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Northend United vrs TW Braga Saturday 23rd October 2021

U11s Youth team had an early KO this week with a limited squad due to sickness. A lot to ask of some players to push hard for a full game but we started on the front foot and took the game to TW Braga with Cahal Gordon showing his quick feet beating 3 defenders only to see his shot hit the side netting. Another 4 chances came and went for Sonny Barr and Thomas Cairns both working hard in the mid field and Tiernan Martin making several attacking runs along the left. A defensive change this week of Olly Hector, Daniel Rennie and Lily Adams held firm and Jude De Prato in nets keeping the game tight. Harry Campbell had himself tested on the right wing with a strong physical performance needed throughout. Braga took the lead just before the half with 2 quick fire goals.

It was a game of 2 halves at the break with Braga starting to show their shooting capability and their pace of attack. Stand in keeper Daniel Rennie pulled off several great saves for the Blues. Harry McAuley placed 2 free kicks into the Braga box and was unlucky to see anyone finish it off. Campbell fired the ball across into the box which Tiernan Martin slide home for our only goal. Olly Hector showing skills drove at the Braga defence and his shot went narrowly wide. A tough game this week showing the importance of positional flexibility and fitness to keep up with a good Braga side. Special mention this week and MOTM to stand in goalkeeper Daniel Rennie who stepped up without question and a big Thankyou to the Braga manager Paul for the kind words and chocolate bars after the game.

Player of the Match: Daniel Rennie

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

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Northend United vrs Ballymena United Saturday 9th October 2021

It was a local Derby between Northend United and Ballymena United this week with many players close friends. Both teams were very evenly matched throughout with both midfields fighting it out from the whistle with Cairns and Da Prato’s workrate keeping Ballymena at bay. Ballymena had the early chances but couldn’t break through the solid defence of Mitchell, Adams and Rennie. Several corners came and went with no real threat of a goal to worry McBurney whose hands were solid throughout. Northend seeing gaps appear, opened up both to Martin on the left and Hector on the right, as both pushed forward, having shots off target and giving opportunity to Gordon who a rare sight of fate not finding the net due to the Ballymena defence.

The second half saw a few substitutions and fresh legs as Northend not looking like their usual selves started to quieten down! Logan and McAuley on who bolstered up the defence and needed to slow down the increasing pressure from Ballymena. Joe Duffin making his debut for the team showing desire to get involved with his pace and even stepping into nets showing his versatility. Barr working hard to recover the ball made a great pass into space for De Prato to break away fired a thunder bolt into the side netting. Goalkeeper McBurney’s change to outfield added strength to the squad and he was proving hard to handle for Ballymena. A number of chances fell to him all being saved by the Ballymena keeper. McAuley placed two well taken free kicks into the Ballymena box though not finding their way into the net and having to go off due to injury. Campbell’s introduction also gave fresh energy to keep the score line a respectful 0-0 draw. All in all, a good display.

Thank you to Ballymena’s Johnny Hume for sorting out a local pitch for both teams this week saving the trip to Lisburn.

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

Northend United vrs Glendowan Saturday 2nd October 2021

Another great game for the wee blues this week against a physical Glendowan. The game opened slowly for Northend going down 1 nil before 5 minutes played. A wake up call answered swiftly with Sonny Barr showing his technical ability assisting Cahal Gordon to get his first of the game just after the restart. Glendowan not letting anything slip grabbed another 2 within quick succession. The mid field duo of Thomas Cairns and Jude De Prato having to work extra hard got their rewards when a quick out ball from Lily Adams and a lay off from Cairns allowed De Prato to fire a thunderous shot beating the keeper from 30 yards. Northend settling into the game saw Cahal bagging another with a fine solo run just before the half. Half time 3-3

A change of keeper and fresh legged substitutions seen a big lift for the Blues. Our defensive back line of Jonah Mitchell, Leon Logan and Harry McCauley started to come together and move the ball forward with confidence. Daniel Rennie in an unfamiliar left wing position having a great game setting up Cahal for his hat-trick 10 mins into the second half and wining a free kick for the blues for McCauley to step up and put his first league goal into the top right of the net. Again, Glendowan came back bagging 2 more in goal mouth scrambles from uncleared corners. With tired legs and the game opening up Olly Hector had to make some clinical tackles to keep the momentum going. Sam McBurney now playing as an outfield player really dominating the midfield setting up Gordon for his 4th of the game. He also got his rewards with 2 hard fought goals before the end o the senior half. A great come back display from all players this week. Full time 8-5

Player of the Match: Sam McBurney who made the difference second half with energy and workrate to seal the win.

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

Northend United vrs Chimney Corner Saturday 25th September 2021

Another good turnout this week from Agnew, Mitchell & Cairns sponsored 2011s Youth side against an evenly matched Chimney Corner team. A steady improvement every week saw some great passing football and with players again in new positions it didn’t faze the team at all. Jonah Michell had another good game as centre defence with Lilly Adams and Leon Logan solid with each attack. Cahal Gordon started his tally in the first half from a well weighted through ball from Sonny Barr though Chimney caught us napping soon after with a counter-attack. Half time 1-1

With the team settled in the second half Northend played the better football. Pushing forward with an energised midfield of Thomas Cairns and Jude De Prato seen gaps start to appear. Cahal Gordon started to terrorise the Chimney defence with some Messi like footwork to notch up a hat-trick. Chimney fought back with Northend starting to run out of steam and with number of shots fired at Sam McBurney who having nothing to do most of second half having to making some great saves to keep the score line one sided. Further shots from Olly Hector, Jude De Prato, Daniel Rennie and Harry McAuley if not missing the target could have suggested a different game but Chimney fought hard. Sam McBurney got into the action with a lobbed ball into the midfield which bounced nicely into the running Cahal Gordon to finish the game. All in all, a great result for an ever improving 2011 Youth team. Full time 4-1

Player of the Match: Jonah Mitchell and Cahal Gordon. Great work rate at both ends of the pitch.

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

Northend United vrs Camlough Rovers Saturday 18th September 2021

It was back to action this week for the Agnew Mitchell and Cairns sponsored Northend Youth U11s at the Lisburn Rec this week against a good Camlough Rovers side. The young Blues continue to build on their experience at this level and Jude Da Prato was on target for Northend with Sam McBurney having a good game in nets for the Ballymena Blues.

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

Northend United vrs Anderstown Community Saturday 11th September 2021

Northend Youth U11s turned out in style this week with a 6-1 win against Anderstown Community showcasing new match kits sponsored by A,M&C accountants. The Club would like to thank Mark and Ann for their ongoing commitment to the team.

The game started with both teams challenging for possession in the middle of the park. Northend having made some positional changes this week making use of our fast pace and focused on our set plays during training really started to show improvements throughout the game. The Blues defence was solid and playing out from the back confidently. Tiernan Martin scored 4 racing down the wing on his thunderous left foot, Jude Da Prato dominated midfield with another show of strength bagging 2 goals and Thomas Cairns half time hat-trick sealed the win. All players contributed to these goals with determination, passing and movement. This was a good performance and great to see the kids and parents enjoying their football.

Panel: H Campbell, A Speirs, S McBurney, T Martin, S Barr, D Rennie, T Cairns, L Adams. L Logan, J Da Prato, J Mitchell, O Hector

Lisdrum Youth vrs Northend Youth Saturday 4th September 2021

First league game of the season for Northend United Youth U11s and first at 9 a side. The game started slow with both sides finding their way but it was Lisdrum who got the better of the Blues on the day. Northend played some great football and held positions well throughout the game with many of the skills developed during preseason starting to show. Special mention to Harry McCauley who when called upon stepped into nets and unfortunately sustained a head injury cutting his game short. Speedy Recovery were all thinking of you.

Panel: H McAuley, J Da Prato, L Logan, S Barr, H Campbell, L Adams. C Hennessey, J Mitchell, T Martin, T Cairns, O Hector