Untitled

Northend United 3 Saint Oliver Plunketts Swifts FC 0 Supplementary Cup Final Saturday 30th December 2017

After reaching a cup final in their first season in the South Belfast League, Northend came out comprehensive winners with a glorious victory at Seaview. The first half saw Northend really focused and they could have scored a couple of goals early on, however Robert McCluney saw his sweetly struck free kick brilliantly turned around the post by the Plunketts keeper and after great build up play, Ronan Lynn just narrowly put his header over the bar. The Ballymena boys were well on top but with no goals to show for all their possession, it was still anyone's game at half time. Half time 0-0

The second half saw Northend really take control and 10 minutes in they opened the scoring, when McCluney wriggled past 2 players and fired a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. Tails were up now and with Plunketts having to push men forward, Northend were breaking forward with the pace of Aaron Smyth and Chad Shaw causing problems. Midway through the half it was two, after some great passing, Connor McDonald coolly slotted home to the delight of the travelling supporters. With fifteen minutes remaining Connor Brennan in the Northend goal made a great game changing save, as five minutes later, Josh Logan drilled in a third to seal the win and send Northend home with the cup.

A great performance from every single player and a special night for the boys as Sam Frew lifted the cup and the celebrations began. Full time 3-0

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, J Smyth, S Frew, Callum McDonald, R McCluney, A Smyth, J Logan, R Lynn, T Givens, C Shaw, Conor McDonald, A Harbinson, L Parker, P Kyle

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Northend United 1 SOPFC Swifts 2 Friday 1st December 2017

Northend exited the u17 cup at the early stages on Friday night against a physical Oliver Plunketts side. Before they could get into the game Northend found themselves 2 goals down, but after that started to take control and really should have scored a few themselves only for some good goal keeping and some badly missed chances. Half time 0-2

Tackles were flying in second half and with not much protection from the referee, Northend found the task harder, going down to 10 men through retaliation. This only galvanised the home team and still being the better side, Northend pulled one back through Josh Logan. Right to the last whistle Northend looked for the equaliser but just couldn't find the net with Plunkett's keeper pulling off two great saves. This is only the first defeat of the season for Northend who will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league next weekend. Full time 1-2

Man of the Match: Calum McDonald

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, L Parker, R McCluney, C McDonald, A Smyth, C Fullerton, J Logan, C Shaw, R Lynn, T Givens, P Kyle, J Smyth, C McDonald, A Harbinson

Northend United 5 Saintfield 2 Supplementary Cup Semi-Final Saturday 25th November 2017

Northend reached the final of the SBYL Supplementary Cup on Friday night, with a hard-fought victory over a very impressive Saintfield side.

Northend took the lead twice in the opening 30 minutes,2 good strikes from Chris Fullerton but were pegged back both times by a good footballing Saintfield. Just before half time Aaron Smyth scored to put Northend a goal up at the break. Half time 3-2

Northend were more dominant second half with McCluney, Smyth and Logan really bossing midfield and they stretched their lead when Joshua Logan made it four. Then after a mazy run past a couple of defenders, Robert McCluney was brought down in the box, Joshua Logan scoring the penalty to put the Ballymena boys into a final in their first season in the South Belfast league. Full time 5-2

Man of the Match: Aaron 'Duracell ' Smyth - just never stops running

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, T Givens, S Frew, C McDonald, A Smyth, R McCluney, J Logan, C Shaw, C Fullerton, A Harbinson, C McDonald, P Kyle

Northend United 4 Banbridge Rangers 1 NIBFA Cup 2nd Round Saturday 18th November 2017

Northend took a break from league action on Saturday to play in the second round of the NIBFA cup and came away with a good victory over their Co. Down opponents.

The home side got off to a flying start straight from the kick off, Aaron Smyth intercepting a pass to play in Chad Shaw who made no mistake firing into the top corner.

This seemed to waken Banbridge who got their game together, playing some good football, with Connor Brennan in the Northend goal having to pull off some important saves. Half time 1-0

Northend upped their game in the second half and started to take control, playing better football and after good work by Chris Fullerton, Ronan Lynn beat 2 players to slide the ball past the keeper. 10 minutes later it was 3 when Lynn this time the provider, played in Thomas Givens to finish well across the advancing keeper.

Banbridge to their credit never stopped and got a goal back with 15 minutes remaining but Ronan Lynn put the icing on the cake for Northend, again coolly finishing to send them through to the next round. Full time 4-1

It was also great to see 3 players back from injury this week with Calum McDonald, Sam Frew and Philip Kyle all playing their part after 5 weeks out.

Man of the Match: Ronan Lynn

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, J Smyth, R McCluney, C McDonald, A Smyth, C Fullerton, J Logan, C Shaw, R Lynn, T Givens, S Frew, L Parker, A Harbinson, P Kyle

Northend United 6 Carrick Colts 1 Saturday 11th November 2017

Northend had a comfortable win at the weekend, scoring 5 goals in each half. First half strikes from Aaron Smyth, Chad Shaw, Adam Harbinson and a couple of well taken Chris Fullerton goals put the game over as a contest at half time. Half time 5-1

Joshua Logan, Robert McCluney, Jay Smyth, a second from Shaw and Chris Fullerton completing his hat trick will keep confidence high. Northend now move on to NIBFA cup action this week with a tough draw at home to Banbridge Rangers

Men of the Match: Chris Fullerton-3 great right footed strikes and Jay Smyth-All round strong performance topped off with deserved goal

Panel: C Brennan, T Givens, J Smyth, R McCluney, R Jones, A Smyth, C Fullerton, J Logan, A Harbinson, R Lynn, C Shaw, L Parker

Anderstown Celtic 1 Northend United 3 Saturday 4thnovember 2017

Again, this week Northend travelled to play a match with only 11 players and again they came away with all 3 points to keep their place at the top of the league.

It was Northend who started the brighter and they took the lead after 20 minutes, when Joshua Logan hit an unstoppable shot from 25 yards. 10 minutes before half time, Celtic were back on level terms, another great strike from distance. Half time 1-1

The second half was a scrappy affair with both side's defences on top and both sides desperate not to concede. That all changed though when Robert McCluney ran out from the back, evading 3 challenges before being upended in the box. Joshua Logan converted the penalty to give the visitors the lead. This spurred on the Ballymena men and with 10 minutes remaining Connor McDonald lifted the ball over the advancing keeper to make the points safe. Four league wins in a row for Northend now and with players returning next week this should keep confidence high in the camp! Full time 1-3

Man of the Match: Robert McCluney

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, L Parker, R McCluney, J Smyth, J Logan, C Fullerton, R Lynn, A Harbinson, C McDonald, T Givens