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Lisburn Rovers 6 Northend United 3 Saturday 4th December

On a bitterly cold morning in Wallace Park these two teams served up a true cup semi-final feast. It was Northend who started brightest as Crooks and Matchett went close. On 20 minutes Lisburn broke the deadlock as hesitancy in defence gave the right winger space to get his cross in and Pearson put the reds in front. Northend introduced Campbell and he almost had the perfect entrance, but he spurned a chance from close range. On 28 minutes Finnegan set Stephens free down the right as the winger cut inside, he was unceremoniously upended, Finnegan stepped up to find the top corner with superb free-kick.

As has been the case this season when these two meet a 4 minute spell at the end of the first half saw Lisburn score two quick goals giving the Blues a mountain to climb. Half time 3-1

An early chance for Lisburn could have killed the game off but Stewart produced an excellent save. The introduction of Greer was the beginning of a period of dominance, his first tackle was one he probably had no right to win but it set Campbell clear down the left, his cross found Crooks who was denied by an excellent save. McIlhatton was next up with a crunching challenge and fine pass to Crooks, the midfielder’s through ball sent Campbell clear, his first touch took him past the last defender and he danced around the keeper to slot home. The tide had turned as O’Donnell caused havoc down the right providing quality ball into the danger area time and time again. Lisburn couldn’t get the ball out of their half and when Campbell’s flick was stopped by an outstretched arm the ref awarded a penalty. Crooks held his nerve and fired home low in the corner to make it 3-3. Crooks and Campbell both had chances to put the Blues in front, but McCartney produced 2 first class saves. In a disappointing last 8 minutes two scrappy goals from set pieces ended the contest.

This was a classic cup tie with lots of goals, a see-saw scoreboard, big tackles and a competitive niggle. For the third time this season both sets of coaches shared a head scratching moment on the final whistle as the Blues were on the wrong side of the result. The second half fight back was encouraging and there were some excellent spells of football but 5 minutes in each half were to prove costly. O’Donnell was outstanding in the second half on the right wing, Campbell showed glimpses of his old-self, but player of the match goes to Finnegan a young man relishing his new role at full-back. Full time 6-3

Player of the Match: Peter Finnegan

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

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Northend United 2 Chimney Corner 4 Saturday 20th November 2021

After a couple of flat performances, the Blues looked to bounce back with an early start in Moira against Chimney Corner. With three regular starters missing including goalkeeper Stewart a bit of shuffling was required to find a back 4 to start, on a positive note Campbell was on the bench following an absence with a fractured ankle.

Chimney Corner created an early chance, but Matchett closed down the on rushing striker forcing his effort wide. In reply Crooks beat 4 players down the left and let fly from inside the box but his effort hit the post and bounced to safety. Corner’s next foray forward brought dividends as they scored from close range. Despite both teams hitting the woodwork the half finished with just a goal between them. Half time 0-1

The slow start curse of recent games continued as Corner doubled their lead within 3 minutes of the restart, then a speculative shot from distance beat Matchett to make it 3. McLaughlin and McDonnell were battling hard in the middle of the park with McLaughlin’s tricky feet opening the game up, but the Blues couldn’t find the finish. A long ball over the top of the Blues defence found the Corner striker who slotted home a 4th as the Blues defence looked for a reasonable off-side shout.

With seven minutes to go a good move involving McKay and McDonnell found Campbell on the left his cross evaded everyone, but Maguire crossed from the right and Crooks rose highest to head home. Three minutes later the same two players were involved as Campbell crossed for Maguire to slide in at the back post to score. Too little too late for the Blues who again looked lack lustre for long spells of this game. Finnegan was pick of the defence, Crooks and McDonnell battled hard in the middle of the park with McLaughlin putting in a man of the match performance. Next up for the Blues is a NIBFA last 32 tie against Dungannon Swifts with much to do this week. Full time 2-4

Panel: C Matchett, P Finnegan, M McDonnell, O Maka, F McKay, M O’Donnell, C McIlhatton, D McLaughlin, C Maguire, R Crooks, Kaczmarek, L Campbell, J Greer

Northend United 2 Lisburn Rovers 4 Saturday 6th November 2021

The first game of the league saw the Blues play the Lisburn boys hoping to avenge a first game defeat in the supplementary league in September. With Campbell still a few weeks off fitness and 4 late withdrawals due to sickness the Blues were down to the bare eleven.

Lisburn started the brighter of the two teams and created a couple of early chances, but Stewart was quick off his line to snuff out the danger. Caught in possession coming out of defence McKay could only watch as his man’s cross was turned in by the Lisburn striker from close range. The Blues steadied the ship with Crooks and Greer getting a grip in the middle of the park. O’Donnell was causing problems for Lisburn down the right forcing 6 corners in as many minutes. The period of pressure finally yielded dividends as Connon found O’Donnell who skipped past his man and slid the ball through to Crooks, the midfielder held off 2 defenders, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

Northend continued to control the game and should really have gone in a couple of goals up at the break. Half time 1-1

The second half will be remembered for a crazy first 8 minutes where the Blues conceded 3 goals. The first Stewart pulled off a flying save but the defence were flat footed as the striker headed home the rebound. The 3rd Connon was uncharacteristically out muscled in the box and his man slotted home from close range.

Credit to Northend who regrouped and fought their way back into the game, Greer making his first start of the season was excellent in midfield breaking up play time and time again. Kaczmarek was working hard up top and had a couple of good opportunities. With 11 minutes to go O’Donnell skipped past two on the right and fired a thunderous cross that ended up in the net. In a hectic last ten minutes the Blues had a goal disallowed that VAR would have found easy to overturn. Crooks, Maguire and Kaczmarek asked questions of the Lisburn keeper.

This was a battling performance from the eleven who started and finished the game, Stewart was assured in goals, Matchett, O’ Donnell and McKay solid in defence. Crooks and O’Donnell worked tirelessly in the middle of the park but special mention to Greer who looked back to his old self and has certainly given his coaches something to think about. Full time 2-4

Panel: J Stewart, F Connon, C Matchett, M McDonnell, F McKay, C Maguire, R Crooks, J Greer, P Finnegan, M O’Donnell, J Kaczmarek