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Northend United 3 Lisburn Distillery 2 Saturday 28th March 2015

For the first time in weeks, Northend had fourteen fit players to choose from, and this formed the basis of a good victory over current league leaders, Lisburn Distillery. Northend had been playing well, in fits and starts, in recent weeks, but in this match they played well for the full seventy minutes. Playing with the strong wind at their backs in the first half, Lisburn Distillery took the lead on fifteen minutes. Northend, playing well up until that point, kept playing their football on the ground, and kept Lisburn pressed back in their own half. This continual pressure led to Northend's first goal. After a foul on the edge of the box against Robert McCluney, John Brady stepped up and pounded a ferocious free-kick into the roof of the net, of the under-side of the bar. At 1 - 1, Lisburn Distillery looked visibly stunned and Northend continued to attack. Under constant pressure, Lisburn Distillery conceded another free-kick just outside their box, Tom Patchett being brought down this time. Tom dusted himself down and placed his free-kick into the far corner of the net, leaving the Distillery keeper with no chance. Half-time 2 - 1

With the wind at their backs, Northend controlled most of the second half. Matthew Willighan and Niall Craig in central midfield, worked hard, kept it simple and got the ball wide to Robert Iovu on the right, and Tom Patchett on the left, at every opportunity. It was out wide that most of Northend's best chances emanated from. They created several decent chances to score from in the second half, but it was either a Lisburn Distillery defender, or their goalkeeper, that came to their rescue. Against the run of play, Lisburn Distillery equalised with fifteen minutes to go. At 2 - 2, Distillery decided to gamble, go for the win and pushed more men forward. This left plenty of gaps at the back and Northend took full advantage. They patiently waited for their chance and it was substitute Chris Fullerton, who grabbed the winner. After putting both centre-halves under pressure, he nipped between two defenders, lobbed Lisburn Distillery's goalkeeper, to score the deserved winner, with five minutes to go. Both teams had half-chances after this, but Northend held on to take all three points. Full-time 3 - 2

Northend had been playing well in recent weeks, but this was the first time they played consistently well, for the entire seventy minutes. All 14 players made a contribution here. All players are now back free from injury, and getting fitter, except for Connor Brennan the goalkeeper, who is probably out for the remainder of the season. Having an almost fully fit squad to pick from, should bode well for this team, for the remainder of the season.

Men of the Match: Niall Craig, Tom Patchett, John Brady

Panel: C McGarry, R Jones, T McAuley, S Frew, R Lorimer, M Willighan, N Craig, R Iovu (c), T Patchett, J Brady, R McCluney, S Lecky, C Gordon, C Fullerton

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Downpatrick 4 Northend United 0 Saturday 21st March 2015

Northend contested this game against top of the table Downpatrick with only 12 fit players. Although they lost this game by 4 goals to nil , Northend were well in this game until Downpatrick scored twice, in the last 4 minutes. Northend had the best of the chances in a closely fought first half, but Downpatrick, who were much sharper up front, took the lead. Northend had chances to equalise, the best of whom fell to Robert Iovu, but sadly Robert volleyed the first one wide, then Downpatrick's keeper pulled off a great save, when it looked like Roberts other, shot was heading for the bottom corner. Half-time 0 - 1

There was nothing between the two teams until Downpatrick scored their second, 20 minutes into the second half. Northend tried hard to get one back but Downpatrick scored two more in the last few minutes of the game. Full-time 0 - 4

Northend should not be too disappointed with this result as they matched Downpatrick, for most of this match. Downpatrick are a class outfit, but hopefully this team will get a much needed boost, when 3 injured first teamers, return back to training next week.

Men of the Match: Ryan Lorimer, John Brady, Robert Iovu

Panel: C McGarry, R Jones, T McAuley, R Lorimer, S Frew(c), N Craig, M Willighan, J Brady, R Iovu, T Patchett, C Fullerton, C Gordon

Lisburn Youth 2 Northend United 1 Saturday 14th March 2015

Missing a few players, Northend put in a valiant display against Lisburn Youth, and were unlucky to finish pointless in this match. Lisburn Youth were much better in the first half, had a lot of possession of the ball, but had very few attempts on target. In the first half, Northend looked like a team that had both trained and played little over last 6 weeks and Lisburn took full advantage here. Lisburn went ahead after a scrappy goal where Northend failed to clear their lines three times in a row. Half-time 1-0

Northend to their credit were much improved in the second half and slowly turned the game around. They pushed and harried Lisburn Youth and began to have large periods of possession. This pressure led to Northend equalising when Ryan Lorimer swivelled and hit an unstoppable volley into the net, from a Tom Patchett free-kick. With the game very even at this stage, it looked like ending in a draw. Unfortunately, Lisburn Youth scored from a corner in the last minute of the match. Full-time 2 - 1

Although Northend finished pointless here, they put in a very good second half display and finished the match strongly. Despite having trained nor played little over last six weeks, this game should improve their fitness levels, plus team should also benefit from few key players due back from long term injuries.

Men of the Match: R Lorimer, S Frew and S Lecky

Panel: C McGarry, R Jones, S Lecky, S Frew, R Lorimer, N Craig, R Iovu, M Willighan, T Patchett, C Gordon, T McAuley, C Fullerton