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Northend United 5 Coleraine Young Ladies U13s 1 Saturday 23rd May 2015

This was a great physical game of football and the Northend boys rose to the challenge of the older and physically stronger girls team. The boys passed the boys well and used their pace and agility to their advantage. Within the first 5 minutes Northend had 3 shots that hit the post or went just wide. Northend were left playing 1 man down for about 10 minutes after a bad clash of heads left Jack Connor sitting out for a while. When Coleraine went on the counterattack they looked dangerous but Kacper Dziadkowiec, in his debut in goals, made some good saves to keep the scoresheet Half time score 0-0

In the second half the pace of the game picked up and while Northend had most of the possession the Ladies stepped their game up also. A few minutes into the second half and Northend were rewarded by a great strike from Kevin Cosgrove to open the scoreline. Kevin very quickly put away a 2nd. The Coleraine Ladies came back with a strike hit the back of the net with nothing Kacper could do. They nearly drew even but Kacper managed to keep the ball out. The Northend boys realised the girls were not going to give up and pushed the ball forward with some skilful passing and great teamwork. The last part of the second half saw a number super strikes with 3 of these finding the target as Caolan Lennon, Niall Devine and Ciaran Martin struck home. Full time score 5-1

This skill and teamwork demonstrated in this game showed just how far these boys have come on both individually and as a team this year. They have been a pleasure to coach. A special mention must go this week to Kacper Dziadkowiec who, in goals for the first time, made some superb saves - well done Kacper.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: K Dziadkowiec; N Devine; B Harkin; J Connor; S Crawford; C Martin; C Mellon; C Lennon; K Cosgrove

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Northend United 2 Ballycastle United 4 Saturday 9th May 2015

These two teams have met on a number of occasions this season and it is great to see how far they have both come on. Once again this week it was Northend who started this game the stronger as they enjoyed most of the possession. There were a few changes in positions as a result of some players not being available and it was Kacper Dziadkowiec, playing centre forward for the first time, who almost opened the scoreline with a powerful strike which hit the bar. He had another effort within minutes but failed to find the back of the net. Ballycastle then caught Northend on the counterattack and managed to put one away to take the lead. Ballycastle came into the game more and Daire Killough was forced to make a few saves and he did so skilfully but Ballycastle scored again. Half time score 0-2

The second half saw some great football from both sides. Northend dug deep and drove forward to put Ballycastle under pressure, with misses from Ciaran Martin, Cal O'Brien, Jack Connor and Niall Devine. Within a fifteen minute period four goals were scored, 2 at each end - with a Ballycastle OG, followed by a couple of Ballycastle goals, and then the final one coming with Ciaran Martin chipping the goalkeeper. Northend didn't give up but it was Ballycastle who were the winners on this occasion. Final score 2-4

Men of the Match: Niall Devine, Coire Mellon

Panel: D Killough; C O'Brien; N Devine; B Harkin; J Connor; S Crawford; C Martin; K Dziadkowiec; C Mellon

Northend United 3 Ballycastle United 1 Saturday 18th April 2015

Northend started this game confident and enjoyed most of the possession, especially in the first 10 minutes when Niall Devine, Cal O'Brien and Ciaran Martin all had shots at the goal but failed to open the scoring. Caolan Lennon, Sam Crawford and Jack Connor were tight in defence and let nothing past. It looked like the break for Northend would come, 5 minutes before half time when Ciaran Martin gained possession and after taking on a number of Ballycastle players put the ball at Cal O'Brien's feet and Cal's shot went just wide of target. The Northend boys were then taken by surprise when a Ballycastle run ended with a goal to finish the first half 1-0 to Ballycastle. Half time 0-1

he second half started again at a fast pace with the Northend boys determined that the score would reflect their efforts. A Ballycastle clearance from their defence was picked up by Caolan Lennon who was the first of the Northend boys to score when his super strike went right under the Ballycastle keeper. The game was more even the second half with both teams pushing forward and Peter Bristow and Kacper Dziadkowiec working hard to keep Ballycastle from going in front. At the other end Northend kept the Ballycastle keeper on guard also. The next goal was Northends when Niall Devine looked up and picked out Ben Harkin who made sure he knocked it home. Next followed a number of super runs from Ciaran Martin and with great ball from Caolan Lennon and it looked like Northend could score another. Ballycastle made some good counter attacks and on form Dara Killough made sure they didn't draw even. Ciaran Martin wasn't finished yet and made the most of his pace to outrun the Ballycastle midfield and defence to slot the ball calmy into the bottom left hand corner. Ballycastle had one more effort before the final whistle but Dara Killough made the save of the game to keep the scoreline 3-1.

Men of the Match: Ciaran Martin, Caolan Lennon

Panel: D Killough; C O'Brien; N Devine; B Harkin; J Connor; C McKillop; S Crawford; C Lennon; C Martin; K Dziadkowiec; P Bristow

Northend United 5 Coleraine Young Ladies U12s 2 Saturday 11th April 2015

Some changes had to made to the team as a result of injuries but this did not put the Northend boys off and they started the better team. Coleraine ladies came into the game and began holding their own when a loose ball from the Coleraine defence was met by Jack Connor, who looked up and struck a ferocious shot into the net from 20 yards. This did not deter the Ladies who kept pushing for an equaliser, but good goalkeeping from Dara Killough kept them out. Strong running from Ben Harkin set up the second ball, with another stunning strike, this time from Caolan Lennon. Still the Ladies kept pushing forward and got their reward just before half time. Half time 2-1

The second half started with the ladies pushing for an equaliser, but Jack Connor found Niall Devine to make it 3-1. Northend lost their shape a little and the Ladies took advantage to pull back to 3-2. The ladies could have made it 3-3 but for good defending from Sam Crawford and Coire Mellon. It was then Cal O'Brien's turn to get on the scoresheet with a left foot shot which the keeper could not hold. In the last five minutes Northend started to pass the ball around when Connor McKillop and Caolan Lennon sent Niall Devine through the ball and he made no mistake as he got his second. Full time 5-2

This was a good test for the team as the Ladies are a very strong and physical side.

Men of the Match: Ben Harkin; Jack Connor

Panel: D Killough; C O'Brien; N Devine; B Harkin; J Connor; C Mellon; C McKillop; S Crawford; C Lennon

Northend United 2 Ballycastle United 2 Saturday 21st March 2015

It was only two weeks ago that these two teams met and although the scoreline did not reflect it Northend were the stronger team then - from the start this week, though, these teams were evenly matched. It was Northend who opened the scoreline with a well taken corner from Niall Devine that curled up over the head of the Ballycastle keeper into the net. Ballycastle though hit straight back with a fantastic strike that goalkeeper Caolan Lennon could do little about. Ballycastle kept the pressure on and Caolan Lennon had to make a number of saves to keep the scoreline even. It was Northend's turn then to pile the pressure and there were some great shots on target from Cal O'Brien, Niall Devine and Ciaran Martin. It wasn't long before Ciaran Martin broke through the Ballycastle defence and with a super strike scored to put Northend ahead. It was Ballycastle who scored the next to leave the scoreline at the end of the first half 2-2.

The second half was played at a fast pace with both sides plenty of chances and some good goalkeeping skills on display. Neither could add to their tally and the final score was 2-2.

Special mention this week goes to Sam Crawford who is settling well into his new defensive position and probably had one of his best games this season.

Man of the Match: Niall Devine

Panel: C Lennon; D Killough; C O'Brien; N Devine; B Harkin; J Connor; C Martin; C Mellon; C McKillop; S Crawford; K Dziadkowiec

Northend United 1 Ballymoney United 2 Saturday 14th March 2015

This was another great performance from the Northend boys who in the first half were by far the stronger of the two teams. Northend played some lovely football, skilfully passing the ball and pressing forward putting the Ballymoney team under pressure. They had a number of shots at goal but couldn't manage to find the back of the net. It was therefore disappointing that Ballymoney made the most of a counterattack, and a Northend defensive error to open the scoreline. Half time score 0-1

Northend started the second half the better of the two sides and looked more like scoring. A great run starting in midfield looked like the boys were going to get rewarded for their efforts but Ciaran Martin was shoved off the ball in the box just as he was about to take a shot and the Ballymoney defender knocked the ball away safely. The shouts for a penalty were ignored (until after the game when the referee approached Northend to apologise) and the boys played on. By this time Ballymoney were gaining confidence and were much more in the game which was beginning to get more physical. The Northend defense worked hard and Caolan Lennon made a couple of super saves, but another defensive mistake cost them when Ballymoney scored their second. The last 10 minutes both teams worked hard and after another great run by Northend they finally got the goal they deserved when Connor McKillop was in the box to connect with the ball and put it beyond the goalkeepers reach. Full time score 1-2

Once again all the boys played well and demonstrated skilful football. A special mention is deserved for Connor McKillop who had his best performance this season.

Man of the Match: Ben Harkin

Panel: C Lennon; D Killough; C O'Brien; N Devine; B Harkin; J Connor; C Martin; C Mellon; C McKillop; L Allen

Northend United 1 Ballycastle United 2 Saturday 7th March 2015

This was a super game of football from the start to the final whistle. Within the first minute Cal O'Brien had put the Northend boys ahead with a cracker of a goal. There were plenty more chances with shot after shot going just wide of the goal and it was obvious the strong wind was not helping. The boys battled on and were well on top of this game winning most of the possession. After 10 minutes they should have gone 2 up when a dubious decision from the referee disallowed a goal which seemed to be just over the line. Then against the run of play Ballycastle went on the attack taking the Northend boys by surprise. Northend did win possession back but another strange decision by the referee afforded Ballycastle to draw even from a direct free kick as a result of a passback within the box. Half time score1-1

The goal at the end of the first half gave Ballycastle a boost and the second half was more of an even match. Northend had numerous chances to score but were unlucky. To be fair to Ballycastle the strong wind put a few of their good chances just wide but they managed to put the important one away and edged ahead 2-1. The last 10 minutes were a great display of football both teams but none more so than Caolan Lennon who on his debut in goals saved two fantastic goals to keep the scoreline at full time 2-1.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: C Lennon; D Killough; C O'Brien; S Crawford; N Devine; S Byrne; B Harkin; J Connor; C Martin; C Mellon; C McKillop