Northend United 0 Hillsborough Boys Colts 3 Saturday 7th September 2024
If there was ever a match where the scoreline didn't reflect the performance it was today in our match against Hillsborough Boys 2013 Colts up at Belvoir 3G. From kick-off the boys displayed great team spirit and showed maximum effort. It was great to see them executing the pre match plan and delivering strong performances all over the pitch.
The boys put Hillsborough defence under pressure from the outset with Oisín, Michael, Fionn and Cormac working as a unit not allowing an easy pass, winning the ball and forcing Hillsborough to play long balls. Conal and Conan were controlling the midfield while Caelan, Jack, Noah and Ronan stood firm in defence.
We created multiple chances but were unable to convert. Fionn and Michael were causing problems down the wings. We had shots just wide and made the Hillsborough keeper work who made a few good saves. We had a few half chances created from corners and Oisín had a good effort which hit the post from a through ball. Unfortunately, in true football fashion we were punished for not taking our chances as Hillsborough scored with their first attack after a shot was well saved by Jamie, we half cleared and Hillsborough scored from the follow up shot.
The boys continued to play some fantastic football. The boys’ performance didn't reap their just rewards and we found ourselves 2 nil down after another good save by Jamie broke to our opponents forward who slotted the ball into our net. Half time 0-2
From the restart we started how we left off, playing some great football, finding the right pass and looking for the return ball. Cormac was linking up with our midfield, Oisín was working hard down the right with Michael and Fionn continued to cause problems for the Hillsborough defence. Ronan moved into midfield supporting Conal and sitting in front of the defence. It was great to see the boys playing nice attacking football while keeping it tight at the back.
Credit to the boys who didn't let their heads drop, they continued to work hard, get forward and tried to pull one back. Hillsborough created a few attacks from more long balls which Caelan, Jack, Noah and Ronan dealt with well. Jamie was on hand to clear the danger from through balls which he did on multiple occasions.
Going onto the last 15 minutes Hillsborough were awarded an indirect free kick at the edge of our box for a pass back. This was a poor decision by the refereee made who later apologized. From the indirect free kick Hillsborough were awarded a harsh penalty for handball when their shot deflected onto a Northend players arm. They scored from this making it 0-3. Our boys played good football right to the final whistle, unfortunately it was one of those days where we couldn't buy a goal! Full-time 0-3
As I said as the start of this report. The result was not a fair reflection on the performance from Northend Youth who played the better football, created more chances and had the better opportunities. Nick and I are proud of the boys this morning. It was a great team performance with everyone working hard, playing well and putting in a shift. The results will come as we continue to play football like that.
Player of the Match: Ronan Campbell due to his all-around play. First match for Northend Youth and fitted right in
United Panel: Jamie McCann, Cormac McGill, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Noah McGarry, Fionn McGarry, Oisin Walker, Jack Curry, Michael Killough, Ronan Campbell
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Northend United 0 Oxford Sunnyside 2 Saturday 31st August 2024
Tough opening day of the season for our 2013 Youth team in the top flight of The Lisburn & Castlereagh Junior League against a very talented Oxford Sunnyside Dynamos team.
Northend started well and were comfortable on the ball during the first 5-10 minutes. Showing for the ball, pushing forward and supporting each other but were unable to break through the Sunnyside defence.
The first goal of the match came from a clearance by a Sunnyside defender into our half as they pushed forward putting us under pressure. We dealt with it well and cleared the ball. This was collected by our opponent’s midfielder who played a long ball into the box which deflected off our defender and ended up in the net. Sunnyside scored another not long after the restart which changed the dynamics of the match.
From here Oxford Sunnyside's confidence grew and Northend heads dropped. We lacked the fight, grit and determination needed to compete today and unfortunately let the game get away from us resulting in Oxford Sunnyside coming away comfortably with the win. Full time 0-2
Player of the Match: Conal Devlin - battled well and tried to get us on the front foot when in possession.
United Panel: Jamie McCann, Jack Curry, Oisin Walker, Conal Devlin, Conan Goodall, Caelan Donnelly, Noah McGarry, Fionn McGarry, Michael Killough, James Mullan
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