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Northend United U15s 3 Southside Youths U15s 1 Monday 30th April 2012

An understrength Northend United U15s finished off their outstanding season on Monday night when they completed a hat-trick of Derby wins in as many weeks over their neighbours, Southside Youths. The Ballymena Boys were in hungry form and almost totally dominated this game from start to finish, with their characteristic passing and move game.

The Southside midfield couldn't get to grips with Jamie Speirs, Niall Swann and Bryan Etherson who were pulling all the strings in the Northend engine room, creating numerous chances for Anthony McAvoy and Keith Hall in their forward line. Once again, as in other matches between these two teams, the big Southside keeper had an outstanding game making numerous saves to prevent Northend from further increasing their lead.

Northend started in blistering form and in the opening minutes of the game, Jamie Speirs had a good shot go narrowly wide of the Southside upright. Keith Hall sent in a good cross into the Southside box and Anthony McAvoy saw a good shot again go narrowly wide. The same player was causing the sluggish Southside defence all sorts of problems and he saw a good shot well saved by the Southside keeper on ten minutes.

However Southside couldn't contain all this Northend pressure and from an O'Neill corner on thirteen minutes, McAvoy flicked the ball on and there was Niall Swann to head the Blues into the lead.

Northend were running rampant at this stage of the game and McAvoy who was in the thick of everything, released a great throughball to the advancing Keith Hall and his well struck shot was saved by the legs of the Southside keeper.

Northend further increased their lead on twenty-five minutes when Keith Hall flicked on a cross into the Southside box and big Ryan Gault volleyed the ball past the helpless Southside keeper to give the Blues a 2-0 lead.

Southside came back at Northend but found the defence of Jonny Hanlon, Ross Swan, Benny O'Neill and Thomas Brady in outstanding form.

Northend went looking for more goals to kill of the game before half time but luck wasn't on their side and the half time score remained 2-0 to Northend.

Northend again started off the second half where they left off the first, in dominant fashion, knowing a third goal would effectively end the game and Bryan Etherson duly obliged. After ten minutes as he ran through the Southside defence with the ball, leaving two defenders in his wake, for a one on one with the keeper, and as the keeper fumbled the ball, he was left with a simple tap in after all his persistent hard work. Michael Carberry replaced Gault and went on to have a good solid game at right back.

Southside came more into the game now but again the Northend defence was in no mood to give anything away. Benny O'Neill was having a fine game at centre back and he began to push forward with the ball, creating space in the middle of the park.

Michael Laverty replaced McAvoy and Niall Shannon replaced Hanlon as the Blues gave their full squad a good workout.

Chances were created at either end of the pitch, with Richard Sloan saving well for Northend and Keith Hall and Ross Swan going close for the Blues at the other end of the pitch.

In what was the last kick of the game, a Southside cross into the Northend box was volleyed into the Blues net by a good shot from the Southside striker to leave the final score 3-1 to Northend on the night.

The Ballymena Boys ended up with an eight point advantage over second place Larne Youth in this League and were awarded the League Championship immediately after this game. This was a fitting end to such a great season for the Northend Blues.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan T Brady, B Etherson, J Speirs (c), N Swann, A McAvoy, K Hall, R Gault, M Laverty, N Shannon, M Carberry

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Southside Youths U15s 2 Northend United U15s 3 Shield Final Monday 23rd April 2012

The Northend Blues completed a unique BEAIYL League, Cup and Shield Treble on Monday Night when they defeated local derby rivals, Southside Youths 3-2 before a large crowd of parents and spectators at a sunny Mallusk. Once again the Southside keeper pulled off a series of good saves, especially in the second half, to frustrate the Northend strikers.

The game started off with the Northend defence of Hanlon, O'Neill, Swan and Laverty in top form and Speirs and Swann in the Blues midfield winning the important challenges against their Southside counterparts.

Down the Northend wings, McAvoy and Hare were causing the Southside defence problems with their forward play. Indeed both players were a constant thorn in the Southside defence for the entire match. Bryan Etherson partnered Keith Hall in the Northend forward line.

Playing into a strong sun, Northend dominated the open ten minutes of the game and they were unlucky when a few opening chances went a begging, one in particular when as the Southside defence watched, Stephen Hare chased a lost cause, retrieved the ball and forced the Southside goalkeeper to make a good save at his near post.

However, Northend couldn't convert their early superiority into goals and on fifteen minutes, a high ball into the Northend box deceived everyone and ended up in the top corner of the Northend net, giving Southside a 1-0 lead.

Worse was to follow for Northend when ten minutes later a corner was conceded. Some slack marking by Northend allowed the Southside striker to get on the end of the ball and head home past Richard Sloan in the Northend net.

The Northend defence continued to struggle with the very sunny conditions and Richard "The Cat" Sloan was called upon to make a great save to keep Northend in the game.

However Northend began to regain their grip on the game and Stephen Hare and Anthony McAvoy were involved in some good play before Jamie Speirs played an excellent through ball to Keith Hall. The big Northend striker outpaced his marker and fired a great shot past the Southside keeper, to leave the score 2-1. Northend continued to press for the rest of the half but with no further scoring the half time score remained 2-1 to Southside.

The Northend management knew that the conditions were in their favour for the second half and The Blues came out with all guns blazing for the second period.

Northend worked the ball well down their wings, again with Hare and McAvoy in the thick of the action. The Northend midfield of Speirs, Swann and Etherson dominated this half, providing the drive for all the Northend play.

Northend went on to dominate this half from start to finish with the Southside keeper again excelling with save after save.

In a frantic opening twenty minutes to the half, the keeper pushed shots from Bryan Etherson, Anthony McAvoy and Keith Hall around the post.

Man of the Match Etherson went on a charging run down the Northend left wing and from his cross the ball flashed across the Southside goalmouth with nobody able to get the simpliest of touches to score.

On twenty-five minutes a superb throughball from Bryan Etherson released Anthony McAvoy down the Northend right wing. As he ran from almost the half way line, his pinpoint cross was met by the ever alert Stephen Hare to head the ball into the Southside net to leave the score 2-2.

Northend continued to take the game to Southside, looking for a winner in the final few minutes of the game. With only five minutes of normal time remaining, Bryan Etherson was fouled inside he Southside box and the referee awarded a penalty. Keith Hall steeped up to take the penalty and scored to send the Northend team wild with excitement.

Thomas Brady and Ryan Gault replaced the tiring McAvoy and Hare and both players went on to cause Southside problems in the dying minutes of the game.

Southside went in look of an equaliser deep into injury time but the Northend defence of Hanlon, O'Neill, Swan and Laverty held firm to the end, leaving the final score 3-2 to Northend.This was another good performance from Northend with Bryan Etherson winning the Referee's Player of the Match on the night.

Northend would like to thank all those parents and friends who turned up on the night to cheer the Boys on.

Man of the Match: Bryan Etherson

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, M Laverty, A McAvoy, N Swann, J Speirs (c), B Etherson, S Hare, K Hall, T Brady, R Gault, A O'Donnell, N Shannon

Glendowan U15s 5 Northend United U15s2 Saturday 21st April 2012

Northend off this match the stronger team and Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann went close with some good shots but the Glendowan keeper was equal to these.

After twelve minutes of this game, the Blues defence seem to press the self-destruct button and for a period of fifteen minutes, Glendowan went on to score 3 goals, two of which were poor marking from corners.

Northend came back at Glendowan and Keith Hall's shot was again well saved by the Glendowan keeper. As play swung from end to end, Glendowan won another corner and again the Northend defence didn't pick them up and the big striker score to make the score 4-0.

This was the queue for Northend to wake up at last and in the last fifteen minutes of this half, the Glendowan keeper saved no less than six shots that looked they had goal written on them. Northend's Man of the match knew it was one of those days when he saw the keeper save a hat-trick of shots, followed by good saves from Stephen Hare, Bryan Etherson and Thomas Brady. Half-time score 4-0

Ryan Gault replaced Swan at half-time and the Blues came out looking for an opening goal in the second half. The Glendowan keeper was having one of those games and he next saved from Stephen Hare to push the ball onto the post.

Again as play swung from end to end, Glendowan won another corner and again Northend didn't defend properly and allowed Glendowan to increase their lead. Aidan O'Donnell replaced Brady and Northend kept pressing Glendowan. When they were awarded a free kick twenty-five yards out, Benny O'Neill stepped up and scored a great shot into the top corner of the Glendowan net, to leave the score 5-1. Northend kept pressing and from a Jamie Speirs free-kick, Bryan Etherson somehow missed scoring a goal with an open net at his mercy.

Shortly afterwards, a Glendowan striker was sent off for a very unsavoury incident off the ball, when he punched a Northend player in the face.

Northend went on to score another goal, when Keith Hall picked up a great pass from Niall Swann and went on to score with a good shot. With no further scoring, the match finished 5-2 to Glendowan.

Man of the Match: Jamie Speirs

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, M Laverty, A McAvoy, B Etherson, J Speirs (c), N Swann, S Hare, K Hall, T Brady, R Gault, A O'Donnell, N Shannon

Northend United U15s 3 Southside Youths U15s 0 Knock-Out Cup Final Monday 16th April 2012

The Northend Blues completed a unique BEAIYL League and Cup Double on Monday Night when they defeated local team, Southside Youths 3-0 before a very large crowd of parents and spectators at a windy Mallusk. The score would have been much more had it not been for an outstanding performance from the big Southside keeper who pulled off save after save to keep the hungry Blues team at bay.

The game started off with the Northend defence of Hanlon, O'Neill, Swan and Laverty in top form and Speirs and Etherson in the Blues midfield winning the important challenges against their Southside counterparts.

Down the Northend wings, McAvoy and Hare were causing the Southside defence problems with their forward play. Indeed Stephen Hare went on to have a super first half where he was a constant thorn in the Southside defence.

Niall Swann passed a late fitness test in the match warm-up to lead the Northend forward line along with the pacey Keith Hall.

Northend opened the scoring after some close calls on the Southside goal, when Stephen Hare once again created space down the Northend right wing and his pass back to Speirs was crossed to Keith Hall in the Southside box and his cool finish gave the Southside keeper no chance.

This goal really lifted the Blues and they continued to attack the Southside defence with Niall Swann prominent in every Northend attack. After twenty minutes, Jonny Hanlon went on one of his trademark overlapping runs and as he entered the Southside box was bundled over for a penalty. Jamie Speirs stepped up to take the penalty but a good save from the Southside keeper pushed the ball around the post for a corner. Speirs floated the ball over from the corner and Niall Swann got on the end of it, to head the ball into the Southside net and give the Blues a 2-0 lead.

Southside came more into the game after this but found Benny O'Neill and Ross Swan winning every ball in the centre of the Northend defence. As half time approached, Stephen Hare was bundled over as he challenged for the ball and the referee awarded another penalty. Surely lightening wouldn't strike twice? Brian Etherson stepped up to take this penalty but lifted the ball too high over the crossbar. Northend had missed a great chance to kill off this game in the first half. The score remained 2-0 to Northend at half-time.

Southside came out strongly in the second half but Speirs and Etherson were closing down every Southside move and the Northend defence were rarely troubled with the Southside strikers. With a strong wind in their favour this half the Southside team tried the high ball into the Northend box but found Richard Sloan in the Northend nets, dealing comfortably with every ball.

Midway through the half Northend was awarded a corner and from a Speirs cross, the ball was only partially cleared and Anthony McAvoy unleashed a super shot that had goal written all over it but once again the Southside keeper pulled off an excellent save to push the ball over the post. From the resultant corner, Northend thought they had scored their third goal when it looked like the ball had crossed the Southside goal-line before it was cleared, only for the referee to wave play on. With eleven minutes of the match remaining, Niall Swann went on a probing run at the Southside defence only to be bundled over in their box. The referee awarded a penalty to the Blues and this was the queue for Southside to start loosing their discipline. Keith Hall made no mistake with Northend's third penalty of the night to score his second of the match and Northend's third.

Northend introduced Ryan Gault, Thomas Brady, Aidan O'Donnell and Niall Shannon as Northend went in search of more goals. Indeed Big Gaultie could have increased the scoring when he cut inside from a run down the right wing and unleashed a super shot but once again the Southside keeper pushed it around the post. Northend saw out the remaining few minutes of the game against a Southside team now reduced to nine men, to win a convincing victory. This was again a super team performance from the Northend Blues with Michael Laverty winning the Referees Man of the Match on the night.

Man of the Match: Michael Laverty and Team Performance

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, M Laverty, A McAvoy, B Etherson, J Speirs (c), N Swann, S Hare, K Hall, T Brady, R Gault, A O'Donnell, N Shannon

Northend United U15s 1 Southside Youths U15s 1 Saturday 14th April 2012

This local derby match, played at Smithfield, began at a frantic pace with both sides looking for a win.

In an open first half with both sides creating chances, Southside took the lead after twenty-five minutes when a throw in somehow went in via a slight deflection. This was how the scoreline remained at half time.

Into the second half, with a rejuvenated Northend feeling they had let themselves down in the first half, began to push forward and take the play to Southside. With a few robust tackles flying in, Northend player Niall Swann had to be carried off the pitch and taken to casualty from a tackle that nobody wants to see in youth football.

Midway through the second half and from a cross into the Southside box, Keith Hall headed the ball against the Southside crossbar and from the resultant loose ball, Bryan Etherson scored with a super volley to level the score at 1-1 which was how the scoreline remained at the final whistle.

This draw still leaves Northend unbeaten all season. All at Northend sends their best wishes to Niall for a speedy recovery from his injury.

Man of the Match: Jonny Hanlon

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B Etherson, R Swan, A McAvoy, J Speirs (c), N Swann, T Brady, S Hare, K Hall, R Gault, M Laverty, A O'Donnell, N Shannon

Ballyclare Colts U15s 2 Northend United U15s 7 Saturday 31st March 2012

Northend went into this match knowing a win would see them crowned League Champions for 2011-12. Right from the kick-off the Ballymena Boys played some delightful football with their trademark passing and move game.

Niall Swann was unlucky in the first five minutes when he headed narrowly over the crossbar from a free kick. However Jamie Speirs opened the scoring on ten minutes when a Keith hall shot was only parried by the keeper and Speirs followed in to score from close range.

Niall Swann was causing all sorts of problems for the Ballyclare defence from corners and he was again unlucky when his header cannoned off the crossbar from a Thomas Brady corner.

Jamie Speirs was having a fine game in midfield and he increased the Blues scoring when he picked up a McAvoy pass twenty-five yards out and drilled his shot into the top corner of the net, giving the Ballyclare keeper no chance.

The Northend midfield of Speirs , Swann, Brady and McAvoy were pulling all the strings and Thomas Brady scored Northend's third goal when he cut in from the left wing and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from twenty yards to make the score 3-0.

Northend were piling on the pressure and from a Brady corner, big Niall Swann saw his header sail narrowly over the Ballyclare crossbar, Keith Hall was next to score for the Blues, when he outpaced his defender and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the Ballyclare net to leave the score 4-0 to the Blues.

Northend kept up their relentless pressure in the first half and Anthony McAvoy was next to score for the Blues when the keeper could only parry a Stevie Hare shot and McAvoy volleyed the ball into the Ballyclare net from the rebound.

On the stroke of half-time, Jamie Speirs completed his hat-trick, when he single handed, ran from just inside the Ballyclare half, leaving four Ballyclare defenders in his wake, and beat the keeper with a low shot, leaving the half-time score 6-0.

The Blues knew they had one hand on the League Championship but needed another thirty-five minutes hard work before they could be crowned League Champions. Again the Blues started the second half strongly and after five minutes were awarded a free-kick from thirty yards out. Brian Etherson hit a superb shot into the top corner of the Ballyclare net, giving their keeper no chance.

Manager Speirs brought on substitutes Ryan Gault, Niall Shannon, Aidan O'Donnell and Benny O'Neill, replacing Speirs, Hanlon, Swann and Hall.

Ballyclare never gave up and came more into the game in the second half. They pulled their first goal back when a free-kick beat Richard Sloan in the Northend net and further increased their scoring when a long range shot hit the back of the Northend net with power., leaving the score 7-2 at this stage of the game. Indeed Ballyclare could have further increased their lead only for an acrobatic save from Richard "The Cat" Sloan in the Blues net. During this time, Niall Shannon was outstanding for the Blues in his defensive role, blocking out the threat of the Ballyclare strikeforce.

However, Northend came more into the game and won a free kick twenty yards out and Benny O'Neill's curling shot hit the underside of the crossbar and post and was cleared to safety. With Aidan O'Donnell having a good game up front he was instrumental in a late rally for the Blues when his shot just dipped over the crossbar and from Hare's pass, Thomas Brady saw a shot go narrowly wide of the upright. However as the referee blew for full-time, the Blues knew they had won their first League Championship and the party could begin.

Northend would like to thank Ballyclare Colts and the referee for observing a one minutes silence for a good friend and supporter of the Northend players who suddenly and tragically lost his life recently. Much appreciated from all the Northend Boys.

Finally a big thank you from the coaching staff to all the parents who have followed the team all season, and who today turned out in force to see the Boys win their first League title.

Man of the Match: The Duck

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B Etherson, R Swan, M Laverty, A McAvoy, J Speirs (c), N Swann, T Brady, S Hare, K Hall, R Gault, A O'Donnell, N Shannon, B O'Neill

Willowbank U15s 1 Northend United U15s 2 Saturday 24th March 2012

Northend started off this match against a much changed Willowbank team in top gear and from a series of early corners, they should have opened their scoring. Niall Swann headed narrowly over the crossbar, Benny O'Neill hit the crossbar direct from the corner and the ball went narrowly past the upright with the third attempt.

However as the early goalscoring chances weren't taken by the Blues, and Willowbank came more into the game with some robust play in midfield.

The Northend defence of Hanlon, Swan, O'Neill and Etherson dealt with whatever Willowbank threw at them until twenty-five minutes into the match, when a cross wasn't picked up and the Willowbank striker beat the Northend keeper, Ryan Gault, with a good shot.

Northend kept pressing forward with some good work from Keith Hall and Jamie Speirs but couldn't open their scoring on the very bumpy pitch. The half-time score remained 1-0 to Willowbank

Richard Sloan was introduced at half-time for the Blues and a change in tactics led to Ross Swan pushing forward into midfield as the Blues tried to get back in the game. With some good work from Swann and Brady in midfield the Blues began to take the game to Willowbank. Michael Laverty replaced Hare shortly after half-time and his persistent running began to cause problems for Willowbank.

Northend drew level when Hall broke down the Northend left wing and his cross was met by Ross Swan who beat the keeper with a low shot, leaving the game finely balanced at 1-1.

Northend thought they had taken the lead shortly afterwards when the ball was cleared by the Willowbank defence from behind their goal line, following a good cross from Thomas Brady.

The Blues began to take control of the match and had a series of calls for a penalty turned away from the referee when Niall Swann, Keith Hall and Jamie Speirs were all upended in the Willowbank box.

However they eventually took the lead when Niall Swann was upended in the box and up stepped Jamie Speirs to put the Blues ahead in the match at 2-1.

Aidan O'Donnell replaced Brady and his unselfish running and passing set up a good chance for Hall, which should have been converted the chance but his shot went wide of the upright.

Keith Hall did have the ball in the net shortly afterwards when he outpaced his marker and his shot found the bottom corner of the net, only for the referee to award a free kick against him in a very strange decision.

With time running out in the match, Northend saw out the remaining minutes, to reach their second final of the season.

Northend now look forward to playing Ballyclare Colts next week, where three points will clinch them their first League Title in what has been a very successful season to date.

Man of the Match: Brian Etherson

Panel: R Gault, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, B Etherson, T Brady, A McAvoy, J Speirs (c), N Swann, S Hare, K Hall, R Gault, M Laverty, R Sloan, A O'Donnell, N Shannon

Antrim Rovers U15s 2 Northend United U15s 6 Saturday 7th March 2012

The Blues took one step closer to their first League title with a 6-2 win over Antrim Rovers on Saturday at the Forum in a scoreline that doesn't reflect the Ballymena Boys total dominance of this game.

Playing some of their best football of the season, Northend are really hitting form in the vital run-in to the end of the season.

In a one-sided first half the Blues midfield of Brady, Swann, Hare and Gault were dominating the play. Northend opened the scoring after fifteen minutes when Thomas Brady won the ball in the middle of the park and looked up and seeing the keeper off his line, hit a thunderous shot that struck the back of the net.

Northend looked dangerous with a series of corners with Niall Swann going close on two occasions, only to see the keeper make some good saves. However the keeper wasn't so lucky with Swann's third attempt when he got on the end of a Benny O'Neill corner and powered the ball into the back of the net, giving the Blues a 2-0 cushion.

As Northend kept pushing for another goal, the Antrim keeper pulled off excellent saves from a Stephen Hare shot and a Benny O'Neill cross that was destined for the top corner of the net. However with no further scoring the half-time score remained 2-0 to the Blues.

The second half started with Jonny Hanlon and Michael Laverty getting forward at every opportunity and Ross Swan looking dangerous in his forays forward.

The Blues further increased their lead when Jamie Speirs jinxed his way past three Antrim defenders in the penalty box and crossed for Keith Hall to slam the ball past the Antrim keeper to lave the score 3-0.

Northend kept pressing for another goal and were caught out when a long clearance for the Antrim defender allowed the Antrim striker to run on and slide the ball past Richard Sloan in the Northend nets.

Stephen Hare was next to go close for Northend when his jinxing run ended up with the final shot striking the upright with the keeper well beaten.

With Thomas Brady having an excellent game in midfield, the Blues won another corner. From O'Neill's cross, Niall Swann was again on hand to score past the Antrim keeper from an Anthony McAvoy knock-down.

The Blues conceded a free-kick just inside their own half and the Antrim Captain struck an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner of the Northend net, giving Richard Sloan no chance, leaving the score 4-2 in the bright sunshine.

This goal was the cue for the Jamie Speirs show to begin. On an attacking run at the Antrim defence, he firstly saw the keeper pull off a great save, pushing his shot onto the crossbar, before hitting the upright with another stinging shot. Just when it looked like he wasn't going to score, Speirs picked up a loose ball from a corner on the edge of the box and steered a good shot past the Antrim to leave the score 5-2 to Northend.

Speirs was buzzing at this time and from another run, he glided past two Antrim defenders, only to see the keeper make another great save from his shot.

With Niall Shannon prominent at the back for Northend, they weren't finished yet and Keith Hall scored his second of the match when he latched on to a throughball and beat the keeper with a low shot, leaving the final score 6-2 to the Blues.

The Ballymena Boys now look forward to a Cup semi-final and challenging for the League title in the next few weeks, having already qualified for the first Shield final of the season.

Men of the Match: Jamie Speirs, Thomas Brady

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, M Laverty, J Speirs (c), N Swann, T Brady, S Hare, K Hall, R Gault, N Shannon, A McAvoy

Larne Youth U15s 2 Northend United U15s 3 Saturday 10th March 2012

The Northend Blues reached their first final of the season when they beat Larne 3-2 to head up their section and now meat local neighbours, Southside, in the first of this season's finals.

Larne started off this match the stronger and put Northend on the defensive straight away. Ross Swan, Jonny Hanlon and Benny O'Neill had to be on top of their game to keep the eager Larne forwards at bay.

However as the half worn on, the Blues came more into the game, with Etherson, Speirs and Swan prominent in midfield.

Northend took the lead midway through the half, when Keith Hall got his head on the end of a Brian Etherson cross, and headed the ball past the Larne keeper.

The Blues kept up the pressure for the rest of the half but couldn't add to their scoring. Half time score 1-0 Northend

The Blues started off the second half strongly with Stephen Hare causing problems for the Larne defence. After some approach play, Ryan Gault found himself with time inside the Larne penalty area and his low shot beat the Larne keeper to give the Blues a 2-0 lead.

Larne clawed their way back into the game when from a free kick just outside the Blues penalty box, their striker scored with a shot into the top corner of the Northend net.

Larne lifted their game and began to take the game to Northend. When they won another free kick, their high ball into the Northend box was met by a shot from their striker into the Northend net. Game on at 2-2. Larne kept pressing at Northend and another shot struck the Northend crossbar.

With time running out, and the match heading for a draw, Thomas Brady had other ideas. When he gained control of the ball thirty yards out, he beat two defenders and lobbed the ball over the keeper's head into the top corner of the Larne net, to score a contender for goal of the season.

Northend saw out the last few minutes of the game to record another win and now reach their first final of the season, in the Shield competition.

Man of the Match: Thomas Brady

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, T Brady, A McAvoy, B Etherson, J Speirs (c), N Swann, S Hare, K Hall, R Gault, M Laverty, N Shannon

Glendowan U15s 0 Northend United U15s 2 Saturday 3rd March 2012

The Northend Blues U15s travelled to Mallusk on Saturday for a Shield match against Glendowan, knowing a win would keep them at the top of this Top Four Competition.

The Blues started this match strongly and from a Benny O'Neill corner, Keith Hall headed the ball narrowly over the crossbar.

Northend weren't having it their own way and the Glendowan midfield began to play some good passing football but found the Blues defence of Swan, O'Neill and Hanlon in good form.

With Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann stamping their authority on the game, Northend took control of this game. Keith Hall had a shot cleared off the Glendowan goal line with their keeper well beaten before the same player gave Northend the lead shortly afterwards. Anthony McAvoy's inch perfect pass found Keith Hall who outpaced his marker and scored with a low shot into the corner of the net.

Northend kept up the pressure for the remainder of this half but with no further scoring, the half time score remained 1-0 to Northend.

Glendowan came out the stronger at the start of the second half with some good play but gradually Northend came more into the game. Ryan Gault and Michael Laverty were introduced to the game.

Stephen Hare who was having a quiet afternoon by his own standards, suddenly burst into life. On a jinxing run, he left two defenders in his wake and unleashed a shot which came off the underside of the crossbar and when the ball wasn't properly cleared, Ryan Gault was on hand to score with a fierce shot which gave the keeper no chance.

This goal lifted Northend and Hare again went close with another low shot which sailed agonisingly past the post. Keith Hall was next to go close for the Blues when his shot went narrowly past the post.

With time running out, Richard "The Cat" Sloan pulled off a good reflex goalmouth save to keep the score at 2-0. The Blues put in a disciplined performance for the rest of the game against the Glendowan street-wise brand of football. Niall Shannon was introduced to the game for the Blues and he helped them run down the clock until the final whistle.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, A McAvoy, J Speirs (c), N Swann, T Brady, S Scott, S Hare, K Hall, R Gault, M Laverty, N Shannon