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Northend United 1 Ballyclare Colts 0 Saturday 2nd March 2013

Northend played Ballyclare two weeks ago in Ballyclare and suffered 2-1 defeat that time round with a lacklustre performance. However this time around Northend where sensational, the work rate from all involved in with the team was exceptional. United could and should of took the lead on five minutes when a mistake at the back allowed Jordan Adams a free run into the 18 yard box but he put just wide from twelve yards, Ballyclare took the resulting goal kick and lunched a quick and effective counter attack on United and if not for the brilliance of Josh Mark who pulled of a fantastic save from close range to deny the Ballyclare striker. The remainder of the first half was bogged down in midfield with both team finding it difficult to break down each other's defence. Northend who have one of the best defences in the league showed why with Jamie Stevenson and Declan Dobbin at the heart of the defence looked solid and restricted Ballyclare from shooting from distance. Half time score 1-0

The second half seen very little chances being created and alot of the play was restricted to the midfield with some real hard hitting tackles and some wonderful football being played. The Blues left it late to snatch the winner but what a goal it was from James Hayburn whose sweetly hit half volley found the top corner of the net leaving the keeper with no chance, an incredible goal worthy of winning any match. With five minutes remaining on the clock Ballyclare with nothing to lose threw everything at Northend and Captain and Match of the Match Stevenson made some important and hard hitting tackles to keep Ballyclare at bay.

Man of the Match: Jamie Stevenson

Panel: J Mark, A O'Boyle, J Stevenson (c), D Dobbin, B Millar, S Hutchinson, J Adams, A Shaw, K Babuszewski, G Macartney, A Campbell, M Kirk, H Lennon, T Evans, J Hayburn

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Northend United 3 Antrim Rovers Colts 1 Saturday 23rd February 2013

Northend U13 s were dealt an early cruel blow when pre-match injuries to Hayburn and Millar lead to a quick reshuffle to the starting line-up, but it was a change of attitude that won the game for Northend. Having lost to Antrim Rovers earlier in the season, the determination not to let history repeat itself was evident from the start.

Northend took the lead on six minutes when a shot from outside the Antrim penalty box by Kuba Babuszewski was only parried by the Antrim keeper and Aaron Campbell followed up to slam the ball in the back of the net.

Northend's back four of McClurkin, Shaw, Dobbin and Stevenson dealt with anything Antrim had to offer and Mark in the Northend goal was his usual steady self. Half time score 1-0

Into the second half and Northend continued chased every ball and never gave Antrim to settle. They deservedly doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half when Aaron Campbell fired through a ruck of players from just outside the box, giving the Antrim keeper no chance.

The Northend midfield in which Harry Lennon and Alex O'Boyle were in outstanding form were more than a match for the stringer Antrim midfield.

Jordan Adams had a good goal disallowed for Northend, following a strange refereeing decision before Antrim pulled a goal back on the hour mark after some slack Northend defending.

Graeme Macartney was unlucky for the Blues when his shot was stopped on the Antrim goal line after he had made a good run from midfield.

That man Aaron Campbell made the game safe for Northend ten minutes from time when he brilliantly fired home a free kick from twenty yards out.

Overall this was a good performance from the Wee Blues, which can be used as a building block for the rest of the season.

Man of the Match: Aaron Campbell

Panel: J Mark H McClurkin, A Shaw, D Dobbin, J Stevenson (c), A O'Boyle, J Adams, H Lennon, K Babuszewski, G Macartney, A Campbell, S Hutchinson, M Kirk, T Evans

Ballyclare Colts 2 Northend United 1 Saturday 16th February 2013

This was only the U13s second match since mid-December and it showed in a display where the Blues never really tested their Ballyclare opponents until last in the game. With play mostly confined to a midfield contest, it was Ballyclare who opened the scoring in the first half, when their striker scored from close range. Northend tried to get a goal back before half time but found the Ballyclare defence in top form. Half time score 1-0

The Blues started the second half with more determination but soon found themselves falling further behind when the Ballyclare striker doubled their score after finding space inside the Northend box, and his shot gave Josh Marks no chance in the Northend nets.

The Blues pulled a goal back before the end of the game when Harry Lennon was quickest to react and beat the Ballyclare keeper with a good shot. However this was too little too late and Ballyclare hang on to secure all the points in a below-par game.

Panel: J Marks, A Shaw, D Dobbin, J Stevenson (c), J Adams, S Hutchinson, H Lennon, K Babuszewski, G Macartney, A Campbell, T Evans, H McClurkin, J Hayburn, B Millar

North Belfast United 3 Northend United 2 - NIBFA CUP Saturday 5th January 2013

Northend returned to action in the NIBFA after a break of over two weeks although United seemed to still be on a break after a below par performance. North Belfast caused United all sorts of problems with their mazy running although they never really caused United any issues as they where restricted to long distance shooting which never really caused Josh Mark in goal any trouble. North Belfast took a deserved lead on twenty minutes when United's defence fell asleep and allowed them to get in behind and easily slot past the on rushing Mark. Northend quickly equalised when Sam Hutchinson followed in a well stuck shot from Graeme Macartney that was well saved. The game was a real midfield battle with very little chances being created. Half time score 1-1

The second half saw both teams tire and errors started to occur and with this Northend took the lead when they where awarded an indirect free-kick inside the box. Aaron Campbell swung in the free kick and it was met with the head of Declan Dobbin, to give the Blues a 2-1 lead. Northend had four minutes to hold on to the lead but they failed to clear their lines and paid the price for it when North Belfast equalised to take the match into extra time.

Northend had several opportunities in the second half but failed to convert any of them and paid the price when North Belfast took the lead five minutes into the second period of extra time. Kuba Babuszewski had an excellent volley from eighteen yards brilliantly saved from the North Belfast keeper in the dying minutes of extra time but the Blues were unable to get the all important goal to keep them in the competition.

Man of the Match: Declan Dobbin

Panel: J Marks, A Shaw, J Hayburn, D Dobbin, A O'Boyle, J Adams, S Hutchinson, J Stevenson (c), B Millar, G Macartney, A Campbell, M Kirk, K Babuszewski, T Evans, H McClurkin

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