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Northend United 1 Lisburn Distillery 2 Saturday 19th December 2015

Northend were looking to reverse the 7-2 thrashing they suffered at the hands of Distillery earlier in the season and were desperately unlucky not to have picked up all three points.

Distillery started brightly and their fast counter attacking style was causing Northend a few problems. However, after 10 minutes Northend got a foothold on the game and began to pass the ball with speed and purpose. In the 17th minute Northend were caught with a sucker punch on the break and Distillery took the lead. This only spurred on the Ballymena boys as Ryan Mark bossed the midfield and combined well with Dylan Robinson on numerous occasions. The Blues then hit the cross bar from Conor McDonald's well struck free kick. The half ended with Northend pressing for an equaliser but to no avail. Half Time 0-1

Distillery came out all guns blazing for the first 10 minutes of the second half and dominated possession. However, much like the first half Northend began to find their passing rhythm and put together some wonderful passing combinations which cut open Lisburn time and time again. Unfortunately the Ballymena lads were caught out again as Distillery caught them on the counter and found themselves 2-0 up totally against the run of play. With 15 minutes left to play Northend pressed for a way back into the game which duly as Captain Conor McDonald followed up on a Rio Dunlop strike to make it 2-1. The Blues pressed and pressed for an equaliser and had numerous goal scoring chances but failed to convert any of them before the final whistle blew. This was a disappointing result for the Ballymena boys but they have progressed massively since the start of the season and play a fast attacking and exciting brand of football which has won them many plaudits in recent months. Full time 1-2

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel; J McCalmont, M Stewart, C Forsythe, J Dallas, J Kirkwood, R McMullan, R Mark, C Metrustry, D Robinson, C McDonald, J Coates, S Foster, Z Clarke, R Dunlop

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Northend United 1 Downpatrick 5 Saturday 5th December 2015

Northend did not pick up the result that they so richly deserved on Saturday against Downpatrick. The first half was an even affair but Downpatrick fired in 4 goals as Northend struggled to deal with their lightening quick forward line. A wonderful solo effort by Rio Dunlop was the highlight of the half for the Ballymena boys as they threatened a fight back. Half time 1-4

The second half saw some wonderful football by the Blues with midfield duo of Rio Dunlop and Ryan McMullan particularly impressive. The Ballymena lads had more than enough chances to win the match as Conor McDonald went close with two efforts, Rio Dunlop hit the post and Josh Coates couldn't get his toe to the ball to poke home from close range. The result was disappointing but the disappointment was tempered by the fact that the Blues played some fantastic football throughout the match. Full time 1-5

Men of the Match: Josh Coates, Rio Dunlop, Ryan McMullan

Panel: C Young, M Stewart, C Forsythe, J Dallas, J Coates, D Robinson, C Meeke, R Dunlop, R McMullan, Z Clarke, C McDonald, S Foster, J Kirkwood

Lisburn Youth 6 Northend United 0 Saturday 28th November 2015

Yet again Northend will be wondering how they lost by such a large scoreline. The young Blues started fantastically well as they controlled midfield and dominated possession but failed to test the Lisburn keeper. Charlie Metrustry was pulling the strings as Northend controlled the game when a poor clearance lead to Lisburn's first chance which they slotted away. Northend continued to play wonderful football from defence to attack but somehow found themselves 4-0 down at half time. Half time 4-0

Lisburn had the better of the second half as Northend tired in the wintery weather. In the 55th minute Lisburn scored when a rogue cross found the back of the net. Lisburn found the net again with two minutes remaining with a wonderfully worked move. Northend should be proud of their football which was wonderful in patches but must rectify the issues that have plagued them this season. However, they were up against a well drilled and experienced Lisburn team who were ultra clinical in front of goal. Final score: 6-0

Man of Match: Joseph Dallas

Panel: J McCalmont, M Stewart, C Forsythe, J Dallas, J Coates, D Robinson, R McMullan, C Metrustry, R Dunlop, Z Clarke, C McDonald, C Meeke, J Kirkwood, S Foster, A Mooney

Portavogie Rangers 1 Northend United 2 NIBFA Cup Saturday 21st Novemeber 2015

Northend visited Portavogie Rangers in the NIBFA Cup in what turned out to be a nerve wracking but highly entertaining match.

The Blues were short on numbers with just 11 players but there was no shortage of skill and commitment as both teams battled arctic conditions. The game started brightly as both teams looked to get the ball down and play attacking football but failed to produce any clear cut chances in the first 10 minutes. Northend then took a foothold on the game and had a number of long range efforts almost find the back of the net. The deadlock was then broken in the 18th minute as Zack Clarke took a wonderful touch and floated his shot into the top left. Northend then strung together some wonderful passing moves as Callum Forsythe and Matthew Stewart grew in confidence creating attacks from defence. Northend dominated the rest of the half with new boy Dylan Robinson, Ryan McMullan and Zach Clarke particularly impressive but could not add to their tally. Half Time 0-1

Northend continued as they left off with Conor McDonald and Rio Dunlop going close with efforts. The Ballymena boys continued to press and produced some very slick passing moves. Their dominance forced several corners which finally produced another goal as Captain Conor McDonald found space at the back post to smash in a second goal in the 45th minute. The next 15 minutes saw Northend continue to press for another goal but to no avail. Tired legs were evident and Portavogie took advantage of the situation as they then took control of the game. The home team created numerous chances before they slotted home a penalty to make a very nervous final 8 minutes for the Blues. The young Down team attacked in waves and peppered the Northend goal but Joel McCalmont managed to deal with everything. Two goal line scrambles in the final moments of the match had the Northend management rather animated but the Ballymena lads showed great character to hold onto the victory. Final score 1-2

Northend would like to thank our hosts for their fantastic hospitality on a bitterly cold day.

Men of the Match: Callum Forsythe, Matthew Stewart and Zach Clarke

Panel: J McCalmont, M Stewart, C Forsythe, R Dunlop, J Kirkwood, R McMullan, C Meeke, Z Clarke, D Robinson, C McDonald, C Young

Chimney Corner 4 Northend United 4 Saturday 7th November 2015

This was a wonderful advertisement for youth football in the area as both teams attempted to play an attractive and technical brand of attacking football. Northend were fortunate not to be a goal down within 20 seconds as a poor pass from the kick off was gathered by the Chimney number 10 who clipped the outside of the post. Both teams had an equal share of possession and as one team attacked the other then counter attacked which was to set the tone of the game. In the 15th minute Chimney managed to capitalise on indecision in the Northend defence and scored an easy opener. Northend recovered well and had a goal harshly ruled offside much to the dismay of Zach Clarke and the Blues management team. The Ballymena lads did find the back of the net moments later as Josh Coates followed in from a free kick which had been spilled by the Chimney keeper. The frenetic pace continued and chances were created at both ends but it was the Antrim team who stole a goal minutes before half time to take a deserved 2-1 lead into the break. Half time 2-1

Northend absolutely flew out of the blocks and scored two goals in the opening 6 minutes both of which were sublime finishes from captain Conor McDonald. The first goal came from a powerful run down the right wing by Matthew Stewart who delivered an inch perfect cross to McDonald who connected with a scissor kick which looped into the top corner. The second arrived 4 minutes later as McDonald produced a wonderful piece of quick footwork on the edge of the box which was matched by a deft finish into the left corner of the net. Chimney fought back and scored an equaliser just a few short minutes later and then took the lead as more indecision by the Blues allowed them to nip in and take a 4-3 lead with just 10 minutes to play. The last 10 minutes of the match saw Northend press for a deserved fourth goal to draw the game with midfielders Adam Mooney and Rio Dunlop leading the charge. Luck was to be on the Ballymena boy's side as new signing Scott Foster found himself in the right place to smash home the equaliser sending the large contingent of Northend support into wild celebrations. A strong second half performance from defensive linchpin Callum Forsythe and midfielder Rio Dunlop helped drag Northend back into the game but a special mention must go to team captain Conor McDonald. His fantastic ability to hold up the ball and bring others into the game was only topped by two very special goals. Final score 4-4

Man of the Match: Conor McDonald.

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