United 0 NIBFA Plate Saturday 28th October 2023

Northend United Youth U11s had a long journey to Warrenpoint today for our away match in round 2 of the NIBFA Plate. We came up against a strong Warrenpoint Town u11 team who were clinical in front of goal, converting most of their chances.

Northend started slow, sat back and didn't put Warrenpoint under pressure when on the ball allowing their players time to find the right pass.

Warrenpoint went 1 up after a well worked goal. Northend had a few chances with Warrenpoint keeper making some good saves. Northend started pressing high and putting their opponents under pressure which forced them to make mistakes. Unfortunately, Warrenpoint's 2nd goal came via a penalty when their winger went down inside the box. Half time: 2 - 0

Northend started 2nd half better and continued to press all over the pitch and put Warrenpoint under pressure. We had a few opportunities to pull a goal or 2 back, but shots just wide of the target and more good saves by Warrenpoint keeper kept Northend from evening up the scoreline.

Warrenpoint continued to play good football and after few passages of play scored another 3 which went unanswered by Northend. Full time: 5 - 0

Player of the Match: Cormac McGill

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

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Northend United 5 Carrick Rangers Colts 0 Saturday 21st October 2023

What a performance by Northend United Youth 2013s today against Carrick Rangers Colts. From the start, Northend were up for it, working hard, pressing and putting Carrick on the back foot. This work rate paid off with Carrick scoring an own goal while under pressure at the back.

With the Blues passing and movement creating lots of chances, more goals were certain to come. The 2nd came from Michael after some great play. Conal Devlin's vision and through balls created additional chances for the Blues attack. Fionn soon slotted home a 3rd after another great passage of play. Great work and effort continued down the wings by Cormac and Fionn with Jack and Caelan providing support. Michael Killough popped up to score his 2nd from a counter-attack putting Northend 4 up. Half time 4-0

The second half saw Northend continue to pile on the pressure creating chance after chance. Another through ball and finish by Fionn made it 5. Carrick pushed forward but Northend defence stood strong and worked as a defensive unit meaning Seth had a quiet day! Charlie continued to deal with long balls while looking for the pass.

Northend continued to play great football, this time down the left with Conan Goodall showing good skill and a great left footed shot to make it 6. The 7th came from Caelan with a strong shot after good work on the right by Noah. Another chance created with a good save by the Carrick keeper pushing the ball past the post. From the corner Conal Devlin popped up with a header to finish the scoring

Player of the Match: Michael Killough

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

Northend United 3 Lisburn Rangers 1 Saturday 14th October 2023

Having played Lisburn Rangers 2 weeks ago, in what was a tightly contested game(despite what the scoreline showed), with Lisburn coming out eventual winners 4-1, today was all about getting on the front foot, and trying to reverse the scoreline from the last match.

We knew going into the game, that both teams would be evenly matched, and it would likely come down to who wanted it the most.

From the first kick off, both teams battled hard for every ball, with chances falling for both sides. Deadlock would eventually be broke, when a cleverly lobbed ball forward from Conal, would fall into the path of the forward run from Cormac, who calmly slotted the ball into the net.

Not to be out done, Lisburn kept piling on the pressure, and would be denied only by the post itself. Battles continued all over the pitch, and the halftime whistle went with Northend in the lead. Half time 1 - 0

We knew going into the second half, that Lisburn would push more players forward in the second half, so we were prepared for the extra space that was going to open up for us to attack. Credit to Lisburn who pulled 1 back early on, but the Blues kept their heads up, and were now creating chance after chance.

With Michael now being a constant threat running onto any balls being played threw, it was only a matter of time, until we bagged a second. The second would come from a goal kick, sent long by Charlie, with Michael quick as a whippet onto the end of it, to slot it home for the Blues second of the game.

Lisburn where struggling to deal with Michael’s pace, and shortly after, Michael would find himself on the end of another cute pass played threw, only to be brought down in the box for a penalty. Step up Conan, and bang, back of the net for number 3!!

The Blues would go onto to see the game out, and finish 3-1 winners. What a fantastic game of football played by both teams, an absolute treat to watch. Special mention to the entire group today. Was a fantastic team performance. Keep up the good work. Full time 3-1

Player of the Match: Conal Devlin

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

Northend United 0 Linfield 4 NIBFA Cup Saturday 7th October 2023

From the moment we saw this fixture, we knew we were going to be up against it. So the emphasis was on going out, enjoying the fixture, sticking to the basics, and doing their best.

It wasn't long into the first half, when the quality of Linfield became clear. Unlike any team we had come up against before. The calmness on the ball, the movement of the ball, and the passing, was simply next level.

With Linfield creating chance after chance, and the Northend back 3, doing their best to shut down any attacks, it was only a matter of time, until Linfield found the back of the net. Seth came to the rescue on multiple occasions.

All we asked for in the second half, was for the boys to continue to battle and contest every ball. The performance in the first half wasn't bad at all, but with Linfield grabbing an early second half goal, heads dropped, and Linfield would go on to control the second half, and take their chances. They were patient in their build up play, and critical with their finishing.

A special mention to the Linfield players and coaches, who were humble in their victory, and played the game in great spirit. Full time 0-4

Player of the Match: Seth O Mulvenna

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

Northend United 1 Lisburn Rangers 4 Saturday 30th September 2023

This week’s match saw us take on an inform Lisburn Rangers side. The first half saw the Blues create the better of the chances, only to be denied on several occasions by a great performance from the Lisburn goalkeeper.

Lisburn chances in the first half where limited, and Seth was called upon on 2 occasions to deny a Lisburn goal, getting down low to palm one of the line!! A great first half performance from the whole team. Half time 0-0

This was definitely a game of 2 halves. After the Blues dominated the first half, the second half would see the opposite, with Lisburn finding their feet, and staying disciplined in the fundamentals, simple pass and move, saw the Lisburn side create chance after chance, and eventually they found the back of the net for the first goal of the game.

Northend heads dropped a little, and shortly after, Lisburn found a second. The Blues continued to try and create chances down the wings and through the middle, but the passing that had been on show between the players, and been vital in our attacking play in the first half, now seemed like a distant memory, and it almost looked like it was everyone for themselves.

The lack of passing and communication between the Blues, led to more turnovers, and the Lisburn side capitalised on this and bagged 2 more goals.

One final attack, saw Michael run onto a through ball, and calmly slot it in the bottom corner to give the Blues their only goal of the match. Full time 1-4

Player of the Match: Noah McGarry

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

Oxford Sunnyside 2 Northend United 2 Friday 22nd September 2023

What a game of football. I know grassroots football isn't about the results, but how we haven't come away with a win tonight has me baffled.

From the first whistle, the boys were on the front foot, pressing high up the pitch, and when they had possession, the Blues were spreading the ball well, creating lots of chances going forward. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a final pass, to get any shots off, with most of the Blues shots in the first half coming from long range.

Caught on the counter-attack that seem to come from nowhere, a crossed ball managed to find its way into the back of the blues net. Half time 1-0

The second half saw the Blues continue in the same high press, and it was all one way traffic with the Blues creating chance after chance. Again, caught out with a through ball, and a mix up at the back, saw Oxford bag another goal to go 2-0 up.

The Blues stuck to the plan, and continued to play their game as planned, and after a cracking shot, saved by the keeper, only for Noah to follow in and slot it home to get the Blues back in the game. 2-1, now game on.

The Blues now ramped up the pressure and played arguably the best football that I have seen them play to date. Continuing to create chance after chance, with Conan and Liam Og unlucky not to bag a goal, with some great saves, and a couple of the cross bar, it was only a matter of time until the Blues bagged another one, and soon after, Noah, scored his second of the game.

Now with everything level, it looked like the Blues would grab a winner, and continued to pile on the pressure. Another couple of chances created, but unfortunately couldn't find the back of the net. Full time 2-2

With regards to POTM, this was a tough one tonight, with so many good performances all over the pitch. So, with a really calm and settled performance at the back, with the vision to get the ball going forward and start multiple counter attacks, tonight POTM is Jack. Well done Jack, keep up the good work.

Player of the Match: Jack Curry

Panel: Seth O Mulvenna, Cormac McGill, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Charlie Herald, (c), Jack Curry, Noah McGarry, Liam Og Lyness, Corey Kearns, Fionn McGarry

Northend United 2 Castlewellan Town 0 Friday 15th September 2023

What a fantastic effort from the kids tonight under the lights at the Crewe United pitch. The Blues were on the front foot from the first whistle, putting pressure on the ball, and breaking up attacks early on. Creating several chances, only to be denied by a Castlewellan keeper in fine form.

Castlewellan gave us a few frights as the half went on, creating a few good chances, only to be denied by our goalie Seth, and some last ditch defending from the back 3. Half Time 0-0

After a regroup at half time, the Blues piled on the pressure in the second half and were now starting to pass and move the ball well, and it was all one way traffic, with the Blues applying pressure high up the pitch, and starting to create more chances. A few more fantastic saves from the Castlewellan keeper, and I started to think it wasn't going to be our night, but credit to the kids, they kept pushing, and a goal soon followed, with Michael Killough running onto a through ball, and slotting it in the back of the net.

Now into the last ten minutes, and Castlewellan tried to send everything forward, but credit to the Blues, they remained disciplined, breaking up any attacks, and driving forward on the counter attack. Again, their persistence paid off, with Fionn running through on goal, and slotting the ball into the net, to make it 2 nil to the Blues. Full time 2-0

Great performances all over the pitch tonight. Well done everyone.

Player of the Match: Conal Devlin

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

Northend United 0 Glendowan 4 Saturday 9th September 2023

Another fantastic morning to be out of bed early and heading to Lisburn for a game of football.

Lots of positives to take away from today's game. The kids where more comfortable on the ball today, and in the first half, had some fantastic passages of play out from the back. They were holding on to the ball more, and going down the wings, we were seeing more support, which was missing from last week’s game. Unfortunately, we found it difficult in the final third, and the Glendowan defence proved difficult to break down. Half time 0-2

In the second half, the lack of substitutions available for the Blues, was starting to show, and under the blistering heat, bodies were starting to tire. That being said, Noah and James proved to be a nuisance for Glendowan, as they repeatedly created chances down the left wing, with lots of quality crosses being put into the box, we simply couldn't get on the end of any of these to get on the score sheet.

Special mentions today to James and Conal. James for stepping up and playing a second game today, providing some of the players with a welcomed break in that heat, and Conal for his constant running and tenacity winning the ball back, and breaking up attacks. Full time 0-4

Player of the Match: Conal Devlin

Panel: Seth O Mulvenna, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Charlie Herald, (c), Michael Killough, Noah McGarry, Jack Curry, James Mullan, Corey Kearns, Fionn McGarry

Northend United 1 Oxford Sunnyside Stars 6 Saturday 2nd September 2023

Fantastic weather to kick of the season this morning. The Blues knew we were facing tough opponents as we’d been placed in Red level, whilst the league work on finding the right level for each team.

The Blues started off well, all be it, we were doing a lot of defending, as Sunnyside created multiple chances. For the first 15 minutes we managed to keep the game tight, but once Sunnyside grabbed the first goal, they continued to have the better of possession, and controlled the game very well.

Northend struggled going forward, as the Sunnyside team dominated the midfield. The Blues never gave up, and kept pushing forward, and late in the second half, their persistence paid off, with some great attacking down the left, which led to a corner, and from the resulting corner, the Blues grabbed a goal. Good effort all round, and another great experience under their belt. Onto the next one.

Panel: Seth O Mulvenna, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Charlie Herald, (c), Liam Og Lyness, Michael Killough, Noah McGarry, Jack Curry, Corey Kearns, Fionn McGarry