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Northend United 1 Roe Valley 4 Saturday 25th October 2014

For the third week in a row the Northend boys gave away a goal in the opening minutes of the game. Within minutes, however, they were unlucky not to draw level when some great passing by the midfielders Ciaran Martin and Niall Devine laid the ball at Caolan Lennon's feet. Caolan blasted the ball towards the net but unfortunately the wind was not on our side as the high ball blew just wide of the post. The next ten minutes were end to end with both teams having chances. Darragh Killough made a great save when he jumped high to tip the ball over the net and Caolan Lennon and Niall Devine both had chances that just missed the target. Unfortunately it was Roe Valley who got the lucky breakthrough when a great clearance by Jack Connor was deflected into the back of the Roe Valley net. As with last week, this Northend team did not let the 2-0 scoreline get to them. Instead for the rest of the first half Northend had most of the possession and had further chances to score but each just missing the target or being saved by the Roe Valley keeper. It was definitely against the run of play that Roe Valley scored their third on the mouth of half time. Half time score 3-0

Northend came back fighting in the second half and again had most of the possession. The defence looked much more confident this week with Kacper Dziadkowiec, Coire Mellon and Jack Connor not letting the Roe Valley boys have a shot on target. However, just like the first half despite Niall Devine and Caolan Lennon's efforts they could not find the back of the net and again against the run of play Roe Valley showed them how to do it with their fourth goal. The rest of the second half was all Northend. All the boys pushed forward and it was on one of those drives forward that Coire Mellon, supported by Connor McKillop, defended off a couple of Roe Valley boys to make a great pass to Ben Harkin who won the corner. Ben Harkin's corner was kicked away by the Roe Valley team but Ciaran Martin was there to pick it up and beat two players to play a little back heel into the back of the net. Roe Valley made a couple of runs forward but had one effort closed down by Sean Byrne and the other a great save by Darragh Killough. Final score 4-1

There was some great set play from the Northend boys in this game and once again they played with great spirit.

Man of the Match: Caolan Lennon

Panel: D Killough; C Mellon; N Devine; C Martin; C McKillop; K Dziadkowiec; C Lennon; B Harkin; J Connor; S Byrne

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Northend Youth 0 Ballymena United 7 Saturday 18th October 2014

The Northend boys were without a few of their key players this weekend for this friendly and it showed straight away with a Ballymena United goal within the first few minutes. The boys showed strength of character however as they rallied round and secured most of the possession in the first half. The Ballymena United boys, however, showed excellent technical skills and were physically stronger and they made sure that when they had possession they drove forward at ever opportunity. Despite several excellent saves by Darragh Killough, in his debut as goalkeeper, Ballymena united very quickly increased the goal tally to 4. Half time score 4-0

The second half Northend looked as if they were on a comeback as they started the stronger team but they couldn't find the final pass to put the Ballymena United goalkeeper under pressure. Ballymena United took advantage of a number of defensive errors and again increased their goal tally. The scoreline, however, did not reflect the effort as the Northend boys continued to give a 100%. Cal O'Brien was on form again this week and Caolan Lennon also had a good game. Coire Mellon deserves a special mention as the Northend goalie played his first game this season out of goals. Coire did not hold back and he displayed some good defensive skills. Full time score 7-0

Overall although Ballymena United had a deserved win, the Northend boys should take positives from their attitude and determination right to the final whistle. The Northend boys looked most likely to be a treat in front of goal when they played the passing football that they know.

Man of the Match: Coire Mellon

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

Northend United 1 Limavady Colts 6 Saturday 11th October 2014

Limavady opened the scoreline after 5 minutes as a result of a couple of defensive errors left them an easy shot on target. The Northend team rallied round and played some good passing football. They were unlucky not to draw level within the first 15 minutes when two shots by Cal O'Brien laid on by Ciaran Martin and Niall Devine went wide. Limavady responded with a second goal. The two teams battled it out in the midfield and for a spell it looked like Northend were going to score next. After a series of corners and shots on target Northend were looking hungry for their next goal. It was then that a good run by Sean Byrne was halted by a heavy tackle in the box right in front of the referee. Cal O'Brien stepped up for the penalty kick and confidently put the ball in the back of the net. Half time score 2-1

The start of the second half looked like a different Northend team as they allowed Limavady to get possession of the ball easily and to push forward at every opportunity resulting in 3 quick goals. It took the stunned Northend team 15 minutes of the second half to start to fight back. Kacper Dziadkowiec, in his debut game, worked well with Darragh Killough and Sam Crawford in defence to close down the attacks from the Limavady team. Ciaran Martin in midfield left the Limavady boys standing with a number of good runs forward. Liam Allen came close to scoring twice. Cal O'Brien and Niall Devine also had near misses. However, it wasn't Northends day and it was a fantastic shot into the net from Limavady which finished the game 6-1.

Although this was not the best this team has played this season the whole team worked hard and did not give up until the final whistle

Men of the Match: Cal O'Brien, Ciaran Martin

Panel: Coire Mellon; Darragh Killough; Jack Connor; Sean Byrne; Ben Harkin; Niall Devine; Ciaran Martin; Cal O'Brien; Sam Crawford; Liam Allen; Kacper Dziadkowiec

Ballycastle United 5 Northend Youth 3 Saturday 4th October 2014

This game started off at a very fast pace but it was Ballycastle who seemed to be the more likely to score in the first ten minutes, so it was perhaps against the run off play when Northend opened the scoreline through Niall Devine. This settled the Northend boys and for much of the next ten minutes it was end to end with Ballycastle being denied many chances at a shot on goal as Jack Connor once again was outstanding in defence making countless skilful tackles. Corey Mellon was on form with two great saves. The Northend midfield, of Ciaran Martin, Ben Harkin and Niall Devine pushed forward at every opportunity but couldn't unlock the Ballycastle defence. In the last five minutes of first half a couple of defensive errors saw Ballycastle go in front with two very good goals. Half time score 2-1

At the start of the second half Ballycastle seemed to have the upperhand and they took advantage of this with three goals in quick succession in the first ten minutes. The Northend boys were not going to give up without a fight and the attacking runs by Ballycastle were quickly closed down by Jack Connor and Sean Byrne. Darragh Killough in goals made two solid saves to deny an increase to the Ballycastle tally. It was with fifteen minutes to go the run off play turned. The end of the game was all Northend with shots on target from Caolan Lennon and Cal O'Brien's bicycle kick hitting off the crossbar. Another Cal O'Brien shot was saved by the Ballycastle keeper but Niall Devine was there to put the rebound in the back of the net. Northend had several more chances going wide. Decisive tackling in the midfield by Ciaran Martin stopped counterattacks from the Ballycastle boys. The last goal of the game came from Niall Devine who seen an opportunity with the keeper being off his line and chipped by the ball from 18 yards into the back of the net for his hat-trick.

In the last fifteen minutes of this game the Northend boys showed what they are capable off when they pass the ball skilfully and work together as a team. Full time score 5-3

Man of the Match: Jack Connor

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

Ballymoney Athletic 2 Northend Youth 10 Saturday 20th September 2014

This game started off with all one way traffic towards the Ballymoney goal. Within the first 5 minutes the young Ballymoney goalkeeper was put under pressure from the Northend team as he saved shots from Niall Devine, Cal O'Brien, Ciaran Martin and Ben Harkin. Caolan Lennon almost opened the scoreline a few minutes later when his glancing header skimmed past the post. Then in the 9th minute Caolan Lennon made the most of the attack from the strong midfield to unleash a right foot shot high into the top corner of the net. Every time the Ballymoney team broke loose with the ball they were quickly closed down by the tight defence of Sean Byrne, Darragh Killough and Jack Connor. Northend made the most of their possession with some great passing from all the boys. The Northend boys had chance after chance on target saved by the Ballymoney goalkeeper. Ballymoney responded with a counter attack which was saved by on-form Coire Mellon. Northend's reply to the threat was to score another 2 goals in quick succession with Jack Connor and Cal O'Brien the goalscorers. Just on half time Ballymoney put the ball straight through the middle to connect with their centre forward to secure their first goal. Half time score 3-1

At the start of the second half it looked like Ballymoney were coming back fighting but the Northend boys were on a roll, passing the ball and pushing forward with ease. Within minutes of the second half Caolan Lennon laid on the ball for Cal O'Brien to get his second. Northend then added to the scoreline again with a great run from Niall Devine who's pass was picked up by Ciaran Martin and laid on to Cal O'Brien for his hat-trick. Half way through the second half a clever 1-2 with Ciaran Martin saw Niall Devine's efforts on target rewarded with a super goal. The next few minutes saw surging runs from Ben Harkin through the Ballymoney defence as Northend continued to look threatening. Conor McKillop (S 35mins) was unlucky when an effort on target was saved and another one went slightly wide. Ballymoney made the most of the goal kick and drove forward to score their second. The Northend team were not finished yet and the last ten minutes seen the boys reap the rewards of a consistently tight defence and skilful passing - Caolan Lennon put away his second goal, followed by Cal O'Brien's forth goal. Not to be left off the scoresheet two great runs by Ciaran Martin ended with the ball in the back of the net. This team has worked hard in their pre season training and deserved this score in their first competitive game of the season.

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