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Northend United 4 Tristar Boys 0 Saturday 14th December 2013

Northend wanted to finish the first half of this season with a good win against top Derry/Londonderry outfit Tristar, in this second round NIBFA cup-tie. The opening minutes of the match were fairly even with both sides trying to play football on the ground, due to the difficult windy conditions. It was Northend, playing into the wind in the first half, who opened the scoring. On seven minutes, from a Stuart Lecky throw-in on the left, Ruairi Campbell danced past a few Tristar defenders, before sliding the ball into the net. 1 - 0. Following this goal, Northend went up a gear and scored their second within five minutes. On twelve minutes, Tom Patchett went past a couple of Tristar players on the left, before crossing to the far post, where Philip Kyle pounced to knock the ball past the Tristar keeper, into the net. 2 - 0. Until the break, Northend played some great one and two touch football, and created several more chances. The best of these chances fell to in-form forward Ruairi Campbell who sadly hit a post, with the ball bouncing wide. Half-time 2 - 0.

If Northend were good against the wind in the first half, they were immense in the second half with the wind at their backs. The game was effectively over five minutes into the second half, when Tom Patchett, after being assisted by Philip Kyle, crossed from the left and a Tristar defender knocked his inswinging cross into the net. 3 - 0. On fourteen minutes into the second half, Philip Kyle got his second, again reacting quickest at the back post, to knock the ball home. 4 - 0. Northend had other great chances from then until the end of the match, but were thwarted by Tristar's best player on the day, their goalkeeper who had an outstanding match in goal. Final sore 4-0

Northend have now qualified for the 3rd round of the NIBFA cup, and signed off the first half of the season in style, with a convincing win here. This was arguably Northend's best performance of the season, and this new side continue to gel and evolve. Their passing and movement in this match was a joy to watch but it was their hard work off the ball and their pressing on the opposition, which resulted in them dominating this match from the start to the finish. Stand-in keeper Conor McGarry, was his usual impressive self. Sam Frew, Robert McCluney, Josh Mitchell and Stuart Lecky all coped easily with Tristar's attack. Matthew Willighan and Robert Iovu were on top of their game and ran the midfield, from the kick-off to the final whistle. Tom Patchett on the left and Philip Kyle on the right, were a constant menace for the Tristar fullbacks, and this was arguably Philip Kyle's best ever performance for the Club. Up front Ruairi Campbell, assisted by John Brady, caused Tristar's defenders all kinds of problems with their clever runs and shots on goal. Subs Thomas McAuley, Callum McDonald and Chris Fullerton all played their part in this win. As Conor McGarry had to start in nets, Niall Craig was missing and Conall Gordon was still out injured, this made this win all the more impressive. This team continue to improve week on week, and with impressive new keeper Connor Brennan about to sign for the club, they are well on course to have a great second half of the season.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: C McGarry, S Frew, S Lecky, R McCluney, J Mitchell, P Kyle, T Patchett, R Iovu, M Willighan, R Campbell (c), J Brady, C McDonald, T McAuley, C Fullerton

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Moira FC 0 Northend United 8 Saturday 7th December 2013

Northend came out determined to collect all three points in this league fixture, after last weeks disappointing performance against Hillsborough Boys. They got off to a great start when Ruairi Campbell put them 1-0 up after 4 minutes. The same player put them 2-0 ahead after 8 minutes. Ruairi grabbed his hat-trick to put Northend 3-0 ahead on 12 minutes. In a first half of total domination by Northend, Ruairi then turned provider for his strike partner John Brady who smashed the fourth into the roof the net, to put Northend 4-0 ahead. Not to be outdone, Ruairi scored his fourth on 26 minutes and an incredible fifth on 30 minutes, to put Northend 6 - 0 up on the stroke of half-time. Half-time score: 6-0.

As their first team goalkeeper was playing rugby, Conor McGarry had started in nets. With five first-half goals to his name, Ruairi Campbell kindly 'volunteered' to do nets for the second half and let Conor McGarry outfield. Niall Craig scored an incredible 25 yarder 5 minutes into the second half, to put Northend 7-0 ahead. Philip Kyle grabbed Northend's last goal of the match, 18 minutes into the second half. Final score 8-0

This was a very strong aggressive performance from Northend and they played well from the start to the finish of this match. They looked strong at the back, dominated in the midfield area and looked like scoring every time they attacked. Every player played their part in this victory and set Northend up nicely for their last fixture before Christmas, against Tri-Star next week in the NIBFA Cup.

Men of the Match: Ruairi Campbell, Robert Iovu, Josh Mitchell

Panel: C McGarry, S Frew (c), S Lecky, R McCluney, J Mitchell, N Craig, R Iovu, M Willighan, T Patchett, J Brady, R Campbell, T McAuley, P Kyle, C McDonald, C Fullerton

Northend United 1 Hillsborough Boys 2 Saturday 30th November 2013

These two teams were evenly matched and for the first twenty minutes of the match, both teams just had half-chances on goal. Ruairi Campbell and Tom Patchett probably had Northend's best chances to score in this early period of the match. Hillsborough took the lead through a corner on 22 minutes and then scored on the stroke of half-time when a mix-up in defence allowed Hillsborough to score their second. Half-time score 2 - 0

After a below average first half-performance, Northend were much better in the second half. Ruairi Campbell scored four minutes into the second half, to put Northend back into the match. Northend took the game to Hillsborough, forcing corner after corner. They were extremely unlucky to have a Robert Iovu goal ruled out from a corner, after a Hillsborough coach remonstrated that the ball was outside the D. Unfortunately for Northend, the referee listened to him. Both sides again had half-chances to score in the second half but both sides failed to convert any of these. Full-time score 2 - 1.

Northend were definitely under par today, but with a bit more consistency and luck with refereeing decisions, they could have easily scraped a draw here. Perhaps it's a sign of their continued improvement, that they were disappointed to have lost 2 - 1 to a very good side. Sam Frew in defence and Conor McGarry up front were badly missed outfield today and both players should be back in contention for the next fixture.

Man of the Match: Matthew Willighan

Panel: C McGarry, M Willighan, S Lecky, R McCluney, J Mitchell, J Brady, R Iovu, N Craig, R Campbell (c), T McAuley, T Patchett, P Kyle, C McDonald, C Fullerton

Northend United opened the scoring after two minutes in this match. Niall Craig found Tom Patchett on the left, Tom Patchett crossed to Ruairi Campbell, Ruairi Campbell turned a Portadown defender then found Conor McGarry, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot. 0 - 1. Northend were well on top for the next 10 minutes until a defensive mistake, let Portadown back into the match. 1-1. At 1-1, Portadown missed a penalty, before going 2-1 up on 18 minutes. Northend quickly equalised within 3 minutes, when Conor McGarry returned the favour and found Ruairi Campbell, who slotted the ball past the Portadown keeper. 2-2. Northend then took the lead on 23 minutes when Conor McGarry swivelled in the box then found the corner of the net, from a Robert Iovu corner. Portadown scored two quick goals before half-time to make it 4-3. Half-time score 4 - 3.

As Northend were all over the place defensively in the first half, they changed their shape at half-time and made two substitutions. This appeared to work, as Northend looked strong defensively in the second half, they conceded no more goals and calmly controlled the remainder of the game. Make no mistake, Portadown had their chances in the second half, but these were at best only half-chances and Northend coped comfortably with Portadown's forwards. For Northend, the midfield trio of Robert Iovu, Niall Craig and John Brady played well in the second half, and edged their Portadown counterparts. Northend had the better scoring opportunities, and deservedly equalised with 10 minutes to go through Ruairi Campbell. The score remained 4 - 4 until the final whistle. Full time score 4-4

This was a game of two halves for Northend in this match. They were good going forward but bad defensively in the first half, and much better in both areas in the second half. This was a hard earned point for Northend but they will take some comfort in the fact that, had they defended better in the first half, they could easily have taken all three points in this match.

Man of the Match: Ruairi Campbell

Panel: C McNeill, J Brady, C McDonald, R McCluney, J Mitchell, N Craig, R Iovu, P Kyle, C McGarry, T Patchett, R Campbell (c), S Lecky, T McAuley, M Willighan

Northend United 5 Lisburn Distillery 3 NIBFA Cup Saturday 16th November 2013

Having been beaten 5-2 in their first league match of the season against Lisburn Distillery, Northend were thirsty for revenge, especially when Northend were drawn as the home-side, in this first round NIBFA cup-tie. Unfortunately, if Northend were going to win this cup-tie, they were going to have to do it the hard way, as they went one nil down inside five minutes. Northend drew level within five minutes, when a superb through ball from Robert Iovu found Ruairi Campbell, who took two touches then slid the ball, past the Lisburn keeper, into the corner of the net. Northend turned the pressure up from this point, and started to dominate the match, through the midfield duo of Robert Iovu and Niall Craig. Northend went 2 - 1 up via Conor McGarry, when he rose highest at a Robert Iovu corner, to head the ball past the Lisburn Distillery goalkeeper. Until half-time, Northend were a joy to watch by playing some great free-flowing football. They had some great opportunities to add to their tally before half-time, but failed to add to their tally. Half-time score 2-1

If Northend were good the first half, they stepped up another level in the second half. Philip Kyle made it 3 - 1 to Northend seven minutes into the second half, after being the first to pounce onto a Tom Patchett corner. Ruairi Campbell added two more goals for his hat-trick, within nine minutes, to make it 5-1 to Northend. With the game virtually over, Northend made the remainder of their substitutions, and through no fault of their own, they probably lost their shape slightly, and like all good sides, Lisburn Distillery came back strong, and scored two more goals in the last seven minutes, to make the scoreline more respectable. Final score 5-3

In summary, this was a very impressive display from Northend, and throughout the match, their shape was good, they looked strong defensively, plus looked like scoring every time they went forward. Conor McGarry is relishing playing midfield, and is back close to his best. Credit to Lisburn Distillery, who sit third in the Lisburn League, who are a top side and played football throughout, even at 5- 1 down. Probably the most satisfying thing here for the Northend coaches was this was the first time this season they had a full squad to pick from, then brushed aside a very good side, despite 'resting' some players for this match.

Men of the Match: Ruairi Campbell, Sam Frew

Panel: S Frew, C McDonald, R McCluney, J Mitchell, N Craig, R Iovu, P Kyle, C McGarry, T Patchett (c), R Campbell, J Brady, T McAuley, S Lecky, M Willighan, C Gordon

Lurgan Town 1 Northend United 3 Saturday 9th November 2013

From the kick-off, Northend put pressure on Lurgan. They took the lead early in the match. After Ruairi Campbell was fouled on the edge of the box, Tom Patchett took a free kick which rebounded of the keeper and Robert Iovu followed in to score. 0 -1 to the Ballymena Boys. Northend continued to press and after some good pass and movement play led to a Robert McCluney free kick, Tom Patchett collected the ball and slid through a superb pass to Ruairi Campbell, who slotted it past the oncoming Lurgan keeper. 0-2. At two nil down, Lurgan looked out of sync and out of ideas, but fair play to Lurgan Town, they gradually fought their way back into the match. After a lapse in concentration from a Lurgan corner, Northend failed to clear, and Lurgan pulled one back to put the score at 1 - 2. Conor McGarry pulled off a couple of good saves to keep the score at 1 - 2 at the break. Half time score 1-2

New signing Conor McNeill made his debut in goals at the start of the second half, thus allowing Conor McGarry to revert back to his favourite left-wing role. Northend put pressure on from the start of the second half, with some well-struck shots at goal. This pressure paid off when sub Conall Gordon passed it through to Ruairi Campbell, who then beat 2 defenders with his pace, before slotting the ball into the net to make it 1 -3. At 1-3 up, the game was practically over, and from this minute Northend dominated the remainder of the match. Northend's shape looked good in the second half, and with Conall Gordon on the right and Conor McGarry on the left, Northend were a constant threat, and they were unlucky not to add to their goal tally. Sub Philip Kyle also showed some nice touches when he came on, and linked up well with Ruairi Campbell in attack. Full time score 3-1

This was a good win for Northend and as the match wore on, they looked better and better. Tom Patchett had a super game up front, and was full of tireless running and his through-pass for Ruairi Campbell's first goal, was the pass of the match. Niall Craig, again closely followed by Robert Iovu, was outstanding in midfield.

Men of the Match: Niall Craig, Tom Patchett

Panel: C McGarry, S Frew, S Lecky, R McCluney, J Mitchell, N Craig (c), J Brady, R Iovu, M Willighan, T Patchett, R Campbell, P Kyle, C McDonald, C Gordon, C McNeill.

Northend United 0 Shankill Juniors 3 Saturday 2nd November 2013

Shankill Juniors were probably favourites to win this Shield quarter-final tie on paper, mainly because there way six places between both sides in the league. Shankill topped the league but Northend had probably given them pause for thought a couple of weeks ago in the league, when they earned a hard fought point against them. Shankill started the better side in this match and this was the way it remained until the finish. Shankill were far from outstanding in any format, but just took full advantage of the opportunities given to them, by an underperforming Northend side. Shankill went into the lead at half-time by two goals to nil, one from a direct free-kick on the edge of the box, the other from a penalty. Half-time 2-0

In a dour second half, Shankill further increased their advantage with another from the penalty spot. Full-time 3-0

Northend were under-par today and there was nobody in the team to provide that spark to get the rest of the team going. It was a dull, dreary game, played on a heavy pitch in windy conditions. The match was not helped by the referee who performed worse than both teams on show. In summary, this was definitely not one for the neutrals.

Northend were poor in possession, and certainly did not work hard enough when not in possession of the ball, to get it back. This game was there for the taking but sadly they were beaten by a more experienced, street-wise team, who can win matches, when not at their best, a trait Northend still need to learn. Robert McCluney, Niall Craig and Josh Mitchell were probably the stand-out players for Northend on the day.

Men of the Match: Robert McCluney, Niall Craig, Josh Mitchell

Panel: C McGarry, S Frew, S Lecky, R McCluney, J Mitchell, R Iovu, N Craig, J Brady, T Patchett, M Willighan (c), R Campbell, P Kyle, C Gordon, T McAuley, C McDonald