Untitled

Northend United 0 Magherafelt Sky Blues 0 Saturday 18th October 2014

This match was played in front of a large crowd and both teams didn't disappoint them with one of the best games ever played at Ballysally with both teams not prepared to back down to the other. Most of the opening play was confined to the middle of the play with Morrow, Ferris, and Russell giving a good account of themselves and with a four man defence of Higgins, McKillop, Montgomery and captain Kilgore, the Sky Blues couldn't get past them and were restricted to shots from distance. Northend had a great chance just before half time when Jamie Morrow received a pass from Jamie Montgomery down the left wing and as he was closing in on the Magherafelt goal a Sky Blues defender make a great tackle to prevent Northend going one up before the halftime whistle. Half time score 0-0

The second half started as the first ended with Northend on the attack but Magherafelt's defence was in great form as well and were able to cancel out the Northend attack and counterattack and this was the way the game went with both teams attacking and counterattacking. The game changed with fifteen minutes gone when the referee awarded Magherafelt a penalty for something that no one else seen but they missed it and this seem to lift Northend even more with them pinning Magherafelt back in their own half for long periods and also hit the crossbar and had the ball cleared of the line and with the last kick of the ball Magherafelt hit the top of the crossbar as well to end a fantastic game between two good football teams. Full time score 0-0

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: E McSparran, C Higgins, R McKillop, J Montgomery, C Kilgore (c), C Russell, P Ferris, J Morrow, C McGaughey

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Dungiven Celtic 1 Northend United 2 Saturday 11th October 2014

Northend U12s had only 2 weeks to wait to gain revenge from their defeat to Dungiven Celtic who beat them 3-1 two weeks previously. Northend were the better team in the first half with Ronan McKillop playing really well at right back. In fact most of Northend's play came from this side of the pitch with Pat Ferris in midfield linking up well. It was from these two players that Northend took the lead late in the half. Pat Ferris battled hard to get to the touch line and with a very tight angle hit a thunderous shot toward to keeper who could not keep it out. Deservedly Northend were one up. Calum Kilgore and Harry Wylie were solid at the back and Euan McSparron also was proving hard to beat. However Northend failed to close down a Dungiven player and what looked like a cross fooled everyone with it looping over the keepers head. Northend were much stronger this time around than two weeks ago, with everyone battling hard especially R McKillop at right back who gave nothing away. Northend pushed on and passed the ball impressively and Pat Ferris slid a lovely diagonal pass though to Cameron Russell who slid in to nip the ball past the onrushing keeper. A superbly taken goal and Northend finished to first half 2-1 up. Half time score 1-2

The second half was much tighter with Dungiven introducing their subs who attacked the Northend defence and the player who was a thorn previously took no time in showing his presence. But Ronan McKillop had him in his pocket. He showed strength and quality in defending and attacking and over all made all the right decisions. But the Northend team stuck to their guns and never gave Dungiven any chances and unlike the previous game Dungiven's long ball didn't catch Kilgore and Wylie out. Northend deservedly won this second encounter 2-1. This was an excellent result. Full time score 1-2

Man of the Match: Ronan McKillop

Panel: E McSparron, R McKillop, J Morrow, P Esler, H Wylie (c), C McGaughey, J Montgomery, P Ferris, C Russell, C Kilgore and B Logan

Northend United 3 Roe Valley 1 Saturday 4th October 2014

The U12s continued their good start to the season when they beat a Roe Valley side by a 3-1 scoreline. Returning to the squad was goal keeper Euan McSparron.

The first half was an even affair with not much to report apart from Roe Valley taking the lead just before the half. Half time score 0-1

The second half began with Northend working extremely hard and with only 9 players available, Northend put Roe Valley under more and more pressure. The Northend Blues got their just reward when Calum Kilgore headed into the net from a corner kick levelling the scores. Northend pushed on and the impressive Pat Ferris storming from midfield taking on the Roe Valley defence. It was from one of his runs that his shot fell kindly for Conor McGaughey to tap in for Northend to take the lead. It was all Northend and with only a few minutes to go Pat Ferris got his reward. He broke away from midfield and made it 3-1. Full time score 3-1

Man of the Match: Pat Ferris

Panel: E McSparron, J Morrow, C McGaughey, J Montgomery, P Ferris, C Russell, C Kilgore, B Logan, R McKillop

Northend United 1 Dungiven Celtic 3 Saturday 27th September 2014

Northend U11s played their second game of the season against Dungiven Celtic. Returning to the squad was Fiontan McQuillan.

The first half was an even affair with Northend edging the better chances. Playing against a physical stronger team Northend played some lovely passing football. Northend playmaker Harry Wylie was at the centre of all the attacks.

The best chances fell to Jamie Montgomery and Pat Ferris who made some great runs from midfield but just failed to get a shot away. Dungiven battled hard with their only chances coming from the break. It was from a free kit that Northend took a deserved lead mid way through the half. Harry Wylie struck the ball from outside the area which soared over the keepers reach, wonderful goal. However Dungiven rallied after this and piled pressure onto the formidable partnership of Fiontan McQuillan and Calum Kilgore. Northend gave away a silly free kick which appeared soft compared to the challenges that they received. Sloppy marking allowed a poor struck free kick to find the net. Half time score 1-1

Northend were slow to start the second half and out of nothing found themselves 2 one down, As with last year Northend were too nice in their challenges unlike the Dungiven team who niggled and bullied Northend. Unlike last week Northend disappeared in the second half with too many boys hiding and not putting enough effort in. However Calum Kilgore and Fiontan McQuillan fought hard in defence and Harry Wylie and Pat Ferris in midfield. With time running out Northend tried to get something out of the game and were caught a couple of times on the break that Dungiven failed to take. Although with a few minutes to go Dungiven cleared the ball and found themselves 3 on 1 and made sure of the points by hitting the ball over Coire Mellon's reach. Full time score 1-3

Man of the Match: Harry Wylie

Panel: C Mellon, F McQuillan, J Morrow, P Esler, H Wylie (C), C McGaughey, J Montgomery, P Ferris, C Russell, C Kilgore

Northend United 5 Coleraine Alexander 3 Saturday 20th September 2014

Northend United U12s began their first game of the 2014/15 season against a unknown Coleraine Alexander team on Saturday and making their debuts for the Ballymena Blues were Cameron Russell, Ronan McKillop and Ben Logan.

Northend got off to a flyer with Jamie Montgomery scoring in the first minute. Northend started the game at great pace and pressurised Coleraine for the whole first half. Jamie Montgomery made it 2-0 after three minutes and then Pat Ferris scored on nine minutes making it 3-0. Coleraine did pull one back after their striker was clearly 3 yards off side but the referee let play go on. Playing their second season in this 9 aside format Northend looked very secure, playing some lovely football and passing from the back. The right hand side was extremely impressive with Ronan McKillop at right back taking the ball and running at the opponents. Callum Kilgore gave his normal colossal performance looking strong in his tackles and clearances. Pierce Esler at left back also had a great first half. On 15 min Harry Wylie made it 4-1 from a cracking free kick from outside the box striking it high into the corner. Half time 4-1

The second began with Coleraine showing more intent, mainly from a few mistakes by Northend not clearing the ball or missed challenges. However at 4-2 Northend were only the team that looked like winning. Pat Ferris could have had 5 or 6 goals with his electric pace and trickery he just couldn't find the target. Jamie Montgomery also was impressive by linking well with Pat Ferris. Cameron Russell also looked at ease in midfield and up front with some neat touches and good passes.

With 8 minutes of the second half gone Jamie Morrow pounced to make it 5-2 by nipping in to poke a loose ball into the net. Coleraine pulled another goal back late on making it 5-3. Coire Mellon also had a good game in nets for his first 9 aside game at U12 level. Final score 5-3

This was a good team outing with Ronan McKillop, Callum Kilgore and Harry Wylie all putting in strong performances.

Panel: C Mellon, R Tsang, J Morrow, P Esler, H Wylie, C Kilgore (c), J Montgomery, R McKillop, P Ferris, C Russell, B Logan