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Northend United 2 Hillsborough Boys 4 Saturday 23td October 2021

With an early start in Lisburn, the Northend team started the game slowly with Hillsborough applying early pressure with the wind at their backs. 10 minutes in and a speculative shot ballooned off the Northend defender over the keeper’s head 1-0 Hillsborough

Andrei Smolinski pulled off some fantastic saves to keep the team in it and as confidence started to build the Blues started to attack more. Some good midfield play between Jack Patterson and Sam Rogalski saw a ball played through to Barti Pluta who was clipped from behind for a penalty that was converted confidently by Rogalski. The match was very even on the last 15 mins of the half with both teams playing good passing football. Hillsborough took the lead with a powerful low drive 2-1

Northend went on to equalise through fantastic pressure from Ryan McClintock who charged down a defender and then their goalkeeper to score. Half time 2-2

The second half started very similar with each team attacking well. Strength in depth told for the Northend team who were missing some key players and after 3 players got injured within a couple of minutes of each other the team found itself going behind with 3-2, quickly followed by another, leaving the score 2-4

Heads didn’t go down and the Blues fought to the end, with the Hillsborough keeper stopping further attempts from Rogalski and tipped a header from Patterson on to the bar with Charlie McCudden also having a couple of chances. Although defeated there was nothing but positives taken from the game with the referee also commenting on how good the team were and how respectful also. Onwards and upwards

Panel: A Smolinski, L Laverty, R O’Boyle, W Wronski, S Butler, R McClintock, T Duffin, C McCudden, K McGillian, B Pluta, N Byczek, R Bamber, D Hector

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Northend United 3 Windmill Stars 5 Saturday 2nd October 2021

Saturday seen an early ko at Wallace Park in Lisburn verses Windmill Stars. From the first whistle the Windmill side put the Northend defence under pressure and found themselves 2 down after 10 minutes. The midfield four of Ryan McClintock, Tom Duffin, Sam Rogalski and Aodhán McGarry weren’t getting time to play the fast flowing football of previous weeks as they were being forced into defend. Upfront Barti Pluta and Jack Patterson were trying their best to pressure the Windmill defence with little success. The back four was being well marshalled by Ryan O’Boyle, Shea Butler, Luca Laverty and Danny Hector who were both kept alert by Mason Bankhead in nets. Windmill were able to add another two, but a late response by Barti Pluta gave some hope. Half time 1-4

After a stern talking the second half started with the Northend boys trying to unlock the defence and this pressure paid off with Barti Pluta following up after brave play from Aodhán McGarry. This spurred the young blues on, but a mistake led to the 5th and inevitably killed the game. To their credit Charlie McCudden was able to pull a third back to leave a frantic last 10 but despite their best efforts it wasn’t to be. Full time 3-5

Panel: M Bankhead, L Laverty, R O’Boyle, D Hector, S Butler, C McCudden, K McGillian, B Pluta, A McGarry, T Duffin, R McClintock, J Patterson, S Rogalski

Northend United 3 Ballymena United 2 Saturday 24th September 2021

A competitive local derby saw the depleted Northend 2008’s run out 3-2 winners against a well organised Ballymena United. The first half was a one sided affair for the Northend team with a number of chances that saw the Ballymena keeper called in to action. Tom Duffin saw a 25 yard free kick go wide, with Barti Pluta and Charlie McCudden also going close.

With the introduction of Jack Patterson in the forward position saw added height to the attack and it immediately nearly resulted in a goal however a curling shot was kept out by the keeper. Stand in keeper for the day Kevin McGillian, was barely tested however charged down a Ballymena attack .

The breakthrough came in the stroke of half time when Jack Patterson put in from close range at the 2nd attempt from a Northend corner. Half time 1-0

The 2nd half was a lot more competitive with Ballymena making a couple of substitutions, however the midfield duo of Rogalski and Duffin broke up most of the play and the 2nd goal came when Rogalski hit a shot from outside the box, after good work from McCudden that the Ballymena keeper dropped into the net. Ballymena had a lot more chances and attacking threat in the 2nd half and their 1st goal came from a break down their right wing and their forward drilled a hard low shot through the keeper’s legs.

The final 20 minutes was a very close match with both teams having chances and again stand in keeper Kevin McGillian made a couple of vital saves as well as the Ballymena United keeper who bravely came out against Barti Pluta to save to keep their team in it.

Northend’s 3rd goal came in last 15 minutes where some nice work down the left saw a cross clipped in to Aodhan McGarry apply a neat finish who had just returned on to the field. Ballymena pulled a goal back where a low cross was turned in to the net by Ryan however Northend still pushed for a 4th goal, with a number of chances driven wide or at the keeper. Full time 3-2

Panel: K McGillian, L Laverty, R O’Boyle, S Butler, R McClintock, C McCudden, B Pluta, A McGarry, T Duffin, S Rogalski, J Patterson

Northend United 2 Camlough Rovers 5 Saturday 18th September 2021

Saturday seen an early ko at Ballymacross in Lisburn for the Paul Butler Contracts sponsored Northend U14s against a slick Camlough side. From the first whistle the physical Camlough side put the Northend defence under pressure and after numerous corners it wasn’t long before the pressure paid off. The midfield four of Nikodem Byczek, Charlie McCudden, Sam Rogalski and Aodhán McGarry weren’t getting time to play the fast flowing football of previous weeks as they were being forced into defend. Upfront Barti Pluta and Kevin McGillian were trying their best to pressure the Camlough defence with little success. The back four was being well marshalled by Ryan O’Boyle, Shea Butler, Luca and Wiktor Wronski who were both kept alert by Andrzej in nets.

The second half continued with the Northend boys trying to unlock the defence and this pressure paid off with Barti smartly finishing and as the game continued changes allowed Ross to come on and score his first goal for the club, but it wasn’t enough on the day. Full time 2-5

Panel: A Smolinski, L Laverty, R O’Boyle, W Wronski, S Butler, C McCudden, K McGillian, B Pluta, A McGarry, N Byczek, R Bamber and S Rogalski

Northend United 6 Tollymore United 1 Saturday 11th September 2021

Saturday seen a return to Ballymacross in Lisburn to play Tollymore United. From the first whistle the front two of Barti Pluta and Nikodem Bycek put the Tollymore defence under pressure and it wasn’t long before the pressure paid off. The midfield four of Ryan McClintock, Kevin McGillian, Sam Rogalski and Tom Duffin were dominate all day and were able to break down the Tollymore attacks and get the ball to the front two. Ryan McClintock and Kevin McGillian were causing real danger on the wings and were assisted by the attacking wing backs of Luca Laverty and Shay Butler. The back four was being well marshalled by Ryan O’Boyle and Wiktor Wronski who were both kept alert by Andrzej Smolinski in nets.

As the game continued changes allowed Charlie McCudden and Aodhán McGarry to come on and they quickly settled into the game.

The impressive start to 11aside football continued and as the final whistle blew, coaches were impressed with the work, effort and the different scorers.

Panel: A Smolinski, L Laverty, R O’Boyle, W Wronski, S Butler, R McClintock, C McCudden, K McGillian, Ba Pluta, A McGarry, N Byczek, T Duffin, S Rogalski

Santos Youth 0 Northend United 6 Saturday 4th September 2021

Saturday finally brought the first game of the season for the squad against Santos FC at Ballymacross in Lisburn. From the first whistle the front two of Aodhán McGarry and Nikodem Byczek put the Santos defence under pressure, and it wasn’t long before the pressure paid off. The midfield four of Ryan McClintock, Kevin McGillian, Charlie McCudden and Barti Pluta were able to break down the Santos attacks and get the ball to the front two. Ryan and Barti were causing real danger on the wings and were assisted by the attacking wing backs of Luca and Shay. The back four was being well marshalled by Ryan O’Boyle and Wiktor Wronski who were both kept alert by Andrzej Smolinski in nets. As the game continued changes allowed Ross Bamber to come on and work as the target man upfront.

As the final whistle blew, coaches were impressed with the work, effort and the five different scorers. Full time 0-6

Panel: A Smolinski, L Laverty, R O’Boyle, W Wronski, S Butler, R McClintock, C McCudden, K McGillian, B Pluta, A McGarry, N Byczek, R Bamber