Northend United 1 Lisburn City 1 Saturday 9th November 2024

Northend started fast and continued to push forward with a high press. We played beautiful football all over the pitch during the first half. The boys were cutting through Lisburn City midfield and defence at every opportunity. It was great to see the pass and movement drills in training being used during the match creating lots of chances.

Alphie, Fionn and Michael were making great runs and causing problems down the wings. Alphie had a few chances along with Fionn and Michael but we were unable to convert. 

Lisburn were struggling to deal with the pressure and silky football on display by Northend. They ended up giving away 2 penalties in quick succession.  Unfortunately, we missed both with Lisburn keeper, who put in a man of the match performance after countless saves, stopping both.

Our central midfield of Conan and Conal were linking up with wide players Alphie, Fionn and Michael with Cormac holding the ball up well and bringing others into play. This enabled through balls via give and go movement to get in behind their defence. Our defence was solid and didn't let Lisburn City have any time on the ball. They won every battle and played out from the back comfortably. This started from Oisin in nets today supported by Noah, Jack, Caelan and Ronan who all played the right forward pass and supported our midfield

Cormac was working hard up top and battling well, he put Michael through down the right from a good flick after a kick out from Oisín with the ball finally going out for a goal kick. Conan and Cormac had good attempts on target from distance with the Lisburn keeper saving both efforts.

We finally managed to beat the Lisburn city keeper after good work by Conal, he played a through ball to Michael down the wing who crossed into the box with Fionn coming in at the back post to finish. 1-0. Northend finally getting what they deserved and went in front.  Half Time 1-0

Start of the 2nd half Ronan moved into midfield, he made a good run and played a through ball to Alphie who got his shot away with the keeper making a good save. Lisburn were playing long all match as they couldn't pass through our press. Another long ball through by Lisburn beat our defence but Oisín was on hand to cover and make a save. Ball played to Jack who put Alphie through down the left, a good cross followed but was cleared by Lisburn defence. 

The 2nd half was a little scrappy at times with Northend not passing and moving as well as they did throughout the first. Another long ball by Lisburn after we had another opportunity on goal wasn't dealt with by our defence. Oisín made a good save and the rebound fell to a Lisburn forward who shot into the roof of the net. 1-1 

Lisburn City pushed forward and won a freekick 20 yards out. Shot on target but Oisín was there to make a good save. Northend pushed forward and won another corner. Lisburn cleared long. Good cover and tackle at the back by Oisín who bravely went into the 50/50 and came out on top. We started playing better football and created further chances, Fionn making a good run with the defender putting it out for a corner.

Another good attack and run by Cormac who won a free kick around 25 yards out. He took the free, hit a great strike which was heading into the top corner but the Lisburn City keeper managed to get across and make another good save pushing the ball just past the post for a corner.

Cormac soon had another chance, through on goal and the defender made a tackle but fouled Cormac in the process, a clear penalty but the ref decided not to give it and award a corner instead. Lisburn City then had a player sent off after a 2nd yellow for repeated fouling.

Yet another chance presented itself to Fionn after taking on the defender, got through on goal but the defender recovered well and made a last ditch tackle to put it out for yet another corner.  We pushed hard for the 2nd goal which never came. The match finishing 1-1. Full Time 1-1

Another day of what should have been! Although our opponent's keeper was on top form and stopped us from scoring a bag full we had enough chances to put this match to bed in the first half.  It was a really good performance by all today with plenty of standout players and moments

United Panel: Cormac McGill, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Noah McGarry, Fionn McGarry, Jack Curry, Michael Killough, Alphie Woodhouse, Oisin Walker, Ronan Campbell

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