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Ballymena United 3 Northend United 0 Saturday 9th April 2022

The Macaulay Wray sponsored U15s went into this game on the back of two straights wins including one against the Sky Blues. The game started at a frantic pace with early chances for both sides with the cross bar coming to the Blues rescue on a couple of occasions.

The Northend midfield trio that had dominated the previous games were being crowded out making it hard for the Blues to gain an advantage. On 17 minutes a long ball over the top of the Blues defence looked like an off-side call but McIlhatton had followed the runner playing Archer on and the big striker found the net.

The Blues battled hard to get back into the game with Matchett missing two guilt-edge chances to level the game. A second goal for the sky blues late in the half left the Northend boys with a battle on their hands in the second half. Half time 2-0

The second half saw the introduction of Campbell, Maka and Penney in an effort to inject some life into the game. In a 15-minute spell Northend had the lion share of the possession and created a host of chances without really troubling the Ballymena keeper. A third goal killed the game off and it petered out with an unusual lack of derby passion.

This was a flat performance compared to recent weeks with only Stewart, McIlhatton, McKay, Stephens, Crooks and Maka looking near their best. Full time 3-0

Panel: J Stewart, P Finnegan, J Kaczmarek, J McIlhatton, F McKay, F Connon, D McLaughlin, B Stephens, M O’Donnell, R Crooks, J Greer, C Matchett, L Campbell, F Penney, O Maka

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Lower Maze 0 Northend United 2 Saturday 2nd April 2022

The Macaulay Wray sponsored 07s were back in action against Lower Maze at Wallace Park, with a significant drop in temperature the blues fans were hoping for a fiery encounter. The Northend boys started on the front foot and in the first 5 minutes Connon could have grabbed a hat-trick twice forcing a fine save from the keeper and then a 3rd effort was cleared off the line.

The blues continued to force the game with Stephens, McLaughlin and Crooks dominating the middle of the park. On 13 minutes O’Donnell set off down the right on a trademark run leaving 3 players in his wake, just as it looked like he was going to run out of grass the winger fired a thunderous cross into the 6-yard box which Crooks thumped first time to the net. Lower Maze were struggling to break down a strong physical Blues defence where McIlhatton, Matchett and McKay were on form. Chances continued to flow and when Connon swivelled on the edge of the box and fired a thunderous shot that the keeper could only parry that man Crooks was on hand again to slot home from close range.

The only negative from the first half was an injury to Finnegan though this prompted a challenge for Campbell as he took up a right back slot and the striker saw out the half like seasoned defender. Half time 0-2

The second half saw the introduction of Kaczmarek after missing the derby the previous week, this didn’t make the task any easier for the Lower Maze boys with the big centre-half putting in a performance any gladiator would have been proud of. The Blues seemed content to control the game and soak up anything the opposition had to offer though there were good chances for Campbell and Crooks.

The introduction of Penney and McDonnell added fresh legs and yielded a 5-minute burst of energy before the game settled back into autopilot. To be fair the Blues have played much better at times this season and lost, it was another controlled performance with the defence solid throughout. Man of the match goes to Crooks with his driving runs and sharpness around the box putting him back amongst the goals. Full time 0-2

Man of the Match: Robert Crooks

Panel: J Stewart, P Finnegan, C Matchett, C McIlhatton, F McKay, F Connon, D McLaughlin, B Stephens, M O’Donnell, R Crooks, J Greer, J Kaczmarek, L Campbell, F Penney, M McDonald

Northend United 2 Ballymena United 1 Saturday 26th March 2022

The Macaulay Wray sponsored 07s were in action against local rivals Ballymena at sun drenched Moira Park on Saturday. The game started at a frantic pace with Greer and Crooks having early chances for the blues and a period of early Ballymena pressure not enough to trouble the solid back four Northend.

After the initial exchanges the Northend boys settled down and began to take a grip on midfield with McLaughlin, Stephens and Crooks winning tackles and keeping possession. The Blues were playing a high pressing game making it very difficult for the Sky blues to get anytime with the ball. A surging run down the left by Connon created an opportunity for Greer but his shot was turned around the post, from the resulting corner McLaughlin’s effort was well blocked by Bell. On 18 minutes the breakthrough came when Greer picked the pocket of the defender, outpaced Bell and slotted home to the corner of the net. The half continued with Northend controlling possession but not adding to their goal tally. Half time 1-0

The introduction of Campbell almost paid immediate dividends, Crooks was pulled back as he played the ball through to the striker, Campbell held possession and slipped between 2 defenders only for the referee to call play back for the initial foul. From the resulting free kick Finnegan fired in a curling effort which Carson turned away.

Ten minutes into the second half a long clearance from Stewart in the Northern goal was lobbed back goal wards by McNeill, Goodier made the most of hesitancy by the centre backs to turn on the edge of the box and fire home the equaliser very much against the run of play. Ballymena lifted by the goal attacked again almost immediately as McNeill’s long-range effort looked goal bound only for Stewart to dive low to his left and pull the ball from the air. The introduction of former Sky Blue Penney added a little spice to the game as Northend took control again and pushed for a winner with McIlhatton, Crooks and Matchett all going close. A double substitution of Maka and McDonald brought a sharpness back to the Blues for the closing stages and with 5 minutes remaining Maka’s tenacity helped win the ball on the left, he passed to Crooks and his through ball saw McDonald hold off the Bell twins and finish coolly past the out rushing Carson.

The Blues finished strongly and saw out the rest of the half to chalk up their second derby victory of the season. This was a mature and disciplined performance from the entire squad, defensively solid throughout, midfield worked tirelessly and those who played the lone striker role led from the front. Special mention though to McDonald who has missed a lot of football the last few months through illness, a centre half by nature finishing like a centre forward is a wonderful way to win a derby. Full time 2-1

Panel: J Stewart, P Finnegan, C Matchett, J McIlhatton, F McKay, F Connon, D McLaughlin, B Stephens, M O’Donnell, R Crooks, J Greer, L Campbell, F Penney, O Maka, M McDonald

Northend United 0 Portadown 2 Saturday 12th March 2022

The Macaulay Wray sponsored 07s were in action against new table toppers Portadown at Wallace Park on Saturday. The Blues started brightly creating a couple of early chances with Greer and Crooks going close.

The first half brought chances for both sides but defences and goalkeepers were dictating the outcomes with Stewart looking back to his confident self in the Northend goal. Half time 0-0

The second half started very much as the first with both sides having early chances, it was the Ports who finally took advantage 10 minutes into the half taking the lead with an interchange on the edge of the box and a cool finish from close range.

The Blues continued to play the lion’s share of the football and in a 5-minute spell Campbell hit the post, Crooks picked up a poor kick out beat a defender and saw his effort cleared off the line. From the resulting corner the Ports somehow managed to scramble clear 3 quick fire attempts on goal.

With 4 minutes remaining the Blues were caught on the counterattack in what looked a dubious offside decision led to a second goal for the Ports.

Another day when the Blues deserved much more from the game but against the top sides you need to take your chances and have a little luck. The positive thing is that every player in blue and white performed to their ability giving a 8+ performance. Full time 0-2

Panel: J Stewart, P Finnegan, J Kaczmarek, C McIlhatton, F McKay, F Connon, D McLaughlin, M O’Donnell, R Crooks, J Greer, C Matchett, L Campbell, F Penney, R Stephens, M McDonald

Tollymore United 4 Northend United 1 Saturday 5th March 2022

The Macaulay Wray sponsored 07s were in action against table toppers Tollymore at Wallace Park on Saturday. The Blues started brightly creating a couple of early chances with Greer and Stephens going close. With 25 minutes on the clock, it was an evenly balanced game with both defences sticking to their plan.

In an effort to get an advantage before half-time Campbell came on to spearhead the attack. At the other end a long hopeful ball into the Northend box resulted in a 30 second game of pinball with the final touch from Simmons finding the net. Northend looked for an instant reply, McLaughlin picked up the ball in the middle of the park, turned his man brilliantly and set Finnegan clear on the right wing his through ball found Campbell who found space in the box only to see this effort hit the post.

As with any sport fine margins can determine outcomes, form the next attack Tollymore doubled their lead with a strike from just outside the box. Half time 2-0

Northend made a few changes at half-time with Connon going into goals and Penney coming on in the middle of the park. The half started very much like the previous 35 minutes with both sides creating chances. On 12 minutes a reckless challenge by McIlhatton gave Tollymore a spot kick, despite Connon picking the right side he couldn’t keep the effort out. The Blues refused to roll over and dominated the next 15, Matchett now operating up top, was quickest to react to a back pass and fire home for close range. Tollymore were rattled and chances came and went foe the Blues as they pushed for a 12th March 2022 goal. With almost the last kick of the game a long-range clearance beat Connon who had just cleared the ball on the edge of his box.

On the final whistle both teams struggled to make sense of the final score line with the Tollymore Coach putting a fair degree of it down to ‘the rub of the green’. This was an entertaining game played in a very sporting manner with both sides keen to play the game as it should be played. For Northend it was a case of everyone playing their part for large portions of the game. Once again McLaughlin was showing the form that has earned him a starting place but special mention to Kaczmarek who was absolutely immense at centre-half, his strength, athleticism and dominance in the air made him the undisputed MOTM. Full time 4-1

Man of the Match: Jakub Kaczmarek

Panel: J Stewart, P Finnegan, J Kaczmarek, O Maka, C McIlhatton, F McKay, B Stephens, D McLaughlin, C Matchett, P Crooks, J Greer, F Connon, F Penney, M O’Donnell, L Campbell