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Northend United 6 Aquinas 2 Saturday 27th April 2024

In our final game of the season we came up against Aquinas at Whiterock Leisure Centre. The game started even enough however Northend had the better chances with Pauric and Ross testing their keeper a number of times narrowly missing.

We took the lead half way through the first half when Shane made a great run down the right who then squared to Pauric at the edge of the box who slotted calmly in to the corner . The 2nd came soon after with Sam scoring with a curling free kick in to the top corner from about 25 yds out. We controlled the first half and consistent pressure resulted in Shane sweeping home the 3rd after a fine passing move. Half time 3-0

The 2nd half started with more pressure from Aquinas who came out and pushed hard however we caught them on the counter with Kian picking the ball up 30 yds out on the left and cutting in shooting from the edge of the box which the keeper spilled in to the net. 4 up however we took the foot off the gas. Aquinas came back into the game and pulled 1 back and after an even 15 min spell they scored another. They nearly brought it 3 bar a fine goal line clearance from a corner from Aodhan. The score remained 4-2 until the last 6 mins then we got our 5th after Niko’s fine work down the left hit a curling cross that went over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net. Aquinas heads went down and we nearly had our goal of the season after Shea took the ball from our half and got to their box before the keeper pulled off a fine save. The 6th followed shortly after great feat from Sam who curled in from the right-hand side of the box into the opposite corner. Match ended 6-2 which was great way to end what was a topsy turvy season for the boys. Full time 6-2

Player of the Match: Sam Rogalski

Panel: Connor Lavelle, Wiktor Wronski, Shay Butler, Sam Rogalski, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Niko Byczek, Eoghan Lavelle, Aodhán McGarry, Pauric Redmond, Blaine Mitchell, Kian McGarel, Ross Bamber, Shay Butler and Danny Hector

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Northend United 2 SOPFC 4 Saturday 13th April 2024

On a Blustery morning in South Belfast, the depleted U16s took to the field against SOPFC.

Playing against the wind we were the better team for the first half testing the opposition early and some lovely interplay between the team. After good pressure we won a corner that Shea crossed for Niko to place home a header at the back post. SOPFC quickly got back into the game when they were rewarded a penalty. Half time 1-1

Second half started of brightly when Niko chased a ball into the corner before crossing to the on rushing Shane to finish. However the story of the season defensive errors allowed SOPFC back into the game before the heads went down and they ran out 4 -2 winners. A disappointing result overall considering how well the team played first half. Full time 2-4

Player of the Match: Niko Byczek

Panel: Wiktor Wronski, Shay Butler, Sam Rogalski, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Niko Bycek, Jack Patterson, Aodhán McGarry, Pauric Redmond, Blaine Mitchell, Daniel Waring, Ross Bamber and Danny Hector

Northend United 2 Sirocco Works 4 Saturday 6th April 2024

On a Blustery morning in South Belfast, the depleted U16s took to the field against Sirocco. Before KO our makeshift centre half Ryan hurt his knee and could not play. Speedy recovery Ryan.

Playing against the wind we were the better team for the first half testing the opposition early and some lovely interplay between the team. After good pressure we won a corner than Danny placed home with a header. 1-0. Sirocco tried to push forward with long balls that were handled easily by Jack and Danny . Viktor our stand in keeper did well against the testing conditions. Sirocco equalised when a ball was played across the back line and a speculative shot caught the wind and lobbed the keeper. Half time 1-1

Playing with the wind at our backs for the 2nd half we should have had the momentum but it was Sirocco pushing who scored 2 goals in quick succession from corners with free shots on both occasions - Northend pushed on and won a corner which was swept home again by Danny. Sirocco then won a free kick 40 yds out that stung the keeper’s hands and their forwards nipped in to score on the rebound against a flat footed defence. A disappointing result overall considering how well the team played first half. Full time 2-4

Player of the Match: Danny Hector

Panel: Wiktor Wronski, Shay Butler, Sam Rogalski, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Niko Byczek, Jack Patterson, Aodhán McGarry, Travis Corke, Ryan O’Boyle, Ross Bamber and Danny Hector

Northend United 2 Ballyclare Comrades 2 Saturday 23rd March 2024

Saturday paired the boys up against Ballyclare in the quart final of the Cup, a team we had played three times before and there was never much in the games. Weather conditions weren’t great on a heavy pitch but both teams tried to play. It was Ballyclare who would take the lead after a free from 30 yards was split by the keeper allowing the Ballyclare player to tap in. Directly from the kick off Jack was able to score from a corner that was won. With a strong wind behind us it wasn’t long before Shane would make it 2-1 after being put through. Half time 2 – 1

The second half we battled hard against the conditions and had chances to increase the lead and finish the game. But with 3 minutes left a defensive error allowed Ballyclare a chance with a penalty that they converted. Full time 2-2

Into the dreaded pens and for the second time this season we were unable to convert and it was Ballyclare who progressed.

Panel: Andrez Smolinski, Wiktor Wronski, Ryan O’Boyle, Shay Butler, Sam Rogalski, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Niko Byczek, Aodhán McGarry, Ross Bamber, Danny Hector, Jack Patterson, Blaine Mitchell, Daniel Waring and Pauric Redmond

Northend United 5 Aquinas 3 Saturday 16th March 2024

At a wet and windy Mallusk, the boys faced Aquinas who previously beat them 5-4 coming from 4-2 down. In a very even first half, the team defended excellently against the wind and carved out a few chances with Niko coming close to scoring. In the last minute of the first half Aquinas got a free kick on the bye line about 40yds out and their player used the wind to deceive Andreyev and his shot flew into the back of the net. Half Time 0-1

The second half started positively however the boys were quickly 3-0 down with 2 identical goals where a pass left the defence flat footed for their forwards to finish. Heads went down initially however after good work from Sam Rogalski who found Ross Bamber we got one back with a good calm finish. A couple of minutes later Sam made it 2-3 with a shot from outside the box. the team could sense the game was still open and after coming back on as a substitute. Shane smashed in from 20 yards. 3-3 we could smell blood and revenge and the 4th came from a pile driver from Shay Butler who was revelling in his left midfield role. Aquinas pushed but we defended well and in the dying seconds, Blaine Mitchell, who moved out to left back, smashed one from our own half and it flew over the keeper’s head. Full time 5-3

Player of the Match: Sam Rogalski

Panel: Andrez Smolinski, Wiktor Wronski, Shay Butler, Sam Rogalski, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Niko Byczek, Jack Patterson, Aodhán McGarry, Blaine Mitchell, Ross Bamber and Danny Hector

Northend United 1 Woodvale 2 Sat 2nd March 2024

Saturday paired the boys up against Woodvale, a team we had played three times before and there was never much in the games. On a tight pitch it was Woodvale who started off the blocks quickly putting pressure on the defence from the kick off. The only goal of the half would come from Woodvale who capitalised on a long ball that wasn’t cleared to score. Half Time 0 – 1

The introduction of Shane and Niko and a few positional changes allow the boys to start flowing again and it wasn’t long before Sam dribbled past 4 players to play Shane throw to smartly finish. Again another high play wasn’t dealt with resulting in a free at the edge of the box. The Woodvale midfielder stepped up to deliver a rocket into the top corner. To their credit the boys kept pushing but the equaliser wouldn’t come. Full time 1-2

Panel: Andrez Smolinski, Wiktor Wronski, Ryan O’Boyle, Shay Butler, Sam Rogalski, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Niko Byczek, Aodhán McGarry, Jamie McAuley, Ross Bamber, Danny Hector, Jack Patterson, Blaine Mitchell, Daniel Waring and Pauric Redmond