Untitled

Northend United 0 Portadown Youth 1 Saturday 27th October 2018

An unbeaten run in the League stretching right back to the start of the season came to an end this Saturday against a well organised Portadown. A change in formation saw the five-man midfield deployed by Northend take control of the game and the back three of Adger, Devlin and Mark were rarely troubled in the first half. However, for all their dominance Northend could not find an opening in a tightly packed and well-organised Portadown defence leaving front men Patterson and Pirie frustrated at the lack of chances coming their way. Then just before half time and totally against the run of play a speculative long-range effort from Portadown managed to find its way past Hasson in the Northend goal and Portadown went in at half time leading. Half time 0-1

The young blues came out in the second half and again took charge in midfield with the tireless Conon driving on his team mates to greater efforts. The Portadown defence started to wilt under the pressure but Northend could not get the elusive equaliser and had to be thankful for keeper Hasson keeping them in the game when Portadown broke through only for the young keeper to bravely throw himself at the feet of the on-rushing striker. In the dying minutes Northend threw everything they had at the Portadown goal and nearly got their just reward with the last kick of the match when a great free-kick from Pirie was somehow headed off the goal-line. Full time 0-1

Subway Man of the Match: Harry Connon

Panel: T Hasson, K Adger, J Mark, L Devlin, K Corcoran, C O'Hara, S McDermott, H Connon, C Reid, D Patterson, E Pirie, C McAuley, T Gillen, C Clarke, F Connon, S McGinley

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

Northend United 3 Lurgan Town 5 NIBFA Cup Saturday 20th October 2018

This Saturday saw the U13s take on Lurgan Town in the 2nd round of the NIBFA cup and a thrilling encounter was played out in front of a bumper crowd in Ballymena. The home side went behind against the run of play when Lurgan broke down the left and a square ball into the box found a free player who finished neatly past Thomas Hasson in the Northend goal. Northend continued to press and found the equaliser through a sublime free kick from Euan Pirie from 20 yards out. The home side probed for a second and had some good chances through Paidin Mitchell and Timmy Gillan. Lurgan scored two quick fire goals in succession with corners in particular causing the Ballymena side problems. Northend pulled one back before the half finished when the ball dropped over Lewis Devlin's shoulder 25 yards out and his first time volley on the turn soared over the Lurgan Town keeper and into the top corner, to the amazement of the home crowd. Half time 2-3

Northend came out all guns blazing in the second half but again were stunned on the break when Lurgan Town regained their 2 goal lead. Lurgan defended resolutely, but the home side pulled one back 10 minutes from time to leave a goal between the sides when Conor Wilson finished smartly from the edge of the box. Northend were reduced to 10 men for a second bookable offence, and a frantic 5 minutes ensued with Northend throwing everything up top in order to find an equaliser and nearly did so, when Lewis Devlin's header seemed destined for the top corner only for the Lurgan Town keeper who managed to deny the ball from crossing the line. With limited resources in defence, Lurgan then broke to score the final goal of the game and seal their passage into the round of 32. Full time 3-5

Panel: T Hasson, C O'Hara, L Devlin, C Wilson, K Adger, C McAuley, H Connon, T Gillen, C Reid, E Pirie, P Mitchell, D Patterson, J Mark, S McDermott, K Corcoran

Northend United 3 Chimney Corner 2 Saturday 13th October 2018

Northend's unbeaten run continued this week with a hard-fought victory over a physical Chimney Corner side on the wettest of days. Right from the off Northend were on the front food with Connon and McDermott controlling the central midfield area. Their continual promptings were providing openings for the front pair of Hejno and Pirie and eventually some good link up play between those two provided an opportunity for wide man Finn Connon to put Northend ahead midway through the first half. Northend remained well on top until half time without adding to the score-line. Half time 1-0

Chimney Corner came out after half time fired up and started to dominate proceedings but struggled to get past the Northend defence where the pace of Adger, Wilson, Devlin and O'Hara continually thwarted the Chimney Corner attacks. Eventually though a great passing move from the Antrim side resulted in the equaliser. Just after this Chimney could have gone ahead but for a superb low down save by Hasson in the Northend goal. The Blues came roaring back and their quick passing and movement off the ball was rewarded when Carter Reid finished a flowing move at the far post to restore the lead. Not long after Northend extended their advantage when substitute Caelyn Clarke hit a sublime effort from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net. There was just enough time left for Chimney Corner to go up the park and get a consolation goal before the ref blew up for full-time in what turned out to be pulsating encounter.

Panel: T Hasson, K Adger, C O'Hara, L Devlin, C Wilson, C McAuley, S McDermott, H Connon, F Connon, E Hejno, E Pirie, C Reid, C Clarke, M Diamond

Cliftonville 1 Northend United 3 Saturday 6th October 2018

Northend returned to the summit of the Daily Mirror Lisburn League on Saturday with a hard-fought victory over Cliftonville. The North Belfast side started the brighter of the two teams and the Northend defence had to be at their best until their side got to grips with the pace of the game. Northend made the breakthrough 10 minutes from half time, when Conall McAuley broke down the right-hand side and whipped a dangerous ball into the box, where Paidin Mitchell leapt highest for the deftest of headers to leave the Cliftonville keeper stranded. Northend continued to press and had some great chances to extend their lead but were unable to convert. The Ballymena Blues then doubled their advantage just before half time when Mitchell's shot was parried by the Cliftonville keeper and Euan Pirie was on hand to tuck away the rebound. Half time 2-0

Northend started the second half like they finished the first and soon found themselves three ahead, when Conor Wilson put Pirie through on goal who audaciously chipped the goalkeeper from 20 yards for his second of the game. With a three-goal cushion, the Ballymena side were content to see the game through, with every player working hard to stifle Cliftonville's creative midfielders and front men. Thomas Hasson in the Northend goal was also called upon to make a few excellent saves to preserve his team's lead. With time running out though, Cliftonville earned a penalty when their striker was brought down in the box and the resulting penalty was expertly despatched into the top corner. A satisfying result against a good side to continue the U13s great start to life at 11 a side. Full time 3-1

Subway Man of the Match: Euan Pirie

Panel: T Hasson, C O'Hara, L Devlin, C Wilson, K Adger, C McAuley, H Connon, T Gillan, C Reid, E Pirie, P Mitchell, F Connon, J Marks, S McDermott, S McGinley, K Corcoran

Northend United 1 Lurgan Town 1 Saturday 29th September 2018

Northend's unbeaten start to the season continued following a hard-fought draw with a very strong Lurgan Town side. Northend enjoyed the better of the first half but found it difficult to break down the Lurgan defence. Eventually just before half time some quality play in the middle of the park released Timmy Gillan down the right wing and he cut inside to dispatch his shot beyond the helpless Lurgan keeper. Half time 1-0

Northend continued to try to press home their advantage in the second half to no avail and eventually were caught on the counter attack when a long ball over the tiring Northend defence was impressively finished off by a Lurgan forward. Final score 1-1

Panel: T Hasson, F Connon, C O'Hara, L Devlin, C Wilson, C McAuley, H Connon, T Gillan, C Reid, E Pirie, D Patterson, E Hejno, C Clarke, K McAllister, M Diamond

Northend United 2 TTBS 0 Saturday 15th September 2018

Northend U13s returned to Lisburn League action on Saturday morning against a strong TTBS side. Chances were kept to a minimum in a scrappy first half as both sides defended well, with Northend doing the majority of the pressing in search for the opening goal. The TTBS goalkeeper thwarted a number of Northend efforts, with opposite number Finn Connon in the Northend goal doing well on a couple of occasions also. The defensive quartet of Gillan, Marks, Devlin and O'Hara provided a solid foundation for the Northend attacks, though the deadlock could not be broken. Half time 0-0.

Northend continued to press after the break with TTBS defending in numbers. Captain Harry Connon and Conor Wilson started to dictate proceedings in centre midfield, with Northend forcing further saves from the TTBS goalkeeper. The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes from time when the ball fell to McDermott, who smashed a first-time effort into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Northend added a second shortly after, when marksman Euan Pirie continuing his fine goal scoring run, latched on to a through-ball and turned his marker before finishing smartly. A solid team performance ensured the Ballymena side maintained their unbeaten start to the season. Full time 2-0.

Subway Man of the Match: Harry Connon

Panel: F Connon, C O'Hara, L Devlin, J Marks, T Gillan, K Corcoran, C Wilson, H Connon, C Reid, C McAuley, E Pirie, K Adger, S McDermott, D Patterson, S McGinley

Portadown Youth 2 Northend United 2 Saturday 8th September 2018

Northend continued their encouraging start to the season in the Lisburn League with a hard-fought draw against a strong Portadown side. The young Ports side took the lead before some excellent work by Conal McAuley in pressurising the Portadown goalie produced the chance for Euan Pirie to slot in a fine equaliser from a tight angle. By now it was end to end stuff and Tom Hasson produced a fine save to keep the score all square before Portadown took the lead 2 minutes before half time. This was not the end of the scoring as Northend went straight up the park from the restart and Euan Pirie cheekily flicked the ball into the net following some fine build up play down the left side from Carter Reid. Half time 2-2

In the second half Northend took control with Harry Connon and debutant Connor Wilson dominating proceedings in midfield and Euan Pirie a constant danger up front. However further goals failed to materialise, and the game ended in a draw. Full time 2-2

Panel: T Hasson, K Adger, C O'Hara, L Devlin, J Mark, C McAuley, S McDermott, H Connon, C Reid, T Gillan, E Pirie, C Wilson, K Corcoran, D Patterson, F Connon, C Clarke.

Northend United 7 Oxford Sunnyside 4 Saturday 1st September 2018

The U13s kicked off the new season in style with an action-packed 11 goal thriller against Lurgan side Oxford Sunnyside in the Lisburn League. Northend were dealt an early blow, conceding a penalty in the first minute which was dispatched by the Oxford striker. The Ballymena side quickly rallied, began to dominate proceedings and levelled shortly after when Reid fired into the top corner from the edge of the box. Northend made it two shortly after when Mitchell released Pirie through on goal, who made no mistake to give Northend the lead. Oxford chances were kept at bay as the defence of Hasson, McDermott, Marks, Devlin and O'Hara proved hard to penetrate. Northend continued to dominate and scored a third before half time, when Gillan finished off a great team move after good work from McDermott and McAuley down the right side. Half time: 3-1

The second half started as the first ended, when Adger picked up the ball from right back and driving to the half way line before releasing Gillan who finished emphatically. Oxford pulled one back when their right midfielder hit a pile-driver from 20 yards, leaving Hasson no chance in nets. With the wind in their sails, Oxford continued to press and were rewarded with a second penalty when their striker was upended in the box and the striker made no mistake from the spot. After a few great saves from Clarke, making his debut in goal, Pirie ensured there was more daylight between the teams when firing home his second of the game after good work from Diamond and Finn Connon down the right-hand side. Mitchell and Captain Harry Connon continued to dominate possession in the centre of the field and drove the side on, setting up Patterson who coolly lobbed the keeper to make it 6-3 to the Ballymena boys. Oxford pulled a further goal back against the run of play, before Adger finished the scoring with a trademark forward run and turned the ball into the net after charging down the goalkeepers attempted clearance. Full time: 7-4

Panel: T Hasson, C O'Hara, L Devlin, J Marks, S McDermott, C McAuley, P Mitchell, H Connon, C Reid, E Pirie, T Gillan, D Patterson, F Connon, K Adger, C Clarke, M Diamond.