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Northend United 3 Carniny 3 Saturday 16th February 2013

The Wee Blues extended their unbeaten run with a fantastic comeback in a real humdinger of a derby. The young Northender's were quickly into their side and took the game to Carniny from the kick-off. Peter Bristow and Jack Adam's each went close to opening the scoring within the first six minutes, although Carniny showed they too carried a threat on the counter attack. The game was being played at a frantic pace and both teams played some fantastic football when in possession. The first goal fell to Northend on nine minutes, when Kevin Cosgrove received a lay off from Peter Bristow and fired an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from long range. At this point it looked as though the baby blues would press on to increase their lead - How wrong can you be! Within a minute of the re-start the Wee Blues were slow to close down a shot from the edge of their box and the effort took a wicked deflection past a blameless Ryan McGrath. There then followed a funny five minutes in which Northend dominated possession but yet fell a further two goals behind. On each occasion the ball broke kindly to a Carniny player with the time and space to increase their lead. To their credit, Northend rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to pull a goal back. It is also worth mentioning that Ryan McGrath was having a fine morning between the sticks and produced an a couple of first-half saves which kept his team in the game, most notably from a high up field punt which he plucked out of the air from just under the cross-bar. Half-time score 1-3.

The next goal was always going to be important in this game and Northend looked determined to ensure that this was going to fall their way. Corey McMillan and David Magill were both having good games and drove forward to support their midfield and forward players. Josh McPeake was marshalling the defence and produced a number of his trade-mark up-field runs in an effort to turn the game around. Carniny were now firmly encamped in their own half and faced a constant wave of Northend attacks. The large gathering of supporters roared the Wee Blues forward and Corey McMillan, Jack Adams, Peter Bristow and Kevin Cosgrove all went agonisingly close to scoring. Callum Gatt came into the left back position and Corey McMillan pushed further up-field as the onslaught continued. Finally, at the mid-point of the half, an excellent passing move involving a number of the Northend team saw the ball break to Kevin Cosgrove inside the box, and the young midfielder wasted little time in smashing the ball past the Carniny keeper. The baby blues were now relentless in pushing forward for the equaliser. With five minutes remaining Jack Adams and Kevin Cosgrove pressurised a Carniny defender and forced a mistake which saw the ball end up in the back of the goal (own goal). The Wee Blues sensed that a win was now within their grasp and despite several further efforts on goal; they were unlucky not to take anything further from the game. Full-time score 3-3

This was an excellent performance from the Wee Blues and showed that they should have every faith in their ability to turn games around, even when 'lady luck' is sometimes running against them. Well done boys!!!

Man of the Match: Ryan McGrath - Outstanding again today.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, J McPeake, C McMillan, P Bristow, K Cosgrove, J Adams, C Gatt

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Ballymoney Academy 1 Northend United 6 Saturday 9th February 2013

The Wee Blues recorded their first back to back victories this season with a truly outstanding team performance. There was little to choose between either side in the opening five minutes and it took an instinctive finish inside a packed goal-mouth from Kevin Cosgrove to settle Northend's nerves. With their noses in front the baby blues started to play some excellent football and were working hard to create space for each other. On the eight minute mark Kevin Cosgrove received an infield pass from Peter Bristow and played a delightful one-two with Jack Adams before bursting into the box and placing the ball beyond the keeper. The young Northend side were now in complete control of the game and the back line of David Magill, Josh McPeake and Corey McMillan were enjoying the opportunity to support their midfield and forward players. The Wee Blues third goal came on eleven minutes when Peter Bristow cleverly anticipated a pass between two Ballymoney defenders and neatly tucked the ball into the net. Ryan McGrath was once again in outstanding form in the Northend goal and although Ryan got both hands to a well struck shot from a Ballymoney striker, he was unlucky to see the effort end up in the net. Several further chances fell to the baby blues' and, with only a few minutes remaining in the half, it was that man again - Kevin Cosgrove - who recorded his first hat-trick when he finished a good passing move that involved a number of the Northend players. Half-time score 4-1.

The opening moments of the second half were quite balanced and the young Ballymena side showed a great deal of discipline in maintaining their shape and attempting to play a pass and move game. Several opportunities came and went, although the Wee Blues did extend their lead on six minutes when Jack Adams smashed his effort into the net. Callum Gatt was making a good impression at left-back and Jordan McFettridge introduced some strength to the attack. As the baby blues continued to press, Ryan McGrath was proving more than equal to anything which came his way. Corey McMillan and David Magill each created space on the flanks and both were unlucky not to enjoy a bit of better luck in front of goal. Josh McPeake had by now made a number of his characteristic up-field runs, and it was from one of these bursts that Josh found time and space to record Northend's sixth with five minutes remaining. This ended the scoring and rounded off fantastic team performance by each and every member of the Wee Blues squad.

Man of the Match: Team Performance (and perhaps a special mention for Kevin Cosgrove on his first ever hat-trick).

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, J McPeake, C McMillan, P Bristow, K Cosgrove, J Adams, C Gatt, J McFetridge

Portrush 1 Northend United 3 Saturday 2nd February 2013

A couple of tough friendlies and the benefit of a few weeks indoor training over the winter break seems to have worked a treat for the Wee Blues, as they kicked-off the second half of their league campaign with an impressive display. Northend were quickly into their stride and the defensive trio of David Magill, Josh McPeake and Corey McMillan looked very composed in possession. Peter Bristow and Kevin Cosgrove were dominating the midfield area and both went close to scoring the opening goal within the first ten minutes. Portrush were limited to a handful of corners in the half, although Ryan McGrath had to be 'on his toes' when an in-swinging effort found its way into the box and he was forced into punching the ball clear. Northend were however now in control of the game and Jack Adams was very unlucky to see two efforts drift agonisingly past the upright. The Wee Blues continued to push forward and they got their deserved lead on the fourteen minute mark, when the ball fell to Peter Bristow in the box and he quickly adjusted his feet to slot the ball into the back of the net. Half-time 1-0.

Northend immediately picked up the pace at the start of the second half and produced some really entertaining football for their loyal supporters. Josh McPeake, Peter Bristow and Kevin Cosgrove all went close to extending the lead. However, it was Jack Adams who added the second within four minutes of the re-start when he squeezed the ball past the Portrush keeper from an acute angle. The third came two minutes later when Kevin Cosgrove latched onto a loose ball in the box and rifled his effort into the goal. Callum Gatt and Keelan Campbell replaced David Magill and Jack Adams in defence and attack and Northend continued to press the Portrush defence. With six minutes remaining a Portrush player smashed a free kick towards the top corner of the Wee Blues goal, and nobody could believe their eyes as Ryan McGrath leapt to flick the effort over the cross-bar - a clear contender for save of the season! The young Seasiders pulled a goal back with a minute or so remaining, but nothing could take the gloss off an excellent display by the 'baby blues'. Full-time Northend 3 - Portrush 1

Man of the Match: Kevin Cosgrove

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, J McPeake, C McMillan, P Bristow, K Cosgrove, J Adams, C Gatt, K Campbell