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Northend United 3 Downpatrick 2 Saturday 29th October 2016

Northend bounced back in style from last week's disappointing performance in the NIBFA Cup with an outstanding display against a Downpatrick side who are sitting second in the League. There was a little bit of an edge to the game from the first whistle and both sides played some very committed football. The first chance of the game came in the second minute when a neat piece of play on the edge of the area by Northend created space for Lewis Hector to force a good save from the Downpatrick keeper. Northend where enjoying a period of pressure and took the lead when Kevin Cosgrove lobbed the ball behind the Downpatrick defence for the pacey Lewis Hector to fire his side ahead. Downpatrick responded within minutes and it was clear that the crowd were going to be in for a real treat. The game was very physical and the referee twice waved 'play on' when Northend had players up-ended in the box. The Ballymena boys more then held their own and almost regained the lead when Kai Barr split the Downpatrick defence with a great pass for Lewis Hector who was again thwarted by a fine save from the keeper. Downpatrick forced a corner on eighteen minutes and were fortunate to take the lead as the whipped cross was bundled over the line. The blues dug deep and finished the half strongly with a much improved attitude to the previous week. Half-time 1-2

Northend started the second half strongly and almost levelled the game when Jack McIlhatton had a shot defected wide in the opening minute. As the tackles flew in from all directions, Northend's pace in attack looked to be the key to the game. On nine minutes Jack Adams won the ball in the centre of the pitch and set Lewis Hector free on goal. The young midfielder sprinted clear of the defence and with a lot of time to decide what to do, Lewis calmly drove a low shot past the keeper to level the score. Northend were now enjoying the majority of possession and looked to be the fitter side as they worked hard all over the field to grab the lead. With twelve minutes remaining, Tyrone Mitchell won the ball deep in the Downpatrick half and set Lewis Hector free along the right wing. Lewis drilled a cross towards the back post where Sam Crawford had burst a gut to keep up with the play and slid-in to force the ball into the net for the winning goal. It really was a great piece of play at any level. Full-time 3-2

This was a really hard fought game today, but the effort from every player and great strength of mind when they went behind is what swung the result Northend's way. Just keep this work rate and attitude going boys and there will be a really good season ahead.

Men of the match -It's the two Sam's - Sam Crawford for his all-round effort when playing as a lone striker and for the lung-bursting run he made to grab the winning goal. Sam McDowell for a great display in goal.

Panel: S McDowell, N Devine, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, K Cosgrove, J Adams, T Mitchell, L Hector, J McIlhatton, K Barr, S Crawford, C Wilson and Jack Connor-Wilson

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Greenisland 6 Northend United 0 Saturday 22nd October 2015

The NIBFA Cup draw gave Northend a difficult challenge with an away game against a National league side with 6 wins in their opening 7 games this season and sitting second in the table. The Ballymena boys pressed Greenisland in the opening ten minutes but found themselves two goals behind following a couple of silly mistakes. Lewis Hector almost pulled a goal back on sixteen minutes but saw his effort rise over the bar from the edge of the area. Northend continued to press for possession but gave away a third before the break, Half-time 3-0

The blues made a promising start to the second half but conceded an early goal which saw some of the heads drop. Jack Connor Wilson brought some bite to the midfield and for spells the Ballymena boys made some progress. Northend matched their opponents for physical fitness, although Greenisland's sharpness on the ball and ability to retaining possession was the key difference in the game . Full-time 6-0

This was a difficult game for the boys today, but the level they need to aim for if they want to compete with one of the sides teams in their age group. The way forward now is to learn from this defeat and build upon the excellent start to the league and look forward to the league cup semi-final in a few weeks. Keep the hard work going boys, these days come along every now and again and it's how you respond next week that's important and will show just how far you've come in the short period since moving to 11-a-side.

Man of the match -Niall Devine made a good impression in midfield and worked hard for the team.

Panel: C Wilson, A Courtney, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, K Cosgrove, J Adams, T Mitchell, L Hector, J McIlhatton, K Barr, C McMurray, Niall Devine and Jack Connor-Wilson

Northend United 2 Lisburn Distillery 4 Saturday 15th October 2016

Northend's victory in the league cup quarter final a few weeks ago is Distillery's only defeat of the season and this league fixture produced another great game between two very committed teams. Both sides started the game strongly and every ball was being keenly contested. The first half chance of the game fell to Jack McIlhatton on the edge of the Lisburn area and his shot went narrowly wide. As the rain started to pour down heavily, Tyrone Mitchell won the ball in midfield and played a brilliant pass in behind the Lisburn left back towards the run of Lewis Hector; Lewis burst through on goal and curled a beautiful finish into the bottom corner to put his side ahead. Lisburn worked hard to get back into the game and Curtis Wilson made a good save at the mid-point of the half. Northend were defending well and Jack Adams was breaking up play in midfield, although a brilliant piece of skill in the Northend area saw Lisburn level the game. Both sides were really committed and the play was at times frantic as both sought to gain the upper hand. In the final moments of the half Lewis Hector had a shot saved and the Lisburn defence did well to block Kai Barr's effort from the rebound. Half-time 1-1

The rain never stopped during the second half although I doubt if either side even noticed as they went at each other again from the opening whistle. Northend were unlucky to go behind on five minutes when a miss-hit cross soared high over Curtis Wilson and into the far side of the goal. Northend showed great character and almost brought themselves back into the game through Callum McMurray. Lisburn scored a third on eleven minutes as Northend failed to clear a long up-field ball. The boys again showed great character and dug deep to play their way back into the game. Northend got their reward on seventeen minutes when Lewis Hector again produced a smart finish following a good piece of play. Moments later Northend almost brought the game level following a goal mount scramble but Callum McMurray just couldn't force the ball over the line. The game was on a knife-edge and with seconds remaining Lisburn notched a fourth to put a rather unfair slant of the final score. Full time 2-4

A really great performance today boys against the top of the table side - I really don't think they'll fancy another game against you anytime soon. You're all starting to find your feet at 11-a-side and there's a good little squad coming together.

Men of the match - Kai Barr and David McKay. Kai's work for the team has been exceptional and his eye for a pass has created a stack of chances during the opening weeks of the season. Davy has been outstanding in a new defensive role and is really starting to lead the back line with some confidence.

Panel: Curtis Wilson, Adam Courtney, Owen Campbell, David McKay, David Magill, Kevin Cosgrove, Jack Adams, Tyrone Mitchell, Lewis Hector, Jack McIlhatton, Kai Barr, Callum McMurray, Sam Crawford, Niall Devine, Andre Pescaru and Jack Connor-Wilson

Lisburn Ladies 0 Northend United 5 Saturday 8th October 2016

A five star performance by the U13 saw them continue their good start to the season and move into fourth place in the league. Northend got off to flyer and took the lead within the first minute; Kai Barr's pass split the Lisburn defence and Kevin Cosgrove burst through from midfield to put his side ahead. The Ballymena boys almost extended their lead on five minutes when Kai Bar and Kevin Cosgrove again combined to create a chance for Lewis Hector who forced a good save from the Lisburn keeper. The Ladies responded well and with the advantage of the Barbour slope they fought hard to bring themselves back into the game. On fourteen minutes Lisburn smashed a long range effort off the cross bar. A key point in the game came on twenty-two minutes when Curtis Wilson made a brilliant diving save to prevent Lisburn levelling the score. From the resulting corner kick Northend burst forward on the counter attack and Tyrone Mitchell finished off a strong run with a thunderous shot past the Lisburn keeper. Lisburn again fought hard to bring themselves back into the game and Owen Campbell made a brilliant goal line clearance just before half-time to maintain a two goal advantage. Half-time 0-2

Northend started the second half strongly and were dominating the early possession. The defence of Adam Courtney, Owen Campbell, David Magill and David McKay went about their business with some confidence and looked a really tight unit throughout. Kevin Cosgrove scored his second of the game on eleven minutes, the young midfielder collected a loose ball on the left side of the area and neatly placed his shot inside the far post. Moments later Jack McIlhatton created an opening for himself along the left wing and fired shot into the side netting. The Ballymena boys were now in control of the game and finished the game off with two quick goals at the mid-point of the half; the first saw Kevin Cosgrove intercept the ball on the edge of the area and fire home a shot for his hat-trick, the second saw Lewis Hector winning the ball from a defender and driving the ball into the far left hand corner of the goal. Northend continued to play some neat football and Calum McMurray almost added a sixth with ten minutes remaining. Full time 0-5

This was a really good performance as the boys continue to make the transition to 11-a-side football. The hard work in training is really starting to pay off and the fitness is starting to shine through.

Men of the match - Curtis Wilson and Owen Campbell. Cutis made a brilliant save in the first half that proved to be an important turning point in the game. Owen has been outstanding since the start of the season and was again on top form.

Lisburn Distillery 1 Northend United 2 Saturday 1st October 2016

This was tough quarter final cup draw for the Ballymena boys against a side that are as yet unbeaten in the league and sitting second in the table. Northend settled quickly and looked up for the challenge as they moved the ball around at pace in the opening moments. With three minutes gone Kai Barr and Tyrone Mitchell combined well on the left side of the area and found Kevin Cosgrove on the edge of the box, the young midfielder set himself for a strike on goal and fired his side ahead with a curling shot into the far side of the goal. Northend were looking strong all over the park with David McKay and Owen Campbell getting through a mountain of work. On the six-minute mark, Tyrone Mitchell fizzed a long range effort narrowly over the bar and the Ballymena boys clearly had the bit between their teeth. The game was moving along at quite a pace and there was a definite physical edge to both sides play. With twenty minutes gone David Magill played a long up-field ball in behind the Lisburn defence and as Lewis Hector burst through on goal a Lisburn defender hauled the Northend player down inside sthe penalty area but the referee waved play on. Moments later Lewis Hector worked a half chance on the edge of the area and forced a good save from the Lisburn keeper. With five minutes remaining Lisburn drew themselves back into the game after the referee adjudged two players to be on-side when there was clearly some distance between them and the last Northend defender as the ball was played forward. Half-Time 1-1

Northend quickly settled into a nice rhythm at the start of the second half and Sam Crawford was working hard to link up the forward play. A jinking run along the left wing by Jack McIlhatton created an opportunity just inside the Lisburn area and up stepped Kevin Cosgrove to fire home his second of the game. The Ballymena boys were strong in the tackle and enjoyed the physical challenge presented by Lisburn. Jack Adams was again breaking up play in midfield and Callum McMurray added some fresh legs to the Northend attack. Lisburn had only conceded three goals ahead of this game and looked well organised at the back. For the next twenty minutes or so there were few further opportunities for either side as both sets of players cancelled each other out. With four minutes remaining Lisburn create an opportunity along the left wing and as Lewis Hector slid to stop the ball rolling into the goal the ball came off his foot and unintentionally hit a trailing arm; the referee had no choice but to awarded Lisburn a penalty. Curtis Wilson made himself look as big as possible in goal and out-nerved the Lisburn player who smashed his effort off the cross-bar. Full- time 1-2

Northend booked their place in the semi-final of the league cup with some great football today and in some style too as the U13's took receipt of a new kit ahead of the game - the players and coaches would like to thank The Natural Drinks Co for sponsoring the new kit and Norbev Ltd for their continued generosity.

Men of the Match - Kevin Cosgrove grabs the headlines for his goals today, although Owen Campbell deserves a special mention for his all round play since the start of the season. Great stuff boys.

Panel: Curtis Wilson, Adam Courtney, Owen Campbell, David McKay, David Magill, Kevin Cosgrove, Jack Adams, Tyrone Mitchell, Lewis Hector, Jack McIlhatton, Kai Barr, Callum McMurray, Sam Crawford

Northend United 3 Hillsborough Boys 4 Saturday 24th September 2016

Northend almost went ahead in the first minute when Tyrone Mitchell broke through on goal but saw his effort shave the outside of the post. Hillsborough were playing with the advantage of the slope at Barbour during the first half and tested Northend with a succession of long balls. The Ballymena boys were defending well but three errors were punished by Hillsborough in a nine minute spell which left the blues with a mountain to climb. The Northend boys showed some great spirit to put this early set back behind them and gradually found a better rhythm to their play. Tyrone Mitchell again burst through on goal although the Hillsborough keeper bravely went to ground to stop the attack. On twenty minutes a well worked corner created a good opportunity for Jack Adams at the back post although his shot went narrowly wide. Northend pulled a goal back with five minutes of the half remaining when Lewis Hector ran onto a through ball and smashed his effort past the keeper. Half-time 3-1

The Blues looked hungrier right from the start of the second half and created a stack of chances as they laid siege on the Hillsborough goal. It quickly paid off when Jack McIlhatton beat four players with a jinking run inside the box before firing a shot high into the roof of the goal. Northend were now on fire and Tyrone Mitchell saw a shot from a tight angle roll agonisingly across the goal. Lewis Hector forced a good save from the keeper although a heavy challenge saw Lewis limp off with seven minutes gone. Hillsborough were still dangerous and Northend have only themselves to blame for conceding a fourth on twelve minutes when they'd plenty of opportunity to clear the ball. The Ballymena boys stormed back into the game with further efforts from Kevin Cosgrove and David Magill being blocked. With eight minutes remaining Jack McIlhatton collected the ball on the edge of the area and again drifted past a number of defenders to score his second. This led to a frantic final few minutes; Kevin Cosgrove looked to have sealed a draw with a half volley from the edge of the area but the Hillsborough keeper made a brilliant full length save to push the effort wide. David McKay went close in the final minutes but it wasn't to be and the boys again paid a heavy price for not taking their chances. Full-time 4-3

A few early chances should have been headed clear and when the boys rolled their sleeves up they played some good football. At the other end, the blues scored three but it could have easily been double that with a stack of chances going astray. A good performance, but no points to show for their efforts - keep up the hard work boys - it's only your fourth competitive game at eleven aside and things are really starting to click together.

Man of the match - Jack McIlhatton was outstanding in the second half and produced two brilliant pieces of skill for his goals.

Panel: Curtis Wilson, Adam Courtney, Owen Campbell, David McKay, David Magill, Kevin Cosgrove, Jack Adams, Tyrone Mitchell, Lewis Hector, Jack McIlhatton, Andre Pescaru, Callum McMurray, Kai Barr, Sam Crawford

Lurgan Town 2 Northend United 4 Saturday 17th September 2016

Northend quickly found their rhythm in this game and were unlucky to have a Tyrone Mitchell effort disallowed in the opening minutes. There was a real physical edge to the game and Jack Adams was stamping his authority on the match by breaking up Lurgan's play. The back four of Adam Courtney, David Magill, David McKay and Owen Campbell were in commanding form and looked very solid throughout. For the third week running the Ballymena boys were creating a number of chances and enjoying some great width in their play. Tyrone Mitchell, Lewis Hector, Callum McMurray and Kevin Cosgrove all forced saves from the Lurgan keeper but couldn't edge their team in front. Half-time 0-0

A quick start to the second half saw the Ballymena boys finish the game off in the opening seven minutes. An early attack involving some slick passing carved open the Lurgan defence and Kevin Cosgrove produced a composed finish inside the box when under pressure. Northend kept up the pressure and scored their second on three minutes; a Lurgan player's clearance fell to Jack McIlhatton and the midfielder beautifully lobbed the keeper from all of 30 yards. Sam Crawford and Lewis Hector both went close, before Lewis Hector was played in behind the Lurgan defence and smashed home a powerful shot from the right edge of the area. The boys were in control of the game and continued to play some entertaining football with Andre Pescaru looking sharp in attack. With five minutes remaining the referee awarded Lurgan a penalty after what looked to be a fair challenge within the box. Northend stormed up-field and scored their fourth from the re-start when Kai Barr set up Lewis Hector for his second of the game. With the match almost over Northend gave away a silly free-kick on the edge of their area and were sluggish to re-act as the shot rebounded from the crossbar. Full-time 2-4

Another really good team performance and for the third week running Northend created a stack of chances. The most pleasing part of today was the level of work and effort in every position. Keep this going boys! The hard work and effort in training is really starting to kick-in.

Men of the match - Northend were outstanding as a team today although the game had a real physical edge. Jack Adams, David Magill and Adam Courtney quietly got through a tonne of work which made a very big difference to the outcome.

Panel: Curtis Wilson, Adam Courtney, Owen Campbell, David McKay, David Magill, Kevin Cosgrove, Jack Adams, Tyrone Mitchell, Lewis Hector, Jack McIlhatton, Callum McMurray, Kai Barr, Sam Crawford, Sam McDowell, Andre Pescaru and Jack Connor-Wilson

Northend United 2 TW Braga 2 Saturday 10th September 2016

Both sides started the match strongly and the game was keenly contested during the opening five minutes. Northend started to take a grip of the game around the ten-minute mark; keeper Curtis Wilson and the back four of Adam Courtney, Owen Campbell, David McKay and David Magill were outstanding for the remainder of the game. Lewis Hector was causing havoc along the right wing and series of dangerous crosses just couldn't find their way into the goal. The Ballymena boys were playing well and it only looked a matter of time before they would score their opening goal; Kevin Cosgrove had an effort cleared off the line and soon afterwards hit the cross bar following a well worked short corner. A Lewis Hector shot hit the post and rolled agonisingly across the goal line, Sam Crawford placed an effort narrowly wide and numerous other chances went astray as the Ballymena boys piled pressure onto the Braga defence. The lead did come a few minutes before half time when an in-swinging corner was forced over the line from close range by Jack Adams. Half-time 1-0

Northend doubled their lead within three minutes of the re-start, Kevin Cosgrove slid the ball through to Lewis Hector and the Northend player coolly rounded the keeper and finished off a great piece of play. Northend were again dominating play, but paid a heavy price for a crazy two-minute spell where a few players took their foot off the pedal and stopped working. Braga made the most of this and scored two goals within a minute to pull themselves level - although Northend had plenty of opportunity to clear both attacks. This set back jolted the boys back into life and for the final twenty minutes they again laid siege on the Braga goal. Sam Crawford put an opportunity over the bar when well placed, Tyrone Mitchell hit a thunderous drive off the cross bar and then saw a free-kick go narrowly wide, Callum McMurray had a one on one opportunity which the keeper did well to save and Kevin Cosgrove hit a half volley narrowly over the bar in the dying seconds. Full-time 2-2

This was a really good team performance and for the second week running Northend created a stack of chances - they just need to start forcing a few more over the line and the points will begin notch up.

Man of the match: There were a few boys who really stood out today, although the pick of those on show was Lewis Hector - brilliant attitude, worked incredibly hard for the team and got a well- deserved goal for his efforts.

Panel: C Wilson, A Courtney, O Campbell, D McKay, D Magill, K Cosgrove, J Adams, T Mitchell, K Barr, L Hector, J McIlhatton, C McMurray, S Crawford, S McDowell, A Pescaru

Tollymore United 6 Northend United 3 Saturday 3rd September 2016

The U13's have just begun their transition to the 11 a-side game and performed well during pre-season with a couple of good victories giving them some confidence ahead of their opening Lisburn League fixture. The boys started the game very brightly but didn't make the most of two one-on-one opportunities within the opening three minutes - and it was the lack of a killer instinct in front of goal that would ultimately come back to haunt them. Tollymore edged themselves in-front on four minutes with some strong running from midfield. The referee awarded Tollymore a fairly innocuous penalty on seven minutes which pushed Northend back on their heels a little, however the blues responded well and pulled a goal back when David McKay slotted home a Kevin Cosgrove cross on 11 minutes. Another strong burst forward from Tollymore created an opening which did appear to be quite some distance off-side although, with play waved on, their young striker added their third of the game. Northend changed their formation at this point and playing four at the back gave them lot more stability. Half-time 4-1

Northend started the second half with some purpose and Tyrone Mitchell burst through on goal within the opening three minutes but just pulled his effort narrowly wide. The open spaces of the Barbour pitch allowed for some really entertaining football from both sides, as the blues drove forward in search of their second goal, Tollymore caught them with a counter attack on 6minutes to edge further ahead. Northend showed a lot of character and for the next twenty minutes of the game the boys created a number of chances. On the ten-minute mark a corner led to a frantic period of play in the Tollymore goal-mouth with five - yes five- opportunities being blocked on the line; four minutes later Lewis Hector fired a dangerous free-kick into the goal mouth which was volleyed inches past the post. Northend's deserved second goal came on twenty minutes when Andre Pescaru laid off the ball for Kai Barr to chip the keeper from the edge of the area. The blues drove forward again and within a minute, Tyrone Mitchell had fired a twenty yard free-kick high into the roof of the net. With their tails back up the boys continued to pile pressure onto the Tollymore goal and a late counter attack saw the Co Down side notch their sixth. Full-time 6-3

Playing with a flat back four certainly helped to negate the early pressure from Tollymore, but it was more a case of the missed opportunities that cost the boys dearly in this game. The next few weeks will see the boys settle together as a group and become more familiar with the shape of an 11 a-side team. The big focus will be to pass the ball a little faster and to use the additional space on the full-size pitch.

Man of the match - Whole team - a good competitive debut at 11 a-side.

Panel: Curtis Wilson, David Magill, Jack Connor-Wilson, Kevin Cosgrove, Jack Adams, Tyrone Mitchell, Kai Barr, Owen Campbell, Lewis Hector, Callum McMurray, David McKay, Andre Pescaru and Adam Courtney