NORTHEND UNITED YOUTH FC
Ballymena, N. Ireland
Est 2003

Northend United 0 Hillsborough Boys Tigers 2  Saturday 26th February 2022

The Blues were on their travels again this week, playing Hillsborough Boys in a League match. It was a well matched game with both teams having spells of good play. The wee Blues started the first half on the back foot but soon got to grips with the game. It was end-to-end play with Hillsborough scoring after a flowing piece of link-up play and good shot. Half time 0-1

Into the second half and Northend had more of the ball, with a lot of chances but just couldn’t score Catlin Kelly had a really good impact when she came on, putting herself about and gaining a couple of free kicks as Hillsborough definitely knew they had a game on their hands. Liam Kearney hit the Hillsborough woodwork with a free kick. Down the other end with help from the wind, Hillsborough got a second goal. Oisin Gordon almost pulled a goal back for Northend when he found space in front of the goal and just about to pull the trigger when he was chopped down. The resultant free kick forced a good save from the Hillsborough keeper. It wasn’t Northend’s day, but we did make good improvements passing and moving into space Full time 0-2

Player of the Match: Caitlin Kelly

Panel: L Hardy, R Hamill, R Maguire, J O’Hara, O McBurney, L Kearney, C Kelly, O Gordon, C McKay, K McNeill
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Northend United 4 Hillsborough Boys 1    Saturday 12th February 2022

Northend started on the front foot in this game, winning the ball straight after kick-off and troubling the Hillsborough keeper with an early shot. It was end-to-end football in the early stages with the Blues having a good spell in the middle of first half with Ruairi Hamill playing Caitlin Kelly in. She done all the hard work, going past two players and setting up Oisin Gordon with only the keeper to beat to give Northend a 1-0 lead. That wasn’t enough for her, as she was doing the same down the other wing and when she played in Hamill, he was able to pull it back for Gordon to score his second of the game, smashing the ball into the bottom corner. Hillsborough got back in the game with a lot of pressure on the Blues rearguard, but with the players keeping their shape, the Blues defence of Ruairi Hamill, Oliver McBurney and Liam Kearney stopped all that Hillsborough could throw at them. Half time 2-0

The second half started well for Northend, limiting Hillsborough to a couple of long range shots, but Lughan Hardy, in the Blues nets, was equal to the challenge. From one of his clearances, he released Oliver McBurney down the right wing to cross to Hamill, and with his back to goal, he laid the ball off to Cara McKay, to score her first goal for the club. Northend were in dominant form in the match and on the very next move, Cara was able to adjust her feet in the run and smashed it past the Hillsborough keeper, to give the Blues a four goal lead. The match got bogged down in midfield, as Northend conceded a number of free-kicks. However, Lughan Hardy’s handling was inspired in the Northend nets, and he was able to set the Blues up for a number of counter-attacks.
Caitlin Kelly hit the perfect free only for the Hills keeper to make a good save, while Joseph O’Hara also saw the Hills keeper make a good save from his free-kick.
Towards the end of the match, a Hillsborough free-kick from long range, found the back of the Northend net. The match finished 4-1 but could have been 10-10 with both keepers extremely good today. Full time 4-1

Player of the Match:  Cara McKay - first two goals for the club hope to see many more.

Panel: L Hardy, R Hamill, R Maguire, J O’Hara, O McBurney, L Kearney, C Kelly, O Gordon, C McKay, K McNeill
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Lisburn Youth 2 Northend Youth 2  Saturday 15th January 2022

Northend started off this match on the front foot and were playing some good football. Liam Kearney scored his first goal following some good play. Lisburn were always looking dangerous and pulled a goal back before half time. Half time 1-1

Into the second half and that man Kearney was on hand to score a 2nd goal for Northend. Lisburn piled on the pressure after this and some great saves from Lughan Hardy in the Blues nets, kept them in the game. However, Lisburn scored their 2nd goal with 5 minutes remaining, following a deflecting in the Northend box. Full time 2-2

Player of the Match: Oliver McBurney

Panel: L Hardy, R Hamill, R Maguire, J Dillon, C McGarry, O McBurney, L Kearney, C Kelly, O Gordon, C McKay
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Northend United 0 Hillsborough Boys 1   Saturday 6th November 20221

The Blues started the game a bit nervous, with a few new players playing their debuts. After this shaky start, it was all Northend from 5 minutes in and Hillsborough couldn’t get past the Blues defensive setup. The front three of Liam Kearney, Oliver McBurney and Caitlin Kelly were running at the Hillsborough defence at every opportunity. Cody McGarry was having a good first game and settled well into that centre midfield role. When Hillsborough did attack the Northend defence, they found Ruairi Hamill on top of his game. As half time approached the Blues were definitely playing with confidence and displaying their best football of the season. Half time 0-0

The second half started the same way as the first finished, with a confident Northend on top. Caitlin Kelly, who is improving her game week over week, was involved in some great hold up play for the Blues. Liam Kearney and Oliver McBurney were involved in some impressive link-up moves. When Hillsborough did test the Northend defence, they found Lughan hardy in the Blues nets, dealing comfortably with whatever Hillsborough could throw at him. As Northend went looking for a goal, they were dealt with the cruellest of blows, when a Hillsborough defensive clearance was met with their striker’s pace, and he eventually found the back of the Blues net.
As Northend went looking for an equaliser in the last ten minutes, a series of corners rained down on the Hillsborough net, but Northend were unable to score. In one final attempt, Kearney put Caitlin Kelly through one on one with the goalkeeper, but she unfortunately pulled her shot wide, as the Hillsborough keeper advanced. A truly top performance from the Blues this week but unfortunately the score doesn’t reflect it. Full time 0-1

Player of the Match: Joshua Dillon

Panel: L Hardy, R Maguire, R Hamill, J Dillon, J O’Hara, O McBurney, C McGarry, L Kearney, C Kelly, O Lemon, K McNeill
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