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Northend Youth 3 Coleraine Olympic 1 Saturday 6th December 2014

This was an excellent physical game of football with both teams working hard until the final whistle. It was Northend who started the strongest and looked like they were going to secure the first goal with a number of shots each from Liam Allen, Ciaran Martin and Caolan Lennon in the first 10 minutes. It was Niall Devine however, who after some great play deservedly found the back of the net with a super strike, laid on perfectly, by Ciaran Martin. The Northend defence were solid with Jack Connor back on form. Cal O' Brien was letting nothing by him either and made some great runs one of which almost resulted in Northend's second goal just on the whistle for half time. Half time score 1-0

At the start of the second half Northend pushed forward but the Coleraine boys were there to counterattack and made some fantastic runs forward. It was on one of the runs forward that a defensive error allowed Coleraine a freekick which ended up in the back of the net. Almost immediately Northend had the same at their end. Caolan Lennon stepped forward and scored the goal of the season so far to make it 2-1. There were more chances on target with Jack Connor, Ciaran Martin and Niall Devine all putting the ball just over the bar. The Northend defence were tight and thwarted any efforts from the Coleraine boys to secure an equaliser. Darragh Killough, in goals, made a couple of first class stops and was well supported by his defenders. Sam Crawford had a particularly good game and frustrated the Coleraine boys by giving them no time on the ball. Up front Connor McKillop secured a number of corners with some skilful play. The final goal came in the last five minutes when Niall Devine scored a super goal for his second of the match. Full time score 3-1

The hard work paid off this week boys and you showed what you can do when the whole team perform.

Man of the Match: Liam Allen

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

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Northend Youth 3 Coleraine Academy 6 Saturday 29th November 2014

The game started at a good pace with both teams coming close in the first five minutes. Coleraine took the lead after 10 minutes and got their second after another five as they took advantage of a couple of defensive errors. The Northend boys drove forward as the consistently strong midfield made some great runs with skilful passing. Northend piled on the pressure and eventually were rewarded when a super Niall Devine corner connected with Caolan Lennon who confidently headed the ball into the back of the net. Almost immediately and against the run of play Coleraine broke away and secured their third. Northend battled back and, despite the warnings from the Coleraine coach to his players, it was with an almost identical Niall Devine corner that Caolan Lennon scored his second header. Ciaran Martin, Niall Devine and Cal O'Brien in midfield made sure little got in the Coleraine half and laid on chance after chance. In the last 5 minutes of the first half Ciaran Martin laid the ball on for Caolan Lennon who blasted the ball into the top corner. Coleraine let Northend know they were not going to give up their lead for too long and almost on the stroke of half time scored their forth. Half Time score 4-3

In the second half the Northend team tried to keep the momentum going from the first half and for the first 10 minutes it was end to end stuff but some of the Northend boys failed to find the form that they finished the first half with. Darragh Killough made a few super saves to stop the goal difference increasing. The next goal came from a dubious award of a freekick to Coleraine, but there was nothing Darragh Killough could do as Coleraine player skilfully delivered the kick high into the top corner. Northend had shots at goal but it wasn't to be their day. Coleraine also had chances and eventually they broke through to increase their lead beyond the reach of Northend. Full time score 6-3

The boys played some good football this week and everyone showed what they can do. Sean Byrne and Connor McKillop had their strongest performances this season. Keep up the hard work at training boys and it will pay off.

Man of the Match: Ciaran Martin

Panel: D Killough; C Mellon; C Martin; C O'Brien; S Crawford; K Dziadkowiec; C Lennon; S Byrne; N Devine; C McKillop

Northend Youth 1 Roe Valley U10s 3 Saturday 22nd November 2014

The Northend boys had a very strong start to this game. Niall Devine, Sam Crawford and Ciaran Martin all had shots at goal in the first ten minutes but they were all saved by the Roe Valley keeper. It was against the run of play that Roe Valley went ahead with a well taken corner and fantastic shot which left it impossible for Darragh Killough to save. The rest of the first half was all Northend. Kacper Dziadkowiec was playing in a new position as a forward this week and he displayed some great skills in this position. The consistently strong midfield, of Ciaran Martin, Cal O'Brien and Niall Devine outplayed their Roe Valley counterparts. It wasn't long before Northend hit the back of the net. The goal came from a great long pass from Coire Mellon to Niall Devine who confidently put the ball away. The last part of the first half was end to end as Roe Valley came more into the game but both keepers worked hard to keep the score even at half time. Half time score 1-1

The second half was like a different Northend team. Although they still had plenty of shots on target they did not play the way they can and were punished by Roe Valley who scored 2 more. Near the end of the second half the Northend boys started to fight back but couldn't deliver another goal. Final Score 1-3

Man of the Match: Niall Devine

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

Northend Youth 2 Dungiven Celtic 7 Saturday 8th November 2014

Overall this was a great advert for youth football with plenty of shots and saves throughout the game. The difference in the teams was Dungiven's ability to make the most of their chances in front of the net.

The Northend boys settled into the game much quicker this week and for the first 10 minutes had most of the possession but couldn't break through the Dungiven Celtic defence. It was therefore against the run of play that Dungiven opened the scoreline with a cracker of a goal after 10 minutes of play. The middle of the first half was end to end and Northend had a number of good runs and forced corners by the midfield partnership of Cal O'Brien, Ben Harkin and Ciaran Martin but unfortunately the efforts to convert went just wide or were saved by the Dungiven keeper. Dungiven also had their chances and the Northend defence, in particular Kacper Dziadkowiec worked hard to close them down but despite a couple of great saves from Darragh Killough and a great header of the line by Caolan Lennon, Dungiven added 3 to their tally. The Northend boys, aware that the scoreline did not reflect the play, fought hard and pushed forward at every chance. They got rewarded for their efforts when Sam Crawford run onto a through ball from Ben Harkin to drive the ball high into the back of the net. Minutes later Sean Byrne made a great defensive clearance through to Caolan Lennon who in turn laid the ball onto Sam Crawford who made it 4-2. Half time score 4-2

The second half started with Dungiven Celtic pushing Northend back into their own half. Dungiven looked threatening in front of goal and it was only minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty after a Northend handball. Darragh Killough stretched high to make a great save but the rebound fell to Dungiven who just had to tap it into the back of the net. Northend finally settled after 10 minutes of pressure and Ciaran Martin and Ben Harkin made some fantastic runs forward with great pace and Connor McKillop coming close to connecting. The next goal for Dungiven came minutes later after a Northend defensive error but the Northend boys did not give up and secured most of the play. The last goal of the game came from a strong free kick for Dungiven from the halfway line straight into the back of the net with nothing Darragh Killough could do to stop it. Northend continued to push for a goal but it wasn't to be.

The boys should once again take heart in the football they played and their efforts right to the whistle - their skilful football was commented on by the referee - continue to work hard at training and listen to your coach boys and you will see the rewards.

Men of the Match: Darragh Killough and Ben Harkin

Panel: D Killough; C Mellon; C Martin; C O'Brien; S Crawford; K Dziadkowiec; C Lennon; B Harkin; S Byrne; C McKillop