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Northend Youth 3 Chimney Corner 4 Saturday 26th February 2022

A blowy early 9am kick-off to this week’s fixture against Chimney Corner. Chimney started the better and had Northend on the back foot. It wasn’t long though until a nice through ball from Barr sent Gordon direct on goal only to see his shot saved. A shy 15 minutes from the Wee Blues unfortunately saw play unchallenged with shots fired at Duffin who did fantastic to keep the ball from the back of the net for the most part keeping us at 2-0. Martin was having a good game on his familiar left wing position and was unlucky to see no less than 3 shots go over the bar. With 5 minutes of the half remaining Barr again working tirelessly with Campbell set Gordon free and this time he buried the ball into the Chimney net. Within a blink however Chimney had another just before half time. Half time 1-3

A good team talk at the break and a few changes to the line up the wee blues had the better second half. The defensive line up of Cairns, Adams and Rennie stood firm and support from Logan worked the ball from the back well. Duffin now in midfield with McAuley brought added energy and it wasn’t long before Duffin slotted one in to make it 3-2. As we pushed forward some gaps appeared and Chimney took advantage, McBurney did well and fearlessly came out and brushed off a blow to the head. Tired legs gave away some free kicks and a loose ball made it 4-2. Again, the game swung as the Blues gave everything and Gordon’s attempt miraculously saved 3 times by the Chimney keeper, McAuley’s corner hitting the post and Barr’s going wide it seemed luck just wasn’t with us. With the pressure mounting an in-swinging pass from Gordon found Hector free who beat 2 defenders and smashed the far left of the net to make it 4-3. With time up the come-back wasn’t to be but a great finish to the game. Credit to Chimney corner a well drilled and confident team and thanks to Davy for organising the pitch. Full time 3-4

Panel: S McBurney, T Cairns, D Rennie, L Adams, L Logan, C Gordon (c), J Duffin, S Barr, H McAuley, H Campbell, T Martin, O Hector

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Northend United 2 Anderstown Swifts 0 Saturday 5th February 2022

A cold and windy Saturday morning for the Northend Youth U11s cup match against Anderstown Swifts but a game the players were up for. A number of players just back from illness and some off with Covid though this gave opportunity to try new positions. The game started well with both teams having their fair share of possession, but it was Joe Duffin winning the ball to fire home a long range shot into the back of the net to open the scoring. His first for the team and a well-deserved goal indeed. He had a second thunder shot hit the upright shortly after and a third saved by the keeper. Our defensive back 3 of Mitchell, Rennie and Cairns playing from the back and clearing all of the many corners they had as we dominated possession. Sonny Barr also in midfield showed his true potential with outstanding workrate, desire to win the ball and skill throughout the game. An attempt on goal if not missing its target would have made his day. Hector and Martin down both sides kept the play moving and both had chances to score in the first half. It was mini messi Gordon pushing forward winning a free kick on the edge of the box and somehow finding a gap through a 7 man wall to make it 2 nil just before the half. Half time 2-0

The second half with the wind now blowing against our run of play and De Prato now in midfield adding a bit of muscle we continued to enjoy most of the play. Our defence stood strong though not pretty football long clearances from Mitchell were required all half. Adams had to be on point with the throw ins as the ball held up in the wind and left wing substitute McAuley’s strong left foot proved invaluable to keep the play moving forward. His 2 attempts on goal both going narrowly wide. Several more chances came and went but nothing further gained in the second half. Great result in a cup game today but to see some of the key training drills now coming into play each week which is much more important than any win. Full time 2-0

Man of the Match: Sonny Barr - his determination and skill stood out today well done.

Panel: J Da Prato, S Barr, C Gordon, L Adams. J Duffin, J Mitchell, D Rennie, T Martin, T Cairns, O Hector, H McAuley

Northend United vrs Anderstown Community Saturday 15th January 2022

Anderstown started off more brightly seeming to be on the front foot from the start and scoring in the 12th minute from a through ball after a good save from Sam McBurney was followed up in the box. Northend showed grit and determination to reverse a prime chance from Anderstowntown to pass out from the back. The back Trio of Tiernan Martin, Harry Campbell and Jonah Mitchell clearance to a strong midfield partnership of Cahal Gordon and Jude Da Prato allowed Joe Duffin to free himself on the right hand side to provide a superb assist for Harry McAuley coming in to slot it in the back of the net.

The next 15 minutes proved a tough match of attrition, with a standout performance from Olly Hector battling hard and using his speed effectively to hold up the ball on the right and give his team a few chances that were just about cleared away from the opposition who dug in deep. These tit for tat attacks produced some superb attacks from Northend with Cahal Gordon hitting the post and Joe Duffin hitting the upright. Unfortunately, the award of a penalty for Anderstown in the last 10 Minutes of the 1st half resulted in a goal. This gave Anderstown added confidence to create another chance from a through ball catching out the defence and the opposition scoring the Third goal just before the end of the half. Half time 1-3

With the introduction of Daniel Rennie, Sonny Barr and Thomas Cairns at the start of the second half and with Joe Duffin becoming Keeper to let Sam McBurney out, Northend continued to create chances with Gordon latching onto a pass from McBurney to make it 3-2 just before 35 minutes. This spurred the team on to push harder but Anderstown were staying resolute and showing a passing game that was hard to breakdown.

Gordon again came close with a superb shot after a pass from Cairns gave him sight of goal only to hit the post again.

Anderstown now settled down after the fright and the accurate passing game paid off in the closing stages when they were finally able to put the ball past stubborn Duffin in goals, who was determined to stay on even after getting a slight head knock in the confusion of the ball going in. Full time 2-4

All in all a tough game with the luck being with the opposing side on this occasion- well done all

Men of the Match: Olly Hector, Cahal Gordon and Joe Duffin

Panel: S McBurney, J Duffin (c), H Campbell, J Mitchell, C Gordon, J Da Prato, O Hector, H McCauley, T Martin, T Cairns, L Adams, S Barr, D Rennie

Ballymena United vrs Northend United Saturday 8th January 2022

Local derby this week with Northend Youth 2011s taking on Ballymena United 2011s at the Showgrounds, thankfully saving the trip to Lisburn. It’s always good to see these two teams battle it out and today was no exception. Both well matched in all aspects and both teams sharing many friends. Northend started the stronger of the two with both Hector and Cairns feeding a number of passes to Gordon who went close within the first 5 mins. The strong midfield duo of De Prato and McBurney were on top form with most of the action happening in the centre of the pitch. Ballymena pushed back hard and new signing Joe Duffin, starting as goal keeper today, was on fire. Nothing was getting past him and his enthusiastic performance was great to see. The defensive trio of Mitchell, Rennie and Campbell also had to work really hard as Ballymena placed a number of free kicks into the Northend box. It was just before the half and with a free kick just outside the box Gordon fooled the United defence and unselfishly slipped the ball to De Prato who exquisitely finished to make it 1 nil to Northend. Half time 0-1

The second half started well and some fresh legs with Barr and Adams introduced it was a similar story as the first half, both players slotting into positions and keeping the high tempo of the game. Both teams also had equal chances but with Christmas just past, legs started to tire and Ballymena pushed once again but with no doubt super keeper Duffin wasn’t having any of it! A few saves and goal mouth scrambles he kept the score line in our favour. With minutes to go some good clearances seen Gordon break free of his markers only to see his shots go narrowly wide. A great start to the New year and the Turkey well run off. Thank you to Neil for sorting the pitch out today and good luck for the rest of the season. Full time 0-1

Man of the Match: Joe Duffin

Panel: J Duffin (c), H Campbell, J Mitchell, D Rennie, J Da Prato, S McBurney, T Cairns, O Hector, C Gordon, L Adams, S Barr

Northend United vrs Dromara Village Saturday 11th December 2021

The U11s Youth team had a cold wet end to 2021 matches with a tough fought game against Dromara village. With players returning from AQE and others needing game time it was a chance to change things up and put a few players in unfamiliar positions. Northend started well and had a good run of play with Sonny Barr, Olly Hector and Daniel Rennie working hard against the Dromara defence. Harry Campbell was tested and was having to be tough with some great tackles. Our midfield 2 Thomas Cairns and Joe Duffin we’re kept busy and had a tough task to keep possession of the ball. A few poor clearances saw Dromara score 2 in quick succession and a questionable penalty given to make it 3 nil. This was the wake-up call Northend needed and showed players have to adapt to new positions when called upon. A few fresh legged subs to lift the heads started to change the game. Our defensive trio of Harry Campbell, Harry McCauley and Lilly Adams started to gel and thwarted anymore Dromara runs. Half time 0-3

A few more subs and positional changes to a more familiar line up seen the game switch. Tiernan Martin on the left crosses a sweet ball across goal for Thomas Cairns to open the scoring for the Blues. With Jude De Prato and Jonah Mitchell energising midfield seen Martin off again down the left to finish a great left foot shoot into the top corner. Dromara again hit back with 2 well taken corners sneaking past the front post to slow down the game. Leon Logan went just wide with a right foot bolt from just over the half-way and won a few words of encouragement and Cahal Gordon showing his Messi like ability to round a defender and banding in our 3rd. The chase was on and with a calm head De Prato placed a long range free kick just under the bar to make it 4-5. With a few minutes left chances came and went but it just wasn’t to be. Congratulations and thank you to Dromara for a great game. Full time 4-5

Player of the Match: Harry Campbell – Fantastic work rate in defence after 3 weeks off with AQE tests

Panel: H McAuley, D Rennie, J Duffin, J Da Prato, L Logan, S Barr, H Campbell, L Adams, J Mitchell, T Martin, T Cairns, O Hector, C Gordon

Hillsborough Boys vrs Northend United Saturday 13th November 2021

Another great performance from our ever improving U11 Youth team, who narrowly lost against home side Hillsborough. The Wee Blues started on the front foot and had the majority of the possession and the chances in the first half. The Hillsborough defence was a very good big physical line up but with no less than seven shots on goal and some great saves by our goalkeeper we could not take the lead. Daniel Rennie showing his tough side after a shot to the face refusing to be subbed was a show of his character. It was two sloppy periods in the half that opened up chances for Hillsborough to score. An unintentional hand ball in the Northend box at u11s deemed a penalty which young De Prato stood firm, saved and kept the comeback within reach. Half time 2-0

With fresh legs and a few substitutes made, the pace of the game changed, though the Wee Blues continued to dominate. The Wee Blues were finally rewarded for their efforts with an obvious penalty. Cahal Gordon netted for Northend and quickly looked for a restart. The energy levels shot up as Northend chased the equaliser and with 3 minutes to go, Olly Hector made a run from the back line scoring for the Wee Blues only to be ruled offside. A second goal was coming but with the full time whistle blown right on the second our time had run out. Team performance this week and just one of those games where chances needed to be put in the net. Thank you to the Hillsborough coaches for your kind words. Full time 2-1

Panel: J Da Prato, D Rennie, H McAuley, L Logan, S Barr, H Campbell, L Adams, J Mitchell, T Martin, T Cairns, O Hector, S McBurney, C Gordon