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Windmill 4 Northend United 1 Saturday 23rd January 2016

Northend played the first match of 2016 against a strong physical Windmill side. The match was being covered by the Daily Mirror so it was being played on the larger pitch at Barbour. From the first whistle Northend were bullied off the ball by strong shoulder challenges and they never coped the first half. However with the wind against and a slight uphill slope the boys battled hard and kept Windmill at bay until the last 5 min of the half. An unfortunate rebound off a windmill player fell kindly into his path and he made it 1 nil. Ciaran Campbell worked tirelessly along with Harry Wylie, Callum Higgins, Ronan McKillop and Patrick Ferris in trying to get Northend going. P Ferris was Northend's only escape with some great runs out of midfield. Northend could have got an equaliser right at the stroke of halftime when Harry Wylie broke down the left and crossed into the middle but Conor McGaughey and Adam Campbell both had their shots blocked from the 6 yard box. Half time 1-0

The second half was much better from Northend, but a lapse in concentration saw Windmill score 3 goals in 6 minutes. Two could have been prevented but poor clearances from the defence allowed Windmill to capitalise. At 4-0 the score didn't really give justice to Northend, the boys found the bigger pitch hard to cope. With so much space for both teams to try and cover it was a tough experience. However Northend rallied and deservedly got one back through a Patrick Ferris penalty. It was his pace and run down the right that he was upended in the box. On a few occasions Windmill cut short any potential breaks from Northend by strong tackling. This was a disappointing game for Northend especially with the coverage the boys would get in the Daily Mirror. Final score 4-1

Men of the Match: Ciaran Campbell, Patrick Ferris, Callum Higgins and Harry Wylie

Panel: J Morrow, J Montgomery, P Esler, H Wylie, C Campbell, P Ferris, C Higgins, R McQuillan, R McKillop, A Campbell, C McGaughey and J Casey

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Dungannon Youth 4 Northend United 2 Saturday 19th December 2015

Northend met Dungannon Youth in the second round of the NIBFA Cup. Northend got off to a good start and created a number of chances, however due to a lack of control and playing into a strong wind they let Dungannon into the game.

Dungannon took the lead from a corner when their tall No 5 headed straight at the keeper who took a step over the line..Northend deservedly got the equaliser towards the end of the first half when Patrick Ferris broke clear and planed the ball into the corner of the Dungannon net. Half time 1-1

With the wind at their backs, Northend created a number of chances in the second half and Ronan McKillop found Patrick Ferris down the right and a lovely cross to the back post found Adam Campbell who easily beat the keeper. However Dungannon didn't lie down and came back at Northend. Harry Wylie had to leave the field after failing awkwardly and Dungannon capitalised in the aftermath to get back level in this game.

The young referee made a number of questionable decisions in the game and the Northend supporters were flabbergasted when she awarded a penalty for a push in the box when both players jumped equally. With Dungannon converting the penalty they now took a slender 3-2 lead in the game. With almost the last kick of the game Dungannon got their fourth goal as Northend went chasing the game. Full time 4-2

This wasn't the best display from the Ballymena Boys who couldn't replicate their Lisburn League performances and will feel disappointed that they couldn't capitalise on their half time lead. It's a rest now for two weeks with the next league match on January 9th January.

Panel: J Morrow, R McQuillan, J Casey, P Esler, H Wylie (c), J Montgomery, R McKillop, C Higgins, C Campbell, C Richmond, P Ferris, A Campbell, C McGaughey

Northend United 4 Lisburn Distillery 0 Saturday 5th December 2015

Northend met Distillery on a very cold and wet day in Lisburn. Northend had the bulk of the play in the first half without creating many clear cut chances. Defensively Northend dealt with anything that Distillery could throw at them and Harry Wylie was comfortable in his defensive role the whole game. With the difficult conditions, the first half remained scoreless. Half time 0-0

Northend started the second half comfortably and began to pass the ball out from the back. They controlled the game in the middle of the park through Callum Higgins, Ronan McKillop and Patrick Ferris, Up front Adam Campbell had a good game linking up well with the midfield. Northend deservedly took the lead early on in the half through a great break from Ronan McKillop, his pace took him away from the Distillery defenders and he coolly slipped the ball into the corner of the net. Distillery found it hard to clear the ball , playing into the strong wind, and Patrick Ferris made it 2-0 after he broke down the left and making his way into the box before sliding the ball under the Distillery keeper and into the net. Adam Campbell made it 3-0 shortly afterwards when he latched onto a lovely throughball and his strength held of the Distillery defenders to score his second goal of the season.

Ronan McKillop made it 4-0 after a poor clearance from the Distillery keeper and he planted the ball into the empty net. This was the same scoreline as the similar fixture earlier in the season and a well deserved win. Full time 4-0

Next week sees the boys play in the NIBFA Cup against a strong Dungannon Youth team.

Man of the Match: Ronan McKillop

Panel: J Morrow, R McQuillan, R McKillop, H Wylie (c), J Montgomery, C Higgins, J Casey, P Esler, P Ferris, A Campbell, C McGaughey

Northend United 4 Loughgall 3 Saturday 28th November 2015

Northend met Loughgall on a wet and windy Barbour pitch. Northend got off to a great start and created a number of chances but failed to score any. They were by far the better team looking strong through Callum Higgins in centre midfield and attacking down both wings. However Loughgall took thelead after some slack play from Northend and went 1-0 up.

Shortly afterwards Patrick Ferris got to the edge of the Loughgall box and cut back onto his right foot to riffle the equaliser into the corner of the Loughgall net. It was all Northend at this stage of the game and Ryan McQuillan sent in a number of lovely corners. It was from one of these corners that Harry Wylie got his second goal in two weeks from a lovely glancing header. However just before half time Northend switched off again and allowed Loughgall to equalise. Half time 2-2

The second half continued with Northend creating a number of chances and Patrick Ferris got his second with a lovely one two with Ciaran Campbell, making the score 3-2. Ryan McQuillan further increased Northend's lead when he popped up to make it 4-2 from a Harry Wylie free kick. Northend could have had a number of goals at this stage in the game but poor finishing led to nothing.

Loughgall pulled another goal back after some misplaced passing in the Northend rearguard, leaving the score 4-3. Northend kept attacking and again should have had a few more goals before the end of the game but chances went abegging. Final score 4-3

Man of the Match: Ryan McQuillan

Panel: J Morrow, R McQuillan, R McKillop, H Wylie (c), J Montgomery, C Campbell, C Higgins, C Richmond, P Esler, P Ferris, A Campbell, C McGaughey and J Casey

Northend United 3 Blackstaff 3 Saturday 21st November 2015

This was a rematch of Northend's Shield game against Blackstaff two weeks ago that went to extra time which Northend were narrowly beat 3-2.

Northend got off to a flyer and were 2-0 up in 10 minutes. A lovely flick by Adam Campbell found Pat Ferris running through the defence who went on to beat the keeper after 2 minutes. Northend's second came from a corner, the ball fell in the penalty area and Harry Wylie with his back to goal turned and struck it into the net for his first goal of the season. Pat Ferris could have made it 3-0 but the keeper pulled of a good save. Blackstaff did come back in to the game with a number of dangerous free kicks being conceded just outside Northend's box but Blackstaff never really threatened. Northend picked up a couple of needless yellow cards in the first half which was frustrating as there seemed to be little consistency with the decisions. Half time 2-0

Northend were warned at half time not to be careless and restart where they left off. This fell on deaf ears as Blackstaff did what Northend did in the first. Blackstaff scored 2 quick goals at the beginning of the half mainly down to Northend not clearing simple balls and bringing pressure onto themselves. Northend regrouped and got stuck in again and they scored a third through Pat Ferris. He broke clear and went round the keeper before slotting the ball home. Northend had less than 10 minutes to hold on to what would be a deserved win, but like the cup game two weeks ago Blackstaff were awarded a very debatable penalty with only few minutes to go. The Blackstaff player managed to wriggle through a couple of half hearted challenges and as he got to the near post his shot went wide with the ball going out of play. And as it went out the striker went down and with the help of a loud call from the side a penalty was awarded. Blackstaff made it 3-3 but the frustrating thing was Northend should have cleared the ball well before this. Final score 3-3

The match finished 3-3 but Northend need to take their chances and be well clear of their opponents as they don't seem to be on the right side of many decisions when games are tight. But this group of players have really improved from the start of the season, putting in some great performances and believing in their ability, this is just another lesson learnt for the boys and will stand them in good stead.

Man of the Match: Team Performance.

Panel: J Morrow, R McQuillan, R McKillop, H Wylie (c), C Campbell, C Higgins, C Richmond, P Esler, P Ferris, A Campbell, C McGaughey and J Casey

Ballymena United 2 Northend United 5 Saturday 14th November 2015

As both teams found themselves with a free weekend from league matches, they played a friendly at Smithfield on Saturday. The first half was a tight affair with Ballymena taking the lead early on. Northend were giving Ballymena too much space in midfield, but Harry Wylie dealt with everything in defence. Ciaran Campbell, playing in an attacking midfield role, got the equaliser ten minutes before half time. This game Northend more confidence and finished the half, the stronger team. Half time 1-1

Northend started the second half on the front foot and Callum Higgins was pulling the strings in midfield. He was first to every ball, allowing Ciaran Campbell to break forward. It was Ciaran Campbell who got his second goal of the match in a well worked move from midfield, splitting open the Ballymena defence. In almost a carbon copy of this goal, Ronan McKillop scored Northend's third goal. His pace took him away from the Ballymena defence and he coolly slipped the ball past the advancing Ballymena keeper. It was all Northend at this point and Ciaran Campbell got his hat-trick from a clever free kick. Harry Wylie dummied a shot and Campbell riffled his shot over the advancing Ballymena keeper, going in off the underside of the crossbar.

Ballymena pulled a goal back shortly after, making it 4-2 but Ronan McKillop got Northend's fifth goal with another break from midfield, beating the Ballymena keeper again with a well placed shot. Full time 2-5

This was another good performance from the Northend Blues, playing against a National League team.

Men of the Match: Ciaran Campbell, Callum Higgins, Ronan McKillop and Harry Wylie

Panel: A Campbell, J Morrow, H Wylie, J Montgomery, R McKillop, C Higgins, C Campbell, R McQuillan, C McGaughey, P Esler, J Casey and A Caulfield

Blackstaff 3 Northend United 2 aet Saturday 7th November 2015

Northend U13s met Blackstaff U13s in the quarter final of the LIYL shield cometition. Northend started the game brightly and controlled the majority of the half. They got their well deserved goal mid way through the half from and nice through ball by Ronan McKillop to find Patrick Ferris who smashed it over the keepers head. Harry Wylie had a superb game at the back effortlessly dealing with anything that came his way. Northend played some neat football in terrible conditions, the rain never let up the whole game. Half time 0-1

Northend continued the second half where they left off and created numerous chances. They attacked down both flanks through Jamie Montgomery on the left and Ronan McKillop on the right. Callum Higgins also played well in centre of the pitch. However Blackstaff were given a lifeline by the referee. Northend's keeper Adam Campbell who had a good game with the ball being so slippy, saved a long range shot from Blackstaff and as it fell at his feet he cleared it from the oncoming striker. The Blackstaff player collided with the keeper and went down and with some encouragement from the Blackstaff line the referee blew for a penalty. This made it 1-1 and Northend players were shaken. Full time 1-1

The game went to extra time. Northend almost made it 2-1 when Ciaran Campbell's free kick beat the keeper only to find a defender on the line to head it away. Conor McGaughey also had a clear chance to score but was only able to send it straight at the keeper.

The second period of extra time was much the same Northend pressurised Blackstaff but got caught out when Blackstaff struck a tame effort but the wet conditions made the ball slip from the keepers hands. With time running out Northend piled on the pressure Pat Ferris was upended numerous times unfairly as he glided past the Blackstaff defence. Northend just couldn't take their chances and were cruelly 3-1 down late on when another simple error allowed Blackstaff to score. Northend went straight back up the other end and again Patrick Ferris was hacked down and coolly got up and made it 3-2. Extra Time 3-2

Time just ran out but Northend should have seen this game out in normal time but unfortunately the decision went against them for another week. But this was superb effort and great display of team work, their performances and manner of play is making the rest of the league start to notice the Ballymena Blues.

Man of the Match: Harry Wylie, read the game fantastically and showed great composure at the back.

Panel: A Campbell, J Morrow, H Wylie, J Montgomery, R McKillop, C Higgins, C Campbell, R McQuillan, C McGaughey, P Ferris, J Casey and A Caulfield