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Northend United 5 Lisburn Distillery 3 Saturday 29th October 2016

Northend started this Lisburn Shield tie in explosive form and within five minutes Ben O'Neill broke down the left-hand side, beat his man and delivered a great cross which Shea O'Broin met first time. His shot canoned off the crossbar and deflected to the edge of the box for Jay McKeown to drive it into the bottom left hand corner to put Northend ahead. Within another two minutes Northend would find themselves two ahead with the best goal they have scored this Season and one that pleased the Coaches no end. It started with O'Neill picking the ball up in his own half and then it was one touch football between O'Neill, McKeown, Billy Bell, Shea Redmond and an equally brilliant finish from O'Broin to end an excellent footballing move. A period followed when Northend should have put the game to bed but Redmond, McKeown and O'Neill found the Distillery keeper on good form in all three occasions. Then just before half time Distillery broke through to score and give themselves something to hold onto for the second half. Half time 2-1

The second half started with an explosive start from Distillery and although Zach Erwin, Jack Carson and Jamie Magill had been comfortable in defence Distillery would pull another back to make it game on. Then minutes later O'Neill was brought down just outside the box and McKeown hit a hard and low free kick that ended up going through the Distillery keepers legs. This spurred Northend on and they scored again from a set piece as again McKeown this time drilled a free kick hard and low across the box which fooled the Distillery defence and O'Neill was quickest to react and get in between two Defender's and clip a lovely finish by the keeper. Again and fair play to Distillery's resilience they would give themselves a lifeline again and pull the score back to 4/3 but with one minute remaining on the clock it was Northend who would deliver the killer blow as a great run down the right from O'Broin saw him cut inside and find O'Neill who played a delightful ball across the box to McKeown. He side stepped his marker to drill a brilliant right footed shot into the bottom corner of the net leaving the keeper no chance and sending Northend into the next round of the Shield, to the delight of a big crowd of noisy supporters. Full time 5-3

Men of the Match: Jay McKeown and Ben O'Neill : Both ran themselves ragged in centre midfield as well as assists and goals.

Panel: G McClean, Z Erwin, J Carson, J Magill, B O'Neill, B Bell, J McKeown, S O'Broin, S Redmond

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Northend United 1 Ballyclare Colts 0 Saturday 22nd October 2016

This was a hard fought match with both sides competing well and made for a very exciting game. Early on Northend had to rely on goalkeeper George McClean to be at his best as he came quickly off his line to block a Ballyclare through ball. Jamie Magill hit a long ball over the Ballyclare defence for Jack Carson to run onto but he couldn't get enough on it as the keeper saved. Jay McKeown was dominating midfield and he played Carson in again but once again the keeper saved well. Shea O'Broin and Kyle Wakefield had good efforts on goal saved as Northend finished the first half strongly. Half time 0-0

Northend took the game by the scruff of the neck at the start of the second half with McKeown and Billy Bell becoming more dominant in attack. The only goal of the game came 5 minutes into the half as Jamie Magill played a long ball forward, Jack Carson ran through on goal forcing the keeper to come off his line and block the shot but the ball fell nicely to Shea O'Broin who chipped the ball beautifully over the keeper as he scrambled back into goals. The game ebbed and flowed with half chance to both sides with Jay McKeown and Callum Francey both having good headers saved. Ballyclare piled the pressure on in the last 10 minutes but the defence of Ben Adams, Zach Erwin and Jamie Magill stood up to the task well with some excellent defending and George McClean dealt with anything that got past them. Full-time 1-0

Man of the Match: Jay McKeown - dominated midfield both in defence and attack

Panel: G McClean, B Adams, Z Erwin, J Magill, K Wakefield, J McKeown, B Bell, J Carson, S O'Broin, C Francey

Lurgan Town 4 Northend United 0 NIBA Cup Saturday 15th October 2016

On a very wet day in Lurgan this was an even encounter for most of the match. It started with end to end stuff with Northend's best chance falling to Billy Bell who hit the side netting with his effort. Again both Bell and Jay McKeown had chances but the Lurgan keeper dealt with both. This half also saw a brilliant save from George McClean who saved one handed from an effort that was heading into the top corner. The half finished with a Lurgan goal to put them ahead at the break. Half time 1-0

This half was also a tight affair with two long range efforts from McKeown and Ben O'Neill. Shea Redmond beat two men lovely on the edge of the box and found himself in on goal with just the keeper to beat but his slight hesitation let a defender in to clear. With probably about ten minutes to go Northend got caught pushing up for an equaliser and this was to blame for Lurgan hitting on the break and scoring three. Although the scoreline doesn't really reflect the way the game went with four first team players out this was a great effort by the lads who came in. A special mention to Callum Francey making his debut and did well. Full time 4-0

Man of the Match: Jamie Magill : Another of the players who has developed brilliantly over the past year.

Panel: G McClean, J Magill, K Wakefield, Z Erwin, J Carson, B O'Neill, B Bell, J McKeown, S Redmond, C Francey

Colin Valley 1 Northend United 11 Saturday 8th October 2016

Northend's explosive start to this game was all about Shea O'Broin as he tested the keeper inside the first minute and only a great save kept it out. A minute later the same player would score the first into the top corner from twenty yards. A few minutes after that, he hit the crossbar then great work from Jamie Magill and Jay McKeown would set O'Broin up again and this time he made no mistake from the edge of the box. Then a Shea Redmond corner was headed home by McKeown to make it three. A period followed as Northend piled on the pressure with Zach Erwin going close and Ben O'Neill hitting the post. Then McKeown played a ball out wide to Redmond who drilled it across the box for Magill to finish from close range. Minutes later Billy Bell stole the ball from the right back, ran forward and unleashed a great left foot shot into the roof of the net. The half would finish with what would be the goal of the game with McKeown picking up the ball just over halfway and beating five players before sliding the ball cooly past the Colin Valley keeper. Half time 0-6

The second half started just the same as the first with McKeown hitting a post and O'Broin with a good solo run and an equally good goal. McKeown would add another with a long range effort into the top corner, then great work from Magill saw him switch the ball into the path of O'Neill who made no mistake from the edge of the box. Shea O'Broin would finish the game with another two great finishes and although Callum McAvoy, Kyle Wakefield and Ben Adams dealt with everything in defence all match - Colin Valley did get through for a very well worked consolation goal. Full time 1-11

Man of the Match: Jay McKeown - scorer of three very different goals as well as numerous assists.

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

Hillsborough 1 Northend United 1 Saturday 1st October 2016

This game started slowly with neither team creating many chances and it was Hillsborough who would first test the Northend goal with George McClean pulling off a great save and putting the ball away for a corner. Northend would then create three corners in a row with the best chance coming from these with a Zach Erwin header that the Hillsborough keeper pushed around the post. Then with halftime looming Jamie Magill got brought down twenty yards out and Jay McKeown stepped up and hit a great free kick over the wall and into the top right hand corner to put Northend ahead at Half Time. Half time 0-1

The second half started with an injury to Callum McAvoy and he was unable to play any other part of the game. This weakened the Northend defence and indeed Hillsborough would capatilize on this and pull a goal back soon after. Chances would come and go for both teams for the remainder of the half but neither side could find a winner. Full Time 1-1

Man of the Match: .Jay McKeown - playing centre midfield to cover the injured Captain Stevie Bristow and winning all his tackles, capped by a great goal.

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

Distillery took the lead early in this match. Then midway through the first half Northend got a foothold on the game as Ben O'Neill played a perfect diagonal ball to send Billy Bell running at goal. The Distillery keeper managed to push Bells' shot back at him for Jay McKeown to tap home. Then just close to half time Northend unfortunately went behind again. Half time 2-1

Northend came out in the second half in search of an equaliser and they would stay in control for the whole half with some very good performances. Shea O'Broin, Zach Erwin, Bell & O'Neill all missed chance's before another great run from Bell down the left wing, found McKeown, who played a great ball across the edge of the box for O'Broin to fire home to make it 2-2. By now Kyle Wakefield and Callum McAvoy had taken control in Defence and Northend were looking likely to take the lead. This came yet again from another great run at the left wing by Bell, who drove the ball hard and low into the box which created a 50/50 between O'Neill and the keeper which O'Neill just nicked and played back into the path of Jack Carson, who rifled home to give Northend the win they deserved. Full time 2-3

Man of the Match: Billy Bell - proving that development works. He ran Distillery ragged and created all three goals.

Panel: G McClean, Z Erwin, J. Adams, C. McAvoy, K Wakefield, J Carson, B O'Neill, B Bell, J McKeown, S O'Broin
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Northend United 0 Banbridge Rangers 2 Saturday 17th September 2016

This was a very tight affair between two teams cancelling each other out for long periods. Northend's best chance of the first half fell to Shea O'Broin, who beat his man and cut inside and hit a great shot but went straight at the Banbridge keeper. Billy Bell had a half chance which hit the side netting. Then Banbridge opened the scoring due to a Northend error. Half time score 0-1

The second half saw Northend maybe just edge the better football though this didn't stop another mix-up that led to another Banbridge goal. There was some very good football on show from both teams and Callum McAvoy playing very well in the heart of defence and also bringing the ball out to start numerous attack's. The game finished with Northend creating four corners in a row and with the ball bouncing everywhere in the box it never dropped kindly for Northend to pull one back. In fairness no complaints with the result as Banbridge were slightly the better team, but it left the Northend coaches scratching their heads for the third week running at gifting teams two goals that should be very easily dealt with. Full time score 0-2

Man of the Match: Callum McAvoy - very strong defensively as well as starting attack's.

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

Doyle YC 2 Northend United 1 Saturday 10th September 2016

With a very even first half at Belvoir it was Doyle who broke through first but Northend keeper : George McClean was quick off his line to clear the danger. The most of this half was a Midfield battle though Northend did get Jay McKeown through and from an acute angle the Doyle keeper pulled off a great save. Then Northend's best chance off the half fell to new signing Shea Redmond who Ben O'Neill set up but he pulled his shot wide. Half time 0-0

Early in the second half Northend finally broke the deadlock and it was a lovely ball in from Stevie Bristow who found Shea O'Broin, who flicked it sideways and McKeown hit it from outside the box into the top right hand corner of the net to finish off a great move. The next minute saw Northend have a great chance to go two up when this time McKeown was the provider and he sent O'Broin through on goal only for his lob to go over the bar. The game finished with defensive errors to allow Doyle to score twice and leave the Northend Coaches a bit frustrated at a game they felt they should have put to bed earlier on. On the plus side there was two very good performances from Kyle Wakefield and Jamie Magill proving development and training works. Final score 2-1

Man of the Match. Stevie Bristow : covered every blade of grass as always.

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

Northend United 6 Camlough Rovers 3 Saturday 3rd September 2016

On a very wet first day back to The Lisburn League, Northend came up against a good Camlough team who last Season were amongst the top teams in the Armagh League. Although Northend had the majority of the play it was Camlough who had the first shot on target. Then midway through the first half Ben O'Neill picked up the ball from Kyle Wakefield and ran with it and unleashed a great shot which the keeper could only parry to Shea O'Broin, who rounded the keeper and scored to put Northend one up. This spurred Northend on and a few minutes later Camlough only half cleared the ball to the edge of the box, where Stevie Bristow headed it to the other side of the box and O'Neill hit it first time to beat the keeper at his near post. Half time 2-0

Camlough came out of the traps running in the second half and within minutes pulled a goal back, though in fairness to Northend within a minute Billy Bell ran from the halfway line and forced a Camlough defender into a mistake then set up O'Broin, who from the edge of the box smashed his second and Northend's third in off the Crossbar. This goal was a telling moment in the match as it seemed to kill Camlough's momentum and it wasn't long till some very neat passing from Bell and O'Neill saw Bell send Jay McKeown through on goal and he made no mistake for Northend's fourth. The next goal was a lovely piece of individual skill from McKeown and probably the goal of the game as he weaved in and out past two player's then placed a great finish past the keeper with his weaker left foot. Then a rare switch off by Northend allowed Camlough to score twice. In the closing minutes O'Broin drove the ball across the box for Bell to slide in for Northend's sixth. Full time 6-3

Special mention to Jack Carson and Jason Adams who came on in the second half and made their debut's.

Man of the Match: Shea O'Broin and Ben O'Neill; individually both are technically very good going forward, but when they link up together, as they did today they are a threat against anyone.

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