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Bertie Peacocks 6 Northend United 2 NIBFA Cup Saturday 28th October 2017

The U12s travelled to Ballymoney for their last 32 tie in the NIBFA Cup and came up against an inspired Bertie Peacocks. Berties went one up after five minutes when a cross from the left-hand wing looped over Shea McGinley, leaving him no chance as the ball sailed into the back of the net. Northend rallied and equalised when Paidin Mitchell released Carter Reid through on goal, who kept his cool to finish past the incoming keeper. Northend took the foot off the pedal and relinquished possession in key areas, allowing their opponents to take full advantage - three goals sailed past in a ten-minute period leaving the away side stunned.

Northend upped the pace in the second half and scored quickly, when Euan Pirie beat the offside trap, latched onto a Paidin Mitchell through-ball and slotted past the Berties keeper. A more competitive half ensued where the away side hit the woodwork twice, though in their quest to add to their tally the Northend defence was left exposed on a number of occasions and succumbed to a rampant home side who scored a further three on the trot, sending them through to the last 16 of the cup.

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

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Northend United 2 Warrenpoint Town 2 Saturday 21st October 2017

The 2006 United team made the trip to Lisburn to take on Irish Premiership Academy side Warrenpoint Town on Saturday afternoon. Northend started the livelier of the two sides and soon found themselves in front when Captain Pearse McAuley threaded a pin-point through ball to Euan Pirie who beat the offside trap and found the top corner with a fabulous first-time curling strike. Northend took their foot of the accelerator somewhat and were punished when Warrenpoint equalised as they attacked down the right hand side and scored with a header from the resulting cross. Shortly before half-time Warrenpoint took the lead when a free-kick forced the Northend shot stopper, Shay McGinley, to tip the ball against the bar with a great save, though the ball fell kindly to the Warrenpoint striker who made no mistake from a few yards out. Half time 1-2

Northend started the second half with all guns blazing as they tried to find an equaliser. Fine football was evident from both teams in the second half which made for great viewing for the number of spectators on the sidelines. Northend's pressing finally paid off, when Timmy Gillan picked up a pass from Sean McDermott on the right hand side and fired a shot from distance that soared over the keeper and into the Warrenpoint goal. The last ten minutes saw a very open game as both sides pushed for a winner, with efforts from Lewis Devlin and Carter Reid coming agonisingly close - the latter forcing the Warrenpoint keeper into a fantastic diving save to his bottom corner. The game ended with the spoils shared at 2-2 , the appropriate result for two evenly matched teams. Full time 2-2

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

Northend United 4 Hillsborough D 0 NIBFA Cup Saturday 14th October 2017

The U12s welcomed Hillsborough to the Ballymena Showgrounds for their second round encounter in the blue ribbon NI Boys' FA Cup on Saturday morning. Northend started well and soon got into their rhythm, going in front within 5 minutes when the ball broke to Euan Pirie who made no mistake when firing in from the edge of the box. Northend continued to press with Pearse McAuley and Paidin Mitchell particularly dangerous in midfield throughout. The Blues doubled their lead when Paidin Mitchell picked up the ball on the edge of the box and accurately found the bottom corner with a great strike. Sean McDermott and Conall McAuley combined well down the right hand side to cause further problems for the away side - the latter hitting the post at the end of a flowing attack. Further attempts on goal from Harry Connon and Pearse McAuley were well saved by the Hillsborough goalkeeper. Hillsborough threatened just before half time, but Shay McGinley and Lewis Devlin were up to the task of snuffing out any hopes of a comeback. Half time 2-0

Northend continued to press after half time and found a third when Conall McAuley's long range effort looped over the Hillsborough keeper and into the top corner. A number of chances went begging for Euan Pirie, Lewis Devlin and Paidin Mitchell, before Carter Reid and Connor O'Hara cleverly combined, with Carter beating the offiside trap to confidently chip the ball over the keeper for a Northend fourth and confirming his side's place in the next round. Northend can now look forward to the third round of the prestigious cup competition in a few weeks time. Full time 4-0

Panel: S McGinley, S McDermott, L Devlin, C O'Hara, C McAuley, P Mitchell, P McAuley, H Connon, C Reid, E Pirie

Northend United 2 Ballymoney United 1 NIBFA Cup Saturday 7th October 2017

The U12s welcomed Ballymoney Youth Academy to the Showgrounds on Saturday in the first round of the NIBFA Cup and both teams put on a great footballing show for the large group of spectators in attendance. Northend started the brighter of the two sides and controlled the early stages with Paidin Mitchell and Euan Pirie both having good efforts saved by the Ballymoney goalkeeper. Northend's pressing was rewarded when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards from the goal midway through the first half, from which captain Pearse McAuley found the top corner with a fabulous strike. The defensive trio of Lewis Devlin, Sean McDermott and Connor O'Hara ensured that the scoreline remained 1-0 until half time. Half time 1-0

Northend controlled the early stages of the second half with Conal McAuley and Harry Connon impressive at either side of midfield with their attacking down the wings. Northend scored a second when the ball was played in to Oskar Neumann from Carter Reid and the ball eventually broke to Paidin Mitchell who emphatically smashed the ball low into the bottom corner. Shea McGinley was called into action on a number of occasions, brilliantly saving as Ballymoney pressed to get back into the game and the Northend shot-stopper was particularly impressive in the Northend goal with his confident distribution. Ballymoney scored from a corner with the clock ticking, but Northend were able to hold out to see themselves into the next round. Full time 2-1

Panel: S McGinley, S McDermott, L Devlin, C O'Hara, C McAuley, P McAuley, P Mitchell, H Connon, E Pirie, O Neumann, C Reid

Northend United 1 Hillsborough Jets 0 Shield Match Saturday 30th September 2017

United started strongly against a well drilled Hillsborough side who were resolute in their defending throughout. Chances were plenty in the first half for Northend with Sean McDermott forcing the keeper into a fantastic save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar from a 20 yard strike. Good opportunities came Carter Reid and Paidin Mitchell's way, though the Hillsborough keeper was in inspired form. After the break Northend continued to press and opportunities came which perhaps should have been finished. Northend finally made the breakthrough when the ball broke to the edge of the box from a corner and Paidin Mitchell was there to smash the ball into the roof of the net. Hillsborough tried to find a way back in to the tie but Northend defended well to see themselves into the next round.

Panel: S McGinley, H Connon, L Devlin, C O'Hara, C McAuley, P Mitchell, S McDermott, C Reid, E Pirie, F Connon.

Cliftonville v Northend United Saturday 23rd September 2017

Northend went in front within the first few minutes when Euan Pirie slotted home a sweeping move with a good finish. Although firmly on top, Cliftonville levelled shortly after when with a cool finish from the edge of the box, leaving Carter Reid in nets no chance. Paidin Mitchell regained the lead for Northend getting on the end of a great passing move involving Captain Pearse McAuley and Conall McAuley. Euan Pirie made it 3 - 1 with a clinical finish from close range after good work from Timmy Gillan on the left wing. Resolute defending from Lewis Devlin, Sean McDermott and Harry Connon ensured the scoreline stayed the same until half time.

Northend extended their lead further when an inspired Paidin Mitchell beat the offside trap and finished a cool pass from Pearse McAuley. Euan Pirie then got his hat-trick when capitalising on an error from the Cliftonville keeper, and raced through the opposing defence to finish. Harry Connon pulled off some great saves and was unlucky when Cliftonville pulled one back, before Paidin Mitchell sealed his hat-trick with a fabulous finish, with Oliwer Maka tenaciously involved in the build-up.

Panel: C Reid, H Connon, L Devlin, S McDermott, C McAuley, P McAuley, P Mitchell, T Gillan, O Maka, E Pirie

Loughgall v Northend United Saturday 16th September 2017

Northend started the brighter of the two teams but found themselves behind early on against the run of play. This spurred Northend into gear and they equalised shortly after, with Carter Reid finishing from close range after good build up play. Northend then took the lead when Pearse McAuley sprayed the ball out right to Conall McAuley, who squared for Euan Pirie to finish emphatically. Captain Pearse McAuley added a 3rd with a thunderous strike from 20 yards which found the top corner. The same player added a fourth when released down the left by Euan Pirie and finishing confidently off the post. Loughgall picked up the pace with their direct style of play causing the Northend defence all sorts of problems - they scored a quick 3 in succession to end a pulsating half 4 goals apiece.

Both teams dug deep in the second half trying to find the breakthrough, with both goalkeepers pulling off some fine saves. Loughgall went in front with a good strike from range before quickly finding a second. Northend reacted with a goal finished off by Paidin Mitchell before good work from Oskar Neumann and Carter Reid. Northend finished the half strongly but could not find an equaliser in a good match full of entertaining football.

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

Northend United v Hillsborough Colts Saturday 9th September

Northend started brightly and found themselves in front within seconds when Pirie finished off a flowing move right from the kick off. Playing with confidence, Northend added a second when a McDermott free kick was dummied by Pirie in the box and Mitchell finished clinically.

Hillsborough then started to come into the game and scored on the stroke of half-time. Shortly after the break Hillsborough added a second to even the game. With the wind initially taken out of their sails, Northend picked up the pace in a frenetic and open half where good football prevailed

With both sides looking for the winner, Northend found themselves hitting the woodwork on a number of occasions and McGinley called upon to make some vital saves. Hillsborough finally broke the stalemate 5 minutes from time and although Northend rallied, Hillsborough were able to add another on the stroke of full time.

Panel: S McGinley, S McDermott, L Devlin, C Reid, C McAuley, P McAuley, P Mitchell, O Neumann, E Pirie.