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TW Braga 2 Northend United 0 Saturday 22nd April 2017

This was a very tight half with neither team having a lot of clear cut chances from open play. Calum McAvoy went closest when he headed over the bar from one corner and then headed just wide from another. Indeed this is the way the half would end and right on the stroke of half-time it was McAvoy who went close again with an over head-kick, that just went past the post from another corner. Half time 0-0

This half saw Billy Bell nearly breaking the deadlock on a 'one-on-one' with the keeper and a good one/two inside the box from Bell and Shea O'Broin near resulting in a goal. Jay McKeown headed one effort just passed the post and went close with free-kick, but it would be Braga who would score twice, late on to win the match. Full time 2-0

Man of the Match: Calum McAvoy - Went the closest to opening the scoring on a few occasions and solid in defence as always.

Panel: S Adair, C McAvoy, A Courtney, S Bristow, Z Erwin, B O'Neill, B Bell, S O'Broin, C Clarke, J McKeown.

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Camlough Rovers 2 Northend United 0 Saturday 8th April 2017

On a day when Northend were missing regulars and giving a few changed faces a run out, they never could get their grip on the game or find their way on a frustrating afternoon in Lisburn. Camlough would score twice in the first half, with goals which could easily have been avoided and George McClean also made a very good save midway through the half. Northend's chances were limited with the best coming from Billy Bell's shot being saved by the keeper and Shea O'Broin's going just wide. Half time 2-0

In fairness to Northend they put in a slightly better performance this half, but still a long way off their performances of late. Shea Redmond had the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. Jay McKeown hit a free kick which the Camlough keeper did well to tip over the bar and Ben O'Neill fired inches wide with just a minute to go, but it would end in defeat on an off day for Northend. Full time 2-0

Man of the Match:. Jay McKeown. Another solid performance as an outstanding season for him comes to an end.

Panel: G McClean, Z Erwin, S Bristow, C Francey, B O'Neill, J McKeown, S O'Broin, S Redmond, B Bell

Northend United 3 Glendowan 3 Saturday 1st April 2017

Northend started this game on the front foot with Ben O'Neill going close twice and Shea O'Broin also close to opening the scoring from two set pieces. Again O'Neill's shot would deflect out for a corner after great work down the right from Ben Adams and indeed this is how Northend would open the scorning after a great run down the right and an equally good cross was turned into his own net by a Glendowan defender. The good high pressure closing down of the Glendowan defence by both O'Neill and Kyle Wakefield led to O'Broin closing in on goal and he delivered a very cool placed finish past the Glendowan keeper to make it 2-0 to Northend at the break. Half time 2-0

This half started off with a Jay McKeown shot parried by the keeper and Wakefield putting the re-bound wide and then again Northend would score after great work from O'Broin, who's cross was met at the back post by Adams who finished with ease. A period then followed with a mixture of Glendowan finding their game and Northend taking their foot off the gas. Indeed during this period they would score three, two of which were due to misunderstanding amongst the Northend players, leaving the Northend coaches frustrated at throwing away a 3-0 lead. Full time 3-3

Man of the Match:.Ben O'Neill: solid game in midfield throughout.

Panel: G McClean, Z Erwin, C McAvoy, S Bristow, J Carson, B O'Neill, B Adams, S O'Broin, J McKeown, K Wakefield

Northend United 0 Roe Valley 0 NIBFA Plate Semi-Final Saturday 25th March 2017

This semi final didn't disappoint the many spectators and although there were no goals in either normal time or extra time it still produced a good football game. Midway through the first half a great turn from Ben O'Neill and a great cross was nearly met by Shea O'Broin and shortly afterwards Jay McKeown had an effort well saved by the Roe Valley keeper. Then near the end of the half a McKeown shot would take a deflection but again a brilliant reaction save by the keeper put it around the post. Half time 0-0

The second half saw a good move which resulted in Billy Bell through on goal but again the keeper would save. Then both O'Neill and O'Broin both fired efforts over the bar. Again McKeown saw his effort go just wide and a few minutes later Northend very nearly broke the deadlock as O'Broin beat two men down the right and cut inside and a terrific shot which this time beat the keeper but deflected back off the post. The match would finish and you could argue that possession wise Roe Valley maybe had the most of the ball but it was definitely Northend who had majority of the chances. A special mention has to go to George McClean, who also saved a Penalty in the shoot-out and the defence of Calum McAvoy, Stevie Bristow and Kyle Wakefield, who kept Roe Valley to one shot on target the whole game. Full time 0-0

Penalties & Sudden Death: Northend United 4 Roe Valley 5

Scorers: Jay McKeown, Ben O'Neill, Zach Erwin, Billy Bell.

Man of the Match: Shea O'Broin: A constant threat especially during the second half as he took the game to Roe Valley down the right.

Panel: G McClean, Z Erwin, C McAvoy, K Wakefield, S Bristow, B O'Neill, S O'Broin, B Bell, J McKeown, B Adams, S Redmond

This match started at a blistering pace and the Northend boys were determined to get first to every ball. First goalscoring chances in the game came for the Ballycastle boys but Northend goalkeeper Ryan Campbell was on top of his form. Northend kept up the pressure and Ben Adams swung across a great corner, putting it in the box and finding Shea Redmond who then planted the ball in the back of the net, giving the Ballycastle keeper no chance. Half time 1-0

Both teams came out for the second half, again at a blistering pace but it was Ballycastle who found the net first, making the score 1-1

Again, Northend came storming back and Callum Francey was fouled. Ben Adams took the resultant free-kick but the Ballycastle keeper pulled off a top class save. As play flowed from end to end, Jamie Magill was giving a commanding performance in the heart of the Blues defence. Northend kept plugging away and a great throughball from Kennedy found Shea Redmond, who again beat his marker and planted the ball in the back of the Ballycastle net, with another top class shot. Full time 2-1

This was a great game off football played in the right spirit

Men of the Match: Jamie Magill and Ryan Campbell

Panel: Ryan Campbell, Connor Wilson, Jamie Magill, Ben Adams, Jack Carson, James Lundy, Jason Adams, C Kennedy, Callum Francey, Callum Holmes, Jamie Frew, Shea Redmond

Northend United 0 Doyle YC 0 Saturday 18th March 2017

This cup tie was a cracking match from start to finish. Doyle started the game the strongest and indeed it would be Doyle who would have the best of the first half. Northend only created a couple of half chances but changed their formation near the end of the half that would swing the rest of the game in Northend's favour. Indeed Doyle created a few good chances themselves, but the in-form Calum McAvoy blocked, tackled and stopped everything defensively for Northend. Half time 0-0

The second half Northend came out the strongest and this really was a game of two halves. Shea O'Broin went just wide with a free kick and Ben O'Neill volleyed over the bar. These would be the early chances, as this cup tie really came to life. A great run from O'Neill down the right would see his cross met by O'Broin, but the Doyle keeper pulled off a great save. The good interactive play from Jay McKeown and Kyle Wakefield would set-up O'Neill on the edge of the box, but again the Doyle keeper was equal to it. Full time 0-0

Penalty Shoot-out: Doyle 3 Northend 1 (Ben O'Neill)

Man of the Match: Calum McAvoy. Played against Doyle's biggest threat all match and kept him quiet from start to finish.

Panel: G McClean, Z Erwin, C McAvoy, S Bristow, C Wilson, B O'Neill, K Wakefield, J McKeown, S O'Broin, K Corcaran

Banbridge Rangers 0 Northend United 1 NIBFA PLate Quarter Final Saturday 11th March 2017

This quarter final started at a very fast pace with Northend starting as the underdogs after being beaten twice this season in the league by Rangers though Northend were missing first team players on both occasions. On the seventh minute Northend would go ahead after Shea O'Broin was fouled ten yards outside the box. Jay McKeown hit a cracking free kick into the roof of the net leaving the Rangers keeper no chance. The half would two & fro and Kyle Wakefield had a well hit volley blocked in the box and Kaylem Corcoran would create two half chances for himself. Half time 0-1

This half didn't let the spectators down either and also started at a frantic pace. McKeown again hit a very smart free kick which rebounded off the woodwork. Corcoran again went close only to be foiled by a last minute tackle from a Rangers defender. As the half went on Rangers piled on he pressure with Ben O'Neill clearing off the line from the best of their chances. The game finished with backs to the wall stuff from Northend but with the midfield working tirelessly and a defence of O'Neill, Calum McAvoy and Stevie Bristow in no mood to throw away their lead it would be Northend who would book their place in the Semi-Final. Full time 0-1

Man of the Match: Team Performance - Best overall performance of the Season by every player against very strong opposition.

Panel: G McClean, C McAvoy, S Bristow, C Wilson, B O'Neill, Z Erwin, S O'Broin, K Wakefield, J McKeown, K Corcoran