Northend United 3 Camlough Rovers 2   Saturday 26th March 2022

Saturday paired the 2008s with Newry based side, Camlough Rovers, at Ballymacross Lisburn in the League. On a high from the victory last week the team had to shuffle again with two late withdrawals.   The boys started off brightly with some flowing and soon put Camlough under pressure. After receiving a pass from Aodhán at right back, captain Tom Duffin received the ball on the right wing and drove at the Camlough defence, beat three defenders he smartly finished by the keeper. Further opportunities to score weren’t taking, but the back five of Aodhán, Ryan, Danny, Shea and stand in keeper Ross looked comfortable. The second came shortly before the half when again a driving run by Tom into the box allowed him to cut the ball back to Ryan McClintock to smartly finish. Half time 2-0

The second half again started brightly with some positive play in midfield by Sam and Jack created further opportunities to score. Camlough were now pushing for a goal which left them short at the back. The third finally came when the ball fell to Ryan McClintock outside the box to smartly finish. Changes allowed Joel and Charlie to replace Nikodem and Barti. To their credit Camlough didn’t stop and from a corner the ball wasn’t cleared properly, and the ball was smashed into the net. Further pressure ensued and from another corner the ball was put into the net by a defender to set up a nervy last few minutes. The boys were able to hold on and secure the points against a top 4 side. This performance and result has been coming all season to the joy of players and coaches. Full time 3-2

Panel: R Balmer, D Hector, J Patterson, S Butler, S Rogalski, A McGarry, R McClintock, J Gilchrist, R O’Boyle, T Duffin, N Byczek, C McCudden, B Pluta

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Northend United 4 Strangford 2   Saturday 19th March 2022

Saturday paired the 2008s with Strangford at Barbour Lisburn in the League.  One of only a few occasions this season there was a full panel the boys started off brightly with some flowing football in a tight pitch. To the frustration of the coaches and again the story of the season, the first attack Strangford managed resulted in a goal. This woke the team up and good work in midfield by Sam Rogalski, played Tom Duffin through and he made no mistake with the finish. The boys continued to dominate and should have doubled their lead before half time. Half time 1-1

 

The second half again started brightly with some positive play, but from a corner the ball wasn’t cleared properly and the ball somehow managed to drop into the net from a defender. Changes allowed the returning Nikodem Byczek to be introduced to the game to add some power and speed to the frontline. A well worked corner routine allowed Jack Patterson to flick in at the front post and the 3rd quickly followed as Strangford started to tire. A free kick thunderbolt from Tom Duffin 30 yards out rattled the roof of the net and again a well worked corner allowed Ryan McClintock to score at the back post, securing the 3 points. This performance and result has been coming all season.  Full time 4-2

Panel: A Smolinski, R Balmer, D Hector, J Patterson, S Butler, S Rogalski, A McGarry, R McClintock, J Gilchrist, R O’Boyle, T Duffin, N Byczek, W Wronski, L Laverty, B Pluta

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