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Lisburn Distillery 3 Northend United 1 Saturday 25th February 2017

With five games remaining in the race for the Lisburn League, this table topping fixture was billed as a potential title decider. Both teams started the game with great determination and the early exchanges saw neither side prepared to give an inch to one another. Northend were playing against a stiff breeze in the opening period and had to work hard to make progress up-field. The best of the early chances fell to the Ballymena boys when Lewis Hector fired a shot into the side netting from the edge of the area. It was Lisburn who edged themselves in-front on fifteen minutes when an intercepted pass on the half-way line left space along the right wing; an early cross into the box was only partially cleared and a Distillery player was left with a simple tap in at the back post. Northend dug deep to put this set back behind them and two set piece free-kicks almost produced the equalising goal. With only a minute of the half remaining Distillery found space wide on the left wing and quickly fired a long cross deep into the Northend box and a Lisburn player was on hand to bundle the ball into the goal. Half-time 2-0

The Ballymena boys started the second half with some purpose and quickly put the Lisburn defence under pressure. Kevin Cosgrove tested the keeper with a half volley on four minutes and Northend settled into a better period of play. The blues almost got their deserved reward on sixteen minutes when Tyrone Mitchell's low driven shot shaved the woodwork. A breakthrough at this point would clearly have changed the game and there was some amazement at the referee's decision to wave play on around seventeen minutes when Andre Pescaru was bundled to the ground as he ran through on goal. With five minutes remaining Tyrone Mitchell thundered another long range shot inches past the upright and the Northend boys worked their socks off to pull something from the game. The Ballymena boys were hand a lifeline on twenty-seven minutes wen Kai Barr was fouled in the area and Kevin Cosgrove coolly converted the penalty. In the dying seconds Lisburn scored the killer goal of the game as Northend committed everyone forward in the hope of taking a draw from the game. Full-time 3-1

This was the first league defeat for Northend since the corresponding fixture between these two sides in early October 2016. It brought a tremendous unbeaten run of ten games to an end and although it will now be difficult to stop Lisburn Distillery from claiming the league there's plenty to play for in the remaining four games - the boys will need to dust themselves down and finish off an impressive first season at eleven-a-side. Great effort boys - keep it going!!!!!

Man of the match - Team Performance - Everyone played their part today.

Panel: C Wilson, N Devine, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, J Adams, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, L Hector, J McIlhatton, C McMurray, K Barr and A Pescaru

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Downpatrick 2 Northend United 2 Saturday 18th February 2017

The incredibly tight race for the Lisburn League title has entered its final six games and this week's fixtures saw Northend (third) entertain Downpatrick (fourth) in an all action encounter that the Ballymena boys dominated for most of the game. Northend were on fire in the opening half and produced some of their best football this season - although Downpatrick's keeper deserves a special mention for a fine performance to keep his side in the game. The Ballymena boys almost took the lead on five minutes when Lewis Hector smashed an effort off the upright. A few moments later Jack McIlhatton made room for himself on the edge of the area and tested the Downpatrick keeper with a wicked curling shot. The breakthrough came on sixteen minutes when the hardworking Callum McMurray pressurised the Downpatrick defence into an error that was seized upon by Jack McIlhatton whose quick footwork created space before coolly rolling the ball into an empty net. It was the same combination of McIlhatton and McMurray who troubled the Downpatrick defence again on eighteen minutes with Callum forcing a good save from the keeper. Downpatrick pulled themselves level on twenty minutes when some careless play in midfield and defence allowed the greens too much time on the edge of the area. Northend's responded immediately and within two minutes Lewis Hector split the Downpatrick defence for Kevin Cosgrove to lob the ball over the on-rushing keeper. As the half drew to a close, further chances came and went for the Ballymena side with the Downpatrick keeper playing out of his skin. Half-time 1-2

Kevin Cosgrove went close for Northend in the opening minute of the second half, but Downpatrick responded well and had a good ten-minute spell where they passed the ball well and grabbed an equaliser when the blues lost their shape and failed to close down their opponents. The goal shocked Northend into life and for the remainder of the game the boys dominated play, creating a string of chances only to find the Downpatrick keeper in inspired form. Kevin Cosgrove hit the cross-bar with a clever lob on fourteen minutes, Jack McIlhatton shot narrowly wide moments later and then Sam Crawford had a close range effort saved. Owen Campbell made an excellent run along the left wing on twenty minutes and Downpatrick cleared his dangerous cross wide of goal. From the resulting corner Niall Devine thundered a shot narrowly over the bar and it felt as though the succession of missed chances were going to haunt the young Ballymena side. As the game drew to a close Kevin Cosgrove sent Tyrone Mitchell through on goal, the Downpatrick keeper made a miraculous save from Tyrone's shot, but as the ball broke loose Northend just couldn't edge the ball over the line. Full-time 2-2

Northend defended well and created a lot of opportunities in this game, for long spells the boys played some really good football and this draw takes their unbeaten league run to ten games - a tremendous achievement at any level of the game.

Men of the match: Niall Devine and Callum McMurray - Niall went through a mountain of work in midfield and Callum was outstanding with his build-up play.

Panel: C Wilson, A Courtney, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, N Devine, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, L Hector, J McIlhatton, C McMurray, S McDowell, S Crawford, D McLaughlin and A Pescaru

Downpatrick 3 Northend United 1 Saturday 4th February 2017

A place in the semi-final of the league cup was the prize and Northend started the game with some purpose. Within two minutes the Ballymena boys were ahead; Dylan McLaughlin pressurised the Downpatrick defence and as the ball fell to Lewis Hector the young midfielder smashed a first time shot past the keeper from the edge of the area. The game was being keenly contested in midfield and neither side was prepared to give an inch as they both battled hard to gain the upper hand. Downpatrick drew themselves level on fourteen minutes when a driven free kick was only partially cleared and eventually found its way into the goal. Northend responded well and a half volley by Kevin Cosgrove troubled the Downpatrick keeper with ten minutes remaining. Owen Campbell produced a fantastic piece of play in the final minute of the half as he surged forward and made a lung bursting run from one goal mouth to the other and created an opening that Northend failed to convert. Half-time 1-1

The Ballymena boys looked a little sluggish in the second half and never really stamped their authority on the game until it was all too late. Downpatrick edged themselves in-front after sixteen minutes when Northend stood off their opponents and allowed them too much room. The blues responded well and Jack McIlhatton carved an opening for himself moments later but saw his effort saved on the line. Downpatrick scored their third with ten minutes remaining, although the Ballymena boys showed great character to pick themselves up and drive forward for the remainder of the game. Kai Barr found space in the box on twenty-three minutes and forced a great save from the keeper. In the dying moments Lewis Hector again went close but it was to be Northend's day. Full time 3-1

Man of the Match: Team Performance - The boys now need to concentrate on the race for the league tile and pick themselves up for a few important fixtures over the coming weeks - the league is still there to play for!

Panel: S McDowell, N Devine, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, J Adams, K Cosgrove, D McLaughlin, L Hector, J McIlhatton, S Crawford, K Barr and C McMurray

Hillsborough Colts 1 Northend United 1 Saturday 28th January 2017

Northend ran out convincing winners in the reverse fixture last week, but struggled to produce the same level of performance in this game and ultimately paid a heavy price for missing a number of chances in the opening period. For the second week running there was a very physical edge to the game and the Ballymena boys stood up to some very strong challenges in the opening period. The Blues were awarded a penalty on seven minutes when Jack McIlhatton was up-ended in the box and Kevin Cosgrove fired home from the spot. The tight pitch at Barbour left little room for any flowing football and the Northend defence were on top of anything Hillsborough had to offer for most of the game. Sam McDowell made a good save from Hillsborough free-kick at the mid-point of the half. With twenty minutes gone some good pressure play saw Tyrone Mitchell receiving the ball on the edge of the area, but he just couldn't get enough power behind his shot to trouble the keeper. As the half drew to a close Jack McIlhatton burst along the left wing and fizzed a low cross towards the run of Lewis Hector who shot narrowly wide. Half-time 1-0

The Ballymena boys looked a little sleepy at the start of the second half and failed to find any rhythm in their game. Adam Courtney and David Magill were both having good games in defence and quietly won tackle after tackle to break up Hillsborough's attacking play. The Blues created a number of further chances with Callum McMurray and Andre Pescaru each going close, but all too often the Northend boys failed to create enough width and gave away possession too cheaply. This allowed Hillsborough to keep a toe in this game. Uncharistically, the referee found seven minutes of injury time in a half of only thirty minutes long. Deep, deep, deep into the final minute of injury time, the referee awarded Northend a throw-in, which he then changed to a throw-in for Hillsborough; and with the last kick of play Hillsborough found an equaliser. Full-time 1-1

This was very much a draw which felt like a defeat and the boys need to pick themselves up and get ready for the final few league games of the season where the title is still very much there for the taking.

Men of the Match: David Magill and Adam Courtney - both boys were outstanding in defence and worked very hard for the team.

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

Northend United 3 Hillsborough Boys 0 Saturday 21st January 2017

Northend's 2004s produced one of their best performances of the season to overpower Hillsborough and extend their unbeaten run to seven games. This was a tough physical encounter which saw Sam Crawford being stretchered off in the opening minute following a crunching tackle that unbelievably went unpunished. Andre Pescaru replaced Sam in attack and within a minute of the re-start produced the perfect response when he smartly finished off some good build up play involving David Magill, Kai Barr and Tyrone Mitchell. The blues were working hard to win the ball and retained good spells of possession with some slick passing and clever movement off the ball. Northend's second goal came on eleven minutes when Tyron Mitchell received the ball from Kevin Cosgrove on the half way line and powered his way through on goal before sliding the ball past the keeper. The Ballymena boys now had the bit between their teeth and drove forward looking to kill the game off before the break. A string of chances came and went, and Hillsborough were fortunate to stop Northend from extending their lead. Half-time 2-0

The Ballymena boys started the second half brightly with the back four of Adam Courtney, Owen Campbell David McKay and David Magill in outstanding form. Jack Adams was having a fantastic game in a defensive midfield role and Hillsborough rarely troubled the Northend goal for the remainder of the game. Callum McMurray led the front-line well in the second half and cleverly joined up play with the midfield. At the other end Dylan McLaughlin manfully stepped into goals at the beginning of the game to cover for the absent Curtis Wilson and Sam McDowell; Dylan calmly went about the task and made a great contribution towards the victory. Lewis Hector pressurised the Hillsborough defence at the mid-point of the half and as the keeper scuffed his clearance, Lewis pounced to fire home the blues third goal and put the game beyond doubt. Full-time 3-0

With the league leaders losing in one of the earlier games, Northend knew that a victory would put them in a challenging position for league honours at the end of the season. Every boy rose to the task and the hard work in training shone through along with a real team spirit that makes the 2004's a very tough proposition for the other teams in this incredibly tight title race.

Men of the Match: Callum McMurray, Andre Pescaru and Dylan McLaughlin. Callum's work rate was exceptional, Andre notched his first of the season and set the team on the way to victory, Dylan bravely stood up to cover in goals and played a fantastic part in the victory.

Panel: D McLaughlin, A Courtney, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, J Adams, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, L Hector, K Barr, S Crawford, A Pescaru and C McMurray

Tollymore United 1 Northend United 4 Saturday 14th January 2017

The U13s extended their unbeaten run to six games with a convincing victory against fellow title contenders Tollymore United. The Ballymena boys knew that nothing less than a win would keep their title ambitions alive, although it was Tollymore who made the brighter start to the game as they tested the Northend defence for the opening ten minutes. The blues gradually started to use the width at Wallace Park and began to take a grip on the game as a result. Sam Crawford worked hard as a lone striker and it was his build-up play that allowed Jack Adams to create an opening for Kevin Cosgrove; Kevin wasted no time in finishing off a good passing move with a crisp shot into the far right hand corner from the edge of the area. Northend were now enjoying the greater share of possession and almost extended their lead just before half-time when Tyrone Mitchell forced a good save from the keeper. Half-time 1-0

Tollymore again tested Northend for the opening ten minutes of the half and pulled a goal back despite a great defensive display from Niall Devine, David McKay, David Magill and Owen Campbell. With twelve minutes gone the blues edged themselves in front again, some slick passing between Kai Barr and Kevin Cosgrove created an opportunity on the edge of the area for Jack McIlhatton. The winger beat his marker and showed great determination to burst past the last defender before sliding the ball into the net. The game looked finely balance and Tollymore were given a gilt edged opportunity when the referee pointed to the spot on sixteen minutes for a tackle that clearly took place outside the penalty area. Up stepped Curtis Wilson with a brilliant diving save to keep his side ahead and this gave the blues a much need boost; and their third came within a minute of Curtis's save. Tyrone Mitchell played a sweeping ball wide to Lewis Hector, the young striker outpaced his marker and cut a brilliant ball back from the bye-line to the edge of the six-yard box where Kai Barr coolly finished off a clinical piece of play. Dylan McLaughlin and Jack Connor-Wilson each worked hard in midfield to close out the game and it was from a good piece of pressure play that Tyrone Mitchell won the ball and set Lewis Hector through on goal to add a fourth for the Ballymena boys. Full-time 4-1

This was an important victory for the boys and puts them right in the middle of an incredibly tight title race. The most pleasing aspect was the hard work and team spirit that shone through today. This is a really good young group of players and if they keep training hard they're in with a real chance of silver wear at the end of the season.

Men of the match: Curtis Wilson and Owen Campbell. Curtis had a really solid performance and the penalty save was a key turning point in the game. Owen Campbell quietly went about his business and produced another outstanding display at left back.

Panel: C Wilson, N Devine, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, J Adams, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, L Hector, J McIlhatton, S Crawford, D McLaughlin, K Barr and J Connor-Wilson

Northend United 2 TW Braga 1 Saturday 7th January 2017

The U13s returned to action after the Christmas break and got 2017 off to a winning start with a solid performance against a hard working TW Braga. The Ballymena boys looked the much better side for the majority of the game and played some good passing football that Braga struggled to cope with. Tyrone Mitchell almost opened the scoring with a well struck shot on six minutes and Northend looked very dangerous in attack for long spells of the game. The opening goal came on twelve minutes when Jack McIlhatton made a jinking run inside the Braga penalty area before squaring the ball to Lewis Hector; Lewis crisply fired home the blues first of the game and settled a few nerves amongst the Northend support. Moments later some great attacking play between Jack Adams, Jack McIlhatton and Lewis Hector created an opening for Kevin Cosgrove, who forced a good save from the keeper. Northend were in control of the game - although they leaked an equaliser on twenty minutes which gave Braga a glimmer of hope. Northend upped their game and came close with three further efforts before half time. Half-time 1-1

The Ballymena boys dominated the second half from start to finish and looked comfortable in possession. Several chances came and went until Jack McIlhatton produced a bit of magic beating three players in the box and coolly flicking the ball past the goal-keeper for the winner. Niall Devine was having an outstanding game at right back and won tackle after tackle for the Blues. Sam Crawford and Callum McMurray both impressed with hard working displays and both almost edged their side further ahead. Northend created a number of further chances in the final ten minutes but just couldn't find the net to put the game well beyond doubt. That's the unbeaten run at five games and with three important fixtures in the coming weeks the boys need to knuckle down and work hard for a key part of the season. Full - time 2-1

A very good display from the boys today and the only area for improvement was the need to convert a few more chances and put this type of game beyond doubt a lot earlier.

Men of the Match: Niall Devine and Jack McIlhatton. Both boys worked incredibly hard for the team and deserve a special mention.

Panel: C Wilson, N Devine, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, J Adams, K Cosgrove, T Mitchell, L Hector, J McIlhatton, D McLaughlin, K Barr, A Courtney, C McMurray and S Crawford