Northend United 2 Rossowen 5  Saturday 22nd February 2025

Northend went into this match on the front foot, following their draw with the same team the previous week, However, it wasn’t long before Rossowen opened the scoring and they went on to add another two goals before half time. Half time 0-3

Into the second half and with some team reorganisation, the Blues opened their scoring with a goal from Cahal Gordon. Midway through the half, the Blues scored their second, this time Senan Hughes scoring a well taken goal. As the Blues went looking for an equaliser, Rossowen took advantage on the breakaway to score 2 very late goals Full time 2-5

Panel: Caodhan Kerr, Jonah Mitchell, Tiernan Martin, Thomas Cairns, Sonny Barr, Rory Garrett, Ollie Hector, Cathal Gordon, Jayden Cassley, Reece McClintock, Fletcher Wilson, Senan Hughes. Preston Cameron, Harry Campbell

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

Northend United 2 Rossowen 2  Saturday 15th February 2025

With a break last week and legs well rested the wee blues we’re up for this week’s game against Rossowen. Both teams of equal standard we knew it was going to be well contested. The game started well with Martin and McClintock down the left breaking through to deliver a low ball to Hughes whose shot was blocked. The midfield of Casley, Barr and Gordon went toe to toe all game with the very good Rossowen forwards. Hector on the right was opening up the Rossowen defence and cut in a lovely ball to Gordon whose shot went narrowly over the bar. Our defence this week of Mitchell, Garret and Cairns had to be sharp against a quick Rossowen striker who sat on their shoulder the whole game. After 25 minutes of end-to-end action the long ball tactics of Rossowen caught us out and their striker capitalised on a gap to go 1 goal ahead.

The wee blues however knew to dig deep and 5 mins later Martin swung in a corner which bounced nicely for Casley who spun on the volley to equal the score 1/1. Hector then winning a free kick which Martin delivered right into the back post but cleared off the line. A frantic 10 min spell saw goalkeeper Kerr pull off some fantastic saves, his bravery to rush the forwards kept the score line 1/1. Gordon, Casley, Barr and Hughes all having chances cleared or saved in the last minutes of the half both teams playing some great football. Half time 1-1

Some fresh legs and Adams, Wilson and King introduced. Wilson immediately into the action making a run from deep in defence to the Rossowen 6-yard line winning a corner. Casley again at the front post had his effort saved. Along range shot from Barr narrowly wide. Gordon went 1v1 with the keeper had his shot saved and Hector’s late run at the back post saw his shot also just wide. Kerr again pull off some fantastic saves with Cairns, king, Adams and Mitchell putting in overtime to keep up with Rossowen who had moved 3 strikers up front. With 10 mins left to play their forwards given too much time to shoot hit us to go 2-1 up. But confidence in this team was high and the last 5 minutes were all about Northend. Kerr pulled off another set of fine saves but it was Casley who was determined to score, he beat his marker to slip home his second to level the game but the wee blues kept pushing. McClintock pushed high but was deemed offside, Martin drove a hard ball across and Barr’s side foot shot hit the post, Gordon and King shots went wide and Casley again had a shot saved. Full time 2-2

A fitting end to a very enjoyable game with both teams of equal standard giving their all.

Falken Tyres sponsored Player of the Match: Caodhan Kerr - made some critical saves in both half’s.

Panel: Caodhan Kerr, Jonah Mitchell, Tiernan Martin, Thomas Cairns, Sonny Barr, Seanan Hughes, Rory Garrett, Ollie Hector, Cathal Gordon, Jayden Cassley, Reece McClintock, Mason King, Fletcher Wilson

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

Northend United 1 Windmill Stars 5   Saturday 18th January 2025

It was the first game of the year and the first in 4 weeks for our Agnew, Mitchell & Cairns sponsored 2011s. A new venue at Aghalee pitch which was in great condition against top undefeated side Windmill stars. The game got off to a fast pace and both teams went end to end in the first 10 minutes. With Hughes upfront going close after 7 minutes our midfield of Gordon, Barr, McClintock and Casely worked tirelessly to keep up. Hector and Martin had the run of each wing but Windmill showed their determination and tracked every run we made. It was counter-attack after 30 minutes play and tired legs trying to get back that opened up a gap in our formation to gift Windmill an easy tap in. Our defensive line up of Brown, Cairns and Wilson had been impenetrable up to that point a real credit as our first attempt at having only 3 at the back. McClintock was having his best game if the season so far in an unfamiliar midfield position showing his fitness and willingness to tackle much bigger opponents and created a nice run for Gordon whose shot went wide of the post. Half time 0-1

Sickness has been a real struggle this week with a number of players unavailable and several still not recovered, both Gordon, Hector couldn’t continue and Mitchell couldn’t field. Both Cameron and King introduced with no further subs available.

On the restart both teams created opportunities in the first 10 minutes of play. Barr winning the ball in midfield sent Cameron on a run down the right whose shot went narrowly wide. Windmill had a good 15-minute run of play with their fitness starting to show, Brown, Cairns and Wilson busted themselves across the defensive line and Devlin showing great athleticism with several fingertip saves but with tired legs in midfield we couldn’t keep Windmill from scoring 4 in quick succession. With a bit of a lift in the final 10 minutes Hughes and Cassley had 2 chances scuffed off the line and with play turned in our favour Hughes hit a low shot from 20 yards just past the keeper into the net giving the boys confidence to push forward. At 1-5 it was a bit of a climb but the wee blues kept pushing right to the last. Full time 1-5

A real game if two halves today but positive to see the potential we have in this squad against top opposition. A few more weeks to regain our fitness levels and hopefully the sickness will have passed.

Falken Tyres Player 0f the Match: Reece McClintock. His work rate in unfamiliar midfield from start to finish was outstanding.

Panel: Pearse Devlin, Jonah Mitchell, Tiernan Martin, Thomas Cairns, Sonny Barr, Seanan Hughes, Ollie Hector, Cathal Gordon, Fletcher Wilson, Rory Brown, , Jayden Cassley, Mason King, Reece McClintock, Preston Cameron