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Lurgan Town 1 Northend United 3 Saturday 28th April 2018

Peter Kennedy's young side completed their first season in the Lisburn League this weekend with a hard-fought win against the highly rated Lurgan Town. The young Armagh side had the better of the opening exchanges, their quick front players had Northend's defence under extreme pressure and it was no surprise when Lurgan took an early lead. This wakened up Northend and a midfield galvanised by the return of the tireless Paidin Mitchell and continually prompted by captain Pearse McAuley took control of proceedings. Northend displayed their characteristic quick passing game and eventually a move involving Paidin Mitchell and Euan Pirie put through Conal McAuley on goal who made no mistake in firing it past the Lurgan keeper. Half-Time 1-1

In the second half Northend continued to dominate proceedings and eventually pressed home their advantage when Pearse McAuley's pass sent Euan Pirie though on goal and he confidently dispatched the ball beyond the helpless goalkeeper. A fine Lewis Devlin header in the closing stages put the icing on the cake and wrapped up this game and the league season for the delighted Northend players and coaches. Full-time 1-3

Man of the Match: Paidin Mitchell

Panel: F Connon, T Gillen, L Devlin, C Reid, H Connon, P McAuley, P Mitchell, C McAuley, E Pirie, C O'Hara, S McDermott

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Loughgall 3 Northend United 6 Saturday 21st April 2018

Northend returned to action in the Lisburn League this Saturday against a physical Loughgall side. Loughgall started brightly and their direct style of play soon saw them take the lead when their striker finished from close range. This spurred Northend into life and the Ballymena side shortly equalised when Euan Pirie was released through the middle and his tidy finish found the net. Northend were soon in front when Pearse McAuley fired a free kick from 20 yards into the top corner, giving the Loughgall keeper no chance. Euan Pirie made it three before half time when put through on goal from Carter Reid's pass and fired below the Loughgall shot stopper. Half time 1-3

Loughgall came out all guns blazing in the second half and peppered the Northend goal with long range shots, scoring one from 20 yards in off the post. Shortly after, Loughgall got a free kick on the edge of the Northend box and the resulting strike cruelly deflected into the net, giving Finn Connon no chance of reaching, to level the game. Undeterred, Northend rallied and continued to press and regain the lead halfway into the second half. Northend made it 4-3 when Carter Reid rose the highest from a corner to find the net. Northend regained their two-goal cushion when Timmy Gillan crossed into the box and Lewis Devlin flicked the ball past the keeper, leaving him rooted to the spot. Euan Pirie completed his hat trick and wrapped up proceedings when bounding through on goal, looked up and rifled the ball emphatically into the top corner. Northend thoroughly deserved their victory and look forward to bringing their good form into the final day of the Lisburn League next Saturday.

Panel: F Connan, T Gillan, L Devlin, J Marks, C O'Hara, H Connon, P McAuley, C Reid, E Pirie, C McAuley

Camlough Rovers 1 Northend United 5 Saturday 14th April 2018

Northend's recent run of good form continued this weekend with a convincing win over Newry based Camlough Rovers in the Lisburn League. Brimming with confidence the young Blues were up for it right from the off and took the lead 5 mins after kick-off when Euan Pirie reacted quickly to head home a Timmy Gillen cross. With Pearse McAuley orchestrating play from his holding midfield role Northend were well in control and doubled their lead on the quarter hour mark when Euan latched onto a through ball from Pearse and hit a screamer from just outside the box which would be a worthy contender for goal of the season. The same player completed his hat-trick just before half time when he rose to head home a McAuley corner. Half time 0-3

After half time Northend continued to put pressure on the Camlough defence with wide men Timmy Gillen and Conall McAuley not giving the Camlough defence time to settle on the ball. Any time the midfield quartet were breached the Northend defence were able to break up the Camlough attacks, well marshalled by Lewis Devlin. A further two goals in the second half came from Euan Pirie before Camlough got a consolation goal in the last 5 mins.

Man of the Match: E Pirie

Panel: F Connon, H Connon, L Devlin, C Reid, T Gillen, S McDermott, P McAuley, C McAuley, E Pirie

Northend United 2 Doyle YC 1 Saturday 24th March 2018

On a perfect day for football in Lisburn Northend produced one of their best performances of the season to beat a competitive and well-organised Doyle side. The young blues were full of energy and never gave their opponents time on the ball from the off. Pearse McAuley and Paidin Mitchell stamped their authority on the game and always had an option in wide areas through Conal McAuley and the marauding Harry Connon. The defence were well organised all day - Timmy Gillen impresses in every game with his pace a major asset, Lewis Devlin was as ever a rock in the centre of defence and a resurgent Justin Mark brought composure and organisation to proceedings. In goal young Finn Connon displayed great handling and distribution. Up front the tireless Euan Pirie was a constant threat and it was through him that Northend took the lead half way through the first half with a well taken strike from the edge of the box. Half- time 1-0

After half time Doyle were fired up and put the Northend defence under severe pressure for the first 10 minutes. Eventually the pressure told and a vicious corner was deflected into the net by an unlucky Northend player.

However, the young blues immediately took control of the game again and won a free-kick on the edge of the Doyle box. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and up stepped Pearse McAuley to drill a perfect free-kick into the bottom corner. Doyle continued to pressurise and Dan Patterson was brought on to freshen up the tiring Northend line up. In the final minute Finn Connon produced a save to keep out Doyle which will long live in the memory of anyone who saw it. Final score 2-1

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: F Connon, T Gillen, L Devlin, J Mark, C McAuley, P McAuley, P Mitchell, H Connon, E Pirie, D Patterson

Northend United 4 Dromara 1 Saturday 10th March 2018

Northend got back to winning ways with a dominating display against Dromara. With Pearce McAuley pulling the strings in midfield Northend enjoyed lots of possession for most of the first half with very little to show for it although Euan Pirie hit the bar with a long-range effort that deserved better. Eventually Northend went ahead just before half time when a speculative Paidin Mitchell effort evaded the unfortunate Dromara goalie's grasp. Half time 1-0

The second half started as the first half ended with Northend in rampaging form and in the space of 10 minutes they were 4-0 ahead thanks to a quick-fire Euan Pirie hat-trick. Towards full-time Dromara pulled a goal back thanks to a superb strike that left Carter Reid in goals with no chance.

This was a great team performance played in shocking conditions which showed just what this team is capable off when they work hard and get their passing game going. Full time 4 - 1

Man of the Match: Pearse McAuley

Panel: H Connon, T Gillen, L Devlin, C Reid, C McAuley, P McAuley, S McDermott, P Mitchell, E Pirie, C O'Hara.

Banbridge Colts 1 Northend United 3 Saturday 17th February 2018

Northend returned to winning ways on Saturday in the Lisburn Youth League with an assured display against Banbridge Colts. After coming close on a number of occasions, Northend opened the scoring when a low, dangerous ball from Conall McAuley was crossed from the right and Sean McDermott was on hand to coolly finish into the bottom left corner of the net. Banbridge dug deep and sought to frustrate the oncoming Northend attacks and held out until just before half-time, when Captain Pearse McAuley picked the ball up on the left-hand side and after sidestepping two defenders, thrashed the ball past the rooted Banbridge Goalkeeper. Half time 0-2

With the wind in their sails, Northend went in search for more goals in the second half, only to be frustrated by some awry passing and resolute defending from the opposition. Banbridge pulled one back against the run of play when a high ball into the Northend box caused confusion amongst the defence and the Banbridge striker made no mistake with a great strike from the edge of the box. Northend, undeterred, continued to press and the goal of the game came when Pearse McAuley received the ball in a central position and released Sean McDermott, who outpaced his marker and hit a thunderous strike into the top corner from 20 yards. Full time 1-3

Panel: H Connon, C O'Hara, L Devlin, T Gillan, C McAuley, P McAuley, S McDermott, C Reid, E Pirie

Northend United 2 Warrenpoint Town 3 Saturday 27th january 2018

The 2006 United team made the trip to Lisburn to take on Irish Premiership Academy side Warrenpoint Town on Saturday morning. Northend started the livelier of the two sides and soon found themselves in front when an awkward clearance from the Warrenpoint goalkeeper found Euan Pirie, who confidently rounded his marker and fired into the back of the net. Playing with the wind in the first half, Warrenpoint soon got themselves back into the game with a fantastic goal, giving Harry Connon in nets no chance with the equaliser. Northend found it difficult to cope with the windy conditions against them and conceded a further two before half time. Half time 1-3

Northend came out all guns blazing in the second half and with the wind in their sails it was soon before the deficit was reduced to one goal when Paidin Mitchell found Harry Connon on the left-hand side, who stepped inside his marker and curled into the bottom corner. It was now Warrenpoint's turn to put on a defensive display as Northend pressed to find the equaliser. The Ballymena boys came close on a number of occasions in a dominant second half, with Paidin Mitchell hitting the post and Finn Connon and Daniel Patterson both firing just wide. Warrenpoint were able to hold out until the final whistle in a well-played game involving two evenly matched sides - a great advertisement for the Lisburn Invitational Youth League. Full time 2-3

Panel: H Connon, T Gillan, C O'Hara, PP Donegan, C McAuley, P McAuley, P Mitchell, C Reid, E Pirie, D Patterson, F Connon.

Northend United 3 Portadown Youth 0 Saturday 13th January 2018

Northend returned well rested after the Christmas break and hit the ground running against a well organised Portadown Youth side.

After a period of good possession Northend opened the scoring when Paidin Mitchell received the ball in centre midfield and after jinking past some onrushing defenders, drilled the ball into the bottom corner. Northend soon doubled their lead when Euan Pirie whipped in a corner and Lewis Devlin finished emphatically, making no mistake from close range. Northend maintained the pressure with defenders Connor O'Hara, Timmy Gillan and Lewis Devlin keeping any Portadown attacks at bay. Northend got a third when Pol Pius Donegan, on a mazy run down the left, found Sean McDermott who was subsequently fouled on the edge of the box. Captain Pearse McAuley's dangerous free-kick was well saved by the keeper, though Euan Pirie was well on hand to convert the rebound. Half time 3-0

The second half was a more open affair, with Portadown attempting to get back into the game, whilst Northend were trying hard to add to their tally. Resolute defending prevented Portadown from scoring, with Carter Reid in nets called into action on a number of occasions and Timmy Gillan making two vital tackles when one on one with the Portadown striker. Northend had a number of chances to put the game to bed with Harry Connon and Conall McAuley both going close before the final whistle. A great performance from every player and a fitting way to start off the year. Full time 3-0

Man of the match: Team Performance

Panel: C Reid, PP Donegan, L Devlin, T Gillan, C McAuley, S McDermott, P McAuley, P Mitchell, E Pirie, C O'Hara, H Connon