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Northend United 4 Clarendon 0 Saturday 28th October 2017

Northend travelled to Mallusk on Saturday morning with only 11 players, and everyone to a man battled to a hard fought but deserved 3 points.

Against a strong, physical Clarendon, Northend started on the front foot with Chad Shaw and Joshua Logan both testing the away keeper. With the wind playing its part, Connor Brennan in the Northend goal had to be on his toes on a couple of occasions, but half an hour in, Northend opened the scoring after Chad Shaw was fouled in the box and he got up and scored from the spot. Half time 1-0

Clarendon came out second half and put the home side under pressure, causing problems from at least 6 corners in a row but Northend stood up to everything asked of them and from a Robert McCluney free kick, Thomas Givens scored to open up a bit of breathing space. This seemed to deflate Clarendon and it was 3 a short time later, after some good work by Robbie Jones down the right, whose cross was well headed on by Givens to Adam Harbinson who made no mistake scoring past the keeper. Joshua Logan and Ronan Lynn were now running the midfield and Northend scored another late on, Thomas Givens scoring his second of the match to round off a really good win.

A great performance from 11 men who gave their all and kept up their winning run to stay top of the table. Full time 4-0

Man of the Match: Team Performance

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

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Ballymacash Rangers 1 Northend United 2 Saturday 21st October 2017

Northend travelled to Belfast on a rain soaked Friday night to take on league leaders Ballymacash,and came away with all 3 points in a hard fought game. It was Rangers who started the game better,putting Northend under some early pressure but as the match wore on it was evident this was going to be a close one. There were chances for both teams before Ballymacash opened the scoring after 25 minutes,taking advantage of a defensive mix up. Though the heads never dropped,and they had chances to get back on level terms,that was the way it stayed until half time. Half time 1-0

Northend really started to take control second half with Joshua Logan and Aaron Smyth dictating play from the middle of the park and Ronan Lynn and Chad Shaw stretching the Rangers defence. And it was Lynn who brought Northend level,finishing coolly from a Logan through ball. Northend were pushing for a winner and anything coming the other way was being snuffed out by a strong back line of Jones, McCluney, Forsythe and Smyth. With 15 minutes left Northend got the winner when Lynn scored his second of the night. It could have been more,McCluney rattling the crossbar with a free kick and Jones putting a header over the bar. Full time 1-2

Northend take over at the top, but with injuries mounting they will have to dig deep over the next few weeks to stay there.

Man of the Match: Robbie Jones

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, LParker, R McCluney, C Forsythe, J Logan, A Smyth, J Smyth, R Lynn, C Fullerton, C Shaw, C McDonald, A Harbinson, T Givens.

Northend United 3 Shankill Juniors 2 Saturday 14th October 2017

Northend missing 4 players through injury,started their league campaign off with a good win over much fancied Shankhill. The Ballymena side started well on top and opened the scoring,after good work from Robert McCluney and Aaron Smyth,Chris Fullerton finished well across the keeper. With Northend still dictating play,Shankhill hit two quick goals on the break to take a 2-1 lead into half time Half time 1-2

Shankhill started the second half with their tails up and put Northend under pressure with Connor Brennan in goal having to make a couple of great saves,but as the half wore on they started to take control again with Joshua Logan and Aaron Smyth especially,driving the team forward. With good pressure from Adam Harbinson,the Shankhill defender put the ball into his own net,and with time running out,up stepped Joshua Logan to fire home the winner,a great left footed strike from 30 yards.

A good performance from the boys, coming back and justifiably taking all three points. Full time 3-2

Man of the Match: Joshua Logan

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

Northend United 2 Hillsborough Boys 2 Northend win 5-4 on penalties NIBFA Cup Saturday 7th October 2017

Northend played premier division side Hillsborough in a pulsating NIBFA cup match on Saturday morning,and came away winning in a sudden death penalty shoot out.

Northend started the game on the front foot,playing some nice football and creating a few chances, only to find the Hillsborough goalkeeper hard to beat.. Northend took a well deserved lead after 25 minutes,Robert McCluney firing home a well struck free kick. Half time 1-0

The game really opened up in the second half,with Hillsborough pushing for an equaliser and Northend looking dangerous on the break. It was the away side who got back into the game with a well taken goal 20 minutes in. Both teams were going for the win,and Northend scored again through Aaron Smyth. That looked likely to be the winning goal but in injury time Hillsborough scored a fortunate goal,the ball drifting over everyone's head from a half way line free kick.

Into extra time and both teams had chances, but with Sam Frew and Calum McDonald in great form at the back,Northend never looked like conceding.

Penalties had to settle this tie and after Logan, J Smyth,Lynn and Shaw scored for Northend it was Aaron Smyth who smashed in the winning goal in sudden death.

A really good game of football with both teams contributing to a very hard fought cup tie.

Man of the Match: Sam Frew- Won every challenge asked of him.

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

.Northend United 6 Loughside 0 Saturday 30th September 2017

Northend continued their good start to the season,this time with an impressive win over Belfast team Loughside.

They started the game much the brighter side,and opened the scoring early,Chad Shaw finishing well past the keeper. Half an hour in it was two,when Josh Logan struck with a well placed shot. Half time 2-0

Early in the second half,Chris Fullerton scored with a great strike and Conal Gordon added a fourth shortly after to kill the game off as a contest.

Sam Frew ,who along with Calum McDonald at the back,looked assured all game,coolly slotted home a penalty and Chad Shaw scored his second to make it six to help Northend finish top of their group in the supplementary cup.

A pleasing start to life in the South Belfast league but having been moved up a division, the boys know all too well the hard works just beginning.

Next up is a home tie in the NIBFA cup against premier division side Hillsborough, a really tough draw but on this form the boys go into the game with great confidence. Full time 6-0

Man of the Match: Conal Gordon

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

All at the Club send their best wishes to Conal Gordon, who fractured his leg today in our match following a heavy tackle from a Loughside player.

Northend United 6 Coaching for Christ 0 Saturday 16th September 2017

Northend continued their impressive start in the south Belfast league with a comfortable win against an understrengh Coaching for Christ team

Goals in the first half from Ronan Lynn,Aaron Smyth both well assisted by Conal Gordon and a Chad Shaw strike saw Northend go in at half time leading by 3 goals. Half time 3-0

Playing some really good football,Northend increased their lead, Joshua Logan and Conal Gordon both helping themselves to a couple and the impressive Ronan Lynn getting his hat trick.

To their credit,Coaching for Christ never gave up but on this occasion Northend proved to strong.

Man of the Match: Ronan Lynn

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, T Givens, Sam Frew, Calum McDonald, Aaron Smyth, R McCluney, C Gordon, C Shaw, R Lynn, J Logan, J Smyth, L Parker, P Kyle, C Fullerton

Albert Foundry 1 Northend United 5 Friday 1st September 2017

Northend went into the unknown on Friday night,playing their first game in the South Belfast league,and what a performance they gave.

It was the hosts who were quicker out of the blocks,playing some good football and taking a derserved lead after 15 minutes. As the game went on,Northend really got to grips with the match and after a few missed opportunities they got themselves back on level terms,Ronan Lynn powering in a header from a Conall Gordon corner. Both teams were giving their all but it was Northend who went in front just before half time, Joshua Logan finishing well past the Foundry keeper. Half time 1-2

Northend started the second half with great confidence, and scored two quick fire goals,a cracker from the hard working Conall Gordon and a controlled finish from Aaron Smyth. Foundry to their credit never gave up but the Northend defence of Jones, Forsythe, Frew and Givens who were magnificent all night,never let anything through. With 10 minutes remaining it was 5, after the 'messi like' Robert McCluney played in Chad Shaw, and he scored the goal his hard work deserved.

A pleasing start to life in a new league but the boys know there's plenty of hard work and games to come.

Just a mention for Connor Brennan who had to be replaced mid way through the second half with a head injury after making some great saves on the night. Full time 1-5

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: C Brennan, R Jones, T Givens, S Frew, C Forsythe, A Smyth, R McCluney, C Gordon, J Logan, C Shaw, R Lynn, L Parker, C Bailes, P Kyle