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Northend United U13s 3 Waveney U13s 2 Rose Bowl Final Wednesday 4th May 2011

Once again this season these two local teams lined up against each other for the fourth time. Waveney held the honours by winning the previous three matches. Could Northend turn the tide, or where Waveney to once again, win bragging writes over their neighbour's?

On a Wind swept pitch in front of a large crowd of supporters, Northend kicked off. With the wind at their backs, Northend were on the attack from the start. Good play in midfield by Connor Bannon and Ciaran Neeson allowed Northend to spread the ball wide for their wingmen to attack at every opportunity. Strong running by Krystian Yaworski with good support by Aaron Reid caused the Waveney defence problems. The wind was causing problems for both sides; however, Northend knew they had to score at least once in this half. Northend had three successive corners which the Waveney defence dealt with under pressure from Northend's attackers.

Waveney, when the opportunity presented itself, used their speedy front men well, however the Northend back four held firm with strong tackling .The first half was coming to the end when Northend where awarded a free kick some thirty yards out. Northend's Captain Michael Carberry stepped forward and struck the ball with power towards the Waveney goal. Was it the swirling wind or the bounce of the ball in front of him that caused the Waveney keeper to misjudge the flight of the ball, did not matter to Northend as to their delight and joy the ball ended up in the back of Waveney's net, leaving the half-time score 1-0 to Northend.

With the wind now firmly at their backs, Waveney came out at the start of the second half full of purpose. The Northend defence where now under pressure as Waveney mounted attack after attack. Good defending by the Northend midfield trio of Ciaran Neeson Connor Bannon and Adrian Dubyna helped the defence out.

Northend when they had procession tried to play their way out of defence by quick passing down the flanks. A long through ball by Waveney nearly caught out the Northend defence. From a poor clearance by the Northend keeper, the ball fell to a Waveney forward twenty yards out, he ran unopposed towards the Northend goal and fire a low shot goal bound, Michal Macioszek the Northend keeper produced a fine save to make up for his error . This spurned Waveney on more with attack after attack, still the Northend defence held their line with some great defending. With a few minutes left Waveney where awarded a corner, the Waveney player wiped the ball in with the wind at Waveney's delight and Northend's despair the ball flew straight into the Northend goal. The game then moved to extra time.

Northend won the toss and elected to play into the wind. This allowed Waveney to continue to attack. With only two minutes gone a clearance not made in the Northend defence allowed the ball to drop on the six yard line where a Waveney forward pounced onto the ball and fired a firm shot into the Northend goal to give Waveney the lead for the first time. Waveney continued to press but the Northend defence held firm and the first half of extra time finished, Waveney 2 Northend 1

Now with the wind at their backs and lots of encouragement from their supporters, Northend went straight onto the attack.. The ball was played wide when possible to get the Northend's wide men on the ball .From one passage of play the ball was driven across the Waveney six-yard line where Harry Kilgore met it first time to shoot Northend level in the match, at 2-2.

With time running out and the dreaded penalty's looming, Northend forced another corner. Harry Kilgore took advantage of the wind and delivered a powerful cross that seemed to evade everyone, time seemed to stop as the ball flew straight into the net at the back post. Scenes of joy on the Northend players faces and their supporters and cheers of relief where heard.

With only two minutes left of extra time, Northend's defenders where in no mood to let this lead slip. Tackle after tackle flew in to win the ball, and move play down into Waveney's half. The referee blew for full time and Northend had won the Rose Bowl, beating Waveney 3-2.

This was a great game of football, between two teams who played the game in a competitive but fair way. Credit must go to both sides that produced a game full of passion and commitment. To Northend it was no more than they deserved, after a season of difficulties, their willing ness to work and bounce back after disappointments speaks loudly of their courage and honesty.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: M Macioszek, P Nowak, J King, M Carberry(c), L Morgan, A Reid, C Neeson, C Bannon, H Kilgore, J Dawson, K Yaworski, C McCormick, A Dubyna, R Ward, C McCrory

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Northend United U13s 2 Upper Ardoyne U13s 5 Saturday 30th April 2011

This was the perfect game to watch, two sides different in style and size. Northend the smaller and lighter against a very large and physical Ardoyne side.

The game started with Ardoyne pressing forward at every opportunity and only good defending by the Northend central defenders kept the quick and tall strikers at bay. Northend tried to play the ball on the ground and move it quickly however the quick closing down by Ardoyne and a lack of composure on the ball, saw the procession given away all too often. With good work in midfield by Conor Bannon and Ciaran Neeson, supported by strong brave running by Krystian Yaworski up front, slowly Northend began to get a foothold in the game.

As Northend began to match their opponents a through ball down the Northend left hand side was not dealt with and from a pass across the edge of the box, an Ardoyne forward fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to give Upper Ardoyne the lead. Within a few minutes, again, the Northend defence was caught out, a goal kick by Northend was not contested in midfield and poor tackling allowed the Ardoyne midfield player to control the ball run thirty meters and shoot past the Northend keeper to make it two nil to Ardoyne.

This seemed to bring Northend to life and within two mins of conceding they had pulled a goal back. Good work by the Northend midfield allowed a through pass that Krystian Yaworski raced onto and he managed to hold off two defenders to shoot low into the bottom right corner to bring the score to Ardoyne 2 Northend 1.

A well-struck free kick by the Northend Capt Michael Carberry found Conor Bannon on the left wing. He some how managed to play his way pass three defenders to send a low tempting pass across the face of goal ,where the ever alert Aaron Reid was on hand to tap it in to level the scores just on half time at 2-2.

On the restart, Northend began where they had left off. Playing quick passes and with their front men running into space, this now began to cause Ardoyne problems. With the foul count mounting it came as no surprise when Krystian Yaworski was brought down inside the penalty box. Josh King steeped forward to shoot the ball low and hard into the bottom left hand corner to give Northend at this point a deserved lead.

Northend had further chances to increase their lead, however dwelling on the ball, poor pass selection was to cause them dearly. The right hand side of Northend's midfield and defence seemed to stop playing for from poor marking came three goals for Ardoyne. This was a disappointment as the whole team had worked so hard and bravely against a much physically larger side. While the goals came from one part of the pitch, all the players have to accept their part as they must learn to maintain their positions and support their fellow players at all times.

Men of the Match: Krystian Jaworski, Michael Carberry

Panel: M Macioszek, P Nowak, J King, M Carberry(c), A Dubyna, L Morgan, A Reid, C Neeson, J Dawson, C Bannon, H Kilgore, R Ward, K Yaworski, C McCormick

Antrim Rovers U13s 2 Northend United U13s 0 Saturday 16th April 2011

This was a good game of football between two teams, who played the match in the right spirit. Northend started the game well, with their wingers causing the Rovers defence problems. The midfield of Antrim slowly started to get a grip on the game and this allowed their forwards to cause problems to Northend. Good defending by Michael Carberry and Josh King kept the Rovers forwards at bay.

Both sides played the game at a fast pace and continued to test each other. Very good goal keeping from the Rovers keeper kept Northend at bay; one save from a header was outstanding. Northend with Ciaran Neeson in good form supported well in attack by Harry Kilgore continued to give the Rovers defence a torrid time. As of late, it seems that Northend just cannot score. A head goal by Harry Kilgore was ruled off side by the referee, while at the other end good defending as a unit by the Northend back four kept the Rovers forwards at bay.

The second half continued as the first, both sides attacking at every opportunity. Chances where now coming to both sides however a costly mistake was made in the Northend defence when from a crossed ball a rovers midfield player was not picked up and he fired home a good goal to give Antrim Rovers the lead.

This fired rovers up and for the next ten minutes, the Northend defence was under considerable pressure. Good defending by their Captain Michael Carberry again well supported by Josh King allowed Northend to get back into the game. Ronan Ward and Aaron Reid's introduction up front for Northend gave them an added edge. Strong running and good support play by Connor Bannon gave Northend hope of a comeback .However they could not make the final telling pass to level the score.

Another Antrim attack saw them extend their lead with a well-taken second goal.

To their credit Northend kept going and from a free kick twenty plus yards out, the Rovers keeper pulled off the save of the game. A shot by Michael Carberry looked certain to score however, the young Rovers keeper made a brilliant save to tip the ball up and over the bar for a corner. This was to be Northend's last chance of the game and the final score was 2-0 to Antrim Rovers

This was a much-improved performance by Northend from Wednesday night past. The football was good and the desire to work hard was evident. If only Northend could convert the goal scoring opportunities they create, perhaps their defence would not be so overworked.

Men of the Match: Michael Carberry, Josh King

Panel: M Macioszek, P Nowak, J King, M Carberry(c), L Morgan, A Reid, C Neeson, C Bannon, H Kilgore, J Dawson, K Yaworski, C McCormick, A Dubyna, R Ward

Chimney Corner U13s 5 Northend United U13s 1 Wednesday 13th April 2011

Coming of the back of two good wins Northend should have been focused on another good performance against a team, they defeated 5-1 only seven days ago. However, they produced what could only be described, as a very poor performance, to lose 5-1.Their passing and support to each other was of a very low standard, their overall play would be of concern to their coaching staff with the Rose Bowl Final approaching.

Was it due to tiredness, players carrying injuries, small panel so players cannot be rested, or down to just a bad night's work? The coaching staff will be looking for a much improved performance, both as a team and as individuals when they play Antrim Rovers on Saturday coming.

All credit to Chimney Corner who adjusted their line up to counter against the way Northend played last week. Corner took the lead when hesitation in the Northend defence allowed their forward to fire home from ten yards out. Northend tried to get back into the game, and had goal scoring opportunities, however holding onto the ball to long, wrong choice of pass and some poor finishing tended to be the theme of the night. Chimney Corner scored their second just before half time. Again, the Northend defence was all out of position giving time and space for the corner striker to score, leaving the half-time score 2-0 to Chimney Corner.

Northend scored early through a long ball that Krystian Yaworski latched onto to shoot a low shot past the Chimney corner keeper. This lifted Northend and they pressed forward, however it was Chimney Corner that scored next, with the Northend defence exposed. Twice more Chimney Corner scored to complete a very bad night for Northend and leave the final score 5-1 to Chimney Corner

Panel: M Macioszek, P Nowak, J King, M Carberry, A Dubyna, L Morgan, A Reid, C Neeson, C Bannon, H Kilgore, K Yaworski, J Dawson, C McCormick, R Ward

Antrim Rovers U13s 2 Northend United U13s 3 Saturday 9th April 2011

The winners of this game to-day would go through to the Rose Bowl Final, so both teams where up for this game. Northend again had made positional changes to their starting line up where first to show. Good play by Ciaran Neeson on the wing found Conor Bannon free who shot just wide of the post. Northend continued to press the play Again good work down the wing saw a good pass laid into the path of Conor Bannon who made no mistake from twelve yards out to shoot pass the Rovers keeper.

Northend continued to keep forcing the play and scored their second of the game when the Rovers defence again in trouble with Northend wing play where unable to clear the ball and Krystian Yaworski scored to give the Blues a 2-0 lead.

Rovers came back into the game and some good defending by the Northend defence kept them at bay. Once more Ciaran Neeson supplied the ball across the Rovers goal after a fine run down the wing, and this time Jack Dawson arriving late at the back pos, scored Northend's third.

Northend at this stage where producing chance after chance only some poor finishing kept the score at 3-0. As it does missed chances cost and from a mix up on the left hand side of the Northend defence allowed a Rovers forward to fire home a good goal past Macioszek in the Northend goal, leaving the half time score 3-1 to Northend .

Antrim Rovers came out at the start of the second half with a newfound vigour. They kept the pressure on Northend and good defensive work by the Northend defence kept them at bay. Northend now where relying on breakaways and had stopped playing the football they had produced in the first half.

Mid way in the second half saw Rovers score their second goal when their right-winger was not closed down and he crossed a high ball that evaded the Northend keeper to land in the net.

This set up a frantic final ten minutes as Antrim pushed forward for the equaliser and Northend holding on and trying to catch Rovers on the break. Numerous stoppages for injuries only added to the tension to both sides, however after five extra minutes added on, the referee blew his whistle and Northend were in the Final.

Men of the Match: Przemyslaw Nowak, Krystian Jaworski

Panel: M Macioszek, P Nowak, J King, M Carberry, L Morgan, A Reid, C Neeson, C Bannon, H Kilgore, J Dawson, K Yaworski, A Dubyna , R Ward, C McCrory

Chimney Corner U13s 1 Northend United U13s 5 Wednesday 6th April 2011

This was a must win game for Northend if they had any realistic chance to get to the Rose Bowl Final. With a few positional changes made to their line up, Northend started the game in a very determined fashion. The game was only a few minutes old when a through ball by Conor Bannon found Harry Kilgore wide on the left who then took on the Chimney corner defence and fired a rasping shot past the helpless Corner keeper.

Northend continued to move the ball wide and again a through ball found Kilgore and if the first was a peach, his second was even better. Again, the Chimney Corner defence where found wanting and Kilgore fired a volley into the corner goal.

Chimney corner tried to play their way into the game, but Northend's defence where Leo Morgan and Michael Carberry where outstanding where having none of it.

Krystian Yaworski playing up front, was causing the corner defence problems with his direct running. From good play down the right hand side by Ciaran Neeson and Conor Bannon, Aaron Reid squared a ball across the corner penalty box where Yaworski was fouled. From the spot kick Kilgore scored his and Northend's third of the night.

Credit to Chimney corner they played good football but again the Northend defence was strong in the challenge. Good football from Northend saw their fourth goal of the night when Kilgore crossed in from the wing and Krystian Yaworski scored with a deft flick from the outside of his boot to leave the score at half time 4 -0 to the Blues.

With the wind at their backs in the second half Northend made hard work for themselves. Too often the ball was over hit or their forwards were caught off side. The midfield players of Northend delayed or took one or two touches to many and many more goal scoring opportunities where wasted. Missed chances by Ciaran Neeson, Harry Kilgore, Ronan Ward and after a superb run from his own half by the Northend Capt, Michael Carberry who with just the keeper to beat shot wide of the goals seemed to sum up how the second half was turning out - Chimney Corner pushing forward and Northend catching them on the break.

From a Northend corner, the Chimney defence did not clear the ball. Adrian Dubyna on the edge of the penalty box fired in a low shot, which partly stopped by a Corner player on its route to goal. Krystian Yaworski was on hand to steer the ball home to give Northend their fifth goal of the night. The referee awarded the goal to Adrian Dubyna saying that the ball had crossed the line before Yaworski touched it. With only a few minutes left Chimney corner scored their first goal of the evening, when the Northend defence where caught out will playing offside.

Man of the Match: Harry Kilgore

Panel: M Macioszek, A Dubyna, J King, M Carberry(c), L Morgan, A Reid, C Neeson, C Bannon, H Kilgore, J Dawson, K Yaworski, P Nowak, C McCrory