Untitled

TTBS 2 Northend United 1 Saturday 16th April 2015

This week Northend United U14s took on TTBS in their last competitive game of the season in what was a league and cup double header.

The first half was a tight affair, with both midfields struggling to hold possession for an extended period of time. However in the 14th minute Northend broke the deadlock with Conor McDonald putting Jude Currie in on goal, who calmly slotted past the keeper with his left foot.

Chances were limited in the first half, but TTBS did manage to hit the post with a break on their left hand side.

Both TTBS wingers showed how dangerous they were in the game but for the most part Josh Coates and Matthew Stewart were well supported by Charlie Metrustry and Joseph Dallas who both covered large amounts ground in the midfield.

Half time came at a bad time for Northend as they were just starting to release the pressure and push the TTBS midfield back towards their own half, giving the forwards a few chances to get in behind the defence, but the final ball lacked conviction on a few occasions. Half time 0-1

After the first half, TTBS came out on the attack again, in search of an equaliser, and a few decisions by the referee, penalising the physical nature of the Northend midfield, allowed TTBS to apply pressure. In the 50th minute, TTBS finally equalised, a loose ball in midfield falling to a TTBS player and he released his left winger, who poked past Joel McCalmont.

The win was there for the taking from either team, and both teams had chances to take it, Joel McCalmont making a few key saves while at the other end, Captain McDonald tried an audacious lob when the keeper failed a clearance, but it just bounced wide. Another long range effort from him narrowly went over.

Five minutes from the end TTBS nicked a cruel winner, again the left winger finding space in the box, and found the far corner with a wonderful effort.

It was a result that was harsh on the Ballymena men, when a draw would have been a fair result for the game. Full time 2-1

Man of the Match: Jude Currie

Panel: J McCalmont, M Stewart, C Forsythe, L Rea, J Coates, C Metrustry, J Dallas, R McMullan, D Robinson, J Currie, C McDonald

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

Northend United 6 Tollymore United 2 Saturday 19th March 2016

Northend United U14s travelled to Lisburn to take on Tollymore U14s. The boys from Ballymena put in their best performance of the season to win 6-2, against a team who earlier in the season had won 5-1 in the reverse fixture.

Northend started brightly with good attacking intent, moving the ball around nicely in their passing football which has become the main part of their game. They were rewarded early on when captain Conor McDonald scored a 25 yard free kick into the top corner. Five minutes later he turned provider when he put midfielder Ryan McMullan through on goal and he slotted in past the keeper for his first goal of the season. Tollymore showed good spirit to come back pushed to get a quick response to the deficit. They managed to pick up a goal from a back post strike which just beat keeper Luke Rea. Luke then produced a few stunning saves to keep his team ahead, and the forwards rewarded his efforts when a fantastic Jude Currie cross was headed in again by Conor McDonald for his second of the game, and tenth of the season so far. Northend then controlled the remainder of the half, and their dominance showed, firstly when Ryan McMullan grabbed his second of the game after getting behind the defence again, and then winger Dylan Robinson's long effort from outside the box found the bottom corner, leaving the score at 5-1 at half time.

The second half was a much tighter affair with both teams going close before Tollymore pulled a goal back midway through the half. Both Callum Forsythe and Joseph Dallas were sensational defensively in keeping the score at 5-2, and then substitute Rio Dunlop scored a quality long effort to bring the score to 6-2 just before the game finished. Final score 6-2

It was a thoroughly deserved result for the Ballymena team who have improved significantly of late.

Man of the Match: Joseph Dallas

Panel: L Rea, M Stewart, C Forsythe, C Meeke, J Coates, C Metrustry, J Dallas, R McMullan, D Robinson, J Currie, C McDonald (c), R Dunlop, S Foster

Northend United 2 Hillsborough 5 Saturday 5th March 2016

This Saturday Northend U14s travelled to Lisburn to play against Hillsborough football club. 2 weeks previous Hillsborough had edged a victory in the tight reverse fixture and this game also proved to be tight. With Hillsborough forward Carson Elliot recently getting called up to the Northern Ireland squad the Northend defence knew that they would be in for a tough game. However, throughout the first half Elliot was well marshalled for the majority of the half by Northend CB Connor Meeke. The whole Northend team worked tirelessly, especially in the midfield where Ryan McMullan was exceptional, supported well by Charlie Metrustry and Rio Dunlop. However the first half was devoid of any real chances for either team until the 25th minute. Northend defence under pressure had a miscommunication with goalkeeper Joel McCalmont and a pass back ended up in the back of the net. It was a terrible piece of luck for the Ballymena boys who had previously been the better side. Soon after, a Hillsborough free kick was turned in by Carson Elliot at the near post after a failed clearance and the half ended 2-0, even after a bright final 10 minutes by Dylan Robinson who beat their left back on numerous occasions but failed to capitalise. Half time 0-2

Northend knew they were still in the game and came out of the blocks fast after the break. Jude Currie managed to get in behind the defence twice, both chances thwarted by good saves, and then captain Conor McDonald had a shot turned onto the bar by the goalkeeper. These missed chances proved to be costly as 2 corners in quick succession for Hillsborough pulled the score to 4-0 and then a breakaway from Hillsborough down their right made it 5-0. Definitely not a fair reflection of the way the game had gone. Northend made a series of substitutions and the management turned out to be inspired as Scott Foster came of the bench to score twice. However it was too little too late and the game finished 5-2. This was another harsh score on a game in which there was plenty of positives for Northend. Full time 2-5

Man of the Match: Ryan McMullan

Panel: J McCalmont, M Stewart, C Forsythe, C Meeke, J Coates, C Metrustry, R McMullan, R Dunlop, D Robinson, J Currie, C McDonald (c) S Foster, C Young, Z Clarke

TW Braga 3 Northend United 0 Saturday 27th February 2016

Northend came up against the Lisburn league champions TW Braga on Saturday. With both teams struggling in the league thus far this season we knew it would be a tight game. The first half lacked any real chances or opportunities for both teams with the defences coming out on top. In particular Luke Rea was outstanding for the Ballymena boys. Half time 0-0

TW Braga came out strongly at the start of the second half but failed to capitalise on their dominance with North End's work rate and determination holding off the Braga attacks. However after 58 minutes a Braga cross was only half cleared and their striker turned it in from close range for the opening goal of the match. With Northend pushing for an equaliser, space started to open up in the midfield for Braga's star player who had previously been well marshalled by Joseph Dallas and Charlie Metrustry. The big centre midfielder then scored two fantastic long range efforts within five minutes of each other. Northend tried to get a goal back in a late push but the Braga defence held out until the end of the game. In the end, Braga deserved a win but the score line was harsh on north end. Full time 3-0

Man of the Match: Luke Rea with special mention to Joel McCalmont and Calum Forsythe

Panel; J McCalmont, M Stewart, L Rea, C Forsythe, J Coates, J Dallas, R Mark, C Metrustry, D Robinson, Z Clarke, R Dunlop, C Meeke, J Currie, J Kirkwood, R McMullan

Northend United 3 Hillsborough 5 Saturday 20th February 2016

Hillsborough escaped on Saturday with all three points as Northend let a 2 goal lead slip. The Blues dominated the opening 15 minutes and found themselves in front by two goals as Jude Currie and Conor McDonald found the back of the net. The Ballymena boys had a chance to kill off the game and make it three nil but Zach Clarke could only hit the crossbar. Hillsborough replied almost instantly from the resulting goal kick. It was 2-2 three minutes later as the Blues were left in shock and another 2 quickfire goals saw them 4-2 before Clarke replied with a cool finish to make it 4-3. Right on the stoke of half time Hillsborough scored a bizarre fifth goal and somehow found themselves with a two goal cushion. Half Time 5-3

There were no goals in the second half as Northend put in a wonderful defensive display against a very severe wind. Goalkeeper Joel McCalmont made two sensational saves that were the highlight of the second half. While it was a bitterly disappointing result the Northend management team were delighted with the performance and the attitude of the team. Full time 3-5

Panel: J McCalmont, M Stewart, C Forsythe, L Rea, J Kirkwood, Z Clarke, J Currie, J Dallas, R Mark, R McMullan, C McDonald, C Meeke, D Robinson, C Metrustry, J Coates, R Dunlop

Windmill 5 Northend United 0 Saturday 13th February 2016

A depleted Northend team came up against an excellent Windmill Stars team on Saturday. Windmill started brightly and dominated possession without causing Northend too many problem's. However, in the fifteenth minute of the match some quick feet in the Northend penalty box saw the referee award a very dubious spot kick, which, was duly dispatched. The Ballymena boys were putting in a gritty defensive display to keep the Newry boys from adding to their tally and stand in goalkeeper Luke Rea made a number of smart stops. Half time 1-0

Windmill quickly added two goals in the opening 4 minutes of the second half and it looked like the Blues may crumble under the constant pressure they faced. However, that was not the case as a quick defensive reshuffle saw them stifle their Co Down counterparts with Joseph Dallas and Ryan McMullan also excelling in midfield. Northend pressed and some wonderful combination play by McDonald, McMullan and Robinson sliced open the opposition defence on several occasions. However, as often happens the pressing team got caught on the counter attack and the Ballymena boys conceded another two goals. The end result seemed a little harsh as the Blues defended wonderfully against a potent Windmill attack and the management will take more positives than negatives from a very tough match. Full time 5-0

Man of the Match: Joseph Dallas and Ryan McMullan.

Panel: L Rea, M Stewart, C Forsythe, J Kirkwood, C Meeke, D Robinson, R McMullan, J Dallas, J Currie, Z Clarke, C McDonald, S Foster, C Barr