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Comber Rec U13s 7 Northend United U13s 4 Saturday 29th October 2011

The 13's had to travel to Comber on Saturday to play the reigning league champions.

The game got underway with both teams fighting for possession and it was Northend who struck first, Andrew Milligan beating the defender and whizzing a low cross into the box where Zack Herbison nipped in front of the centre half to slot the ball home from eight yards.

Comber got back on level terms when a misplaced header from a defender landed at the strikers feet and he made no mistake from six yards out. Worse was to come for the Blues as Comber gained the lead when another mistake let in a player to slot past O'Neill but five minutes before half time Northend drew level. A great burst down the right wing from Philip Maybin and when he put in a delightful cross Harry McNally was on the near post to nod the ball home. The score stayed 2-2 until half time.

The second half commenced with the young Blues upping the tempo and this paid off when they once again took the lead. Conor Graham playing the ball out to Stephen Olliver who outpaced his market before hitting a tremendous shot from twenty yards past the big Comber keeper. Now Northend were well on top and increased their lead when Reece Murdock beat a man out on the right and when he played the ball in there was Herbison again to shoot low past the keeper, leaving the score 4-2 to the Blues.

Northend were playing some good football but then suddenly one man changed the whole match, the referee. Comber broke not once but four times from offside positions to score past the bewildered Blues. The Northend players and sideline were absolutely disgusted by these decisions and it wasn't surprising that some of the players heads dropped. Comber did go on to score a decent goal to leave the score line 7-4 to Comber. Next week the boys host unbeaten league leaders Larne and will hopefully put this unfortunate defeat behind them...

Men of the Match: Zack Herbison, Jack Galbraith

Panel: A O'Neill, R Murdock, R McKenna, O Boyle, J Galbraith, P Maybin, C Graham(c), S Olliver, H McNally, Z Herbison, A Milligan, J Crawford, G Downey, T Stockdale, E Elliott

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Northend United U13s 3 Carnmoney Colts U13s 0 Saturday 22nd October 2011

The U13s welcomed an inform Carnmoney Colts to the Showgrounds for a league match, the Colts had recently recorded good results against the top teams and this was going to be a good test for the blues who have started to show good form in recent weeks.

Northend started well, playing against a strong wind, and pushed the Colts defence back and after three minutes forced a corner. Philip Maybin, as usual, crossed over an excellent ball and Conor Graham rose above his marker to head the ball into the net from ten yards, this was just the start Northend needed against a well organised Colts team.The first half turned into a midfield battle with no teams giving anything away and a few strong, but fair, tackles were being dished out by both teams. The score stayed 1-0 to Northend until half time.

The second half started with Northend, now with the wind at their backs, starting to play some attractive football but the Colts backline was holding firm.

Andrew Milligan and Eamonn Elliott replaced Olliver and Downey.The Blues were now seeing lots of the ball and when Milligan turned his marker he played the ball inside to Zack Herbison. Twenty-five yards out, the diminutive striker hit a cracking shot which the big keeper could only get a hand too as the ball sailed into the net.

Northend got on the score sheet again, the ball was played from the left hand side of the field to the right, with a good passing move, where Harry McNally, now playing on the right wing beat the defender and crossed the ball into the box. As the ball was cleared, in stormed Maybin to crash his shot high into the roof of the net.The Colts did finally break through the Northend defence but the alert Anthony O'Neill raced out and blocked the strikers shot. Jamie Crawford and Ryan Douds replaced Ryan McKenna and Reece Murdock.

The Blues now well on top played out the remaining game for a good 3-0 victory.This was another good display from the boys with some strong performances and hopefully they can keep the momentum going.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: A O'Neill, G Downey, R McKenna, C McHugh, J Galbraith, P Maybin, C Graham(c), R Murdock, H McNally, Z Herbison, S Olliver, A Milligan, J Crawford, E Elliott, R Douds

Barn United U13s 3 Northend United U13s 5 Saturday 15th October 2011

The boys had to travel to Carrick on Saturday to play Barn United at Woodburn in the league, the last time these two teams met they played out a 4-4 draw.

The game started with Northend going straight at Barn's defence and opened the score after three minutes when a free kick was won and when Philip Maybin floated the ball into the box where Conor Graham beat the offside trap to head the ball over the keeper.

Northend were playing their best football of the season against the big Barn team with Maybin, Graham, Andrew Milligan and Reece Murdock pulling the strings in midfield. Zack Herbison and Harry McNally were giving Barn's defence a torrid time with their movement and hassling and the Blues backline of Ryan McKenna, Jack Galbraith and Tom Stockdale were being well marshalled by Conor McHugh and were giving away nothing while Anthony O'Neill in the goals dealt brilliantly with a couple of long range shots.

Northend doubled their lead after fifteen minutes when Maybin played in a corner but the ball was only cleared to McHugh who made no mistake from ten yards out blasting the ball through a packed area.

Stephen Olliver replaced Murdock, who had been kicked in the head while bravely going for a header. Better was to come for the Blues when Herbison burst through the Barn defence only for the keeper to bring him down inside the box for a penalty. Tthe keeper was yellow carded for his chest high tackle. Herbison dusted himself down and dispatched the resulting penalty high into the net to put the Blues 3-0 up and it stayed like this for the remainder of the half

Northend picked up were they had left off and put Barn on to the back foot. Gareth Downey replaced Stockdale, who had put in a good shift for his first start in a blue jersey.

Northend hit their fourth when Graham picked the ball up on the edge of the box and hit a cracking shot which the keeper could only parry. First to react was Herbison who controlled and blasted the ball back past the keeper.

Jordan Todd replaced Milligan, who'd as usual worked his socks off on the left wing.

Northend seemed to take their foot off the gas and Barn scored. A short corner was well worked and when the ball was played into the box a Barn player stormed into slam the ball into the net.

Barn quickly scored again, this time the ball was played through to the Barn winger, who was offside, which the referee chose to ignore and he blasted the ball past the hapless O'Neill in the Blues goal, much to the disapproval of the Northend line.

The Blues upped the tempo after this and scored again when Herbison played the ball over the keeper McNally was strong enough to get between ball and keeper and slot the ball home.

Barn came back at Northend and scored again when a shot from one of their players got a deflection and deceived O'Neill in goals. Ryan Douds and Eamonn Elliott replaced McNally and O'Neill to give everyone a good run out.

Northend took control once again and played out the remainder of the match for a good 5-3 win to keep them in contention.

Man of the Match: Conor McHugh

Panel: A O'Neill, T Stockdale, R McKenna, C McHugh, J Galbraith, P Maybin, C Graham(c), R Murdock, H McNally, Z Herbison, A Milligan, S Olliver, G Downey, J Todd, R Douds, E Elliott.

Northend United U13s 2 Ballyclare Comrades U13s 2 Saturday 8th October 2011

Northend hosted Ballyclare Colts at Dunfane on Saturday in the league.

The both teams started brightly but neither team could get the ball down and play the attractive football they know they can.

After ten minutes the Colts took the lead, Northend's defence stopped when they heard a whistle which happened to be from the pitch beside them and the striker ran through and slotted the ball past the helpless Anthony O'Neill, much to the dissatisfaction of the Northend line but as the referee said there was nothing he could do and had to give the goal.

The Blues still hadn't settled down and O'Neill in goals was the busier pulling off two great saves from the Reds strike force to keep Northend in the game.

United gradually started getting a foot on the ball and after twenty-five minutes equalized. A free kick was awarded to them thirty yards out and up stepped Jamie Crawford who played over a great ball, Zack Herbison was quickest to react and darted in to blast the ball past the advancing keeper.

Northend took the lead eight minutes later. Conor McHugh playing in midfield, played an excellent through ball for Harry McNally to sprint onto and he held off the defender and blasted the ball into the far corner of the net.

Straight from the kick off Ballyclare then equalized when a mix up in the centre of Northend's defence let in the Reds player to slip the ball past O'Neill to finish the first half all square at 2-2

Philip Maybin and Reece Murdock replaced Ryan Douds and Jack Galbraith at half time. The Colts started the second half brighter but Northend's defence held firm and the Reds were reduced to a couple of long range shots which didn't trouble the keeper.

Northend did start to control the game and for the last fifteen minutes bombarded the Ballyclare goals but a mixture of good goalkeeping, last gasp tackles and missed chances the score remained the same for a final score of 2-2

Men of the Match: Conor Graham, Ryan McKenna

Panel: A O'Neill, R Douds, R McKenna, J Galbraith, J Crawford, C McHugh, C Graham(c), S Olliver, H McNally, Z Herbison, A Milligan, T Stockdale, P Maybin, R Murdock, M Hare, G Downey

Upper Ardoyne U13s 1 Northend United U13s 7 Saturday 1st October 2011

The U13s travelled to Ballysillan on Saturday to play Upper Ardoyne in the league..

The match started with Northend pushing Upper Ardoyne back but just couldn't seem to break the deadlock and midway through the first half Ardoyne broke but the forward dragged his shot wide. This was the wakening call the young Blues needed and when Andrew Milligan played the ball through to Zack Herbison he chipped the keeper and there was Harry McNally to prod the ball home at the back post. Two minutes later Ardoyne equalized when a free kick out on the left was fired low across the box and somehow everyone missed the ball which went into the net off the back post.

Northend regained the lead a couple of minutes later with Stephen Olliver outpacing the defence and shooting high past the keeper. Just on the stroke of half time the Blues went further ahead when a free kick was won on the edge of the box and up stepped Philip Maybin to rifle the ball past the keeper, to leave the half time score 3-1 to United.

The second half got underway with Northend showing more authority and it didn't take them long to extend their lead. Maybin floated a free kick over and there was Conor Graham to slot the ball in at the back post.Michael Hare replaced Milligan.

Northend went further ahead when a corner from Maybin was put into the net by Michael Hare, his first touch in his competitive debut for the Blues.

Jordan Todd, Jamie Crawford, Ryan Douds and Tom Stockdale replaced Maybin, McNally, Downey and McKenna.

Northend were now well in control and pushing for more goals. Herbison did get through the defence only for his shot to be blocked by the keeper, but following up was Conor Graham who cooly placed the ball over everyone and into the net for his second of the game. The Blues did score again when from a corner Graham floated the ball into the box and in stormed Jamie Crawford to power his header home from 12 yards to leave the final score 7 1 to Northend.

This was a much better performance than last week but there is still room for improvement.

Man of the Match: Conor Graham, Conor McHugh

Panel: A O'Neill, G Downey, R McKenna, J Galbraith, C McHugh, P Maybin, C Graham(c), S Olliver, H McNally, Z Herbison, A Milligan, J Crawford, J Todd, R Douds, T Stockdale, M Hare

Northend United U13s 1 Newington U13s 7 Saturday 24th September 2011

Northend travelled to Mallusk to play this league match against Newington and probably wished they hadn't bothered as the Newington team were much stronger, quicker and hungrier for this match and indeed dominated the Blues for most of the match running out worthy 7-1 winners.

Conor Graham scored Northend's only goal of the game.

Manager Mark Herbison was disappointed by the result but knows more work is necessary on the training ground if his team wants to emulate any of last season's triumphs.

Man of the Match: Zack Herbison

Panel: A O'Neill, J Todd, R McKenna, J Crawford, O Boyle, P Maybin, C Graham(c), S Olliver, Z Herbison, H McNally, A Milligan, G Downey, J Galbraith, C McHugh, R Murdock, T Stockdale

Loughside U13s 5 Northend United U13s 6 Saturday 17th September 2011

Northend United Youth U13s travelled to Loughside pitches in Belfast to play a league match against one of the new teams in the league Loughside Youth.

The Blues started off the brighter but found themselves a goal down on five minutes when complacency in the defence let in the forward to rifle the ball past birthday boy Anthony O'Neill in the Northend goal. The Blues upped the pace and Philip Maybin brought them level. Zack Herbison headed the ball over the backline for Maybin to run onto and calmly slot it by the big keeper.

United well on top now and should have been a few up only for bad finishing and the safe hands of the keeper. This came back to bite them when just before half time Loughside took the lead again, another hesitant moment from the defence let in the big striker to pop the ball over O'Neill and put the half time score 2 1 to Loughside.

Northend had to make a couple of changes at half time with new signings Jordan Todd and Reece Murdock making their debuts for the injured Maybin and McHugh.

The second half got underway with the blues showing a bit more urgency and this resulted in the equalizer, Stephen Oliver playing the ball into McNally to shoot past the keeper.

Jack Galbraith came on to replace the injured Ryan McKenna. The Blues then took the lead, once again Oliver supplied the cross for McNally to squeeze the ball past the keeper, but Loughside came back and scored, the ref missing a blatant hand ball and the forward ran on to score, straight from the kick off.

Northend took the lead, great work in midfield by Herbison and he found McNally and he returned the favour to Oliver who hit a sweet twenty yard drive past the keeper,

Better was to come from the Blues ,they won a corner on the right and when Graham crossed in came Crawford to power his header into the net.

Once again Loughside came back at them and when some weak tackling let in the forward he made no mistake.

Eamonn Elliott replaced Anthony O'Neill in Northend's goals to give him a run out.

Northend took the restart and when Graham found Milligan on the left he beat his marker and squared the ball to Herbison, he chipped the ball into the box for McNally to head the ball home for his hat-trick and Northend's sixth.

Loughside did score again just as the ref blew his whistle but the Blues held on to win 6-5 and claim another three points

Men of the Match: Zack Herbison, Conor Graham

Panel: A O'Neill, C McHugh, R McKenna, J Crawford, O Boyle, P Maybin, C Graham(c), S Olliver, Z Herbison, H McNally, A Milligan, G Downey, J Todd, J Galbraith, R Murdock, E Elliott

Northend United U13s 13 Carnmoney FDC U13s 2 Saturday 10th September 2011

The Northend management team of McKenna and Herbison were delighted with this opening day win over Carnmoney FDC.

Northend opened the scoring on five minutes when prolific goal scorer Zack Herbison got his first goal of the match. Northend were in fine form and Conor Graham scored a second goal for Northend.

Stephen Oliver, making his competitive debut for Northend, scored the third goal, with a fine effort, leaving the score at 3-0.

As the Blues continued to pressure the Carnmoney goal, they were awarded two penalty kicks for infringements inside the Carnmoney penalty box. Zack Herbison stepped up to take both goals and gave the keeper no chance on both occasions.

Carnmoney came back at Northend and pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time, leaving the score 5-1 to the Blues.

Northend came out in fine form after the break and Philip Maybin and Stephen Oliver added two goals to further increase Northend's lead to 7-1.

Northend were now playing some super football against the Crusaders feeder club and Zack Herbison and Stephen Oliver added two more goals for Northend.

Carnmoney pulled a goal back, when Northend took their foot off the pedal, to lave the score 9-2 to Northend.

In a final flurry, Philip Maybin went on to score another two goals and Harry McNally, also making his competitive debut for Northend, added two goals to seal a emphatic win for the team that finished runner up in this league last year.

Manager McKenna added "With the addition of some players to our panel in the summer, the squad has been considerably strengthened and we are looking forward to another successful season"

Man of the Match: Stephen Oliver

Panel: A O'Neill, R McKenna, P Maybin, J Crawford, G Downey, C Graham, S Oliver, H McNally, Z Herbison, E Elliott, O Boyle, A Milligan, J Galbraith