Northend United Youth FC

Northend United U14s 2 Ards Youth U14s 3

Saturday 19th December 2009

Northend United U14s have had a very inconsistent season to date, with a run of several wins followed by several defeats. United went into this game with several players missing with the flu but no excuses can be used as the players that went were fully capable of getting all three points.

Northend started off at blistering pace and were one nil up after only three minutes when Matt King's inch perfect pass found Ryan McIllroy on the left wing. His powerful run and shot was only parried by the Ards keeper and Aidan Hughes followed in to blast the ball home from close range.

Northend were now controlling the game, knocking the ball around and giving Ards no time on the ball. This looked as if it was going to be an easy game but this soon changed as Northend slacked off on pace in the middle of the park. They failed to close Ards down and gave them the freedom of the pitch. The Ards equaliser came on twenty minutes, and with it Northend lost their shape and passing ability. It was all Ards for the remainder of the first half but no real chances where created. The score remained 1-1 at half time

With some strong words from the Northend management at half time; United upped their game and played Ards of the park for spells of the second half.

They got their just reward with a second goal, when Simon Cunningham found Ryan McIllroy with a pass. He cut in from the right but the keeper came out and forced him wide, forcing him to pull it back to Aidan Hughes who knocked home for his second of the game.

United looked in control of this game, with Emmet Kerr, Matt King and Ryan Douds a dominant force at the back. Despite Northend losing their keeper Thomas Brady in the first half, Ards offered nothing in the way of shots on target.

Again United let the lead slip away, when a needless free-kick was struck from twenty yards and flew into the back of the Northend net.

Northend were still the better team and pushed on, but with no real conviction and found themselves 3-2 down. In what can only be described as an awful decision by the referee, he awarded Ards a penalty in the last five minutes when Ryan Douds made what looked to be a fantastic tackle.

To add salt to the wounds of Northend, they where then turned down with a stone wall penalty in the last minute of the game, when Ryan McIllroy was up-ended in the box, the referee decided to give a free-kick outside the box.

Men of the Match - Ryan McIllroy and Ryan Douds

Panel: Thomas Brady, Emmet Kerr, Matt King, Ryan Douds, Simon Cunningham, Mark Robinson, Declan McAfee, Ciaran Ferris, Ryan McIllroy, Conan Dunne, Aidan Hughes, Brendan Lynas

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Northend United U14s 1 Celtic Boys U14s 3

Saturday 12th December 2009

Northend United Youth went into this game high on confidence, having beaten Bloomfield convincingly the previous week.

Northend started off this match in top form and immediately took the game to Celtic Boys at a relentless pace. Ryan McIllroy and Thomas Brady were causing all sorts of problems for the Celtic defence with their probing play in midfield.

Ciaran Ferris in the Northend attack was unlucky a chance which went narrowly past the post. With most of the play in midfield in the first half, chances went a begging on both sides but Trevor Holmes in the Northend goal kept them in the game with some confident handling.

Without any side adding to the score sheet, the match remained 0-0 at half time.

Northend came out after half time and again took the game to Celtic. After some good build up play Aidan Hughes was on hand to put Northend 1-0 up to give them the lead they deserved.

Instead of capitalising on this lead, Northend were happy to sit back and let Celtic come at them. With some slick passing Celtic equalised midway through the second half, when Rory Kinney was unlucky with an attempted clearance.

As the half continued, Northend began to lose their way and Celtic went on to score another two goals to make the final score 3-1 in Celtic's favour.

Panel: Trevor Holmes, Mark Robinson, Matt King, Rory Kinney(c), Simon Cunningham, Declan McAfee, Thomas Brady, Brendan Lynas, Ryan McIllroy, Ciaran Ferris, Aidan Hughes, Ryan Douds, Conan Dunne, Emmet Kerr

Northend United U14s 9 Bloomfield U14s 0

Saturday 5th December 2009

Northend United Youth went into this game high on confidence, having beaten near neighbours Ballymoney YA the previous week.

Northend started off this match in top form and immediately took the game to Bloomfield at a relentless pace. Jaffa Douds put Northend ahead early on with a well executed goal, scoring his first for the club in over two years.

In a first half controlled by Northend, they were to extend their lead further when Captain Rory Kinney was next on the score sheet

The midfield of Declan McAfee, Thomas Brady, Brendan Lynas and Ryan McIllroy were controlling the game, providing excellent service for their forwards. It was from a through-ball from the midfield that Ryan McIllroy increased Northend's lead to three, when he controlled the ball and managed to beat the keeper.

Just before half time, Brendan Lynas scored the fourth for Northend, when he beat the keeper from close range.

Northend again started the second half at relentless pace Aidan Hughes scored his first and Northend's fifth, shortly after half-time.

Goal of the game was scored by Declan McAfee, his first of the season, when he beat two players and shot past the keeper from all of twenty yards.

Aidan Hughes, who was causing all sorts of problems for the Bloomfield defence, further added to his total to make the score 7-0 in Northend's favour.

Trevor Holmes in the Northend goal was having a quiet day but dealt comfortably with whatever shots Bloomfield had.

Matthew King was next to score for United, when he converted a loose ball from a corner kick, scoring his first goal of the season.

Just before full-time, Man of the Match Aidan Hughes scored his third goal and Northend's eighth to make the final score 9-0 in Northend's favour.

Man of the Match: Aidan Hughes

Panel: Trevor Holmes, Mark Robinson, Matt King, Rory Kinney(c), Simon Cunningham, Declan McAfee, Thomas Brady, Brendan Lynas, Ryan McIllroy, Ciaran Ferris, Aidan Hughes, Jaffa Douds, Conan Dunne

Ballymoney YA U14s 0 Northend United U14s 2

Saturday 28th November 2009

Northend United Youth took on local neighbours Ballymoney Youth Academy on Saturday in a South Belfast League match at the Cherryvale pitches, in Belfast. For this match, Northend welcomed back coach Timmy Devlin from his paternal sabbatical.

Northend United, still reeling from a defeat in the previous week started off this match in top form and immediately took the game to Ballymoney at a relentless pace.

Ryan McIllroy put Northend ahead on four minutes with a well executed goal.

Northend began to dominate the match for long periods of the first half. Ciaran Ferris was unlucky with two chances which were saved by the keeper, when on another day the normally deadly striker would have further increased Northend's lead.

The midfield of Declan McAfee, Thomas Brady, Sean McCann and Ryan McIllroy were controlling the game, providing excellent service for their forwards. It was from a through-ball from midfield that Simon Cunningham almost increased Northend's lead, when he controlled the ball but managed to shoot narrowly wide.

On a rare Ballymoney breakaway, Captain Rory Kinney and keeper Trevor Holmes were in top form for Northend in their rearguard.

Just before half time, Simon Cunningham could have scored a second for Northend, but was thwarted by the keeper, to leave the half-time score 1-0 in Northend's favour.

Northend again started the second half at relentless pace and Rory Kinney was unlucky from a corner when he headed narrowly over the bar.

On a rare breakaway for Ballymoney, Rory Kinney and Mark Robinson combined well to clear the danger for Northend.

Northend introduced substitutes Conan Dunne and Brendan Lynas midway through the second half and it was Brendan Lynas who should have extended Northend's lead further, when a through ball left him with a one-on-one with the keeper but he failed to convert his advantage into a goal.

Northend kept battling for the remainder of the game and it was left to top goal-scorer Ryan McIllroy to get his and Northend's second goal with six minutes of the match remaining.

Northend had further chances to further the score but at the final whistle the score remained 2-0 to Northend United.

Man of the Match: Rory Kinney

Panel: Trevor Holmes, Mark Robinson, Matt King, Rory Kinney(c), Declan McAfee, Thomas Brady, Sean McCann, Ryan McIllroy, Ciaran Ferris, Aidan Hughes, Simon Cunningham, Jaffa Douds, Brendan Lynas, Conan Dunne

Aquinas U14's 5 Northend United U14's 1

Saturday 14th November 2009

Northend United Youth took on Aquinas on Saturday in a South Belfast League match at the Black's Road pitches, in Belfast.

Northend United, still reeling from their defeat the previous week, started off this match poorly and found themselves a goal down after eight minutes when the Aquinas striker scored after finding himself in space in the penalty box.

Northend never really got going and allowed Aquinas to score another three goals before twenty minutes had gone in the game. In between Trevor Holmes in the United goal was having another inspirational game behind his defensive line.

With twenty five minutes gone, Northend got the life-line they needed when Ciaran Ferris scored, after some great work from Ryan McIllroy.

For the remainder of the first half, Northend pounded the Aquinas goal mouth but couldn't get another vital goal before the half time whistle, to leave the half time score 4-1 in Aquinas favour.

Northend United started off the second half in a more determined fashion and were unlucky when Ryan McIllroy struck the upright with a thunderous shot from outside the penalty box.

Northend United brought on substitutes Aidan Hughes, Brendan Lynas and Ryan Douds to try to change their pattern of play but Aquinas attacked Northend again and Trevor Holmes was again called upon to make a fine save.

Northend again took the game to Aquinas and Brendan Lynas was unlucky when he had a shot cleared off the Aquinas goal line. Northend then brought on Sean McCann, back from an injury, to bolster their forward line.

Northend had much of the play in the second half but were dealt a sucker punch when Aquinas scored to make the score 5-1 in their favour. This goal left no way back for Northend and the score remained the same until the end of the match.

Man of the Match: Trevor Holmes

Panel: Trevor Holmes, Mark Robinson, Simon Cunningham, Matt King, Declan McAfee, Thomas Brady, Rory Kinney(c), Conan Dunne, Ryan McIllroy, Ciaran Ferris, Ryan Douds, Brendan Lynas, Aidan Hughes, Sean McCann

Solway Star U14's 2 Northend United U14's 1

Saturday 7th November 2009

Northend United Youth took on Solway Star on Saturday in a South Belfast League match. As the referee didn't turn up, it was down to the home team, Solway Star to produce the referee and this had a dramatic effect on the outcome of the game.

Northend started in a lively fashion and took the lead on seven minutes when Aidan Hughes found himself in a good position and coolly slotted home to give Northend a 1-0 lead.

However with some strange refereeing decisions, Solway Star clawed their way back into the match. They were awarded a dubious free kick from all of twenty-five yards out. The Solway midfielder forced Trevor Holmes in the Northend goal into a fine save but unfortunately he couldn't hold the ball and their forward was on hand to sore the loose ball.

This gave Solway Star heart and they took the game to Northend for the rest of the first half. The score remained 1-1 at half-time.

Northend came out for the second half and again found the refereeing decisions hard to stomach. As the remainder of the game degenerated into a farce, Solway Star was awarded a penalty for an offence which clearly happened outside the box, when Ryan McIllroy was adjudged to have handled the ball. Their striker gave Trevor Holmes no chance with the resultant spot kick to give them a 2-1 advantage.

As the match progressed, Rory Kinney, the Northend captain was sent off for dissent, leaving Northend facing an uphill battle with only ten

Northend brought on substitutes, Ryan Douds and Simon Cunningham to try and change the course of the game. However, Solway Star kept attacking and Trevor Holmes was called upon to make another fine save.

Northend were unable to reduce the score before the final whistle, leaving the score 2-1 in Solway Star's favour.

Panel: Trevor Holmes, Rory Kinney(c), Mark Robinson, Brendan Lynas, Declan McAfee, Emmett Kerr, Thomas Brady, Conan Dunne, Aidan Hughes, Ryan McIllroy, Ciaran Ferris, Ryan Douds, Simon Cunningham