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Northend United 0 Shankill Juniors 4 Saturday 25th October 2014

Northend lost this game in the first half and were three goals down at half-time. Half time score 0-3

Northend were much better the second half and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against a very physical and competitive Shankill Juniors side. Shankill added one more in the second half to finish the game as 4 - 0 victors.

Men of the Match: Ruairi Campbell, Stuart Lecky

Panel: C Brennan (c), S Frew, S Lecky, R Lorimer, R McCluney, J Brady, R Iovu, M Willighan, T Patchett, C McGarry, R Campbell, N Craig

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Portadown Youth 1 Northend United 1 Saturday 18th October 2014

Northend threw away all three points in this game by conceding yet another soft goal in the last minute of the game. Northend had played well throughout the whole game and although they only led by the one goal, they looked comfortable in the game, giving Portadown few chances on goal. Northend had the better chances on goal in the first half but both teams failed to score. Half-time score 0-0

It was Robert Iovu who put Northend one goal up ten minutes into the second half with a superb free-kick. At this stage Northend were well on top but failed to get that critical second goal. Northend were lacklustre up front in the second half and failed to hold the ball up for the onrushing midfielders. For this reason, Portadown slowly crept into the game and probably had the better of the possession, for the last fifteen minutes, as Northend sat deeper and deeper. Northend were punished cruelly when a defensive mistake in the last 30 seconds of the game, cost them all three points. Northend gained a draw at the end but came so close to getting that first clean sheet that they worked so hard for all match. Final score 1-1

Taking the positives out of this game, Northend were much improved defensively today. They were not great up front today and for this reason their midfield and defence had to work extra hard, to keep Portadown at bay. Ryan Lorimer had another exceptional game at the back but man of the match went to goalkeeper Conor Brennan, who made some good saves at critical moments in the match.

Man of the Match: Conor Brennan

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

Northend United 3 Oxford Sunnyside 4 Saturday 11th October 2014

This was a great match for the neutrals, with both sides throwing everything at each other from the first minute to the last. Northend were unlucky to finish this match pointless, and really should have taken at least a point here. Those were the words of the opposing manager, not my own. Northend started the better of the two teams, determined to make up for the 6-1 drubbing from league leaders Oxford Sunnyside, just a couple of weeks ago. Northend took the lead when Conor McGarry rose highest in the box to direct a superb header into the top corner, from a great Robert Iovu cross. Northend were unrecognisable from last week, fighting and competing for every ball from the first minute. Against the run of play, Oxford Sunnyside equalised from a penalty 10 minutes before half-time. They then took the lead a few minutes later. Northend equalised from a Robert Iovu penalty just 3 minutes before half-time. Half-time 2 - 2

Northend conceded a soft goal 5 minutes into the second half, but showed great character to drag themselves back into the match. Tom Patchett equalised with a great free-kick from 22 yards to put the scores level with 10 minutes to go. Instead of settling for the draw, Northend pressed for the winner, but Oxford Sunnyside were threatening on the break. When Northend committed a foul on the edge of the box with 4 minutes to go, the inevitable happened and Oxford Sunnyside scored direct from the resulting free kick. Northend pushed to the end, but Oxford Sunnyside being the top side that they are, held on to win. Final score 4 - 3

This was a great match to be part off and Northend were superb from start to finish. Each player fought for each other and showed the unity that exists in the squad. Such was their level of commitment and desire, it was impossible to single out 1 man of the match. Missing 3 first time regulars, this was always going to be tough for Northend, but they arguably produced their best display of the season. I certainly have no complaints here and Northend's players gave everything in this match, which bodes well for next week's match against Portadown. Special mention to Oxford Sunnyside, who played football from start to finish, there was not a bad tackle in the game, great coaches who command respect and my tip for the title on what I have seen to date.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

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

Lisburn Youth 4 Northend United 2 Saturday 4th October 2014

Northend lost out to Lisburn Youth in this shield tie, with a batch of defensive errors probably costing them this game. Northend got off to the worst possible start after an embarrassing mix up between a Northend defender and their goalkeeper gifted Lisburn Youth an easy lead. Despite this early setback and to their credit Northend worked hard to get themselves back into the match, but could not find the net. Northend created more chances than Lisburn but every time Lisburn broke forward, they looked the more likely to score. Lisburn went 2 - 0 up 5 minutes before half-time and held on until the whistle. Half-time score 0 - 2

The introduction of Thomas McAuley and Ruairi Campbell at half-time appeared to shake the team up. Robert Iovu scored a 35 yard wonder goal to give Northend a chance in this match. Northend attacked in droves and should have scored a few before Conor McGarry deservedly equalised with a cracker header at the far post. While on top, Northend did not score to go ahead and then created the cardinal sin and gifted Lisburn Youth 2 further goals to lose this cup-tie. Final score 4 - 2

Northend could easily have won this match but have to stop gifting team's goals. This team have work hard for every goal they have scored this year but defensive errors are costing this team hard. We have to learn to defend better as a team and until this happens we will lose more games than we will win.

Men of the Match: Conor McGarry and Robert Iovu

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

Northend United 3 Oxford Sunnyside Colts 2 Saturday 27th September 2014

Northend came back into some kind of form in this match and scored three goals in a first half which they completely dominated. Northend went ahead through Conor McGarry on 12 minutes, Robert Iovu made it two on 16 minutes then Tom Patchett scored a twenty yard cracker to make it three nil on 22 minutes. Northend should have scored at least three more goals before half-time, but didn't due to some poor finishing in front of goal plus some heroics in front of goal by Oxfords best player, their goalkeeper. Half-time score 3 - 0.

Again Northend created numerous chances at the start of the second half, but failed to beat Oxfords goalkeeper. Oxford pulled one back with 12 minutes to go. A long punt from their goalkeeper caused havoc in Northend's box, they failed to clear and somehow the ball ended up in Northend's net. Incredibly, Oxfords goalkeeper scored with 5 minutes to go when he scored direct from a free-kick from 35 yards. Again Northend had chances to further extend their lead before the end but failed to do so. Final score 3 - 2.

Northend were excellent in the first half and created enough chances to win two matches. They were not as good in the second half but still ran out easy winners in the end, which the scoreline does not really reflect.

Men of the Match: Niall Craig and Tom Patchett

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

Northend United 1 Oxford Sunnyside 6 Saturday 20th January 2014

This was Northend's chance to put down a marker to their competition in this league, but sadly they didn't show up for this match. Northend went 3 - 0 down within fifteen minutes in this match, and never really recovered. Oxford Sunnyside were deadly in front of goal in a frantic first half. Despite not playing well at all, Northend still managed to create more chances than Oxford in the first half, but failed to hit the target. Oxford Sunnyside ran out easy winners in the end and deservedly won this game. Northend never really got started and made so many simple mistakes in defence, midfield and up front, there was only ever going to be one winner in this match. The most disappointing thing for the coaches was that all players, with the exception of Ryan Lorimer and especially Robert Iovu, did not put in the effort and desire required to win a game of football , and that will not happen again. Next Saturday cannot come soon enough.

Man of the Match: R Iovu

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

Northend United 5 Lurgan Town 2 Saturday 13th September 2014

Northend had a forgetful first half against a a Lurgan Town side determined to make up for the 7 -1 hammering they received from Northend the previous Saturday. They deservedly took the lead after some sloppy all-round play from Northend and were unfortunate not to go two goals up after missing a first half penalty. Conor McGarry dragged Northend back into the match shortly before half-time with a magnificent header. Half-time 1-1.

The introduction of Robert Iovu back into the side at half-time, breathed some life back into this Northend side. His infectious running and hard work appeared to spread to others and within ten minutes Northend had gone 4 - 1 ahead through goals from Ruairi Campbell, Ryan Lorimer and the best of the lot, a 25 yard cracker from Tom Patchett. Ryan Lorimer added his second to make it 5 -1 to Northend with ten minutes to go. Lurgan Town scored a second goal right at the final whistle. Final score 5-2

Men of the Match: Ryan Lorimer and Robert Iovu

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

Bloomfield 3 Northend United 4 Wednesday 10th September 2014

Northend went into this match missing regular first-teamers Sam Frew and Robert Iovu. The first ten minutes were very scrappy until Ryan Lorimer released Ruairi Campbell in the inside right position, who broke free and scored. Bloomfield equalised within eight minutes to make it 1 - 1. Both teams had good chances to ,take the lead but it remained 1 - 1 until half-time.

Bloomfield had a player sent off shortly before half-time for an off the ball challenge. Conor McGarry put Northend 1 - 2 up five minutes into the second half. Northend instead of stepping up a gear, became complacent and let Bloomfield back into the match. Bloomfield became a better side with 10 men rather than 11 and in a very good 15 minutes spell scored two goals to go 3 - 2 ahead, with ten minutes to go. It was all Northend then until the final whistle. Firstly, they equalised through a Ruairi Campbell penalty after a Bloomfield player handled a Tom Patchett corner. Niall Craig set up Ruairi Campbell to score the winner with minutes to go. Final score 3- 4.

Men of the Match: Ruairi Campbell and Robert McCluney

Panel: C Brennan, T McAuley, S Lecky, J Brady, R McCluney, N Craig, R Lorimer, M Willighan, C McGarry, R Campbell, T Patchett, C Gordon, C Fullerton

Lurgan Town 1 Northend United 7 Saturday 6th September 2014

After 15 minutes of dominance, it was a penalty that broke the deadlock in Northend's opening league fixture. A great through-ball by Robert Iovu, was pounced on by Ryan Lorimer and as he tried to round the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper deliberately brought him down. Ruairi Campbell scored the resulting penalty. Against the run of play, Lurgan equalised after some horrible defensive play by Northend. This appeared to bring Northend to life as within a minute John Brady found Ruairi Campbell, who easily beat the Lurgan goalkeeper. Ruairi Campbell added another penalty just before half-time for his hat-trick, after Tom Patchett was brought down in the penalty box. Half-time 1 - 3.

Ten minutes into the second half, John Brady made it 1 - 4, after Robert Iovu had a shot parried from a Tom Patchett corner. Robert Iovu put Ruairi Campbell through to score on 25 minutes into the second half. Ruairi Campbell set up Ryan Lorimer to scored on his debut to make it 1 - 6. Thomas McAuley rounded it off to score Northend's final goal to make it 1 - 7.

Although Northend won this match by seven goals to one, they were far from their best and never really got out of second gear. If they can play this bad and still win, this should bode well for their next game against Bloomfield this Wednesday evening.

Men of the Match: John Brady and Ruairi Campbell.

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