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Northend United U15s 6 Upper Ardoyne U15s 1

The Northend Blues continued their good form of recent weeks when they had a convincing 6-1 win over Upper Ardoyne on Saturday at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

The Blues started the strongest and Hall, Hare and Swann had early chances before Northend opened the scoring on ten minutes when Niall Swann went on a trademark darting run at the Ardoyne defence and from his cross, Bryan Etherson poked the ball home into the corner of the net with the keeper well beaten.

The Northend midfield of Speirs, Swann, Scott and Etherson were winning all the play at this stage and when Niall Swann found himself in space on the Northend right, his cross found Keith Hall and he beat the Ardoyne keeper with a clinical finish, giving the Blues a 2-0 lead.

Upper Ardoyne now came back at Northend and were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Northend box. The resultant free-kick was kept low and crept in under a diving Richard Sloan in the Northend nets.

This was the queue for Northend to step up a gear and from a breakaway, Keith Hall outpaced his marker and squared the ball for Stephen Hare who thumped the ball past the keeper to restore Northend's two goal lead.

Northend now started to play some of their best football of the match and Niall Swann was unlucky when his shot from all off thirty-five yards forced the Ardoyne keeper to pull off an amazing one-handed save.

As Northend pilled on the pressure, a Brendan O'Neill corner was met full throttle by Niall Swann, who hammered the ball into the net to give the Blues a 4-1 lead, going into half-time.

Matthew Mulholland replaced McAvoy and Northend started the second half in blistering form again. Upper Ardoyne tested the Northend defence of Hanlon, Swan, O'Neill and Etherson but they soaked up whatever was thrown at them.

As the match became bogged down in midfield, Brian Etherson had to be replaced with Ryan Gault after a nasty tackle, unnoticed by the referee.

Stephen Hare was causing all sorts of trouble for Upper Ardoyne down the Northend left wing and from his cross , Jamie Speirs further increased Northend's lead with another clinical finish, leaving the score 5-1 to the Blues.

In a storming finish to the game, Stephen Hare outpaced his marker and slide the ball past the Upper Ardoyne keeper to give Northend an unassailable 6-1 lead.

With time running out Aidan O'Donnell replaced Hare and his darting runs were a handful for the Ardoyne defence before the referee blew for full-time.

Man of the Match: Jonny Hanlon

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, B O'Neill, R Swan, A McAvoy, J Speirs(c), N Swann, B Etherson, S Hare, K Hall, S Scott, M Mulholland, R Gault, A O'Donnell

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Northend United U15s 9 Willowbank U15s 0 Saturday 22nd October 2011

Northend started this match with conviction , determined to erase the disappointment of last week's draw.

On two minutes a good run and shot from Jamie Speirs forced the Willowbank to pull off a good save. Shortly after, a cross from Keith Hall was met by Matthew Mulholland, his header going just wide. Again, shortly after, a superb thirty yard half volley by Niall Swann was tipped onto the crossbar by the Willowbank keeper. On ten minutes the deadlock was broken when Jamie Speirs latched onto a loose ball and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Brendan O'Neill was next to have a chance, only to see his shot go narrowly wide. Next up, Niall Swann with a header going close, and a shot from all of thirty-five yards hitting the post and Keith Hall just missing the follow up. By now it was all Northend, although having only scored one goal they were getting somewhat frustrated having squandered numerous chances. Then on thirty minutes when the ball broke loose in the Willowbank box, Matthew Mulholland was on hand to smash the ball home and make it 2-0. on thirty-two minutes a combination with Niall Swan and Stephen Hare led to Stephen crossing for Keith Hall to make it 3-0. Just before half time the Willowbank keeper did well to tip over a free kick from Jamie Speirs and on thirty-five minutes it was Jonny Hanlon's turn to have a go, scoring with a shot from twenty-five yards to leave the scoreline 4-0 at half time.

Michael Laverty replaced McAvoy and a debut for Simon Scott, coming on for Mulholland. Into the second half and playing into the wind, Northend were controlling all the play. Five minutes in and a lovely run from Niall Swann led to Keith Hall tapping in to make it 5-0. Two minutes later a cross from Simon Scott was headed home by Bryan Etherson to make it 6-0. Thomas Brady then replaced Swan.

Seventeen minutes into the second half and a sublime piece of skill saw Bryan Etherson flick the ball over his marker and thump the ball home to make it 7-0. Twenty two minutes in and Keith Hall got his hat-trick , driving the ball home from inside the box to make it 8-0 and four minutes later a solo run and finish from Jamie Speirs made it 9-0. Ryan Gault and Aidan O'Donnell replaced Etherson and Hall respectively.

Shortly after coming on Aidan O'Donnell could have made an immediate impact only to see his shot go narrowly wide and also Ryan Gault who saw his header go narrowly wide just before the final whistle.

This was an excellent team performance, which sees Northend march on at the top of the table.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

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

Larne Youth U15s 3 Northend United U15s 3 Saturday 15th October 2011

The Northend Blues started off this game in commanding fashion and tested the Larne keeper in the opening minutes with a good shot from Keith Hall. Northend continued to have all the early pressure and Jamie Speirs opened the scoring with a blistering shot from twenty-five yards to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.

It was Northend at this stage of the game and Jonny Hanlon was making great surging runs down the Northend right and he was unlucky when a good shot sailed narrowly wide of the Larne net.

Matthew Mulholland scored a second for Northend when he found himself in space in front of the Larne goals and he coolly ran on and beat the keeper with a low drive to give Northend a 2-0 lead. In a one sided first half, Jamie Speirs went close with two piledrivers from twenty yards and Stephen Hare created a good scoring opportunity, only to see his shot go narrowly wide.

Niall Swann was running the midfield for Northend and from a good throughball, Jamie Speirs saw the Larne defender make a good blocking lunge, when it seemed Northend would increase their lead. However, with no further scoring, the score remained 2-0 to Northend at the end of the first half.

Larne made some tactical substitutions at half time and started off the second half taking the game to Northend but found the Northend defence of Etherson, Hanlon, McAvoy and Swan in top form. Larne scored their first goal ten minutes into the half when a high ball into the Northend box somehow bounced over the Northend keeper and into the net.

The Blues heads didn't drop at this stage of the game and Thomas Brady made a penetrating run down the Northend left wing and from his cross, Stephen Hare blasted the ball home at the backpost to give Northend a 3-1 lead.

On the small pitch, Larne now started to play the highball into the Northend box and from a poor clearance, Larne scored their second from a goal mouth scramble.

Larne went on to score another goal when another high ball found its way into the Blues net, leaving the score at 3-3 with ten minutes of the match remaining.

With substitutes Ryan Gault and Michael Laverty on for Northend, they piled on the pressure for the remainder of the game with Etherson and Gault going close from corners and from a Keith Hall cross, Michael Laverty just couldn't get his toe to the ball, with the goal at his mercy. The final score remained 3-3 at the final whistle.

Man of the Match: Bryan Etherson

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

Northend United U15s 5 Carrick Rangers U15s 0 Saturday 8th October 2011

Northend added another three points to their total in this match against Carrick Rangers at Ballymena.

Northend started very strongly and Hall, Speirs and Swann all had good chances before Matthew Mulholland opened the scoring when he beat the keeper with a good shot after picking up the ball from Niall Swann. This goal steadied Northend, as Carrick Rangers were giving them a run for their money before this breakthrough. During this time Ross Swan and Anthony McAvoy were in outstanding form in defence for the Blues.

Northend continued to squander chances to further their lead before Stephen Hare broke down the Northend right wing and pulled the ball back into the path of Jamie Speirs who blasted the ball past the helpless Carrick keeper. Northend continued to dominate for the rest of the half, with Keith Hall in fine form but they couldn't increase their lead and the half time score remained 2-0 to the Blues.

Northend came out again strongly for the second half with Speirs and Swann again dominating the midfield play. From a Swann break through the middle of the park, he pulled the ball back into the path of Stephen Hare and he made no mistake with a low hard drive into the corner of the net, giving Northend a 3-0 advantage.

Thomas Brady, Ryan Gault and Michael Laverty were all introduced to the game to give Northend more pace on the heavy pitch. Indeed this was to prove an inspired substitution when Thomas Brady scored goal of the game when he picked the ball up twenty-five yards out and curled the ball into the top corner of the net, giving the Carrick keeper no chance.

Northend continued to dominate the game with chances falling to Gault and Hare before Keith Hall got his name on the score sheet when he turned his defender and beat the keeper with a thunderous shot, to leave the score 5-0 to the Blues.

Aidan O'Donnell replaced Speirs before the final whistle in another good display from the Northend Blues, who are now undefeated in six games.

Man of the Match: Ross Swan

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

Ballyclare Colts U15s 0 Northend United U15s 8 Saturday 1st October 2011

The Northend Blues continued their recent good form with another convincing performance, this time against Ballyclare Colts.

Northend started off the match brightly and Keith hall went close in the fifth minute for Northend.

The Blues took the lead on the tenth minute when from an Etherson header, Keith Hall was on hand to smash the loose ball past the Ballyclare keeper.

Almost immediately, the same player picked up a through ball from Benny O'Neill and went on to outpace the Ballyclare defence and scored his and Northend's second of the match.

The Blues midfield of Hare, Etherson, Speirs and Swann were now dictating the play for Northend. Stephen Hare found space on Northend's right wing and again outpaced the Ballyclare defence and from his pull back, Jamie Speirs scored with a clinical finish to give the Blues a 3-0 cushion.

Ballyclare now took the game to Northend but found their defence of Hanlon, McAvoy, O'Neill and Swan in commanding form, soaking up whatever was thrown at them.

Matthew Mulholland now turned provider, when on the next Northend attack, his delightful through ball found Stephen Hare unmarked in the Ballyclare box and he scored a good goal to give Northend a 4-0 lead.

Goal of the game was scored on twenty-eight minutes, when Captain Jamie Speirs scored an unstoppable shot from all of thirty yards.

Northend weren't finished yet and in a blistering first half performance, Keith Hall scored his hat-trick when in a carbon copy of the first goal, he beat the keeper after latching onto a Bryan Etherson flick on, leaving the half time score 6-0 to the Blues.

Northend introduced Ryan Gault at half time and he immediately made his presence felt in the Northend forward line, when he went close with an early second half shot. Thomas Brady and David Bradley came on shortly after half time

Again Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann were controlling the midfield for the Blues and creating chances for the forwards. Indeed Speirs went on to complete his hat-trick when he latched onto a throw-in and got a touch to the ball to steer it past the Ballyclare keeper, to leave the score 7-0 to United. Michael Laverty came on in midfield to give a fresh pair of legs and he was instrumental in a super through ball which found Keith Hall and the big striker went on to score his fourth of the match to give the Blues a 8-0 lead.

With time running out, Northend made their final substitution, with Aidan O'Donnell slotting in at right midfield.

This was another good performance from the Northend Blues, who have now won all five of their opening matches.

Man of the Match: Jamie Speirs

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

Northend United U15s 10 18th Newtownabbey U15s 0 Saturday 24th September 2011

The Northend Blues maintained their good start to the season making it four wins out of four starts at the Grove pitches on Saturday against 18th Newtownabbey Youth.

Northend started off the match brightly and had a shot cleared off the line as early as the fifth minute. The Northend midfield of Speirs, Swann, Mulholland and Hare were pulling all the strings, creating chances for Bradley and Hall in the Northend attack.

On the tenth minute, Stephen Hare outpaced his marker and fired a low shot that beat the Newtownabbey keeper to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.

Northend further increased their lead when prolific goalscorer, Keith Hall, beat the keeper with a low hard drive , again after some good forward play.

Northend were now stringing a number of passes together and from a Matthew Mulholland cross into the Newtownabbey box, their keeper pulled down David Bradley and the referee awarded a penalty.

Stephen Hare stepped up and beat the keeper with his spot kick, to give the Blues a 3-0 lead.

Newtownabbey began to play some good football after this but found the Northend defence of Laverty, Hanlon, Swan and Etherson in commanding form.

Niall Swann went on another of his trademark penetrating runs at the Newtownabbey defence but forced their keeper to make a great save to deflect his resultant shot.

The Blues increased their lead on thirty minutes when Keith Hall score his second and Northend's fourth of the match when a rasping shot beat the Newtownabbey keeper, to give the Blues a 4-0 half time lead.

The Blues came out with all guns blazing in the second half. Keith Hall almost scored his hat-trick when he rattled the Newtownabbey post with a blockbuster of a shot.

Jamie Speirs scored next for Northend, when he received a Hare cross and rattled the ball past the keeper.

Thomas Brady and Ryan Gault were introduced to the game before Keith Hall completed his hat-trick when he drilled the ball past the helpless keeper to leave the score 6-0 to the Blues.

Jamie Speirs added another goal for Northend, from a Gault pull-back before Stephen Hare found himself on a one-on-one with the keeper, but ended up with a nasty injury to his leg and had to be replaced with Aidan O'Donnell.

Goal of the game was scored by Ryan Gault, when he dribbled past three Newtownabbey defenders and slid the ball past their keeper to put Northend 8-0 up.

Anthony McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill were introduced and these proved to be inspired substitutions when O'Neill popped up inside the Newtownabbey penalty box to score a good goal.

Northend weren't finished yet and Captain Jamie Speirs scored their tenth goal of the match when he again beat the keeper with another clinical shot.

This was another good performance from the Blues who now look forward to their match with Ballyclare Colts next week.

Man of the Match: Jamie Speirs

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

Southside Youth U15s 0 Northend United U15s 2 Saturday 17th September 2011

Northend started off this Derby match brightly and could have taken the lead on five minutes when Keith Hall outpaced the Southside defence but shot narrowly wide of the post.

With Jamie Speirs, Niall Swann, Bryan Etherson and Matthew Mulholland pulling the strings in midfield for Northend, they gradually gained the upper hand in this match. On fifteen minutes a good interception from Jonny Hanlon and resultant through ball found Keith Hall. Big Keith outpaced the sluggish Southside defence and easily beat the keeper with a low drive to give the Northend Blues a 1-0 lead.

In a blistering opening spell for the Blues, Matthew Mulholland should have increased their lead but he delayed his shot and allowed the Southside defender to block his shot.

Niall Swann was next to attack Southside when a jinxing run of his ended up with him shooting narrowly wide of the post.

Northend let Southside back into the game but they found the Northend defence of Jonny Hanlon, Ross Swan, Brendan O'Neill and Anthony McAvoy in top class form on a day when nobody put a foot wrong. With the tackles going in fast and furious, Northend couldn't find their rhythm for the rest of this half but went in at the break 1-0 ahead.

Ryan Gault replaced Mulholland at half-time and the Blues started the second half in commanding form. Speirs and Swann were playing well in midfield and from one of their through balls, Keith Hall headed the ball past the Southside keeper, only for the centre half to get back to clear the ball off the goal line.

Michael Laverty and David Bradley replaced Hanlon and Hare as Northend went looking to increase their lead.

Niall Swann went on another trademark run at the Southside defence from just inside his own half, which ended up with him being brought down inside the Southside box, resulting in a penalty kick. Up stepped Captain Jamie Speirs to drill the ball past the Southside keeper to give the Blues a 2-0 cushion.

Thomas Brady replaced Etherson with twelve minutes of the match remaining. Keith Hall, who was tormenting the Southside defence all day, was unlucky with a shot from outside the box with went narrowly past the post and another run, which could have ended in a goal had he steadied himself before the final shot.

Northend lost their influential midfielder Jamie Speirs with ten minutes of the match remaining after taking another heavy tackle. Chris Stock came on, to give another good display for Northend, as he begins to settle down with his new team.

With time running out, Southside was awarded a free kick outside the Northend box but a disciplined Northend defence saw this shot cleared and the resultant corner also cleared as the Blues ran down the clock. With no further scoring, Northend won their first Derby match of the season 2-0.

With this result, the Blues have picked up full points from their opening three games and look forward to next week's match against 18th Newtownabbey.

Man of the Match: Keith Hall

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, A McAvoy, M Laverty, B O'Neill, R Swan, M Mulholland, J Speirs, N Swann, B Etherson, K Hall, S Hare, T Brady, D Bradley, R Gault, M Laverty, C Stock, A O'Donnell

Newington U15s 2 Northend United U15s 6 Saturday 10th September 2011

Northend started the match brightly and scored on three minutes when Stephen Hare crossed for Keith Hall to tuck the ball away. Northend kept creating chances and went 2-0 up on thirteen minutes, with Stephen Hare's clinical finish.

It was mostly one way traffic at this stage with numerous chances going a begging, then on the half hour mark, Newington scored from a corner following some slack defending. The scoreline remained 2-1 at half time.

Northend introduced Thomas Brady on for Laverty at half-time. Northend came out for the second half determined to put the result beyond any doubt. Ryan Gault replaced Mulholland.on fifty-one minutes.

Jamie Speirs played a through ball for Stephen Hare to score his second and Northend's third and four minutes later Ryan Gault played Jamie Speirs in to score Northend's fourth.

David Bradley replaced Swann and Jonny Hanlon, making his return from injury, replaced McAvoy. Then on sixty minutes Stephen Hare scored his hat-trick , slotting the ball past the on-rushing keeper.

Almost straight from kick off, after some slick passing play, Stephen Hare was fed the ball to score his fourth of the match and Northend's sixth.

Debutant Chris Stock replaced the injured Ross Swan. On 64 minutes, again from a corner, Newington scored their second despite a valiant effort from Chris stock on the goal line.

This was how the score remained at final whistle and a good solid start to the lads league campaign and their assault on the title.

Man of the Match: Stephen Hare

Panel: R Sloan, A McAvoy, M Laverty, B O'Neill, R Swan, M Mulholland, J Speirs, N Swann, B Etherson, K Hall, S Hare, T Brady, D Bradley, R Gault, J Hanlon, C Stock

Carryduff Colts U15s 1 Northend United U15s 8 Friday 26th August 2011

The Northend Blues U15s completed their pre-season friendly matches with a clinical 8-1 win over South Belfast League side, Carryduff Colts. The Blues really are in form at present and took the field minus regulars Hanlon, Swann and Laverty.

Northend started the match slowly and it took them some time to get into their rhythm. Keith Hall opened the scoring when he latched onto a through ball from Matthew Mulholland and he coolly chipped the keeper.

Jamie Speirs doubled the lead when he scored direct from a free kick after Bryan Etherson was upended just outside the box. Etherson scored the third for Northend when he scored from a Keith Hall cross.

In a blistering first half performance, Stephen Hare was next to score when he latched onto a quick throw-in and ran on to beat the keeper with a powerful drive.

Jamie Speirs scored his second and Northend's fifth before half-time when he again scored direct from a free-kick. The Northend defence of Anthony McAvoy, Thomas Brady, Brendan O'Neill and Ross Swan again had an outstanding match, giving nothing to the Carryduff forwards in the first half, and leaving the half-time score 5-0 to the Blues

Northend introduced Ryan Gault and Chris Stock at half time and they had an immediate impact on the game. Midway through the half Niall McAllister and Niall Shannon came on for the Blues and McAllister scored with almost his first touch of the ball.

Carryduff rallied at this stage and scored with a thumping shot from outside the box.

Keith Hall scored his second of the game when he headed the ball home to leave the score 7-1. Northend weren't finished yet and Brendan O'Neill scored the eight goal when he scored direct from another free kick.

The Blues have now finished their pre-season friendlies and now look forward to the start of the league next Saturday with an away game against Glendowan at the Grove pitches.

Panel: R Sloan, A McAvoy, T Brady, B O'Neill, R Swan, B Etherson, J Speirs, K Hall, D Bradley, S Hare, R Gault, C Stock, N McAllister, N Shannon

Coleraine YA U15s 3 Northend United U15s 6 Wednesday 24th August 2011

The Northend Blues U15s completed their fourth pre-season match with an emphatic 6-3 win over "Elite" National League Team, Coleraine YA. The Blues are making a habit of doing well against "Elite" National League Teams and this match was no different.

The highlight of the match included hat-tricks for Keith Hall and Stephen Hare and indeed the scoring could have been much higher had it not been for some good goalkeeping from the home team.

Right from the kick-off, Northend were in dominant mood with Jamie Speirs, Niall Swann, Ryan Gault and David Bradley winning the midfield battle. Keith Hall, who is proving to be an excellent addition to the Northend squad, open the scoring when he latched onto a Speirs through ball and beat the keeper to give Northend a 1-0 lead.

Ryan Gault was unlucky not to increase Northend's lead, when his high shot cannoned off the cross bar with the keeper well beaten.

Northend were pilling on the pressure for the Coleraine defence in a blistering opening spell and from a Thomas Brady corner, Keith Hall headed the ball into the net, to give the Blues a 2-0 lead.

Coleraine, on a rare attack on the Northend goal, opened their scoring when the Northend keeper failed to collect the ball and the Coleraine striker nipped in to score.

Northend increased their lead when Keith Hall evaded his marker and shot past the keeper, with Jamie Speirs giving the ball some assistance on the goal line.

With the score now at 3-1 to the Blues, their midfield was caught going forward, looking for more goals and again allowed the Coleraine striker in to score another easy goal, leaving the score 3-2 to the Northend Blues, at the interval.

Northend again started the second half strongly, but another error by their keeper allowed Coleraine back into the game, when the match should have been long past them.

However this goal was a good wake-up call to the Blues and was the queue for Stephen Hare to start his single handed demolition of the Coleraine defence.

Hare scored his first goal, when he outpaced the Coleraine defence and beat the keeper with a low shot. Next he poked the ball past the keeper from a Keith Hall cross, to give the Blues a 5-3 lead.

Next when Keith Hall was bundled over inside the Coleraine penalty box, Northend were awarded a penalty. Jamie Speirs, the normal penalty taker, stepped aside and allowed Ross Swan to take the penalty. He hit it with power but straight at the keeper and the cannoned to safety.

Just before the end of the match, Stephen Hare scored his third goal of the game, when in a carbon copy of his first goal, he broke down the wing, cut inside and beat the keeper with a low drive, to leave the final score 6-3 to the Northend Blues.

This was another good performance from Northend, with special mention going to Brendan O'Neill, who had another excellent game at the heart of the Northend defence.

Panel: N Shannon, T Brady, M Laverty, B O'Neill, R Swan, N Swann, J Speirs, R Gault, K Hall, D Bradley, S Hare, C Stock, N McAllister, A O'Donnell, A McAvoy

Cookstown United U15s 1 Northend United U15s 3 Saturday 20th August 2011

The U15s completed their second match in a week, travelling to Cookstown to play the Mid-Ulster kingpins on Saturday morning in a three legged affair. With a large squad available to him, Manager Glen Speirs used the match to give a few fringe players a good workout and tried a few players in unfamiliar positions in order to determine his best team.

The match started brightly with both teams on the offensive and play flowing from end to end. Again the Blues defence of Jonny Hanlon, Michael Laverty, Benny O'Neill and Ross Swan were in outstanding form, dealing with whatever Cookstown could throw at them in the early exchanges.

Gradually the midfield of Niall Swann and Matthew Mulholland took a grip on the game, and began to create chances for the Northend strike force. However both sets of keepers were in outstanding form and the score remained scoreless at the end of the first third.

The second third started with Northend taking the game to Cookstown and Niall Swann was unlucky with a probing run from his own half, ended with the keeper making a fine save to prevent him from scoring. In a pulsating display of passing football, Northend took the lead when big Keith hall outpaced the home defence and scored past the keeper to give Northend the lead.

Cookstown didn't lie back at this stage but again took the match to Northend. When they were awarded a free kick, a high ball into the Northend box wasn't dealt with and the Cookstown striker nipped in between the Northend defence and Richard Sloan in the Northend net to score an equaliser.

Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann began to gain control of the midfield for the Blues and from a Speirs through ball, Keith Hall again outpaced the Cookstown defence and beat the keeper with a low hard drive into the corner of the net. The Blues finished the second third much the stronger team but for all their superiority, couldn't get another goal to finish off the game.

The final third started with Northend determined to make their superiority count. Cookstown were now looking jaded and Jamie Speirs went on a jinxing run into the Cookstown penalty box. The goalkeeper saved the initial shot, but when the ball broke to Ryan Gault on the edge of the penalty area, he made no mistake with a rasping shot past the Cookstown keeper.

Cookstown again came back at Northend but found Richard Sloan in great form when he pushed the ball round the post from a shot which was heading for the top corner. With time running out, Northend kept possession of the ball to see the match through to the end.

This was another good workout for this Northend team, as they enter the final week of pre-season football with matches against Coleraine YA and Carryduff Colts planned for the incoming week.

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, B O'Neill, R Swan, N Swann, J Speirs, R Gault, K Hall, D Bradley, B Etherson, M Mulholland, S Hare, C Stock, N McAllister

Northend United U15s 3 St. Marys U15s 0 Thursday 18th August 2011

St Mary's provided a good run-out for the Northend Blues at the Wakehurst pitches on Thursday night for their second friendly match of the season.

The match started with both teams playing some excellent passing football and St. Mary's showed why until recently they were an Elite National League side. Gradually Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann gained the upper hand in midfield with some excellent possession play.

Northend attacked down the wings and Jonny Hanlon passed the ball to Ryan Gault whose inch perfect cross was met with an overhead kick from Brian Etherson, which went inches past the upright.

St. Mary's also had their moments in attack but found the Blues defence of Jonny Hanlon, Michael Laverty, Benny O'Neill and Ross Swan in top form and they dealt comfortably with whatever St. Mary's threw at them.

Keith Hall and David Bradley were proving to be thorns in the side of the St. Mary's defence with their swift attacking play. When Hall was bundled over just outside the penalty box, up stepped Jamie Speirs to unleash a thunderous free kick, which the goalkeeper could only parry and David Bradley drilled the ball home to give Northend a 1-0 half time lead.

Chris Stock and Niall McAllister were introduced at half time and both went on to have good second half performances. The Blues again started the second half strongly with an excellent team performance.

Niall Swann increased Northend's lead when he found space just inside the box, beat two defenders and the goalkeeper with a low hard drive into the corner of the net, to gives the Blues a 2-0 goal advantage.

Northend were playing some good football at this stage and Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann were again pulling the strings for the Blues. Keith Hall was unlucky with two chances with shots on goal which went narrowly wide before Niall McAllister slipped his marker and crossed for Keith Hall to score for the Blues and give them a three goal advantage.

In between this, Richard Sloan pulled off a magnificent double save, to maintain a clean sheet for the Blues. Niall Swann went on a jinxing run from his own half and left two markers behind him before forcing the goalkeeper to pull off a good save to keep the score at 3-0.

No further scoring before the final whistle, gave the Northend Blues a very good 3-0 victory against a team of Elite National League standard.

This was a very good team performance and a very good debut from Brian Etherson, who was making his first Northend appearance.

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, B O'Neill, R Swan, N Swann, J Speirs, R Gault, K Hall, D Bradley, B Etherson, C Stock, N McAllister

Northend United 7 18th Newtownabbey 2 Saturday 6th August 2011

The Northend Blues used the first of their pre-season friendly's to give a good run-out to some of their squad players. Played in perfect conditions at Smithfield, a game of three halves took place. Northend raced into a 1-0 lead when Stephen Hare converted on ten minutes. This was quickly followed by a jinxing Matthew Mulholland run, beating three defenders before shooting past the keeper to give Northend a two goal cushion.

David Bradley sealed a good first period for Northend when he nipped in to give Northend a 3-0 lead.

Northend started off the second period, again on top. Matthew Mulholland was unlucky when he hit the crossbar with a good shot. 18th Newtownabbey came more into the game and went on to score two goals in this period with high balls into the box, which the Northend defence failed to deal with and they ended up in the back of the Northend net to leave the score 3-2 to Northend at the end of the second period.

A more determined Northend came out for the third period and in the final twenty-five minutes rattled in four goals to give them a convincing 7-2 win. Keith Hall, Matthew Mulholland, Jamie Speirs and Niall McAllister scored the goals for the Blues.

This proved a good workout for both teams with notable performances from Niall McAllister and Chris Stock, who were both making their debuts.

Panel: R Sloan, J Hanlon, A McAvoy, B O'Neill, M Laverty, S Hare, M Mulholland, R Gault, K Hall, D Bradley, A O'Donnell, C Stock, N McAllister, N Swann, J Speirs