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Northend United 4 St Patricks 0 Friday 22nd October 2021

It was a return to Friday night football this weekend for Northend’s Under-16’s as they travelled to Crumlin to play North Belfast side St. Patrick’s. The impressive start to the season made by the young blues continued with another impressive win. However, after a number of call-offs this week on training nights, we witnessed a disjointed and often frustrating performance from this talented squad.

After a quiet start Northend took the lead after 15 mins when the ever-improving Liam Heggarty burst down the left wing and sent a vicious left foot shot past the helpless St Pat’s keeper. From there it was almost all one-way traffic with Northend dominating the midfield area - captain Lewis Devlin playing in an unfamiliar role being particularly impressive. The strong running of Harry Connon eventually paid off when he was brought down in the box for a penalty which was coolly dispatched by Euan Pirie. Half time 2-0

Northend continued to dominate proceedings early in the second half and went further ahead when Euan Pirie hammered home another penalty following a St Pat’s handball.

From there they began to allow St Pat’s more into the game and on two or three occasions had to be thankful to the ever-alert Tom Hasson in goal. In addition, Eryk Hejno was having a great game in defence continually breaking up the Belfast side’s attacking play and getting Northend moving up the pitch. Two minutes from the end Euan Pirie completed his hat-trick when Kacper Gabrchowska played in a delightful pass for the centre-forward to clinically dispatch. Full time 4-0

Player of the Match: Eryk Hejno

Panel: T Hasson, C Lyness, J Mark, C Hendron, E Hejno, L Heggarty, D Patterson, S McDermott, L Devlin, H Connon, E Pirie, K Corcoran, K Gabrychowska

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Northend United 2 Bloomfield 0 Saturday 16th October 2021

The U16s continued a busy fixture schedule of late with an away match against East Belfast side Bloomfield. The first half was uninspiring with very few chances being created on a tight pitch with a poor playing surface. This was the third game in 8 days for the young blues and given the current injury/illness list there was no opportunity to rest players and get fresh legs into the side. Bloomfield had the better of the first half and their hard-working forwards were a constant threat - however the backline of Patterson, Devlin, Hejno and Heggarty very rarely let anything past them and when they did Hasson in goal was in great form. Half time 0-0

Following the break Northend played with increased intensity and were getting more possession in midfield. However, it took an outstanding finger-tip save from Northend’s keeper Hasson to stop Bloomfield taking the lead. The introduction of Gabrychowska to the forward-line started to give Pirie more space and stretch the well-organised Bloomfield defence. Following a great run and cross down the right wing by McDermott, the Northend centre-forward volleyed home the opening goal. Two minutes later the rejuvenated McDermott scored an outstanding individual effort as he powered forward to shoot home from 20 yards out. Bloomfield worked hard to try to get back into the game but Northend saw out the final 15 minutes to record a hard-fought win. Full time 2-0

Player of the Match: Sean McDermott and Thomas Hasson

Panel: T Hasson, C Lyness, L Devlin, E Hejno, L Heggarty, D Patterson, S McDermott, C O’Hara, H Connon, E Pirie, K Corcoran, K Gabrychowska

Northend United 1 Holywood Youth 2 Wednesday 13th October 2021

Northend travelled to Crumlin last Wednesday night to play table topping Holywood Youth.

The young Blues got off to the worst possible start conceding a goal in the opening minute.

Holywood’s high tempo passing game had Northend under severe pressure for the first ten minutes but they eventually started to gain more possession and become more of a threat as the first half wore on. The hard-working midfield trio of O’Hara, McDermott and O’Hara were constantly closing down the creative midfield of Holywood and eventually started to create some chances for Pirie, Patterson and Heggarty up-front who were now pushing up more and pressing the Holywood back-line. Northend could have equalised just before half time when the Holywood keeper saved well from a Pirie snapshot. Half time 0-1

After the break Northend continued in a similar vein and Holywood found it difficult to exert the same pressure on the Northend defence as they had in the first half. When they did break through the back four were resolute and keeper Hasson displayed his usual sound handling. Eventually Northend got the equaliser they deserved – Pirie scoring a superb individual goal beating 3 men in the box before slotting home.

As Northend continued to press Pirie again broke through only for the Holywood keeper to make an outstanding save from his well-struck effort. Then just as it looked like Northend would take at least a point form a hard-fought match, Holywood scored a second goal completely against the run of play to continue a winning run stretching back to the start of the season. Full time 1-2

Player of the Match: Euan Pirie

Panel: T Hasson, C Lyness, L Devlin, J Mark, E Hejno, D Patterson, S McDermott, C O’Hara, H Connon, L Heggarty, E Pirie, K Corcoran

Northend United 3 St Marys 2 Saturday 9th October 2021

Northend 06’s match this weekend was played on Friday night under the floodlights of The Cliff in Larne against St Mary’s from Glengormley.

It was a high tempo match from the start with both sides moving the ball well. As the game settled Northend’s midfield trio of McDermott, O’Hara & Connon started to dominate possession and after 15 minutes Northend took the lead when a well worked moved involving Connon and wide man Patterson found Pirie at the back post to slot home.

St Mary’s responded well but could not find a way past the Northend defence and rarely threatened. Northend continued to press forward at every opportunity and were rewarded when Connon scored with a great strike from the edge of the box following good hold up play from Pirie. Just before half-time St. Mary’s could have equalised but for a great save by keeper Hasson. Half time 2-0

Half-time interrupted Northend in full flow and they struggled to get going early in the second half. St Mary’s started to gain more possession as some players in the Northend team tired and it was just reward for their endeavour when they pulled a goal back.

This wakened up Northend and they regained their two-goal lead through a now customary goal from centre-half and captain Devlin.

Northend were in control now but just to keep the coaching staff and support on edge St Mary’s pulled another goal back with 5 minutes to go. However, Northend saw out the remaining time for a well -deserved win. Full time 3-2

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: T Hasson, C Lyness, L Devlin, C Hendron, E Hejno, D Patterson, S McDermott, C O’Hara, H Connon, L Heggarty, E Pirie, K Gabrychowska, L Campbell, F Connon, F McKay

Northend United 3 Shankill Juniors 3 Saturday 24th September 2021

Northend’s first taste of Friday night football was played under the floodlights at Jordanstown’s 3G facility against a well-disciplined Shankill side.

With Head Coach John Devlin and the returning David Hendron watching from the sidelines, the young Blues got off to a perfect start with a well-taken goal from front man Carter Reid.

With neither team dominating an entertaining first half ensued and a well-worked moved from Shankill resulted in an equaliser which gave Tom Hasson in the Northend goal no chance of saving. Northend regained the lead when captain Lewis Devlin headed in from a corner, only for Shankill to equalise again with a carbon copy of their first goal. Northend didn’t let their heads drop and just before half-time Devlin got his second goal of the night when he smashed in a loose ball from 6 yards out following another set-piece. Half time 3-2

After half-time Shankill began to dominate proceedings and the Northend defence were under severe pressure with Man of the Match Lewis Devlin and Callum Hendron in central defence time and again, breaking up promising moves from the Belfast youngsters. Eventually the continuous pressure told, and Shankill scored a deserved equaliser.

Try as they might Northend could not get the ball into dangerous areas in the second half and their cause was not helped by injuries to both Carter Reid and Dan Patterson. Full time 3-3

Player of the Match: Lewis Devlin

Panel: T Hasson, C Lyness, L Devlin, E Hejno, D Patterson, C Hendron, K Corcoran, C McAuley, L Heggarty, H Connon, C Reid, K Gabrychowska, S McDermott

Northend United 4 Ballykeel Youth 1 Saturday 18th September 2021

The Braid Dental sponsored Northend U16s began life in the South Belfast Youth League with a local derby played at Wakehurst on a sunny autumn morning. The young blues got off to a perfect start when Eryk Hejno’s perfectly struck shot found the back of the net. From then on it was end to end stuff with both teams committed to playing passing football. Gradually Northend’s midfield got control of the game and a super effort from the dynamic Harry Connon doubled Northend’s lead. This spurred Ballykeel to up their game and the Northend defence, well-marshalled by captain Lewis Devlin, had to be at their best to counter the repeated attacks. Eventually Ballykeel got a goal back with a well worked goal straight off the training ground. Half time 2-1

Neither team was going to be able to keep up the pace and intensity after half time and it became a midfield battle with neither side dominating although Northend’s Callum Hendron and Harry Connon continued to try to drive their team forward. Northend went 3-1 up when the pacy Dan Patterson burst through and sent a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Kaylem Corcoran added a fourth goal for Northend near the end for a 4-1 score line which was probably harsh on the hard-working Ballykeel youngsters. Full time 4-1

Player of the Match: Lewis Devlin, Harry Connon

Panel: T Hasson, C Lyness, L Devlin (c), E Hejno, D Patterson, C Hendron, K Corcoran, C McAuley, L Heggarty, H Connon, C Reid, K Gabrychowska

Northend United 7 Rossglass County 3 Saturday 4th September 2021

Northend United Under-16’s returned to Lisburn League action for the first time in 18 months with a resounding victory over strong County Down side Rossglass County.

All the hard work put in during pre-season under the watchful eye of coach John Devlin stood the boys in good stead as they got off to a fast start in this early morning kick-off.

The midfield trio of Connon, McDermott and Hendron controlled the game from the off and a quick-fire hat-trick from in-form striker Euan Pirie inside 20 minutes underlined the team’s dominance. Wing-backs Corcoran and Heggarty were a constant threat and the tireless running of Heggarty down the left wing, ably backed up by Hejno was a feature of the early part of game. A great strike from the tireless Harry Connon from 20 yards out made it 4-0 after 30 mins and at this stage Northend were in complete control.

Rossglass scored completely against the run of play just before half-time to give them some hope of a comeback in the second half. Half-Time 4-1

Northend continued to dominate proceedings as the second half began and quickly went 5-1 up when the rejuvenated Hendron and McDermott combined for Hendron to score a rare goal. Subs Reid and McAuley were introduced by manager Jamie Pirie to give both some much needed game-time after injury and illness and soon after there was a debut appearance for new signing Gabrychowska.

With the game seemingly over as a contest some complacency and loss of concentration let Rossglass in for 2 quick goals and all of a sudden, their tails were up as they chased something out of what seemed a lost cause. At this stage some resolute defending from the back three of Lyness, Devlin and Hejno backed up by the ever dependable Tom Hasson in goal kept the Downpatrick side at bay. Eventually Northend raised their game again and some good work from Carter Reid driving forward towards goal resulted in him winning a penalty which was coolly dispatched by Dan Patterson. A fine display was rounded off by Kaylem Corcoran ghosting in on the Rossglass defence’s blindside to score just before the final whistle. Full time 7-3

Man of the Match: Euan Pirie

Panel: T Hasson, C Lyness, L Devlin, E Hejno, K Corcoran, S McDermott, H Connon, C Hendron, L Heggarty, E Pirie, D Patterson, C Reid, C McAuley, K Gabrychowska