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Northend United 1 Bangor YM 2 - League Cup Final Saturday 9th May 2026

After completing all the league games of the season the Under 18 second division came down to the League Cup final playoff between Northend Under 18 and Bangor YM Under 18. Both sides had finished the league with the same points on the same head-to-head games. The final was played on Saturday evening at Seaview home of Crusaders Football Club on a warm sunny evening in front of a large crowd both sets of fans would not be left disappointed with the football on show.

From the first whistle Northend settled very quickly and got the ball down and played football. The defence of Wiktor, Aodhán, Shay B and Shea along with Alex in nets were coping well with the Bangor long ball attacks and restricting chances. The midfield four of Ryan, Sam, Aaron and Shane were causing the Bangor defence problems, with Jude and Odhran up front looking dangerous.

As the team pushed for the first goal, numerous chances went and gone before Ryan finished off a good passing move at the back post. More chances were created but it was Bangor who would equalise after a smart finish by the striker.

Again Northend would create more chances but the second goal would not come. Half time 1-1

The second-half again was a tight affair with Northend looking more likely to score, however it was Bangor you would take the lead. From a corner, the ball was swung in and the Bangor player was left unmarked at the back post to tap in. The introduction of Conor and Niko to the attack caused more issues to the Bangor defense.

Northend continued to try and get the equaliser but the goal would not come, even to the final whistle the team who were now reduced to ten men tried.

Bangor would hold out to win the game and be crowned league champions Full time 1-2

This was the final game for this team who have represented the club for years. Seven of the panel on the day have been with the club since five years of age and have been a credit to themselves and their families. The club would like to wish them well in their next journey in football

Panel: Alex Crawford, Lucas Barnett, Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McClintock, Aaron Doherty, Wiktor Wronski, Jude Storrie, Odhran Duffin, Niko Bycek, Shane McAuley, Jamie McAuley, Conor Johnston, Sam Rogalski, Shea McConnell, Jack Patterson, Ross Bamber, Shay Butler

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Northend United 2 St Lukes 2 (Northend lost 4-5 on penalties) Friday 17th April 2026

This week the team played St Lukes 2008 in the semi-final of the Cup at Ulida Belfast. It wasn't long before the boys took the lead when a corner wasn't cleared and the ball fell to Aaron who smartly beat the keeper. The second would follow soon after when a pass from Alex in nets was flick on by Conor to Ryan to race through and pass unselfishly to Shane to tap in. St Lukes always threatened with their long ball game and would pull one back before. Half time. 2-1

The second half again was a battle in the middle of the park, with Northend looking the more likely to score. Chances went and gone but in the remaining minutes of the game St Lukes broke to smartly finish and bring it into penalties

Unfortunately I was St Lukes who advanced to the final after a good save from their keeper. Full time 2-2 (3-5 pens)

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Jamie McAuley, Aaron Doherty, Lucas Barnett, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Odhran Duffin, Sam Rogalski, Jude Storrie, Ryan McClintock, Conor Ferguson, Niko Bycek, Jack Patterson and Wiktor Wronski

Northend United 5 Bangor YM 1 Cup Quarter-Final Friday 10th April 2026

On Friday night the team travelled to Belfast to take on Bangor Young Men in the quarter final of the Cup, a match that was in preparation for the league playoff final which will take place in a few weeks time. The horrendous weather conditions at the Blanchflower stadium Belfast would mean it would be difficult but the team started off brightly with a great pass from Sam that split the Bangor defence for Ryan to run on to finish smartly. The second followed soon after, from a great passing move in our corner the ball was eventually played over the top to Connor who delivered a lovely cross to Shane to finish smartly. The weather was getting worse and it was Bangor who would pull one back after a smart finish from the striker. However the team would finish the first-half with a third with a goal from Odhran. Half time 3-1

The second half playing against the wind the team added to the scoreline with goals from Ryan and Aaron.

The team now look forward to a semi-final against St Luke's the next coming weeks, Full time 5-1

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Jamie McAuley, Ryan McClintock, Aaron Doherty, Lucas Barnett, Odhran Duffin, Shea McConnell Shane McAuley, Niko Bycek, Sam Rogalski, Conor Ferguson, and Wiktor Wronski.

Northend United 3 Ballymena United 0 Friday 20th March 2026

This week the team played Ballymena United 2008 in the local derby at the Ballymena Showgrounds, knowing a win would secure a league playoff. The large crowd were not disappointed from the first whistle as both teams went for it. It wasn’t long before the boys took the lead when a ball over the top fellow to Jude but his shot was blocked but Shane was on hand to finish. The second would follow soon after when Shea swung in a dangerous free kick for Aaron to finish at close range. The boys were on top and the third finished the game when a great passing move released Sam on the left who crossed for Jude to smartly finish.

The second half again was a battle in the middle of the park, with Northend looking the more likely to score. Chances went and gone but it was the boys who now look forward to a play off final. Full time 3-0

Northend United 3 Ballymena United 1 Friday 13th March 2026

This week the team played Ballymena United 2008 in the local derby at the Ballymena Showgrounds. The large crowd were not disappointed from the first whistle as both teams went for it. After riding the early storm from Ballymena United the boys settled and started to create chances troubling the Ballymena United keeper. It wasn’t long before the boys took the lead when great work by Shane on the right created pace for a cross, which caused confusion in the box and Conor was on hand to finish. The second would follow soon after when Conor closed down the defender and then after winning the ball, cooly finished by the keeper. Half time 2-0

The second half again was a battle in the middle of the park, with Northend looking the more likely to score. It was however Ballymena United who would score to set up a frantic last ten minutes. A third from Jude would seal the points. Full time 3-1

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Jamie McAuley, Aaron Doherty, Lucas Barnett, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Odhran Duffin, Sam Rogalski, Jude Storrie, Ryan McClintock, Conor Ferguson, Niko Bycek and Wiktor Wronski

Northend United 9 Newhill B 1 Friday 6th March 2026

This week the team played Newhill 2008 in Belfast on Friday night at Whiterock. From the first whistle it was Newhill who started the brighter putting pressure on the back four. After riding this storm it wasn’t long before the boys settled and took the lead when Jude scored from a Sam corner. His second would come soon after when quick thinking from Alex in nets played the ball over the top and a smart control and finish with his left foot made it two. Further goals in the half from Aaron and Shane would follow before Newhill pulled one back. A missed penalty just before the half would have made it five. Half time 4-1

The second half saw changes but was the same performance with a further five recorded, two from Conor on his debut, completion of a hat trick from Jude and goals from Sam and Shane. Full time 9-1

Northend United 2 St Lukes 3 Friday 27th February 2026

This week the team played St Luke’s FC on a cold and windy Friday night in Ballymena. From the first whistle St Luke’s FC settled better, getting the ball down and playing. It wasn’t long before they took the lead with a good finish from the winger. The team now got started and passed the ball about well creating chances and causing St Luke’s FC problems. The goal came when a shot from Sam wasn’t held by the keeper and Ryan was able to collect before passing to Shane to tap in. Half time 1-1

The second half started well with a cool finish from Odhran, but it was St Luke’s FC who would take the lead with two quick goals. Despite chances the equaliser wouldn’t come and it was St Luke’s FC who secured the 3 points. Full time 2-3

Northend United 3 St Lukes 0 Friday 13th February 2026

This week the team played St Luke’s FC on a cold and windy Friday night in Belfast. With only 11 available players the team knew it was going to be a tough 70 minutes. From the first whistle the team settled well getting the ball down and playing. It wasn’t long before they took the lead after good play by the hard working Aaron played Ryan through to finish neatly into the corner. The second followed 10 minutes later when Pauric riffled a free kick into the top corner of the net. Half time 2-0

The second half was just about maintaining the lead with 11 men and the team battled and fought for every ball restricting and frustrating St Luke’s FC. To their credit the team created chances and looked the more likely to score. In the last minute of the game good work from Niko allowed him to cross to the unmarked Keelan to score his first for the club. Full time 3 – 0

Special mention to vice-captain Shay Butler who sustained a nasty ankle injury in the first half, but battled on for the team. We wish him a speedy recovery and quick return.

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McClintock, Aaron Doherty, Wiktor Wronski, Pauric Redmond, Niko Bycek, Ross Bamber, Shea McConnell and Keelan Johnston

Northend United 7 Newhill B 1 Friday 6th February 2026

This week the team played Newhill 2008 at home at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday night From the first whistle the boys troubled Newhill and took an early lead when Odhran scored after great build up play. To their credit Newhill scored straight from the kick off when a defensive error was pounced on and smartly finished. The boys kicked on again from this with goals from Ryan and a first half hat trick from Aaron. Half time 5-1

The second half saw changes but was the same performance with another two goals recorded, one from Wiktor and a fourth on the night for Aaron. Full time 7-1

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Jamie McAuley, Aaron Doherty, Lucas Barnett, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Odhran Duffin, Sam Rogalski, Jack Patterson, Jude Storrie, Ryan McClintock and Wiktor Wronski

Northend United 3 St Marys 1 Friday 30th January 2026

This week the team played St Mary’s 2008 at Jordanstown on Friday night. In took a while to get back into their rhythm but the boys would settle and it wasn’t long before the goals came. Good finishes on the night from Sam, Jack and Aaron would secure the 3 points. To their credit St Mary’s pulled a late goal back from the penalty spot. Full time 3-1

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Jamie McAuley, Aaron Doherty, Lucas Barnett, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Ross Bamber, Niko Bycek, Sam Rogalski, Jack Patterson, Jude Storrie, Ryan McClintock and Wiktor Wronski.

Northend United 2 Bangor YM 3 Friday 23rd January 2026

This week the team played league leaders Bangor YM on a cold and windy Friday night at Jordanstown. The previous game had plenty of goal and this was expected to be the same. From the first whistle the boys created an option when Ryan bounced on a mistake and was fouled. The resulting free was narrowly put wide by Sam. The back four of Wiktor, Aodhan, Shay B and Shea were copying will with the long balls of Bangor, but despite numerous chances to score it would be Bangor who took the lead just before half time with their first chance. Half time 0-1

The second half started slowly with individual errors, but it was Aaron who would bounce to equalise from outside the box. In a poor 5 minute spell Bangor would take a 2 goal lead. To their credit the boys kept playing their football and chances would come and go before Shane pulled one back late on. Despite their efforts the equaliser would not come. Full time 2-3

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Odhran Duffin, Jamie McAuley, Ryan McClintock, Aaron Doherty, Lucas Barnett, Wiktor Wronski, Sam Rogalski, Pauric Redmond, Niko Bycek, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Jude Storie and Ross Bamber

Northend United 5 Saintfield 1 Friday 16th January 2026

This week the team played Saintfield 2008 in their first game of 2026 at Sally Gardens Belfast. In took a while to get back into the rhythm again and Saintfield capitalised on this causing a few issues. But the boys would settle and it was nice build up play from Aaron and Jack who played Ross through. His shot came off the post and Niko was in hand to finish. This seemed to spur Saintfield on a they would finish the half all square when they scored from a corner. Half time 1-1

Changes up top at the start of the second half would cause issues and it wasn’t long when the lead was restored with an excellent free kick from Sam. Further goals would follow from Odhran, Aaron and Jack to run out comfortable winners on the night. Full time 5-1

Panel: Alex Crawford, Shay Butler, Aodhan McGarry, Jamie McAuley, Aaron Doherty, Lucas Barnett, Odhran Duffin, Shea McConnell, Shane McAuley, Pauric Redmond, Ross Bamber, Niko Bycek, Sam Rogalski, Jack Patterson and Wiktor Wronski