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Crumlin 1 Northend United 0 Saturday 3st October 2015

This was a very close game from beginning to end with both teams working incredibly hard to gain the upper hand. Crumlin started brightly and put Northend under a lot of pressure in the opening five minutes, although the best early chance fell to Jack Adams who created a room on the edge of the Crumlin area to test the keeper. Crumlin had a lot of pace in their attack and also dominated most of the aerial battle in midfield during the game. With seventeen minutes gone Tyrone Mitchell broke forward from a central position and crated an opportunity for Jack Adams that was 'chalked off' for a very tight off-side decision. Northend were now enjoying a dominant spell and almost took the lead when Lewis Hector created space along the left wing and fired a shot towards goal that was partially saved; Jack Adams closed in on the loose ball and was thwarted by a brilliant recovery save by the Crumlin keeper. In a strong finish to the half Tyrone Mitchell was put through on goal by David McKay and fired a shot narrowly over the bar. Half-time 0-0

Goal scoring opportunities were even harder to come-by during the second half with both teams battling hard to gain an advantage. Kevin Cosgrove marshalled his defence brilliantly; with Owen Campbell and David Magill working hard to protect Sam McDowell in nets. Peter Bristow work hard throughout the game and saw a half volley go wide of the goal on twelve minutes. As the game moved into the final stages Crumlin went close with an effort that rebounded off the post and into Sam McDowell's hands. With five minutes remaining a long up filed ball broke in behind the Northend defence and a Crumlin player nipped ahead of the onrushing keeper to poke the ball into the net. The Ballymena boys responded brilliantly and an Owen Campbell cross was poorly dealt with by the Crumlin keeper and almost fell to Callum McMurray. Then, with seconds remaining, Kevin Cosgrove fired a brilliant free-kick towards goal and in a mad scramble the Crumlin defence managed to clear their line and claim a narrow victory. Full-time 0-1

A great game of football that had everyone biting their nails right to the final whistle and a great advert of the Lisburn League in terms of the way both teams fairly fought out an incredibly tight game. A really good performance today boys.

Men of the Match - Sam McDowell looked very composed in goal and is improving with every game. Jack Adams also looked back to form and was unlucky not to have notched a goal for his side in the first half.

Panel: S McDowell, O Campbell, K Cosgrove, D Magill, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, K Barr, L Hector, P Bristow, C McMurray and David McKay

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Northend United 4 Newhill 6 Saturday 24th October 2015

This was very much a game of two halves. Northend were slow to start and were put under a lot of pressure by an attack minded Newhill side in the opening five minutes. It was the Ballymena boys who opened the scoring on seven minutes when Kai Barr sent Tyrone Mitchell free down the right wing and the central midfielder fizzed a brilliant cross into the box for Kevin Cosgrove to neatly slot home. Despite being in front Northend struggled to take a firm grip of the game and gave possession away very cheaply. Newhill pulled themselves level after thirteen minutes and added a second quickly after. By half time the Ballymena boys were 6-1 behind and the stark lesson is that sometimes you just need to work hard, defend and take the game into the oppositions half to relieve pressure. Half time 6-1

What a transformation - from the beginning of the second period Northend looked a completely different side. The boys finally started to move the ball quickly, create width and work hard for each other. Peter Bristow forced a great save from the keeper in the opening couple of minutes and another great save followed moments later when Kai Barr sent Callum McMurray free on goal. Northend notched their second of the game in the seventh minute when Owen Campbell worked hard to win possession and pass in-field to Tyrone Mitchell, Tyrone's fiercely struck shot almost up-rooted the goal. With nine minutes gone, David Magill made a strong tackle to win possession and set up a one-on-one chance for Tyrone Mitchell which saw the Newhill keeper make another great save. The Northend boys were now relentless and great efforts from David McKay and Jack Adams each looked goal bound, but for the outstretched hand of the keeper. Tyrone Mitchell added his second with ten minutes remaining and it was very much game on. Callum McMurray went racing through on goal following a great pass from Peter Bristow and the young striker was really composed with a neat finish. With five minutes remaining, the boys continued to mount pressure on the Newhill defence and further efforts from Lewis Hector, Jack Adams, Peter Bristow and Tyrone Mitchell were all denied by fine saves. Full-time 6-4

You really couldn't compare the performances either side of half time. The biggest pity being the mountain the boys left themselves to climb; and they almost did it! A fantastic second half which highlighted the quality within the team when they get it right. So keep the heads up - We just need that for a full fifty minutes now boys!

Man of the match: In fairness the Newhill Keeper was unbelievable in the second half and kept his side in the game. For Northend - Peter Bristow and Tyrone Mitchell were outstanding in the second half - dominating the centre of the pitch.

Panel: S McDowell, D McKay, J Adams, D Magill, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, O Campbell, K Barr, L Hector, C McMurray and Peter Bristow.

Grosvenor 2 Northend United 3 Saturday 17th october 2015

Hillsborough Colts pulled out of the scheduled fixture at short notice and the Northend boys accepted a game against a 2003 Grosvenor side. The difference in size between the Ballymena boys and their older opponents was quite stark. Northend started brightly and looked to pass the ball quickly to stretch their opponents. The defensive trio of Owen Campbell, Jack Adams and David Magill stood up well to the physical tussle and Sam McDowell was very assured in goals throughout the game. The opening fifteen minutes were very tight and it was Grosvenor who edged themselves in front with a very well struck shot from the edge of the box. The Northend boys bounced back immediately. Lewis Hector was fouled twenty yards from goal and Jack McIlhatton struck a wonderful free kick which skimmed the underside of the bar as it soared past the keeper. Kai Barr, Tyron Mitchell, Jack McIlhatton and Kevin Cosgrove were maintaining good possession, and Lewis Hector was working hard to close the Grosvenor defence. The Ballymena boys edged themselves in-front with twenty two minutes gone. Jack McIlhatton found David Magill in space along the left wing and the young defender cut inside onto his right foot and struck a shoot into the far side of the net. The dying minutes of the first half saw some good interplay on the edge of the area and Kevin Cosgrove shot narrowly wide from inside the box . Half time 2-1

The second half was equally as tight as the opening period. Northend once again stood up well to the physical challenge presented by Grosvenor and each of the boys worked incredibly hard to support one another. Grosvenor levelled the score after fourteen minutes when a strong up-field run led to a goalmouth scramble which saw the ball creep over the line. David McKay was enjoying some space along the right wing and won a couple of corners for the Ballymena side. Callum McMurray forced a great save from the Grosvenor keeper on eighteen minutes when he controlled a high ball into the area and swivelled to hit a half-volley on target. Grosvenor were always a threat when they were allowed time to run with the ball and Northend definitely rode their luck on one or two occasions. With two minutes remaining Tyrone Mitchell controlled a long throw into the area and turned his marker beautifully before smashing the winner into the top corner. A great goal and a great all-round performance. Full-time 3-2

The boys put two disappointing derby defeats well and truly behind them with a fantastic team performance against older opposition. Very well done boys, a return to the form you had shown at the start of the season and proof of what you can do when the attitude is right. Here's the deal - a win against Crusaders next week and we're off to KFC!

Man of the Match: Owen Campbell - OC was back to his best with a high energy performance.

Panel: S McDowell, O Campbell, J Adams, D Magill, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, J McIlhatton, K Barr, L Hector, C McMurray, D McKay

Northend United 1 Ballymena United 6 Saturday 10th October 2015

A slow start to this derby fixture cost the Northend boys dearly. Four goals were conceded within the opening ten minutes and with a mountain to climb the boys finally dug their heels in and started to compete for the first time in two weeks against their neighbours. Callum McMurray thought he had pulled a goal back but was adjudged off-side. Jack McIlhatton scored from the penalty spot early into the second half. A greatly improved performance after a poor opening spell and the boys can now look forward to knuckling down and making a good impression for the remainder of the league campaign. Full time 1-6

Men of the Match - Kevin Cosgrove and David Magill - both boys worked very hard in defence.

Panel: S McDowell, D Magill, J Adams, K Cosgrove, L Hector, O Campbell, T Mitchell, J McIlhatton, C McMurray, K Barr, D McKay

Ballymena United 10 Northend United 1 Saturday 3rd October

After several strong performances in the LIYL this season, the Northend boys simply failed to turn up for the derby fixture and paid a heavy price for a pretty sluggish performance. The big difference was the unwillingness to track back with opponents and close down the ball in all areas of the field. That said 10-1 was very flattering to Ballymena and the coaches will look for a much improved performance when the sides meet in the Shield competition in a few weeks.

Lewis Hector pulled a goal back in the second half.

Man of the match: Callum McMurray - played well during the second half

Panel: S McDowell, D Magill, J Adams, O Campbell, K Cosgrove, L Hector, T Mitchell, K Barr, J McIlhatton, C McMurray.

Hillsborough Colts 4 Northend United 2 Saturday 26th September 2015

The Northend boys started the match brightly and dominated the majority of the first half. Lewis Hector forced a great double save from the keeper on five minutes and seconds later the young striker ran onto a great through ball from Jack McIlhatton to fire his side ahead. Hillsborough pulled a goal back moments later and enjoyed a five minute period of play where they tested the Northend defence. New signing Sam McDowell had an excellent debut in goal for the Ballymena side and looked very assured when under pressure. An excellent piece of play led to Northend's second; Lewis Hector received the ball on the half way line and played the ball into space behind the Hillsborough defence; Owen Campbell outpaced his opponent and fired a first time ball into the box that was expertly dispatched by Jack McIlhatton. Kai Barr created an opening for Lewis Hector towards the end of the half and the young striker saw his effort go narrowly over the bar. Half-time 2-1

A crazy two minute spell at the start of the second half saw the Northend boys squander their lead. It's hard to pin point exactly what went wrong during this period, but the boys now know that they sometimes need to just concentrate on getting the basics right (good solid passing) and to play from the time the referee sounds his whistle. It was a sore lesson, although the boys play their way back into the game and almost grabbed an equaliser through Jack McIlhatton on seven minutes. Hillsborough threatened with the speed of their counter attack and scored a fourth goal with ten minutes remaining. Kevin Cosgrove almost pulled a goal back following a neat one two with Adam Hyman, but it was the poor start to the second half that cost the boys dearly. Full-time 2-4

The first half display and periods during half were typical of the good start the boys have made to the season. Sam McDowell also made a good impression in goal and to that end there are a lot of positives to be taken from the game. If it just hadn't been for the opening two minutes of the second half!!

Man of the match - Lewis Hector looked very sharp in the opening period and deserved more than a single goal for his hard work.

Panel: Sam McDowell, D McKay, K Cosgrove, D Magill, L Hector, J Adams, J McIlhatton, O Campbell, Kai Barr and Adam Hyndman

Northend United 1 Castle Colts 3 Saturday 19th September 2015

This was a much tighter game than the score suggests and the Northend boys deserved a lot more from the long periods in which the dominated play. The small pitch at Willowbank led to a physical and high paced game with every ball being keenly contested. Northend conceded an early goal from a corner kick when some slack marking left a payer unmarked at the back post. Jack Adams and Tyrone Mitchell gradually took control of the game in midfield and Jack McIlhatton began to test the Castle defence with some great wide play. The Ballymena boys pulled themselves level after eight minutes when Callum McMurray ran onto a defence splitting pass from Jack McIhatton before calmly lobbing the ball over the on-rushing keeper. The goal saw a sustained period of pressure upon the Castle defence. Jack Adams went close with a long range effort that was pushed wide by the keeper. From the resulting corner Callum McMurray produced a great piece of skill to control a loose ball and fire a half-volley inches past the post. The boys played some great football during this spell and, had it not been for an outstanding display by the Castle keeper, they would have easily edged themselves in-front. Once again the new back line of David McKay, Kevin Cosgrove and David Magill looked to be in control of anything Castle had to offer and, with the exception of a scrambled effort before the half-time break, the boys looked very assured in their play. Half-time 1-1

Northend picked up where they had finished in the first half and dominated the next twenty minutes of the game. Within the opening minutes the Castle keeper made a great double save, firstly blocking powerful shot from Lewis Hector and then getting a hand to the follow-up from Jack McIlhatton. Further efforts from David Magill, Owen Campbell and Kai Barr tested the keeper during this period. The Ballymena boys looked to have taken a deserved lead on thirteen minutes when a whipped free-kick from Kevin Cosgrove was forced over the line only to be disallowed by the referee for some form of an infringement. Moments later, Adam Hyman won his team a free kick and Kai Barr was unlucky not to score when the keeper made a good save after having dropped another free-kick from Kevin Cosgrove. Northend had put a tremendous effort into this period of play and around the twenty minute mark an almighty scramble in the Castle goal mouth again almost led to a deserved goal. Moments later, Castle made a rare attack and edged themselves in-front. To their credit Northend went in search of the equaliser and this almost arrived with a minute remaining when Tyrone Mitchell drilled a shot narrowly past the upright from the edge of the area. The Ballymena boys threw everything forward and with the very last kick of the game Castle scored a third on the counter attack. Full-time 1-3

A really good performance from the boys that deserved so much more for the effort they put into the game. The work rate in the opening three games has been incredible and each player has settled well into the LIYL. Finally, thanks to both Owen Campbell and Jack Adams for covering in goals today. We hope to complete the signing of our new keeper this week!

Men of the Match: The new look back three have been in good form since the start of the season - David McKay, Kevin Cosgrove and David Magill.

Panel: Owen Campbell, D McKay, K Cosgrove, D Magill, L Hector, J Adams, T Mitchell, J McIlhatton, Callum McMurray, Kai Barr and Adam Hyndman

Carniny Youth 1 Northend United 8 Saturday 12th September 2015

With Oxford Sunnyside withdrawing from the league Northend were handed an early season derby against Carniny Youth. The Blues made a fast start to the game and scored their first goal after two minutes. David Magill linked well with Owen Campbell along the left wing and Jack McIlhatton almost burst the net when he met Owen's cross with a half volley from the edge of the area. Jack Adams and Tyrone Mitchell were dominating the midfield with Owen Campbell and Jack McIlhatton providing great width down either wing. The Blues were carving open the Carniny defence at will; Lewis Hector and Tyrone Mitchell both had one-on-one chances which went narrowly wide before Lewis Hector scored Northend's second with a tap in at the back post around the eleven minute mark. The defence of David McKay, Kevin Cosgrove and David Magill were totally in control of anything Carniny had to offer in attack and linked well with the midfield throughout the game. Tyrone Mitchell went close with another bursting run before Lewis Hector scored his second and Northend's third of the game with a good finish after some great wide play by Jack McIlhatton. Half-Time 3-0

Northend almost added another directly from the re-start when Owen Campbell ran onto a great through ball from Peter Bristow and smashed a terrific effort narrowly over the bar. Carniny pulled a goal back on six minutes when a low free-kick squirmed its way over the line, however Northend's response was breath-taking with five goals in the next twelve minutes. Peter Bristow started the avalanche when he poked the ball over the line from close range after a ragged piece of play in the Carniny area. Callum McMurray was next up; David McKay released Jack McIlhatton along the right wing and Jack fired a low cross towards the front post. Callum McMurray cleverly lost his marker and produced a neat finish to a great piece of play. Kai Barr continued to impress, scoring his first for the club we he finished off some good play along the left wing between David Magill and Peter Bristow. A few moments later Kevin Cosgrove intercepted a ball on the edge of his own area before running the length of the field and beating six Carniny players to score Northend's seventh. Kai Barr scored his second a minute later with some neat footwork and a well-placed finish from just inside the box. Full-time 8-1

A good performance and all the hard work in training paid off today. The new faces are starting to gel with the rest of the squad and some great football is beginning to be played. I'm also pretty certain that Tyrone Mitchell may have added another goal at some point, although I didn't have it noted down. Sorry Tyrone!! Finally, thanks to both Peter Bristow and Jack Adams for covering in goals today.

Men of the Match: Tyrone Mitchell and Jack McIlhatton

Panel: P Bristow, D McKay, K Cosgrove, D Magill, O Campbell, L Hector, J Adams, T Mitchell, J McIlhatton, Callum McMurray and Kai Barr

Northend United 0 Shankill United 2 Saturday 5th September 2015

After three years of mini soccer in the excellent NWCDYL, the U12s have progressed to the Lisburn Invitational Youth League for the 2015/16 season. The boys kicked off their new campaign against Shankill United (Crusaders). With a few new faces in the squad and an unexpected departure a few days before the start of the campaign, it understandably took the boys a little time to find their rhythm. Shankill benefited from an early period of pressure and forced the ball over the line following a bit of hesitation by the Ballymena boys. Jack Adams volunteered to play in the vacant goal-keeper's position and was outstanding throughout the game. Northend settled into their pattern of play around the ten minute mark when new signing Tyrone Mitchell forced a great save from the Shankill keeper. The boys immediately grew in confidence and dominated the game for the remainder of the half. With sixteen minutes gone, Lewis Hector burst onto a through ball from Callum McMurray and smashed a left foot strike on goal which again forced a great save form the Shankill Keeper. Further efforts from Owen Campbell, Jack McIlhatton and Lewis Hector almost brought a deserved equaliser. Half-time 0-1

Northend made a strong start to the second half with Jack McIlhatton bursting through the Shankill defence and forcing a good save from their keeper in the opening minutes. A new look defence of David McKay, Kevin Cosgrove and David Magill worked well together and comfortably snuffed out any attacks that came their way. The Ballymena boys were again dominating play for long spells and deserved an equaliser on seven minutes when Tyrone Mitchell hammered an effort from the edge of the box towards the top right hand corner. The Shankill keeper made a terrific save getting enough on the ball to force it over the bar. Jack Adams was called into action only briefly at the other end around the ten minute mark and comfortably held onto a powerful long range shot. Kai Barr and Adam Hyman each made their debut and settled well into their new team. With six minutes remaining Shankill produced a good passing move which saw a young midfielder curl an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner of the goal. The Northend boys continued to press for a deserved goal and finished the game strongly with a few further chances which tested the Shankill keeper. Full time 0-2

This was a really good performance from the boys today. A few new faces on show and a few boys playing out of their normal positions, but a good introduction to the LIYL and on another day the boys may have gained at least a draw from the game.

Man of the match: Team Performance

Panel: J Adams, D McKay, K Cosgrove, D Magill, O Campbell, L Hector, T Mitchell, J McIlhatton, C McMurray, K Barr, A Hyndman