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Northend United 2 Magherafelt Sky Blues 3 Saturday 30th November 2013

Northend U12s travelled to Coleraine early on Saturday morning to play the return fixture against a Magherafelt Sky Blues team with whom they played out an exciting 1-1 draw last weekend.

The Magherafelt team caught the young Northend boys sleeping early on and took a fifth minute lead. The Northend Blues responded well and started to gain some momentum. Ross Gamble and Josh Coates were battling for every ball in midfield and Conor McDonald in defence was keeping all Magherafelt attacks at bay. In the fifteenth minute the Northend boys got the reward they deserved when Conor McDonald swung a spectacular corner directly into the Magherafelt net, reminiscent of a Connor Meeke goal a few weeks ago. Charlie Metrustry then fired the Northend U12s into the lead with a fierce header, giving the Sky Blues goalkeeper no chance. Half time score 2-1

The second half began as the first half ended with Northend shading the share of possession in this entertaining game. As the half progressed however Northend began to get complacent, the boys obviously feeling they had done enough to win the game. Magherafelt had other ideas however and their determination was rewarded with an equaliser midway through the half. The Sky Blues then regained the lead to make it 3-2 and by that stage the opportunity of salvaging something from the game had gone. Full time score 3-2

For the third consecutive match this team has failed to close out games where they should be claiming all three points. There is no doubt that the team have regained confidence since moving to the Coleraine League and their improving brand of football is testament to that. Winning matches will become a habit as this team's confidence grows.

Man of the Match: Ross Gamble

Panel: S Higgins; C Killough; C Meeke; J Coates (c); R Gamble; C Metrustry; O Connolly; C McDonald; C Forsythe; J Scullion; M Stewart

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Northend United U12s 2 Northend U11s 2 Monday 25th November 2013

Northend U12s and U11s played out an exciting 2-2 draw in front of a large crowd at Clough 3G in this rearranged Coleraine U11/U12 league fixture. The U12s went into a two goal lead with Josh Coates and Matthew Stewart finding the net in the first half. The U12 Blues failed to capitalise on this lead however and allowed the younger Northend team to take control of the second period in a game that they will feel they should have won. To their credit the younger Northend team can take confidence from the spirited manner of their comeback. The return match promises to be another classic and both sides eagerly await. Full time 2-2

Man of the Match: Josh Coates

Panel: S Higgins; C Killough; J Kirkpatrick; C Meeke; J Coates; C Metrustry; O Connolly; C McDonald (c); C Forsythe; J Scullion; M Stewart; R Gamble; J Lyness

Northend United 1 Magherafelt Sky Blues 1 Saturday 23rd November 2013

Northend U12s travelled to Coleraine on Saturday morning in high spirits following their first win of the year last week.

The boys started well dominating the most of the first half playing some good passing football and they got the goal that their play deserved, when Conor Mc Donald scored a great free kick mid way through the first half. Northend continued to press forward for the rest of the first half but were unable to add to their one goal lead. Half time score 1-0

The second half took much of the same shape as the first with Northend having most of the play, but as the half wore on Magherafelt sensed that they could maybe salvage something from the game. This was to be the case as they got an equaliser with only a few minutes remaining. Full time score 1-1

Man of the Match: Conor McDonald

Panel: S Higgins, C Forsythe, C Mc Donald, C Meeke, J Coates, J Lyness, C Metrustry, R Gamble, M Stewart, J Scullion, C Killough

Northend United 2 Roe Valley 0 Saturday 9th November 2013

Northend United U12s travelled to a cold but sunny Ballysally on Saturday morning, hoping to continue on from last weekend's impressive performance. Their opponents, Roe Valley from Limavady, were a team in good form and both teams were confident of a win.

The Northend Blues got off to the perfect start when quick thinking between Conor McDonald and Charlie Metrustry from a corner, allowed Conor to rifle home a fierce shot past the helpless Roe Valley keeper, to make it 1-0. The Blues piled on the pressure after this and but for some quality goal-keeping, the Northend boys would have been well ahead after 20 minutes. Callum Forsythe, Conor McDonald and Connor Meeke were inpenetrable back three, meaning Sean Higgins in the Northend goal was rarely troubled. Conall Killough was introduced and fitted seamlessly into the back line, showing great determination and a growing composure. The referee blew the short whistle with Northend leading by a single goal and the significant crowd of ever-present parents and supporters knew the second half was going to be a real nail-biting affair. Half-time score 1-0

The second half began in a similar vein with Northend piling on considerable pressure. Charlie Metrustry and Ross Gamble were continuously pressing down the flanks and wreaking havoc with the Roe Valley defence. The industrious Josh Coates, Joseph Lyness and Oisin Connolly were manfully controlling the midfield sector and Matthew Stewart and Jude Scullion were ensuring the Roe Valley keeper was kept busy. As the Northend Blues continued to press, Connor Meeke swung a perfectly delivered corner in from the right hand side and was very unfortunate not to score a dream goal but for the woodwork. Oisin Connolly also thought he had scored a well deserved second goal for the Blues but was adjudged to have been just offside. The team from Limavady were taking confidence from the fact that Northend were unable to convert their possession into scores and they themselves began to create a few chances as the second half reached the midway point. Their revival was short-lived though, as Oisin Connolly again picked up a ball on the right, glided past the oncoming defender and coolly slotted the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-0. Full-time score 2-0

The final whistle was met with great relief, as the monkey had undoubtedly been lifted from the shoulders of this young team. This win will give the boys a confidence that they can build upon and they will relish future challenges in the Coleraine and District League. Conor McDonald gave a masterclass performance on the day and thoroughly deserves his 'man of the match' award. Special thanks on behalf of the Northend Utd U12s must go to Neil Coates for organising the team's new 'Hunky Dorys' sponsored team kit.

Man of the Match: Conor McDonald

Panel: S Higgins; C Forsythe; C Killough; C McDonald; C Meeke; R Gamble; J Lyness; O Connolly; J Coates; C Metrustry; J Scullion; M Stewart