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Northend United 2 TTBS 3 Supplementary Cup Final Saturday 4th May 2019

The U13s came up against TTBS in the Lisburn League 1 Supplementary Cup Final on Saturday on what was a sunny, blustery morning. Having done the double over their opponents in the league this year the Ballymena blue and whites where full of optimism heading into the final showpiece, but the Ballymena side quickly found themselves a goal down when a long ball into the box caused some confusion between goalkeeper and defenders, allowing the TTBS striker to find the bottom corner. Northend struck back quickly and equalised after a lovely flowing move as captain Harry Connon sprayed the ball out right to Timmy Gillan who ran at the defence and crossed low along the ground for marksman Daniel Patterson to stroke into the empty net. Northend continued to press though it was TTBS who scored next, when a midfielder gained possession and struck a ferocious shot from 30 yards into the top corner, leaving Thomas Hasson in nets no chance. TTBS continued to threaten, playing with the wind advantage in the first half and they made it 3-1 when their tricky right winger beat 3 Northend players before finishing smartly. Half time 1-3

Northend started all guns blazing in the second half and pulled a goal back almost instantly when Paidin Mitchell played a through ball to Daniel Patterson who was fouled inside the TTBS penalty area. Euan Pirie made no mistake from the spot, drilling to the keepers bottom right corner. The second half was all Northend pressing for the equaliser and the Ballymena boys had some great chances to do just that, but ultimately TTBS held out to take the cup back to Portadown. In the end a great game played in good spirits to end this season's campaign. Full time 2-3

Panel: T Hasson, C O'Hara, C Wilson, L Devlin, K Adger, S McDermott, H Connon, T Gillan, C Reid, E Pirie, D Patterson, P Mitchell, C McAuley, K Corcoran, J Marks, K McAllister, M Diamond

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Northend United 3 Warrenpoint Town 1 Saturday 13th April 2019

Northend travelled to Lisburn this Saturday to play high flying Irish League Academy side Warrenpoint Town. Playing against the wind and up the slope in the first half Northend's defensive set-up was severely tested in the early stages but Warrenpoint rarely got the opportunity to threaten Finn Connon in the Northend goal and gradually Northend's midfield got a foothold in the game. Dan Patterson and Euan Pirie in attack were a constant threat and two or three chances were passed up before Warrenpoint took the lead against the run of play 5 minutes before half-time. Half time 0-1

After the interval Northend stepped up a gear and their dominance was rewarded when a great passing move involving Patterson and Pirie was finished off by a superb lob from Timmy Gillen from the edge of the box. Soon after Patterson added a second with typical opportunism when the Warrenpoint defence failed to deal with a clever through ball from Pirie. The third goal came with 15 minutes remaining when Warrenpoint failed to clear a Northend corner and the tenacious Kurtis Adger shot home.

On the day Northend ran out worthy winners but special mention must be made for the defensive quartet of Adger, Wilson, O'Hara and Reid who were simply superb. Full time 3-1

Subway Man of the Match: Conor Wilson

Panel: F Connon, T Gillen, C Wilson, C O'Hara, K Adger, H Connon, S McDermott, C Reid, E Pirie, C McAuley, J Mark, D Patterson, K McAllister, K Corcoran

Lurgan Town 1 Northend United 0 Saturday 6th April 2019

Northend travelled to Lisburn to take on Lurgan Town in a League game on Saturday morning in what was an evenly fought game that went down right to the last kick of the ball. Both teams battled from the start to find the opener and it was Lurgan who made the breakthrough when a through ball found the striker unmarked in the box, who duly fired home from close range. Undeterred, Northend started to press and found themselves making some good forays into the Lurgan half. Timmy Gillan and Carter Reid on each wing found themselves penetrating into the opposing half on a number of occasions, but their deliveries were unable to be put away. Daniel Patterson in particular was causing the Lurgan back line serious problems and probably should have scored but for the opposing goalkeeper making some great saves, notably a fantastic double-save on the stroke of half time. Half time 1-0.

Playing down the notorious hill on Barbour Pitch 3, Northend spent most of the second half on the attack, peppering the Lurgan Town goal keeper with numerous efforts. Again, Daniel Patterson had a golden opportunity to equalise, but for the keeper to save yet again. Timmy Gillan went close when he clipped the cross bar from long range. Lurgan's chances were kept to a minimum by the Northend backline who defended resolutely and by Captain Harry Connon who was in the thick of the action throughout. Unfortunately, Northend were unable to capitalise on the pressure exerted in the second half as Lurgan went on to claim the points. Full time 1-0.

Man of the Match: Daniel Patterson

Panel: C Clarke, C O'Hara, C Wilson, L Devlin, K Adger, T Gillan, C McAuley, C Reid, H Connon, S McDermott, D Patterson, F Connon, M Diamond, K McAllister

Northend United 0 Hillsborough Colts 0 Saturday 30th March 2019

A fine Saturday morning saw Northend take on Hillsborough Colts in a Lisburn League 1st Division mid-table clash. Hillsborough started the brightest and tested the Northend defence and Thomas Hasson in the Northend goal from the outset. Northend soon got a grip of the game and had chances of their own to open the scoring, notably through Finn Connon and Daniel Patterson who saw chances go begging. Northend should have had a penalty midway through the half with a blatant foul on Euan Pirie, only for the referee to wave play on. Northend finished the first half strong but could not break the deadlock. Half time 0-0

Northend started strongly in the second half and kept the pressure on for most of the half in order to try and find the opening goal. Hillsborough defended resolutely and had chances of their own in an open second half. At the death of the game Carter Reid had an opportunity from a free kick to find a winner, but the Hillsborough wall stood strong and snuffed out the chance. A draw was a fair result in what was a well fought game of football. Full time 0-0

Panel: T Hasson, C O'Hara, C Wilson, L Devlin, J Adger, T Gillan, H Connon, S McDermott, C Reid, D Patterson, E Pirie, F Connon, C McAuley