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Carrick Rangers 3 Northend United 3 Saturday 27th October 2012

This contest had always proven to be a close run tie when the two clubs met last year and this year was to be no different, however, the true star of the show today for both sides was the referee who, through his inability to keep up with the flow of the game, made some very dubious decisions. It was the first time that all parents were complaining about the standard and the general lack of interest the referee showed.

Northend did not start the match well and did not play in the usual Northend way. Poor passing and movement confined the game to the centre of the park and turned the first 10 minutes into a game of attrition. Carrick went 1-0 on 10 minutes, when a poor defensive clearance allowed Carrick to score from close range. Northend did respond and within three minutes had the ball bounce off the post and roll along the line before being cleared. On 16 minutes, Conor McGarry was substituted for Conal Gordon. On twenty-five minutes, Carrick made it 2 - 0 with an unfortunate goal clearance that ricocheted off a Northend player into his own net. Connor Meneely chased down the ball continually and tried to bring some calm to the game as Northend pressed for a goal. However the passing just was not there in the first half and Northend went in at half time 2-0 down. Half time 2-0

With the half time team talk ringing in their ears, Northend came out hungry, Scott Sempey collected the ball from the middle of the park ran into the box, surrounded by three Carrick players he eluded the tackles that were flying in and hammered the ball high and hard into the roof of the net past the keeper to make it 2-1 with only a minute gone. Northend continued to build pressure and the passing from Matthew Willighan, Oliver Hampshire, Robert McCluney, Connor Meneely, Scott Sempey, Sean McKay and Thomas McAuley began to open Carrick up, however a bad throw in the 50th minute gifted Carrick another goal to make it 3-1.

Stuart Lecky was brought on for Josh Mitchell and Philip Kyle was brought on for Thomas McAuley. Sean McKay who had again not stopped running the channels was given a beautifully weighted ball on the 56th minute, he touched the ball round the keeper, almost to the by line, with two Carrick defenders on the line still to beat he curled the ball into the bottom of the far corner of the net past both, 3-2, game on! Northend were again called off side on several occasions, to add to a growing catalogue of debatable off side decisions, but the boys were now rampant and did not let poor decisions mare their ascendancy in the game.

In the 57th minute, Northend was awarded yet another corner, the ball was whipped in, half cleared by Carrick to the edge of the box, Northend banged into it back into the box, in a goal mouth scramble the ball came off the inside of the post straight to Stuart Lecky who calmly placed the ball over the keeper to make it 3-3. A fantastic come back. Northend had the bit between their teeth and were now carving Carrick open, but Carrick reverted to time wasting with no less than three players all on the ground in the dying minute of the game. During the second half, Northend were given two yellow cards for tackles, this again added to the ever increasing number of controversial decisions against Northend, at a point in the game when tackles were coming thick and fast from both sides. Final result 3-3.

This was a difficult test for Northend on a big pitch and against a side who knew how to play the game! But they showed terrific character to get a draw against all opposition in the last four minutes of the game.

Men of the Match: Connor Meneely and Sean McKay

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kyle, C Gordon, C McGarry, S McKay(c), S Lecky

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Northend United 9 Willowbank 0 Saturday 20th October 2012

Northend wanted to consolidate their position at the top of the table which they did with a professional display against Willowbank.

The first 10 minutes was a close affair, not helped that Northend had to make an early substitution when Ruairi Campbell was injured, Connor Meneely took his place. Northend scored first in the fifth minute when Robbie McGaughey latched onto a good corner by Sean McKay. This was quickly followed by Josh Mitchell who smashed the ball home from a good Conor McGarry cross in the eighth minute. Northend continued to pile on the pressure which Willowbank dealt with, but Northend scored again in the sixteenth minute, when a powerful free kick by Sean McKay was slid under the keeper by Scott Sempey to make it 3-0. Conor McGarry completed the scoring in the first half on 23 minutes when he controlled a cross from Sean McKay and chose his spot. Half time 4-0.

The Northend team came out second half full of confidence and cemented their position when Conor McGarry was played through from midfield and steered the ball under the keeper on 40 minutes. Josh Mitchell who was having a super game, made it 6-0 after a great pass from midfield to Sean McKay who sent in an inch perfect cross to Josh who hammered home from inside the box. Josh got his third on 46 minutes when he headed home from a Conor McGarry cross. On 49 minutes Northend was reduced to 10 men when Oliver Hampshire was red carded for a two footed tackle. Northend coaches reorganised at this point and introduced both available subs, however this did not stop the relentless attacks and Josh got his fourth and Northend's eighth when Sean McKay ran from midfield into the box, squared it for Josh who did not miss the goal, a terrific goal haul for the day. Sean McKay justifiably got his goal on 59 minutes with a lovely flowing move, which started from a goal kick, Josh Mitchell controlled the ball laid it off to Sean who collected the pass, ran into the box and hammered the ball home. Final 9-0

This was another strong performance from a team gathering momentum. The goal keeper controlled the box, the defence marshalled any threat, the midfield fed the wings and strikers all day and controlled the play. The wings and forwards continued to produce the goals. However the man of the match went to the two players who tormented Willowbank all morning.

Men of the Match: Josh Mitchell and Sean McKay

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willigan, T McAuley, P Kyle, R Campbell, C McGarry, S McKay(c), S Lecky

Carnmoney FDC 3 Northend United 4 Saturday 13th October 2012

This week Northend went up against Carnmoney who were also a team in form. From the initial whistle the game was played at a blistering pace and after just a minute Sean McKay latched onto a loose ball and rifled it into the net. Carnmoney responded immediately from the kick off, their number 9 received the ball ran through four tackles and tucked the ball under the keeper. It was very evident, from an early stage, that the Carnmoney number 9 was going to be a real threat. Northend replied two minutes later, when Robbie McGaughey hit a screamer from all of 30 yards into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 after only six minutes. Carnmoney came back once again when after eight minutes, the number 9 again picked up the ball, put on a burst of speed and finished well to make 2-2. The pace of the game didn't slow and Northend took the lead again in the tenth minute when a great corner from Sean McKay was tucked neatly away by Ruairi Campbell 3-2 to Northend. Carnmoney determined to keep up struck back again through their ever threatening number 9 who was brought down in the box and the resulting penalty was confidently dispatched. Half time 3-3.

The second half started again at a terrific pace and the half time talk saw some defensive reorganisation with Robert McCluney and Oliver Hampshire, Northend begin to quieten the Carnmoney threat. Connor Meneely continued to run the midfield and picked out some lovely defence splitting passes. Sean McKay and Scott Sempey continued to run the wings and dominate the play and Northend began to play terrific pass and move. This quick football brought dividends in the fortieth minute when a precision cross from Sean McKay was controlled by Conor McGarry who finished well. Northend continued to create great opportunities but the Carnmoney keeper was excellent and kept shot after shot out to make the game a nail biting affair right to the end that saw Northend win by 4-3.

This was a great game of football and the best test of the Northend team to date. The pace of Carnmoney's number 9 caused Northend's defence all sorts of problems in the first half which mixed with some keeper indecision meant the game was always on a knife edge. After half time Northend settled down and began to control the play but it was a terrific test for the young side which leaves them top of the table with a two point cushion.

Men of the Match: Matthew Willighan and Sean McKay

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kyle, R Campbell, C McGarry, S McKay(c), S Lecky

Northend United 8 Ballymena United 1 Saturday 6th October 2012

This was a local derby and Northend wanted to win this to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. The game started brightly with a tough midfield battle but after a few minutes Northend began to assert their authority with Northend passing the ball sublimely. The deadlock was broken after ten minutes, after some lovely football, Scott Sempey floated in a delightful cross straight onto the head of Josh Mitchell, who did not miss from only five yards out. Northend's pass and movement was great to watch and they continued to open the Ballymena defence and midfield time and again. Northend's second goal came after 22 minutes, a great corner was whipped into the box by Sean McKay and Conor McGarry was at the back post to hammer the ball home from close range. The third came from another cross after lovely fluent passing move by Northend, the ball was played wide on the right to Josh Mitchell who sent in a direct cross to Scott Sempey who headed home. Robbie McGaughey claimed the fourth of the game with another great mazy run from midfield, skipped past several tackles and blasted the ball home from just inside the box. Northend's fifth came after a penalty was awarded for a harsh tackle in the box, Oliver Hampshire drilled the ball at the keeper who spilled it and Ruairi Campbell followed up and blasted the ball past the stranded keeper. Half time 5-0.

The second half started as the first had finished, Northend dominating the game in all areas, splitting the midfield and defence constantly. Sean McKay claimed his first and Northend's sixth, Robbie McGaughey again ran from midfield to the edge of the box, placed a pass to Sean in the box, who side stepped the defender and placed the ball low past the keeper. The Ballymena keeper was having a great game and if not for him the score would have been much more as Northend piled on wave after wave of attack. The Northend defence was breached when a misplaced pass across the defence was picked up and Ballymena scored their only goal. Northend's seventh came from some scrappy play and the inability of Ballymena to clear the ball which allowed Robbie McGaughey to nip in and squeeze the ball past the keeper and his near post. All three subs were used, but the pace and movement did not stop. Northend's midfield and strikers were relentless and excellent to watch. The defence solid and dealt with any breach comfortably. Northend's final goal came on 56 minute , Stuart Lecky picked up the ball on the far side of the pitch, stepped inside the defender and placed the ball past the keeper.

Once again Northend's passing game was excellent piling on pressure and overwhelming the opposition. The entire team, again, were great with their vision, passing and understanding of each other's game. This was reflected with man of the match going to the entire team.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kyle, R Campbell, C McGarry, S McKay(c), S Lecky

Chimney Corner 0 Northend United 9 Saturday 22nd September 2012

The first fifteen minutes of this game was a very scrappy affair with a lot of midfield action resulting in Northend's passing game breaking down, however Northend got their opening goal on 15 minutes when, after a good break, Sean McKay hammered a ball at goal which was well saved but fell to Conor McGarry who blasted the ball into the open net, this prompted Northend to step up the pressure on Chimney Corner. Northend continued to pepper the Chimney Corner net and got their second on 22 minutes, another lovely passing move saw Ruairi Campbell pass to Scott Sempy who sent in a sweet cross for Conor McGarry to score. Northend continued the pressure and got their third on 28 minutes when Sean sent in another great cross for Scott Sempy, whose shot cannoned off the post to the feet of Josh Mitchell who slammed the ball home. Northend finished the half with another goal from Sean McKay, Conor McGarry swung in a cross which Sean picked up, took his time and placed passed the keeper. Half time 0-4.

The second half began with Northend oozing confidence and their passing game began to flow, splitting the Chimney Corner midfield and defence time after time. On 32 minutes, Ruairi Campbell opened his account, again Sean McKay who tormented the defence all match fired in a low cross, Ruairi collected the ball and placed the ball low into the net. Josh Mitchell followed this up with a terrific chipped shot over the keeper on 36 minutes to make it 0-6. Northend were now rampant and pressed attack after attack, Ruairi Campbell got his second after keeper error gifted the ball in the box and Ruairi did not miss to make it 0-7. All 3 subs were used at the 45 minute mark but the play making did not slow down. Sean McKay got his second of the day on 50 minutes, another great passing move to make it 0-8, fittingly Sean McKay bagged his third and completed Northend's scoring on 56 minutes, when Scott Sempey sent in another cross which was cleared by the defence but fell to Sean who drilled the ball into the net to finish 0-9.

This was another fine footballing display by the entire team, with every player contributing to what was a very good game of football. The midfield controlled the play and laid some lovely passes to the strikers, the defence and goalkeeper were solid and calm when called on and the forwards were rampant terrorising the Chimney Corner defence.

Men of the Match: Sean McKay, Robert McCluney

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kyle, R Campbell, C McGarry, S McKay(c), S Lecky

Northend United 3 Ballyclare Colts 0 Saturday 15th September 2012

Northend continued their ethos of pass and move and from the kick off put pressure on the Ballyclare defence restricting them to play long balls from the back to their front players. Northend looked very comfortable on the ball and passed the ball very well, making Ballyclare work hard to chase the game. Northend pressed the game continually and their quick passing proved too much for the Ballyclare defence to cope with, with the Northend midfield splitting the defence time after time. The deadlock was broken after five minutes, an excellent pass from midfield was held up nicely by Josh Mitchell who fired home a low, powerful shot to make it 1-0 to Northend. The game became more contested as the first half wore on, but Northend looked the more dangerous, with great movement both on and off the ball. On twenty-nine minutes Northend made it 2-0, a great cross from Scott Sempey was partly cleared by the Ballyclare defence only to fall to Matthew Willighan who sent in a sweet curling shot from twenty yards into the top right hand corner of the net. Northend could have increased their lead but good goal keeping and the cross bar prevented any further goal scoring. Half time 2-0

The second half kicked off with Northend showing good control, pace and movement which again began to open up Ballyclare to wave after wave of attack. Northend's third goal came initially from defending a Ballyclare corner. The corner kick was played in by Ballyclare cleared by the Northend defence to Connor Meneely who fed a great pass to Josh Mitchell who held the ball briefly and laid off a great pass to Scott Sempey, who, never broke stride, ran all of fifty yards to finish the move with an excellent low shot past the keeper from just inside the box. Northend continued to patiently pass and move and Robbie McGaughey, Josh Mitchell and Conor McGarry could all have added to the score. Even when Ballyclare did break the midfield, defence and goal keeper all looked solid and dealt with any threat but instead of panicking and 'hoofing' the ball up the pitch always tried to get the ball on the ground to play football.

This was the best football performance the U12s had in their first 3 games of the new season. A few positional changes by the manager breathed some fresh approach play into the team and the entire team gave a performance that any manager would be proud of.

Men of the Match: Oliver Hampshire, Scott Sempey

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kyle, R Campbell, C McGarry, S McKay(c)

Newington 3 Northend United 3 Saturday 8th September 2012

This was a very tough fixture last year and proved to be the same again, Newington were very physical and dominated the first ten minutes of the game, only poor finishing stopped Northend from being over run. Newington took the lead on ten minutes. Northend seemed to rally from the kick off and began to press for the equaliser, this came thanks to Robbie McGaughey on fifteen minutes when he left the defence for pace and stroked the ball passed the keeper to make it 1-1. Newington continued to threaten but Northend scored again on twenty-five minutes however it was ruled off side. Northend took the lead on twenty-eight minutes when Robbie McGaughey controlled the ball well from a throw in sped into the box and again finished coolly to make it 1-2 at half time.

Again from the kick off Newington were more physical and seemed to overwhelm the midfield, Newington scored on thirty-seven minutes slightly against the run of play. The most controversial moment in the game came when Newington were reduced to 10 players after a terrible off the ball incident that saw Robbie McGaughey being carried off the pitch. Northend applied pressure with the additional man, but could not break the Newington defence and the Newington keeper pulled off some good saves to maintain the deadlock.

Northend eventually scored on forty-nine minutes from a corner, another great cross was whipped in and after a goal mouth scramble Oliver Hampshire headed the ball into the net. This spurred Northend on and they began to attack time and again but without any end product. In the dying minutes of the game Northend's defence seemed to turn off and a sloppy back pass to the keeper saw Newington equalise with almost the last kick of the game.

Man of the Match: Robbie McGaughey

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey(c), M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kyle, R Campbell, C McGarry, S McKay

Northend United 10 Loughside 0 Saturday 1st September 2012

The first ten minutes of this game was very scrappy but Northend tried to play football, winning five corners and piling on pressure on the Loughside keeper and defence. The break through came on 12 minutes when a corner was driven in by Oliver Hampshire and Ruairi Campbell hammered the ball in from close range. Conor McGarry made it 2 on sixteen minutes. Northend continued to apply good pressure and the midfield began to assert themselves on the game feeding the strikers and restricting Loughside to play long balls from the back. Conor McGarry made it 3 - 0. Ruairi Campbell completed the first half scoring on twenty-six minutes when he again finished off a good cross from Matthew Willighan. Half time 4 -0.

The second half began much brighter for Northend, who looked much more confident and eager for the ball, a great cross by Robbie McGaughey was put in the back of the net by Scott Sempey on thirty-five minutes. Northend looked very comfortable and the defence had very little to do for much of the game but were alert when any danger did come, the midfield continued to harass the Loughside team and Northend's strikers could not be contained by the Loughside defence.

Conor McGarry scored on thirty-seven and fourty-five to make it 7 -0. Conor McGarry made it 8-0 with a deft chip over the keeper on fifty-eight minutes, Conor McGarry turned supplier for Robbie McGaughey on fifty-nine minutes to make it 9 -0 and Conor McGarry finished his 6 goal haul on sixty minutes when Oliver Hampshire slipped a neat ball through from the edge of the box for Conor to tap in from close range.

This was a solid display from all Northend players and a great start to the new season, with Northend picking up from where they left off last year.

Man of the Match: Conor McGarry

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, J Mitchell, C Meneely, R McGaughey(c), M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kyle, R Campbell, C McGarry

Linfield 5 Northend United 0 Friendly Saturday 25th August 2012

With much of the unknown about Linfield outside of the name Northend approached this game hoping for a good display and to maintain their good form. As in the previous game Northend looked out of sorts early on and the team, maybe showing Linfield too much respect and unlike in training, the Northend players did not communicate with each other during the entire match. This lack of talking had the consequence of the players not working as unit and passing breaking down all too often. Throughout the game Northend matched the midfield but time and again Linfield counter attacked after Northend's passing broke down.

Linfield scored 4 goals from set pieces, 3 corners and a free kick, Northend's defence and goalkeeper again guilty of not talking or marking closely enough. Linfield's only goal from open play was taken well but again the Northend defence did not do enough to put pressure on the Linfield player who had time to move into a good shooting position and thump the ball home. Northend had a few attempts on target, the best of these was Sean McKay who was unlucky with a couple of well taken free kicks.

This was a very out of sort's performance from a team who in all warm up games to date had shown great character and determination, even when going goals down. The team had always marshalled itself and moved the ball well but on this occasion the 'Northend Spirit' seemed to drift away.

Man of the Match: Sean McKay

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, R Campbell, J Mitchell, S McKay , C Meneely,R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, P Kerr, L Herbison, Trialist

Magherafelt Sky Blues 4 Northend 5 Friendly Wednesday 22nd August 2012

This looked like a tough game on paper and with Northend having to play a number of untried players it became even more difficult. This prediction was borne out from the kick off, with Northend not getting into their usual stride and looking decidedly and unfamiliarly out of form. Unfortunately Magherafelt were not in a forgiving manner and in the early stages of the game attacked relentlessly causing the Northend defence many problems, with very little response or game plan from the Northend players in general. Within 26 minutes Magherafelt had scored 3 goals without reply and were looking the more likely to score as the first half wore on. Only on the 25th minute did Northend have their first effort on goal which was saved. As the first half drew to a close, the play became a little more scrappy and Northend mid field began to get a better grip on the game and began passing the ball in their usual manner.

After the team talk at half time the players looked completely different to their first half performance and immediately began to press and pass the ball. Northend scored their first goal on 33 minutes, through Sean McKay, after some nice passing and good determination, Sean slotted the ball home and this breathed confidence back into the Northend team as a whole. Northend's second goal came just 2 minute's later with our trialist breaking the off side and hammering the ball home to make it 3-2 to Magherafelt. Again Northend pressured but Magherafelt were a constant threat on the break and almost scored their 4th on 45 minutes. Northend drew level when after a great build up the ball was fired in low and hard across the face of the net for Northend's trialist to score his 2nd on the night. On 52 minutes Northend took the lead when Josh Mitchell controlled the ball outside the box and sent in a looping shot over the keeper and into the net to make it 3-4 to Northend. Northend continued to press and again scored with a route one pass down the park beating the Magherafelt defence, Northend's trialist was the first to the ball and calmly stroked the ball past the keeper on 56 minutes to make it 3-5. Magherafelt again broke soon after and scored to make it 4-5. Northend's keeper pulled off 2 excellent saves in the last 2 minutes of the game in order to maintain Northend's unbeaten run in the warm up games.

This was a very good game of football and a fantastic test for the U12s who for the first time in a warm up game had to come from behind to win a match. They rose to the challenge and the entire team put in a great second half performance.

Man of the Match: J Mitchell, O Hampshire

Panel: J Marks, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, S Lecky, R Campbell, J Mitchell, S McKay , C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, L Herbison, Trialisth

Northend United 16 Coleraine Academy 4 Friendly Saturday 18th August 2012

From the kick off, Northend played a pass and move game. This type of play unlocked the Coleraine Youth Academy defence after just 2 minutes, when Conor McGarry lashed the ball into the net after being played into the box. Robbie McGaughey made it 2 after 5 minutes with another good finish after some good build up play. Coleraine were unfortunate to concede an own goal after a defensive mix up making it 3 -0 to Northend. Northend continued to apply pressure at every occasion and continued to pass the ball very fluently, leading to a goal flurry, Conor McGarry made it 4 after 16 minutes, Oliver Hampshire made it 5 with an excellent shot outside the box, Sean McKay scored on 33 minutes after some nice ball control and Robbie McGaughey completed the first half scoring for Northend on 35 minutes. The Coleraine attack was patchy and Northend's defence looked very comfortable, but a few defensive indecisions and great free kick lead to Coleraine scoring 3 goals in the first half to make it 7 - 3 at half time.

The second half kicked off in the same vein as the first, Northend continued to move the ball well and again the pace of the play lead to 2 quick goals by Robbie McGaughey in the 37 and 40 minute to make it 4 for him. Sean McKay added a further goal to complete his hat trick on 49 minutes. Ruari Campbell added 2 goals on 54 and 56 minutes and Thomas McAuley contributed 2 more goals on 63 and 65 minutes to give him a hat trick and Northend 2 hat tricks on the day. Robert McCluney finished the scoring on 65 minutes, to make the final score 16-4.

Northend looked very solid through the entire squad from strikers to goal keeper and created many more opportunities, the entire team played a pass and move game which not only made for great entertainment but also lead to Northend scoring so many goals.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: L McAfee, S Sempey, O Hampshire, R McCluney, S Lecky, R Campbell, J Mitchell, S McKay , C Meneely, C McGarry, R McGaughey, P Kyle, M Willighan, T McAuley(c)