Northend United 1 Lisburn Youth 3   Saturday 18th November 2023

The U13s started this match on the back foot, with Lisburn Youth dominating the early exchanges. Despite the best efforts of goalie Phelem Devlin, the Lisburn side raced to a two-goal lead in the first half. Half time 0-2

Into the second half and Lisburn added a third goal shortly after the start. Change in personal seen us have we bit more of the ball and going forward got a corner. Jayden Cassley’s delivery was on the money and Cathal Gordon nodded home to give us a fighting chance but really was just a consolation. Full time 1-3

Panel: P Devlin, J Mitchell, T Martin, T Cairns, S Barr, O Hector, C Gordon, J Duffin, J Cassley, R McClintock, H Campbell, L Adams, S Hughes, M King

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Northend United 2 Shankill Juniors 4  NIBFA Cup Saturday 11th November 2023

NIBFA cup game this week away to Shankill Juniors that had end to end action from start to finish. The game started well with Cahal Gordon opening with our first goal with great skill winning the ball in his own half to tuck it past the keeper. Shankill minutes later pressuring our defence were awarded a soft penalty and took advantage of the large nets to go 1/1. The back 4 of Jonah Mitchell, Olly Hector, Harry Campbell and Lilly Adams had acres of ground to cover and were under fire most of the first half. With difficulty moving the ball players tired easily. Substitutions were frequent throughout and fresh legs of Thomas Cairns in unfamiliar midfield after just 15 mins came in handy, The Blues midfield 3 of Sonny Barr, Senan Hughes and Jayden Cassley worked extra hard and moved the ball well throughout creating space for Tiernan Martin on the left who had a number of crosses into the Shankill box. Reece McClintock again with the energy he has covered miles of ground tracking players on the right wing. Unfortunately, just before the half a loose ball into the box cleared several times by Mitchell was drilled in and deflected off the post into the back of our net. A quick sub change saw Mason King into defence and a shuffle of players feeling the strain of such a big pitch. Half time 1-2

The second half continued as the first, with no less than 5 sub changes and Mitchell picking up an injury but refusing to let it affect his game. Jayden Cassley winning a corner seen Tiernan martin swing in a sweet left foot cross hitting the post. Several more chances fell to Gordan and Cassley and on another day we would have scored 5 more. Shankill against the run of play added a third soon after. Hector was awarded a free kick with 10 mins to go and Gordons flick seemed certain only for a finger tip save over the bar. a change of formation and seen Barr’s 50-yard pass sending Gordon down the middle and this time he hit the back of the net. 2-3 and with momentum with Northend Cassley missed 2 more. Again, Shankill responded in a period where we stopped playing to put the score 2-4 which did not reflect the performance of Phelim Devlin who during this period saved several shots to keep us in the game. Gordon had a great run 1v1 with the GK narrowly missing the target and Cassley’s work rate was constant. Despite several attempts we just couldn’t secure that final goal. A narrow and defeat but plenty of learnings today on such a big pitch. Full time 2-4

Panel: P Devlin, J Mitchell, T Martin, T Cairns, S Barr (c), O Hector, C Gordon, J Cassley, R McClintock, H Campbell, S Hughes, J Duffin, M King, L Adams

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Northend United 1 Ballymena United 6   Saturday 4th November 2023

A muddy start to our Saturday fixture this week against Ballymena United in the semi final of the cup. Both teams started well with familiar faces dominating the Ballymena squad it made for a good Derby. Conditions played their part with players in both sides slipping throughout. Cahal Gordon worked hard as usual missing an early opportunity and Tiernan Martin’s cross sliding past every player to go wide of the post. Phelem Devlin pulled off a couple of fine long range saves holding onto a mud drench ball. Jayden Cassley was in top form as he weaved his way through the Ballymena midfield winning a free kick which also went wide of the target. It wasn’t long after Sonny Barr sent Cassley out wide and the midfielder again cut through the Ballymena defence to make it 1:0. Senan Hughes hit the post and Joe Duffin cross bar. With the run of play clearly with Northend we dominated the majority of the half and the Ballymena managers comments we were the better team. Ballymena though gaining ground with long balls won a corner and capsulised on their physical advantage to pull back 1/1. A second corner moments before the half again difficult to clear in the mud found it’s way into the net. 2/1 at the half. Half time 1-2

The second half again started in Northend’s favour with an early call for hand ball not given followed up moments later with a clear foul eventually given. Cassley shot unfortunately saved by the Ballymena goalkeeper. Joe Duffin had no less than 3 free kicks saved by the Ballymena keeper and Senan Hughes narrowly missing the target on 2 occasions. Another series of corners and a loose ball not held Ballymena capitalised on our weakness and quickly we were 6/1 down totally against the run of play for what was a very different game. A lot of positives from today and clearly something to work on at training the next few weeks. Well done Ballymena and good luck in the final. Full time 1-6

Panel: P Devlin, J Mitchell, T Martin, T Cairns, S Barr, O Hector, C Gordon, J Duffin, J Cassley, R McClintock, S Hughes, H Campbell, D Rennie

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................