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Northend Colts 1 Comber Rec 3 Saturday 22nd March 2025

Cup action on a Friday night under the lights at a great venue in Paisley Park would see the young blues come up against one of the strongest teams in the division. Northend gave everything on the night but came up short against a better team and Comber Rec are wished well for their semi-final.

Comber Rec came flying out of the blocks moving the ball quickly and pressing intensely with aggression giving Northend no time on the ball. The midfield four of Devlin, Da Prato, King and Slattery needed a bit of time to get into the pace of the game but the back four of Hamill, O’Neill, McKay and O’Hara were resolute at the back giving very little. Northend had to ride out the storm initially and were fortunate Comber didn’t having their shooting boots on, unable to hit the target with a few chances. Hardy was reactive in goal and only had one save to make which he did so comfortably. Northend started to get their foot on the ball with Hamill, linking well with Slattery and Gordon down the right. Some great passages on interplay created an opening for King in the box. His shot fell at the feet of the unmarked Neeson in the box. A heavy touch allowed the keeper to react and smother the shot. Northend now looked comfortable and Da Prato and King had some control in midfield linking well with Slattery and Devlin on the outside. On the half hour a perfectly placed free kick from Hardy went in high over the Comber Rec defence. A great run and anticipation from Da Prato round the back of the wall saw him sneak in and calmly slot it with his outside of the foot into the far corner to take a surprising lead. Just before the half however, no pressure on a throw in allowed a ball into Northend’s box. It was cut back to the edge of the area and was slotted into the far corner just before half time to level the scores. Half Time 1-1

The goal energised Comber who had been a bit lack lustre before half time. They came out in the second half with the same intensity they started the game, with the bit between their teeth and Northend couldn’t live with them. A great bit of interplay down the right saw the ball cut back and the ball fizzed across goal. The Comber striker nipped in in front of McKay taking the ball off his toes and flashed the ball across the keeper for a brilliant goal. Northend responded and got the ball forward. O’Hara whipped the ball in over the Comber defensive line to Hamill who had nipped in at the back post. The keeper came out quickly and forced Hamill to put his effort over the bar with a brilliant opportunity to level the game. To rub salt into the wounds Comber countered quickly with three on three at the back they got the ball into the penalty box. Hardy was slightly on his heels allowing the Comber striker to get to the ball first and finish it off to break Northend hearts. Northend didn’t give up and a brilliant through ball from Da Prato found Gordon through in on goal. He rounded the keeper but was just taken too wide and couldn’t find Neeson with cut back who was up in support. Northend pushed numbers forward but it became a bit of a game of basketball as comber countered. Hardy had to be switched on a pulled off a number of great saves to keep the tie alive. McNeill came on and offered a lot of energy and came close to a goal as he created space in the box but just couldn’t get his shot away Full Time 1-3

A very impressive battling performance by the young blues who put everything into the game but came up against a great team on the night. One of the strongest and best, performing oppositions we have faced. The boys couldn’t have gave any more. There were several big performances all over the pitch, with every player leaving it all out there. Gordon epitomised the team, pressing with intensity, giving everything, running down lost cause and showing great footwork and football intelligence making great runs and using the ball brilliantly. Well done all.

Man of the Match: Oisin Gordon

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Callum O’Neill, Harry McKay, Corey King, Joe O’Hara, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Ruairi Hamill, Kian McNeill, Pearse Devlin and Paudie Martin

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Northend Colts 1 Drumaness Mills 3 Saturday 15th March 2025

Beautiful playing conditions on a sunny spring like day at Hydebank, would see the young Pizza Parlour Colts pitted against league leaders Drumaness. A tall ask today against a team undefeated in the league all season but Northend gave it everything and battled hard. True to form the league leaders take all three points and a step closer to an unbeaten title winning season.

Drumaness started the quicker exerting their physical presence all over the pitch. Northend worked hard to harry and press but were a little overrun with the pace and intensity of the game. The back four of O’Hara, O’Neill, McKay and Maguire kept it tight at the back and Da Prato, King and Slattery worked their socks off in midfield to limit the danger. Neeson and Devlin had to work back hard on the wings which meant leaving Martin isolated on his own against two massive centre halves. Paudie worked hard and showed some great control and awareness on the ball but with little support, attacks were smothered. Hardy was handling and kicking well, commanding his box and Drumaness were limited to long shots, which was comfortable for the keeper. Drumaness upped their physicality and aggression resulting in a few walking wounded to strong tackling. Devlin had to come off and Slattery and O’Hara limped on. Hardy in goal then took a heavy hit and was grounded but again carried on although he was struggling and needed McKay to take the kick outs. Northend were resolute and looked to have snuffed Drumaness out frustrating them until five mins before the break. A fierce strike from outside the box was smashed down the middle just under the crossbar. Hardy put the hands up but couldn’t jump and watched it fly in over his head. Then just on the blow a long thirty yard punt was kicked down the middle at Hardy. Struggling to get his feet in position he spilled the routine catch and then struggled to get down and smother the ball, allowing the opportunistic striker to poke the ball into an empty goal. Very frustrating as the whistle sounded. Half Time 0-2

A very disappointing half time after the efforts in the first half. Hardy bravely said he would continue and the boys agreed to go out on their sword after not even fashioning a shot on target in the first half. However, the second half wasn’t even a couple of minutes old when another shot from outside the box was fired into the Northend goal. Hardy was slow to get down and could only palm it into the corner of the net. Drumaness started shooting from everywhere, knowing they couldn’t break Northend down and that Hardy was injured. However, Hardy bravely battled through the pain and pulled off some good saves and kicked well to get Northend on the front foot. The bench freshened it up with more energy and attack minded for the last quarter of the game and Drumaness were finally on the back foot. Neeson, Devlin and Gordon were giving the backline a torrid time. Devlin pressing won the ball high up and had options in the box as he seen the keeper off his line. He smashed a curling dipping shot in over the keepers head from outside the area to give Northend belief. Northend were on top. Gordon came close as he was slipped through but just wide. Da Prato whipped a dangerous corner into the back post and King was inches away from another one as the pressure mounted. Hamill had a couple of efforts either side of a Da Prato free kick but the keeper did well to keep Northend at bay seeing the game out comfortably. Full Time 1-3

A very impressive battling performance by the young blues with great heart and work rate. The heads never went down despite the setbacks and they finished the game the stronger. This wee team do not know when to lie down. There were several big performances all over the pitch, with every player leaving it all out there. Martin epitomised the team, battling hard, giving everything but also showed some good composure and footwork which was missing a little in the intensity of the game. Well done all.

Ballymena Pizza Parlour sponsored Player of the Match: Paudie Martin

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Callum O’Neill, Harry McKay, Corey King, Joe O’Hara, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Ronan Hamill, Kane McNeill, Pearse Devlin and Paudie Martin.

Northend Colts 1 Albert Foundry 1 Saturday 8th March 2025

Beautiful playing conditions on a sunny spring like day at a great facility, Paisley park 3G, would see the young Pizza Parlour Colts pitted against a strong Albert Foundry. A tight, highly contested game in good spirit saw the honours even, which was a fair reflection of the game.

Foundry started the stronger dominating possession, moving the ball around quickly and Northend struggled to get their foot on the ball. When Northend finally got it Foundry were pressing intensely. Northend back four of McKay, O’Neill, Slattery and O’Hara did well to limit any danger to long shots which didn’t trouble Hardy in goal. In fact Northend looked the most threatening on the counter with the pace of Devlin and Neeson up top. Devlin and Gordon had a few tight off side calls, then Devlin came close when he beat the last man but his shot was down the middle and a fairly comfortable save. Northend started to grow into the game and had belief with Da Prato, King and Hamill dominating the midfield. McKay stepped well into midfield to support, limiting any pressure from Foundry. The most clear cut opening of the game was when Neeson was released through the middle. He outpaced the last defender and was in one v one with the keeper. He slotted into the corner but just through the side netting as the side-line erupted prematurely. Northend kept on the pressure and Neeson and Devlin were torturing the Foundry backline. Devlin broke into the box and flicked the ball over the defender. He was absolutely smashed and the feet taken from under him. A stonewall penalty but the referee refused to give it feeling Devlin had lost control of the ball. The referee blew up for half time quickly after to settle the discontent of the Northend dug out. Half Time 0-0

Northend continued in the same vain in the second half. They dominated the midfield moving the ball quickly with some nice slick passing and patterns of play. Devlin got another opportunity early in the half beating the offside trap and bearing down on the keeper. He calmly rounded the keeper and clinically slotted the ball home for a deserved lead. Foundry worked hard to try and gain some momentum and put a lot of pressure on Northend but they were thwarted by a very strong rear guard, O’Hara particularly having a great day. Hardy had little to do but was off his line quickly, catching well and smothering any threats. His kicking was also on point to relieve the pressure. A couple of changes saw Northend reassume control. Hamill was getting forward from right back, linking well with Neeson and Slattery. Slattery injected some energy into the Northend midfield and they were very dominant down the right side. A nice passage of play saw Hamill get on the end of an opening but he screwed the shot wide on his weaker foot. Then good work on the left saw a Devlin cross delivered perfectly onto Neeson’s head at the back post but he couldn’t convert. Then a Devlin corner saw a flick on near post from Gordon over the keepers head. Neeson had a guilt edged chance to double the lead but he took a touch and his shot was eventually blocked. Much against the run of play Foundry got in around the box as Northend began to tire. There was no pressure on the ball and no press. This gave time and space for a slipped ball to the back post and a clinical finish into the far corner leaving Hardy no chance. Northend tried to get the win and Gordon came very close chipping the keeper from close range but a good save resulted in an honourable draw against a decent side. Full Time 1-1

A very impressive battling performance by the young blues and a great game of football with a decent result. O’Hara gets the plaudits in defence for a strong combative performance, always on the front foot, winning his ground and aerial duels, displaying composure and using the ball well. Well done all.

Ballymena Pizza Parlour sponsored Player of the Match: Joe O’Hara

Colts Panel: Lughan Hardy, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Callum O’Neill, Harry McKay, Corey King, Joe O’Hara, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Ruairi Hamill, Pearse Devlin and Kian McNeill

Northend Colts 1 Rosario Colts 0 Saturday 22nd February 2025

A bright, brisk morning at Mallusk playing fields would see the Pizza Parlour sponsored colts face tough opposition in a big physical Rosario side on a difficult, sodden pitch. Northend put in a great performance in a very competitive, tense affair and came out winners by the single goal of the game.

Rosario started the stronger of the two with a higher intensity and used their physical advantage. They kept moving the ball forward quickly and getting ball into the box where their big forward was winning all the aerial duals. A close call from a long throw in and flick on the box saw a scramble that Northend were relieved to clear. Northend grew into the game and King and Da Prato set the tone with aggression and intensity, winning ball, showing composure and making good use of it. Northend changed shape bringing Hamill in as a third in the centre which wrestled control of the game. A great bit of play through the thirds saw Devlin buy a yard of space out wide and find King who shot just wide. The back four of Maguire, Slattery, McKay and O’Hara had to work hard but were in control and Hardy was quick off his line to any threats. Neeson and Devlin played higher up and MacNeill was released on a number of occasions. Just before the half end Devlin turned and swivelled with a left footed volley just inside the box and smashed low and hard into the near corner. The keeper pulled off a brilliant save to push it round the post and keep the scores level at the break. Half Time 0-0

Northend started the second half on the front foot dominating the midfield. The front three of Devlin, MacNeill and Neeson were a handful. Northend were pressing aggressively with intensity and within three minutes of the restart they got their reward. Northend forced Rosario under the press back to the keeper. Neeson was on him in a flash, charging down his clearance. Neeson forced the ball looping into the goal over the keepers head. The ball hit down off the crossbar and onto the line. Neeson and the keeper reacted quickly sliding together, forcing the ball into the net and a precious lead. It was all Northend. In the next five they fashioned two openings for Devlin but shooting just wide on both occasions. Gordon came on to bolster Northend’s threat and almost immediately he was slipped in on goal. Oisin tried to chip the outrunning keeper but it was just saved. Not long after Gordon was in on goal again. He was forced wide of goal but fired his shot left footed into the bottom corner but the keeper pulled off another good save. Rosario tried their hardest to force the game to penalties but they were up against a blue wall and Northend saw this game out very impressively although there was a bit of nervous tension when Rosario threw the kitchen sink at it in last few minutes. Full Time 1-0

A very impressive battling performance by the young blues, every one of them emptying the tank. They continue to improve each week showing a bit of steel, built on a very strong, solid defence. Every player was out on their feet after putting lots of energy into the game. They March on to the next round of the cup. Maguire gets the plaudits for a great performance at the back, showing improvement and consistency of performance, always on the front foot winning all his duels.

Ballymena Pizza Parlour sponsored Player of the Match: Ronan Maguire

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Joshua Dillon, Harry McKay, Corey King, Joseph O’Hara, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Ruairi Hamill, Pearse Devlin and Kane McNeill

Northend Colts 2 Barn United 0 Saturday 15th February 2025

Beautiful playing conditions at a great facility, Brookvale Park 3G, would see the young Pizza Parlour Colts pitted against a strong Barn United. A tight, highly contested game in good spirit saw the young blues reverse the score-line from an earlier defeat to Barn, before Christmas.

Barn started the stronger dominating possession, moving the ball around quickly and Northend struggled to get their foot on the ball. When Northend finally got it Barn were pressing intensely. Northend back four of Maguire, O’Neill, Slattery and O’Hara did well to limit any danger to long shots which didn’t trouble Hardy in goal. In fact Northend looked the most threatening on the counter with the pace of Devlin and Neeson up top. Devlin came close when he beat the last man, but his shot was down the middle and a fairly comfortable save. Then O’Neill came close with a header from a Da Prato corner but just wide. Northend started to grow into the game and had belief. They switched to a 4-3-3 and started to take control of the game with Da Prato, O’Neil and new signing Hamill dominating the midfield. King had moved further forward in the attacking line and Northend looked threatening. Again, danger man Devlin broke through the backline but his shot just wide of target. Barn had created little but came close when a handling error by Hardy gave opportunity to the Barn striker. However, Lughan recovered quickly diving at his feet and smothering the ball. O’Neill who had pushed forward, started joining in attacks and came close when his shot from edge of the area sailed past the upright. Then with 5 mins before the half end a quick throw in saw Neeson get the ball in quickly to O’Neill who had made a forward run. Kian shielded the ball well and then side stepped the last defender slotting the ball clinically into the far corner for a deserved half time lead. Half Time 1-0

Northend continued in the same vain in the second half. They dominated the midfield moving the ball quickly with some nice slick passing and patterns of play. Devlin got another opportunity early in the half but again thwarted by the keeper. Then a brilliant bit of play saw Northend pass the ball through the thirds from the keeper to Gordon who beat the last man and shot incisively into the far bottom corner. However, the keeper was down quickly making an impressive save. Barn were not out of it and fought hard gaining some momentum in the middle of the half. Indeed, they were so close to an equaliser when their midfielder smashed one into the top corner from the edge of the area. Yet again for the second time in a week Hardy pulled off a remarkable diving save at full stretch to keep their slender advantage. Northend should have killed the game with 10 to go when Devlin and Neeson were clear with only the keeper to beat. Yet again the keeper pulled off another save from Devlin. Then up the other end Hardy parried a long shot and in the melee to get clear bundled over the Barn striker. Northend cleared their lines to cries for penalty but the referee waved play on. To rub salt into the wounds Devlin went up the other end and this time slotted his shot at second time of asking to win the game and take all three points. Full Time 2-0

A very impressive battling performance by the young blues and a great game of football with a very satisfying result. Da Prato gets the plaudits in midfield for a strong combative performance, displaying composure and using the ball well. Well done all.

Ballymena Pizza Parlour sponsored Player of the Match: Caleb Da Prato

Colts Panel: Lughan Hardy, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Joshua Dillon, Harry McKay, Corey King, Joseph O’Hara, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Ruairi Hamill, Kian O’Neill, Pearse Devlin, Kane McNeill

Northend Colts 0 Clonduff 1 Saturday 8th February 2025

A cold morning at Mallusk playing fields would see the Pizza Parlour sponsored colts face tough opposition in Clonduff. A depleted squad with one sub between two teams gave a good account of themselves but unfortunately no result for their effort today.

Clonduff started the stronger dominating possession and Northend were very deep with no obvious outball. Gordon worked tirelessly as a lone striker but nothing would stick and Northend had little going forward. They worked hard and the back four of Maguire, McKay, Slattery and O’Hara were resolute. Clonduff were limited to long shots which didn’t overly trouble Hardy although one effort did sale past the upright. The central midfield three of Da Prato, King and Dillon worked hard to try and wrestle momentum with Neeson and Devlin working tirelessly down either flank. The bench changed it up bringing on McNeill and pushing Neeson and Devlin further forward and McKay into midfield. This gave better balance had immediate impact with Devlin getting his first sight of goal but just wide. Then Devlin made a great weaving run down the left and played a brilliant ball into Neeson, unmarked in the area. His touch just let him down with the best chance of the half. Not long after Devlin was released in over the top in the clear and he was about to slot his finish before it was called back for a marginal offside. Half Time 0-0

The second half started in the same fashion as the first. Northend defended well restricting Clonduff to long shots which were comfortable for Hardy. Then a long nothing ball accidentally deflected off Slattery’s hand as he tried to head clear. The resultant free kick from the edge of the area was smashed down Hardy’s throat which was saved but no one reacted to the loose ball leaving a very easy tap in for the Clonduff forward. A very soft goal to give away after all the effort of the game so far. Northend heads dropped but they still defended manfully but couldn’t get that cutting edge to put pressure of the Clonduff defence. Northend began to push going to three at the back allowing three on three to the Clonduff counter. A breaking ball on the edge of the Northend area so a smashing shot low into the far corner of the goal. Somehow at full stretch, Hardy pulled off a diving reflex save to push the ball round the post with a very strong hand. A better save you will be hard pushed to see. Northend pushed for the last ten and created a few last gasp openings but couldn’t get the break of the ball and the equaliser. Full Time 0-1

A very impressive battling performance by the young blues and they felt very hard done by leaving empty handed and goalless despite their efforts. Every player was out on their feet after putting lots of energy into the game. Hardy gets the plaudits for a great performance, kicking brilliantly and pulling off one of the best saves you’re likely to see in youth football.

Ballymena Pizza Parlour sponsored Man of the Match: Lughan Hardy

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Harry McKay, Joshua Dillon, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Devlin, Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Corey King and Kane McNeill.