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Northend United 0 Donegal Celtic 4 Saturday 18th April 2015

This was a typical end of season encounter with Northend down to the bare bones for this game. The Northend defence were always up against it in this match and they conceded two early goals in the first half. Gradually Northend began to claw their way back into this match with Brandon Millar and Jacob Penny providing width down their wings. Ben McGarvey and Aaron Campbell were beginning to get control of the midfield and Matthew Kirk went close to scoring with a good shot which the DC keeper did well to save. The Northend fight-back was effectively killed off minutes before half time when DC scored their third goal. Half time score 0-3

Into the second half and Graeme Macartney was introduced to replace some tired legs. Indeed this nearly proved to be an inspired substitution with Macartney going close with a good shot. As play began to get bogged down in midfield, scoring chances proved few and far between in this half but DC did manage to scored a late fourth goal in this match. Final score 0-4

Panel: J Mark, J Penny, B Millar, D Dobbin (c), J Hayburn, B McGarvey, R Laverty, A Campbell, R Campbell, M Kirk, J Stevenson, G Macartney

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Ballyclare Colts 3 Northend United 1 Saturday 11th April 2015

Northend were missing their regular goalkeeper Josh Mark for this match, with Graeme Macartney stepping in to replace him. However this was a below standard performance from Northend, who found themselves 2-0 down after twenty minutes.

Northend pulled a goal back when Kuba Babuszewski waltzed his way through the Ballyclare defence and chipped the ball over the Ballyclare keeper. Half time score 2-1

Into the second half and with play getting bogged down in midfield, chances were few and far between and the only goal of the half was scored by Ballyclare. Final score 3-1

Panel: G Macartney, J Penny, D Dobbin (c), A Shaw, J Wharry, B McGarvey, J Stevenson, B Millar, J Hayburn, A Campbell S Hutchinson, M Kirk, E McLaughlin, R Campbell, J Adams

Northend United 0 Oxford Sunnyside 6 Saturday 21st March 2014

An understrength Northend team missing a number of regulars turned in a disappointing performance at the weekend in their match against Oxford Sunnyside, a team they drew with only a few weeks ago.

The Blues conceded the first goal after twelve minutes of the game, following a defensive lapse and this was followed by a second goal five minutes later. The Blues were unlucky afterwards when Aaron Campbell found himself in a good position in front of goals but pulled his shot wide of the upright. Oxford added a third goal just before half time. Half time score 0-3

Into the second half and the Blues were making more of a game of it with Brandon Millar and Jordan Adams causing the Oxford midfield all sorts of problems. However Oxford scored a fourth goal after fifteen minutes of the half and the Northend heads began to drop. Oxford ran in two late goals in the half to seal their win. Final score 0-6

Panel: J Mark, J Penny, A Shaw, J Hayburn, E McLaughlin, S Hutchinson, B Millar, J Adams, M Kirk, A Campbell, G Macartney, R Laverty, J Stevenson, R Campbell

Oxford Sunnyside 2 Northend United 2 Saturday 7th March 2015

Northend went into this match full of hope following some recent good performances and they started this game in top gear with Ronan Laverty, Aaron Campbell and Sam Hutchinson in top form.

Northend stormed into a 1-0 lead on ten minutes when Kuba Babuszewski got on the end of a Anthony Shaw free-kick and hooped the ball over the Oxfords keeper's head.

Indeed Babuszewski was stretching the Oxford defence all over the pitch and he just failed to double Northend's lead five minutes later when he got on the end of a Josh Mark goal-kick but saw his shot go inches wide of the Oxford upright.

Northend doubled their lead on twenty-five minutes when another Josh Mark goal-kick was intercepted by Ruairi Campbell who beat his marker down the left wing and crossed the ball into the Oxford penalty area where Sam Hutchinson was on hand to steer the ball past the Oxford keeper. On the stroke of half time the referee made a very poor judgement and dismissed a Blues player, much to the disbelief of the Northend management team. Half time score 2-0

Into the second half and it was always going to be an uphill struggle with ten men. The Blues defence of Declan Dobbin, Jacob Penny and Anthony Shaw were working overtime against the Oxford strikers and Josh Mark was having a good game in the Northend nets.

Oxford pulled a goal back after fifteen minutes of the half when a defensive error let in their striker to plant the ball into the bottom corner of the net. The Ballymena Boys were putting in a full shift against Oxford but conceded a second goal on eight minutes before the end of the game when Oxford scored after a route one ball caught the Blues defence too square.

The Blues seen out the remainder of the game to earn a draw in this game but the Manager was left wondering what could and should have happened. Final score 2-2

It was great to see James Hayburn back in action with the Blues today after his recent illness.

Men of the Match: Josh Mark

Panel: J Mark, J Penny, D Dobbin (c), A Shaw, B Millar, R Laverty, S Hutchinson, A Campbell, R Campbell, K Babuszewski, J Wharry, M Kirk, E McLaughlin, J Adams, J Hayburn