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Ballymoney United Tournament Saturday 23rd May 2015

Group Stages

Northend United 2 Derry City Colts 1

Goals: Pearse Esler and Patrick Ferris saw off a very good Derry team

Northend United 3 Roe Valley 0

Goals: Christy McKillop, Patrick Ferris and Charlie Metrustry

Northend United 2 Ballymoney United 0

Goals: Patrick Ferris and Christy McKillop

Semi Final

Northend United Youth 0 v 0 Ballymoney United

In a very tight game no team could break the deadlock in a very entertaining game from two evenly matched teams. The game was settled when the game went to the dreaded penalty shoot out and with both teams scoring all there penalties it then went to sudden death and Ballymoney came out on top. But this was a great game to watch for the natural supporters.

Northend United Youth 0 v 3 Derry City

In the play off for third and fourth place Northend lost out to Derry City but were in the game up until the last few minutes when the players started to get very tired and Derry City were able to score two late goals which really didn't reflect the possession that Northend had.

All these games were hard fought and the players deserve credit for all their efforts in the three group games. The teams played some lovely football and were applauded by the large crowd in attendance.

In the semi final they fought out a hard game against Ballymoney United losing out on penalties 6-5.

This was a wonderful performance from the Northend boys and all involved in the tournament. It was a really good day for the players and parents also.

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Northend United 2 Coleraine Alexandra 0 Saturday 2nd May 2015

Northend were the more confident team from the start and created all the chances. With conditions very poor with a strong cold wind both teams found it difficult to put many passes together. Both teams tried to play long balls over each defence but the wind just carried the ball too far. It was from a free kick mid way through the first half that Northend took the lead. H Wylie played a lovely ball over the defence and Northend players Jamie Montgomery and Pat Ferris ran onto breaking the offside trap. Jamie Montgomery was able to find the net making it one nil. Northend's defence of Calum Kilgore and Ronan McKillop dealt with any attack that Coleraine Alexandra tried to create. Half time score 1-0

The second half was the same as the first with Northend having the majority of play. Coleraine did however come out much more physical in their tackles. But Northend continued to attack and after a number of corners Pat Ferris was in the right place at the right time to make it 2-0.

Pierce Esler came on as sub for Ronan McKillop and played really well at left back. He made some crucial interceptions controlling the ball and finding a team mate. Adam Campbell also came on and had a good half. Calum Kilgore made some strong tackles in the second half and kept his cool when the Alexandra boys got frustrated. As the game got near the end a couple of the Coleraine Alexander team became frustrated and took it out on Northend but credit to the boys they did not retaliate. Final score 2-0

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: E McSparron, H Wylie, C Higgins, J Morrow, J Montgomery, P Ferris, A Campbell, R McKillop, R McQuillan, P Esler and C Kilgore (c)

Northend United 9 Ballycastle United 1 Saturday 18th April 2015

Northend U12s met Ballycastle United U12s a team they haven't played this year.

Northend got off to a flyer pressuring the Ballycastle defence from the first whistle, Pat Ferris quickly found the net making it one nil. Almost straight from the restart Northend broke and Jamie Montgomery got his first of the day. It looked like Northend would go on a dominate this game, however Ballycastle pulled one back with their first attack.

Northend quickly got back into the swing of things with some neat football and lovely passing. Harry Wylie made it 3 with a thunderous strike form the edge of the area. It was all Northend and just before the break Jamie Montgomery made it 4 with his second. Half time score 4-1

The boys restarted the second half with the same attitude, they attacked with pace playing some great one twos though the middle of the park, Callum Higgins had a great game, clearing any loose ball that broke. Pat Ferris got his second of the game quickly followed with Jamie Montgomery getting his hat trick. As Calum Kilgore had very little to do in defence he was pushed up front and Callum Higgins slipped into centre of defence. Paty Ferris then got his third with a neat finish into the corner and then got his fourth soon after. But the best of the day had to be from Northend's goal keeper Euan McSparron, who had been going up for a number of corners in the game. But it wasn't from a corner that surprised everyone, but a goal kick. He launched a monster of a goal kick up over the half way and it carried right to the other end, the keeper rushed out and misjudged the bounce which went over his head. Calum Kilgore did his best to get a final touch but the ball had crossed the line. This was a great goal by the Northend goalkeeper.

This was a tremendous display from Northend. The Blues played some great football and grew in confidence with each goal. It was a team performance with some super finishing by Pat Ferris and Jamie Montgomery and Callum Higgins and Harry Wylie controlling the game. But man of the match has to go to Euan McSparron who got his first ever goal. Full time score 9-1

Man of the Match: Euan McSparron

Panel: E McSparron, H Wylie, C Higgins, J Morrow, C McGaughey, J Montgomery, P Ferris, R McKillop (c), R McQuillan and C Kilgore

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Northend United 4 Roe Valley 0 Saturday 11th April 2015

Northend U12s last played a competitive match 4 weeks ago when they met Roe Valley and were comfortable winners. This week saw a rematch with Roe Valley who were looking to get revenge. However Northend were the superior side both in physique and workrate.

Northend were a bit rusty in the first half, creating a number of chances but failing to make them count. It wasn't until midway through the first half that the impressive Pat Ferris slid a lovely through ball between the Roe Valley defence that Jamie Montgomery ran onto and coolly slotted home. Roe Valley had a few chances but Euan McSparron in nets was always alert to clear any through balls. Half time score 1-0

Northend started the second in the same form, with a slight change in positions, Zack Clarke making his first appearance at Ballysally was moved up front with Callum Higgins and Pat Ferris playing alongside Harry Wylie in midfield. Calum Kilgore was his energetic self as usual making a number of breaks from defence. And he was in the right place at the right time to poke in a corner that fell onto the line.

But Pat Ferris stole the show, he took on the Roe Valley defence and played some lovely one twos to get into the box making it 3-0. He quickly made it 4-0 with his second goal after breaking from half way and passing the ball into the corner of the net.

This was a great team performance from Northend with a number of players playing well, but man of the match has to go to Pat Ferris for a wonderful performance and great goals. Final score 4-0

Man of the Match: Pat Ferris

Panel: E McSparron, H Wylie, C Higgins (c), J Morrow, C McGaughey, J Montgomery, P Ferris, Z Clarke, R McKillop, R McQuillan, P Esler and C Kilgore

Northend United 0 Institute 1 Saturday 14th March 2015

This week was slightly different with Northend U12s playing 2 games both 20 minutes each against Institute and Roe Valley.

The first game against Institute was all Northend and they should have won by 6 or 7, however, the boys could not find the net. Pat Ferris had numerous attempts saved along with Calum Kilgore and Conor McGaughey. Corner after corner reigned in but Northend just couldn't finish Institute off. And they were caught with a sucker punch just before the end when a long clearance by Institute found their striker who managed to see off Northend's defence who were all at sea. The Institute player found the net and against the run of play were 1-0 up. This really was a shock for the players and supporters but it was one of those games that just didn't go their way and with only 20 minutes there was not enough time to find an equaliser. Northend were very impressive in their build up play and passed to ball very well. But it finished 1-0 to Institute. Final score 0-1

Northend United 3 Roe Valley 0 Saturday 14th March 2015

The second game against Roe Valley was played 20 minutes later after they played Institute. This was a different game, like the first Northend dominated but they found the net early on with a fantastic strike by Pat Ferris. He was instrumental in everything Northend did, along with the energetic Calum Kilgore in midfield who spoiled and dictated the play Northend were not going to make the same mistake this time. The pressure piled on with Northend building their attack from deep through Ronan McKillop, Calum Higgins and Ryan McQuillan in defence. Calum Higgins is a very versatile player and can play any role, along with the ever improving Ryan McQuillan and the solid Ronan McKillop. It was quickly 2-0 through Jamie Morrow and then shortly before the end Jamie Montgomery made it 3 at the back post.

Even though the two matches were only 20 minutes each and hard to get going, Northend were impressive in their general build up play. Final score 3-0

Man of the Match Team performance

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: E McSparron, C Higgins, J Morrow, C McGaughey, J Montgomery, P Ferris, A Campbell, R McKillop, R McQuillan and C Kilgore. (C)

Northend United 2 Coleraine Alexandra 0 Saturday 7th March 2015

Northend U12s played only their third game since Christmas against Coleraine Alexandra U12s. Northend started the game positively with Calum Kilgore moving into centre midfield. It was Kilgore's energy that made the difference this week with him covering all areas of the pitch. Northend's two fullbacks Ronan McKillop and Ryan McQuillan also were very solid with Harry Wylie marshalling from centre back. There was a clear difference in the way Northend played compared with other weeks, organisation and communication was the key.

Pat Ferris also had a great game and on another day he could have got a hat-trick. Northend played some lovely football, passing from the back out to the wings where Jamie Montgomery and Jamie Morrow made some good runs. Conor McGaughey played as the lone striker, holding the ball up very well allowing Northend to press forward.

Coleraine didn't trouble Northend at all throughout the game, but were extremely lucky, to say the least that the referee awarded almost every offside for the home team! Stand in goal keeper Calum Higgins had little to do and he always found a team mate with his clearances. Half time score 0-0

Northend began the second half playing into the wind and this helped them as they played the ball to feet. Chance after chance Northend created but just failed to get a shot away sooner, Pat Ferris easily took on 2-3 opponents beating them each time and Calum Kilgore had a great game in midfield. Northend took the lead deservedly though Calum Kilgore when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box from a corner and he riffled it into the corner of the net. Northend were spurred on and from another free kick in the corner the ball wasn't cleared and Jamie Morrow popped up to poke it in. 2-0.

Northend ran out comfortable winners and have played their best game of the season, the boys have showed that they are an impressive outfit on their day. With the season being such a stop start year the boys have never got going but today they showed they can play good football with a bit of organisation and communication. Full time score 2-0

Men of the Match: Calum Kilgore and Pat Ferris

Panel: C Higgins, H Wylie, J Morrow, C McGaughey, J Montgomery, P Ferris, A Campbell, R McKillop, R McQuillan and C Kilgore