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Northend Youths U11 - HGFYL Tournament Finals Day Saturday 21st April 2018

The U11 Youths were drawn in a tough group at the end of season tournament at the HGFYL at Coleraine University with Limavady, Coleraine Olympic, Bertie Peacocks, Carniny Colts and Tristar the opposition.

First up was Limavady in a tight game that saw defences dominate. A great clearance off the line in the last seconds of the game from Jack Stewart ensured it ended goalless. In the penalty shoot-out Oran McCambridge & Eddie Smyth scored, Limavady ensured it remained level before Jack Nellins saved superbly to give Feargal McKay the chance to win the game, the wee man remained calm and slotted the ball in the corner giving the keeper no chance.

Next up were favourites for the group Coleraine Olympic, buzzing from the earlier win the boys started well putting Coleraine on the back foot from the off. After a period of sustained pressure on Harry Livingstone got on the end of a corner to put us one up. The dominance continued with our defence on top and midfield strong in the tackle. A good clearance from Jack Nellins sent Feargal McKay clear down the right, the winger cut inside his man and smashed his effort into the roof of the net to put us in control with 5 minutes remaining. A late goal from Coleraine didn't reflect the dominance of the baby blues who played some fantastic football.

After a short break it was time to face our neighbours Carniny Colts. The boys started strongly and created a host of chances taking an early lead through a close range effort from Harry Livingstone. Eddie Smyth added a thunderbolt header from a corner to make it 2. Good work in midfield involving Jack Stewart and Eddie McCambridge to set up a chance for Feargal McKay who finished from close range

Our 4th game was against a strong Bertie Peacocks team in an exciting game, the Northend defence was on top. Jack Stewart, Feargal McKay and Harry Livingstone were proving a handful going forward. Good work in midfield by Jack Stewart set Alec McCambridge through to score his first goal for the club.

Our final group game was against Tristar to decide who topped the group, the boys were noticeably tired having played 3 tough games on the bounce. A late goal from Tristar somewhat flattered them in a 2-0 victory.

Our 4 victories from 5 ensured second place in the group and a semi-final against Ballycastle Academy. In a tightly contested game the baby blues had the better of the early chances, twice hitting the woodwork. A momentary lapse from an otherwise flawless defence allowed Ballycastle to score, despite sustained pressure the boys could not get the equaliser.

All in all this was a great performance from the baby blues and highlighted just how far this squad have come, they worked tirelessly for each other and played some great football. Jack Nellins was superb in goals, the defence was solid with Seb Smyth, Oran McCambridge, Eddie Smyth and rotational left backs Michael O'Donnell and Jamie Boyd rarely putting a foot wrong. The midfield of Feargal McKay, Jack Stewart and Harry Livingstone were full of running and linked play superbly. The striker options of Garron Donnelly, Cavan Tully and Alec McCambridge all put in big shifts when called upon.

Scorers: Harry Livingstone (2) Feargal McKay (3), Eddie Smyth (2), Oran McCambridge (1), Alec McCambridge (1)

Panel: Jack Nellins, Seb Smyth, Oran McCambridge, Jamie Boyd, Eddie Smyth, Harry Livingstone, Jack Stewart, Feargal McKay, Garron Donnelly, Michael O'Donnell, Cavan Tully & Alec McCambridge

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Northend Youth 6 Magherafelt Sky Blues 2 Saturday 24th March 2018

U11 Youths were back in action at the HGYFL against Magherafelt Sky Blues. Played in perfect conditions this was an entertaining game from the outset.

A positive start from the North end boys saw them create a number of early chances but a combination of fine saves and good defending kept the game scoreless to the 12th minute. A good passage if play involving Garron Donnelly, Feargal McKay and Fintan McKillop set the later up to open the score from just inside the box. Within a minute it was 2 as again Garron Donnelly and Feargal McKay combined to set Feargal through on goal his initial effort was eel saved but he smashed the rebound to the net.

With confidence high and the boys playing some fine football Harry Livingstone picked up a long pass from Oran McCambridge and his first effort found the bottom corner. Fintan McKillop and Feargal McKay played a neat one two, Feargal looked to have taken the ball too wide but he cleverly cut inside and finished superbly from a tight angle. Up to this point Garron Donnelly had been excellent up top, in the strike of half time he got his reward when he latched onto a through ball from Fintan McKillop to finish low to the keepers right. Half time 5-0

A slower start to the second half saw the boys concede 2 goals in 5 mins. However, as the 3 half time substitutes found their rhythm and the pattern of the first half returned. Feargal McKay and Harry Livingstone were tormenting the opposition down the wings and the pace of Cavan Tully was a threat every time we went forward. In fact, but for some good goal keeping the wee striker could have scored a couple. Late on Fintan McKillop scored a long-range effort to finish off a fine display and secure back to back victories before the Easter break.

Once again thus was a solid performance from the entire squad. We were solid in defence with Oran McCambridge deputising superbly in the centre. Again, we showed excellent attacking options with Fintan, Feargal, Harry, Garron and Cavan playing some excellent football. Full time 6-2

Panel: Jack Nellins, Callum Watt, Oran McCambridge, Jamie Boyd, Alec McCambridge, Feargal McKay, Fintan McKillop, Harry Livingstone, Garron Donnelly, Michael O'Donnell, Joseph McKay and Cavan Tully

Northend Youth 5 Newtowne Youths 3 Saturday 17th March 2018

U11 Youths were back in action at the HGYFL against Newtowne Youths on Saturday. The boys found it difficult to get grips with their physical opponents and hesitancy in defence coupled with individual errors saw the boys trail 2 nil after 10 minutes.

As the half progressed the boys struggled to get any fluency into their play and another individual error saw them concede a 3rd goal. The introduction of Joseph McKay helped steady things in defence and Michael O'Donnell grabbed an opportunistic goal just before the interval. Half time 1-3

A few changes in personnel at half-time saw the introduction of Feargal McKay on the left wing, Harry Livingstone moving to the right and Jack Stewart taking up the striker's role. It was these 3 who started to connect and start putting the passes together. A good pass down the left set Feargal McKay off on a run beating his man and finishing superbly from the edge of the area. The boys could sense a come-back and again Jack Stewart and Feargal McKay combined for Harry Livingstone to grab the equaliser.

Suddenly the game became one-way traffic with Newtowne pinned in their own half. The boys were playing some great football, Jack Stewart hit the post from close range, Feargal McKay went close with a free kick before Harry Livingstone grabbed his second from outside the box. Oran McCambridge and Joseph McKay were pushing forward and setting up play for the front 3. Feargal McKay again picked up a poor clearance and played a through ball to Michael O'Donnell whose first-time effort found the top corner.

This was as good a half of football as the boys played all season. Joseph McKay was outstanding in defence, Oran McCambridge was solid in midfield with Garron Donnelly working tirelessly alongside him. The front 3 of Feargal McKay, Jack Stewart and Harry Livingstone showed all their experience and hunger to turn this game around. Full time 5-3

Men of the Match: Feargal McKay and Jack Stewart

Panel: J Nellins, Oran McCambridge, S Smyth, J Boyd, G Donnelly, Alec McCambridge, J Stewart , M O'Donnell, H Livingstone Subs P Murphy, F McKay, J McKay, C Watt

Northend Youth 3 Portrush Youths 6 Saturday 10th March 2018

U11 Youths were back in action at the HGYFL against Portrush Youths. Missing a couple of regulars, the boys found it difficult to get going, hesitancy in defence coupled with individual errors saw the boys trail 2 nil after 10 minutes.

As the half progressed the boys began to get a grip on the game with Jack Stewart asserting himself in midfield, Feargal McKay causing problems down the right and Harry Livingstone starting to lead the line well. In a five-minute spell that saw Jack Dowds hit the woodwork and two goal line clearances Harry Livingstone pulled a goal back following a good move involving Feargal McKay and Jack Dowds. Another individual error saw the boys concede a 3rd goal just before half time. Half time 0-3

A few changes in personnel at half-time saw the boys put in a spirited performance and putting Portrush on the back foot. An excellent lay off from Cavan Cully set Feargal McKay off on a run his first touch took him away from the defender and his shot on the half volley found the bottom corner. The boys continued to dominate with Garron Donnelly, Cavan Cully and Feargal McKay testing the Portrush keeper. Fintan McKillop fired in a fine effort from outside the box to further close the gap. The second half saw a much better performance with Jack Nellins solid in goals, Jack Stewart strong in a defensive midfield role and Feargal McKay, Garron Donnelly, Cavan Cully and Harry Livingstone causing problems. In a highly entertaining game the 6-3 scoreline could have been 10 each. Full time 3-6

Panel: P Murphy, M O'Donnell, S Smyth, G Donnelly, F McKay, J Stewart, J Dowds, J McKay, H Livingstone, J Nellins, F McKillop, C Cully and C Watt

Northend Youth v Newtowne Youth Saturday 24th February 2018

U11 Youths were back in action at the HGYFL against Newtowne Youths. The boys started brightly and put the opposition on the back foot, some good interchange play between Harry Livingstone and Feargal McKay set up Fintan McKillop to score from close range. The same 3 combined 2 minutes later to allow Fintan McKillop to get his second goal of the game. The early goals gave the boys confidence to surge forward at will. A good run down the left from Fintan McKillop created a chance for Harry Livingstone his snap shot was well saved, from the resulting corner McKillop picked up his hat-trick. Half time 3-0

The second half continued as the first began with Jack Stewart winning the midfield battles and allowing Fintan McKillop to play a free role. Good work from Michael O'Donnell down the left resulted in a corner, following a frantic scramble in the area Fintan McKillop grabbed his 4th of the game. At this stage the boys were dominating the pace of the game and Fintan grabbed a 5th goal following good work from Oran McCambridge, Jack Stewart and Feargal McKay. At 5-0 it was time to clear the bench, Jack Nellins first involvement was to chase down a through ball and slide it past the keeper to make it 6. With the changes and a little complacency Newtowne grabbed two quick goals.

This was a solid performance with Paddy Murphy commanding his goal, the back 3 of Oran McCambridge, Seb Smyth and Michael O'Donnell were excellent. Jack Stewart was immense in a holding midfield role. Feargal McKay and Harry Livingstone played some good football to create chances for the prolific McKillop. All the subs put in good performances when asked to step up.

Man of the Match: Fintan McKillop rounded off a fine individual performance with a fine volley from a corner to take his tally to 6.

Panel: P Murphy, O McCambridge, S Smyth, M O'Donnell, F McKay, J Stewart, F McKillop, J McKay, H Livingstone, G Donnelly, J Boyd, J Nellins and C Watt

Northend Youth v Oxford United Stars Saturday 3rd February 2018

With some pitches falling foul to the weather a bit of last minute fixture shuffling meant the U11 Youths were part of a three-way fixture with Oxford United Stars and Tristar.

The boys started well and dominated the early exchanges against a well organised Oxford side. The heavy conditions made flowing football difficult with the best chances coming from set pieces. A good move down the right involving Oran McCambridge and Feargal McKay setup a chance for Harry Livingstone only to be denied by a fine save from the Oxford keeper. The defence played solidly throughout but we couldn't find a goal at the other end.

Northend Youth v Tristar

The second game saw the boys lose their rhythm with Tristar taking an early lead. An error in defence saw us go further behind 2 minutes later. The last 10 mins saw the boys roll the sleeves up and get back into the game. A good move involving Fintan McKillop and Michael O'Donnell saw Harry Livingstone get on the end of O'Donnell's through ball to finish superbly from just inside the box. The boys lifted by the goal pushed hard for an equaliser but time was against them.

This wasn't our best day out with most of the boys drifting in and out of the games. The one stand-out performance was from Oran McCambridge who was calm and solid throughout.

Man of the Match: Oran McCambridge

Panel: P Murphy, O McCambridge, S Smyth, J McKay, F McKay, J Stewart, F McKillop, J Dowds, H Livingstone, M O'Donnell and J Nellins

Northend Youth v Coleraine Olympic Saturday 27th January 2018

With a number of last minute withdrawals due to sickness and delays with transfer results we fielded a weakened side against a well organised and lively Coleraine side.

The boys started well and dominated the early exchanges going close with efforts from Jack Dowds and Harry Livingstone. Against the run of play a long ball caught the defence napping and Coleraine went in front. A goal just before half time some what flattered the Coleraine boys.

The second half started frantically with both sides asking questions of each other. The boys tired as the game wore on and Coleraine scored another two goals to finish off any chance of a comeback.

Panel: J Stewart, C Watt, S Smyth, J McKay, M O'Donnell, H Livingstone, F McKillop, J Dowds, G Donnelly.