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Hillsborough Boys 4 Northend United 0 Saturday 14th October 2023

Northend started off this match on the front foot playing some good football. As the half wore on, Hillsborough took the lead with a well-executed goal. Northend were awarded a penalty but Cathal Gordon seen his penalty saved. Half time 1-0

Into the second half and it was Hillsborough turn to be awarded a penalty, where the Northend keeper, Phelem Devlin, pulled off a great save. Hillsborough continued to dominate play for the remainder of the half and ran in three goals in the last 10 minutes. Full time 4-0

Panel: Phelem Devlin, Jonah Mitchell, Tiernan Martin, Thomas Cairns, Sonny Barr, Olly Hector, Cathal Gordon, Joe Duffin, Jayden Cassley, Reece McClintock, Harry Campbell, Lily Adams, Daniel Rennie, Mason King, Senan Hughes

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Northend United 4 Glendowan 2 Saturday 7th October 2023

Fantastic display from Northend’s 2011s against a well drilled, vocal and physical Glendowan side. Previous encounters have always been exciting to watch and today didn’t disappoint. The game started with both sides having a number of chances with Phelim Devlin in fine form scooping up every loose ball that came his way. The defensive line up today of Thomas Cairns, Daniel Rennie, Olly Hector, Jonah Mitchell and Lilly Adams stood firm and held a solid back line against a very quick and tall set of Glendowan strikers. It wasn’t long before the hard-working midfield of Sonny Barr, Jayden Cassley and Joe Duffin got their rewards moving the ball into the oppositions box and Cahal Gordon’s relentless desire to win the ball yet again produced a fantastic opening goal. With momentum behind us we pushed forward with Tiernan Martin on the left and Reece McClintock on the right spreading the play started to open up the Glendowan defence. For a good 15 minutes it was all Northend, winning every tough challenge from defence, midfield, upfront and again any shot into the firm hands of our keeper. Just before the half Olly Hector clearing his line set Joe Duffin up for a 40-yard strike just tipped over the bar. The resulting corner seen young Senan Hughes smash the ball into the back of the net. Half time 2-1

The second half started with both teams not backing down and a physical 10 minutes ensued. Glendowan found a few gaps and quickly it was 2/2. Fresh legs and Mason King on his debut for the team introduced on the right. Heads focused on the win seen Tiernan Martin beat 3 players and whipped in a sweet left foot strike beating the keeper from distance to nose us in front with 6 mins to go. Again, Northend stood firm, worked hard and didn’t back down as Glendowan fought back but that wee magician Gordon took off into the box and was brought down winning us a penalty in the last few minutes. With no doubt he buried it into the back of the net to finish the game 4/2. A fine performance showing training paying off and confidence from start to finish. Full time 4-2

Player of the Match: Joe Duffin. His physical presence and free kicks on show today winning praise from Glendowan coaches.

Panel: Phelem Devlin, Jonah Mitchell, Tiernan Martin, Thomas Cairns, Lily Adams, Ollie Hector, Sonny Barr, Cathal Gordon, Joe Duffin, Jayden Cassley, Reece McClintock, Harry Campbell, Daniel Rennie, Mason King, Seanan Hughes

Northend United 7 Valley Rangers 0 Saturday30thSeptember 2023

Fantastic start to the game as Northend were on the front foot from the start. The team have really come together and know their positions well.

Phelim Devlin superb between the sticks as usual and a clean sheet today. Didn’t have much to do but always alert when needed.

Jonah Mitchell and Harry Campbell, a solid centre back pairing with Lilly Adams on the left and Thomas Cairns on the right, fought hard all day and really bossed the opposition wingers.

First half midfielders completely controlled the game with Captain Sonny Barr, Reece McClintock and Tiernan Martin on the wings. Pushing on up in attacking midfield was Jayden Cassley and Joe Duffin with Cahal Gordon up front. Valley knew they were in a tough game after 5 minutes Young Gordon slotted away the first goal with an assist from Cassley. The onslaught continued with both defence and midfield passing well and letting Gordon score his second after 10 minutes.

Although Rangers were trying there was a clear gulf in standard between the teams and the 3rd goal scored by Duffin after 25 minutes allowed the team to have a new-found confidence in going forward. Charlie Buick and Senan Hughes came on to put in a great shift before the half time whistle blew. Half time 3-0

Second half was more of the same and although respect was given the team still continued to crest chances and push on for more. Hughes got his goal after a good run and some excellent play. 5 mins later Duffin shot a free kick for the keeper to fumble slightly in mid-air and the ball went in for Utds 5th goal.

Valley still did. It let their heads drop and came close to scoring only for Devlin to put his body on the line for the save. 2 minutes later they got another chance but Cassley proved fantastic in getting back and sliding in to stop the goal. 2 more goals for Northend from Hughes and Sonny Barr respectively brought the game to a close. Well done to both teams. Full time 7-0

Player of the Match: Reece McClintock

Panel: Phelim Devlin, Jonah Mitchell, Harry Campbell, Charlie Buick, Lilly Adams, Thomas Cairns, Reece McClintock, Tiernan Martin, Sonny Barr, Senan Hughes, Jayden Cassley, Joe Duffin, Cathal Gordon.

Northend United 2 Hillsborough Boys Colts 3 Saturday 23rd September 2023

Another tight game this week against Hillsborough that seen end to end action from start to finish. The game started well with Cahal Gordon opening with our first goal with persistence and determination to chase down a loose ball in the oppositions box to tuck it past the keeper who was slow to react. A good lesson never to give up on a goal scoring opportunity. Our defensive back 4 of Jonah Mitchell, Thomas Cairns, Harry Campbell and Senan Hughes came under alot of pressure from the Hillsborough attack but held off most of the half. Our midfield 3 of Sonny Barr, Joe Duffin and Jayden Cassley worked hard and moved the ball well throughout creating space for Tiernan Martin on the left who had a number of crosses into the Hillsborough 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 was drilled in and deflected into the back of our net. A quick sub change saw Lilly Adams into defence as Sonny took unwell. Half time 1-1

The second half continued as the first, Jayden Cassley winning a corner seen Tiernan Martin swing in a sweet left foot cross right into the back post beating the keeper to make it 2-1. Several more chances fell to the winger who narrowly missed a third soon after. Joe Duffin was awarded a free kick 10 minutes into the half with the Hillsborough goalkeeper finger tipping it over the bar. Again, Hillsborough responded in a period where Northend stopped playing, to level the score 2-2 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 goalkeeper narrowly missing the target and Cassley’s work rate in midfield moving the ball forward to creat openings didn’t go unnoticed. It was a well struck corner that was our undoing a ball not cleared and a goal conceded to go 3-2 down with 10 minutes to play we thought it could be recovered. Despite several attempts we just couldn’t secure that final goal. A narrow and bitter defeat but against league leaders we justify our place in this new division week on week with some great performances and tight score lines. Coaches and club happy to see the positive development. Full time 2-3

Player of the Match: Tiernan Martin

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

Ballymena United 3 Northend United 1 Saturday 16th September 2023

Tight fixture this week against local side BM with a few familiar faces in their squad this season we knew they would set up well. Northend started the better side with Cahal Gordon testing the Ballymena keeper within 5 minutes with 2 long range shots tipped over the bar. A further chance fell to Joe Duffin a well hit free kick heading top corner again tipped over. Ballymena then had the next 10 minutes of play and a back four of Jonah Michell, Thomas Cairns, Lilly Adams and Harry Campbell stood firm and all attempts going wide. Ballymena opting for long range kick outs didn’t bother our wee Blues as we won every ball in our midfield with Sonny Barr, Joe Duffin and Jayden Cassley brave to every ball. Unfortunately, Joe took a nasty bounce ball to the nose stopping play while he received attention and with determination to get back into the game and a bloody kit top play restarted. It was just after a loose ball drove in from the side line took a rebound off a defender to slip inside the post to make it 1-0 to Ballymena. With heads dropped and another quick passage of play Ballymena scored their second. This gave a kick to the wee Blues and again we dominated the next 10 mins with Reece McClintock and Tiernan Martin both opening up the Ballymena defence with several crosses resulting in multiple corners. Something we have worked on recently it was clear the team is improving but the Ballymena defence was on top form again their Goalkeeper stopping 3 close range shots. A slight ankle injury just before the half, introduced Daniel Rennie into left back. Immediately he had to be alert as the long-range kick outs continued with the wee defender thwarting the incoming attack to keep it 2-0 at the break. Half time 2-0

The second half started well and again Northend were the better team but for a long range shot dipping over Phelem Devlin we were 3-0 down with 30 minutes left to play. It was a battle and a great game to watch as both teams went from end to end showing some great sportsman ship and talent for the town. A soft decision against us for a penalty seen Devlin 1v1 with the Ballymena striker. Devlin coached by our own Brian Martin stood proud in nets as he saved the shot to keep us in the game. Northend finally found themselves and it was a confident Sonny Barr to beat 5 Ballymena players and from the corner flag crossed the ball at such pace young Cathal Gordon glanced the ball into the net leaving the Ballymena goalkeeper speechless. For the next 10 minutes Ballymena were shaken and it was all one-way traffic as Northend hounded their defence but it wasn’t to be. A pleasing performance against a well drilled Ballymena team showing coaches we are improving week on week. Full time 3-1

Player of the Match: Harry Campbell – His defensive workrate was outstanding.

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

Northend United 3 Andersonstown Community 2 Saturday 9th September 2023

Northend U13s continued their good start to the season with a close fought win over Anderstown Community, in a match played at Richardson Park in Lisburn. Starting off a strong back line with Phelim Devlin in nets, Jonah Mitchell in centre with Thomas Cairns and Harry Campbell holding left and right back. Midfield of Tiernan Martin, Sonny Barr, Jayden Cassley, Joe Duffin and Reece McClintock seemed to take a bit of time to get their passing game going and this was pounced upon by the opposition who shot from distance in the 6th minute to score the first goal.

On 10 minutes, with Seanan Hughes up front alongside Cathal Gordon, it proved too much for the Andersonstown defence, and after a weaving run from Gordon, he rounded the keeper and calmly slotted away his first goal. It was all Northend at this point in the game and Tiernan Martin, after a great run down the wing, shot narrowly over the bar from distance.

Northend doubled their lead on 22 minutes, when a good move involving Seanan HughGordon.es and Cathal Gordon was eventually scored by Cathal. Sonny Barr went close with another chance, just before the break. Half time 2-1

Into the 2nd half and Lilly Adams joined the defence to make 4 at the back with Reece coming off. 10 minutes into 2nd half, Andersonstown equalised with a speculative effort from distance again.

12 minutes into 2nd half and James Prichard came on for Seanan up front and after an accidental flick on from Andersonstown defender, Cathal ran on and scored a wonder goal from a tight angle. Tiernan Martin was next to trouble the Andersonstown keeper when he hit a shot, the keeper spilled it and his follow up shot hit the post.

A last minute save by Phelim Devlin, from a short range effort, kept the score at 3-2 in Northend’s favour. Full time 3-2

Player of the Match: Cahal Gordon

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

Northend United 2 Warrenpoint Town 3 Saturday 2nd September 2023

First game of the season and first 11 aside game for the AM&C sponsored 2011s with players and parents exited to get back to competitive fixtures. Northend started well and dominated the first 15 minutes with possession. With the passage of play down the left side of the pitch it was a tough half for Thomas Cairns, Tiernan Martin and Jonah Mitchel who battled hard to win every ball. Phelim Devlin stood firm in nets and was fearless against incoming strikers. It was 15 minutes into the game when a switch of play from Harry Campbell opened up Olly Hector to run at the defence and was awarded a free kick which resulted in a corner. From this a well swung in ball from Joe Duffin found Cahal Gordon who placed it firmly into the Warrenpoint net. Just before the half another 40 yard Joe Duffin free kick hit the outside of the post. Half time 1-0

Second half changes and fresh legs of Daniel Rennie, Lilly Adams, Senan Hughes and James Pritchard. It was 7 minutes into the second half and a midfield battle began, Sonny Barr, Jayden Cassley and Reece McClintock worked tirelessly making some great runs one of which set Tiernan Martin down the left who crossed a sweet ball into the path of Cahal Gordon to secure the teams second goal. With only 16 minutes left the game took a turn. Tired legs, fitness and poor decisions took its toal and a breakdown of play ensued resulting in 3 goals concealed in 11 minutes. A disappointing end to a great first game but another lesson learned. Onto the next game. Full time 2-3

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