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Portrush 1 Northend United 5 Saturday 27th April 2013

First up was a game with a fast improving Portrush side. Playing into the breeze, the Wee Blues were a little slow to settle and found themselves a goal down after six minutes. Gradually, Peter Bristow and Jack Adams took control of midfield and the baby Blues started to a find a bit of rhythm. With Ryan McGrath enjoying a trip to Scotland, the responsibility for keeping goal fell upon Rio Tsang; and it was good showing from the recent recruit to the Northend squad. Jack Adams sent a sizzling effort inches past the Portrush goal and from the resulting period of pressure you felt that an equalizer was sure to follow. Josh McPeake was busy in attack and forced a corner with some excellent work down the right flank. The ball was only partially cleared and David Magill drilled a pass back into the box towards Corey McMillan, who quickly controlled the ball before forcing it over the line to draw things level. Half time score 1-1

With texts flying back and forth across the Irish Sea to keep Ryan updated, the Wee Blues suddenly burst into life and really took the game to their opponents. Several players went close before a Corey McMillan shot clipped Josh McPeake's heel, the ball then rebounded off the post and fell kindly for Peter Bristow to force the ball home. The baby Blues were now good value for their lead, adding a further goal to their tally after eight minutes, when Owen Campbell acrobatically volleyed a corner into the roof of the net. David Magill and Kevin Cosgrove each went close from long range before Peter Bristow collected the ball in midfield and drove a low effort past the keeper from just outside the area. The fifth goal came with three minutes remaining. Josh McPeake got his reward for some very hard work in midfield when he collected the ball from a team mate and forced his effort past the keeper. Full-time Northend 5 - Portrush 1.

At this point Northend had moved into second position and a Draw or 'Dungiven victory' from the next fixture (Carniny v Dungiven) could leave a shoot-out for the league title between Dungiven and Northend in the final game. The fixture between Carniny and Dungiven was a real end to end thriller. Carniny had gone two goals up only to see the game brought level. With the game and league title hanging by a thread, Carniny notched two very late goals to see the game fall their way…

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: R Tsang, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams, Owen Campbell, Josh McPeake (and Ryan McGrath via text).

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Northend United 2 Dungiven 1 Saturday 27th April 2013

The final game of the U9 season saw these two sides meet with the runners-up trophy as the prize. Northend started strongly but there was little to choose between the two sides in the opening ten minutes. Kevin Cosgrove was having another highly impressive game at the back, Jack Adams and Peter Bristow were battling hard in midfield and Owen Campbell was torturing the Dungiven defence with his tireless running. Chances were few and far between in the opening twenty minutes and both defences looked unwilling to give any ground to their opponent. Corey McMillan and David Magill were both trying to find space down the flanks but there really was nothing to separate the teams at the interval. Half time score 0-0.

With the breeze at their back the Wee Blues started to enjoy a greater deal of possession and gradually started to dominate the game. Rio Tsang made a good save from a rare Dungiven attack and performed outstandingly well throughout the two games on the final day. The breakthrough came after six minutes when Peter Bristow fired a strong right foot shot past the Dungiven keeper. With their noses in front the baby Blues roared forward and fully deserved to go two up a few moments later. Josh McPeake ran onto a falling clearance and struck a sweet left foot volley, across goal, and into the right-hand side of the net. What a strike!! Dungiven continued to try and drive forward but the strong Northend defence looked more than capable of handling anything that came their way. With seconds remaining Dungiven clawed a goal back late into injury time, but the Wee Blues ran out winners and claimed the runners-up prize. Full-time Northend 2 - Dungiven 1

With a trophy being presented by the league and the boys celebrating with their loyal supporters, it was really pleasing to have seen this squad of players coming a very long way in a very short space of time. Each and every boy connected with the team has really tried their best over the season and you really deserved all of the success that came your way today. Very well done boys, it's been a great year. So its good-bye to the 'Baby Blues' and come on the U10s!!!

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: R Tsang, D Magill, K Cosgrove, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams, Owen Campbell, Josh McPeake (and Ryan McGrath via text).

Ballymoney United Colts 0 Northend United 1 Saturday 20th April 2013

The stakes were high going into this fixture with six points available to the winner, and it was clear from the opening moments the Baby Blues were up for the challenge. The midfield pairing of Jack Adams and Peter Bristow looked very lively and were linking up well with Owen Campbell in attack. Ballymoney were being forced back deep into their own half and as the pressure steadily built there was a feeling that a goal was sure to come. With six minutes on the clock the Wee Blues got the reward for some excellent play when Peter Bristow placed a low drive past the Ballymoney keeper. The early goal seemed to settle Northend and they were delivering one of their best performances of the season. Kevin Cosgrove was in commanding from in a new defensive role, David Magill and Corey McMillan were both having impressive games; however the most pleasing aspect for the coaches was the overall team display. Several chances further chances came and went and it was perhaps a little surprising that the Baby Blues did not extend their lead before the break. Half time 1-0.

Owen Campbell had taken a slight knock before the break and had been replaced by Josh McPeake in attack. Within the first few moments of the second half Josh had already forced two decent saves from the Ballymoney keeper, however it was a low driven effort from a tight angle which provided one of the key talking points, now… I've no doubt that it will be quite some time before goal-line technology reaches the U9s league, but it was a little worrying when everyone around the perimeter of the pitch, the players and possibly Ryan McGrath's dog saw an effort from Josh McPeake go the odd foot (or three) over the goal line. No-one, including Ryan's dog, could believe that the referee chose to ignore what had happened and waved play to go on! The Wee Blues were unmoved by the whole episode and continued to create an endless number of openings, but the ball just wouldn't go into the net. Ballymoney did go close through an effort which was cleared off the line by David Magill and an excellent one-on-one save from Ryan McGrath, however the Wee Blues saw the game out and the only thing stranger than the referee's decision making was the fact the Northend didn't add another couple of goals to their tally. Full-time Northend 1 - Ballymoney Colts 0

Very well done boys, the effort was brilliant today and the overall team performance was outstanding - Great stuff and six well deserved points!

Man of the Match: Team Performance.

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

Dungiven 5 Northend United 2 Saturday 13th April 2013

This was an absolutely cracking game of football and both sides deserve an enormous amount of credit for the skill and team work they displayed. The early part of the game saw the play flow from end to end and there was little to choose between either side. Dungiven went one up after seven minutes, however the wee blues immediately replied and went close to getting an equaliser through efforts from Kevin Cosgrove and Jack Adams. Peter Bristow was slowly starting to make things tick for the young Northend side and was unlucky to see a thunderous shot strike the cross bar. Both sides were clearly committed to playing a passing game and the baby blues were starting to enjoy little bit of domination in their attacking half. That said, the Dungiven defence were in no mood to let their lead slip and one of their defensive pairing was having a tremendous game. As the tension built the wee blues enjoyed a good five minute spell of possession and were desperately unlucky to see a second Bristow screamer hit the cross bar and bounce close to (some might say over) the goal line. Further chances came and went for both sides before Dungiven's star player volleyed an unstoppable effort into the roof of the Northend goal from the half way line. Half time 2-0.

Within a minute of the re-start the baby blues suffered a sucker punch when they failed to properly clear their area and leaked a third goal. This proved to be the wake-up call the wee blues required. David Magill saw an effort drift past the upright and Owen Campbell went close with his first touch of the game. A Northend goal did come moments later when Peter Bristow received a good through ball from Corey McMillan, Peter rounded two defenders and then calmly placed his effort into the goal to bring his team back into the game. The young Ballymena side then mounted a sustained period of pressure which produced several top class saves from the Dungiven keeper and a goal line clearance from another Bristow effort which could have changed the final outcome of the game. Ryan McGrath and Josh McPeake were each having good games in defence and it was entirely against the run of play when a Dungiven corner found its way into the goal. Northend's response was immediate when Owen Campbell pressurised Dungiven's best player into an uncharacteristic error before forcing the ball into the net. With seven minutes to go this game was on a knife-edge and both sets of supporters were thoroughly enjoying a contender for game of the season. Corey McMillan, Jack Adams, and Owen Campbell each went agonisingly close to scoring another, but it wasn't to be, and with seconds remaining Dungiven scored their fifth goal of an unforgettable match. Full-time Northend 2 - Dungiven 5

For those lucky enough to see the game, there's little more to say than on another day this could easily have been a 5-2 victory. Regardless of the final score, each player gave their absolute best and produced a fantastic team display that was enjoyed by everyone. Very well done boys!!!!

Man of the Match: Peter Bristow.

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

Northend United 2 Coleraine Olympic 3 Saturday 6th April 2013

The Baby Blues started off this NWCDYL Plate Quarter Final in fine form and immediately took the game to their opponents. Owen Campbell was looking very sharp in his attacking role and was clearly unsettling the Coleraine defence in the opening moments. David Magill was enjoying a good deal of possession and was supporting his midfield and attacking players as they drove forward for the opener. Owen Campbell, Jack Adams and Kevin Cosgrove all went close, however it was Owen Campbell who opened the scoring on nine minutes when he smashed a through ball from Corey McMillan past the Coleraine keeper. The Wee Blues were playing some really good football and looked certain to add a further goal to their tally. It was however Coleraine who scored the next goal of the game, when they capitalised upon a loose ball at the edge of the Northend box to draw level. The young Blues continued to play some lovely passing football and again went close with a volley from Owen Campbell. With the pressure continuing to mount upon the Coleraine defence, the Wee Blues restored their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kevin Cosgrove drove a pass from Jack Adams into the bottom corner of the net. Half time 2-1.

Coleraine started to come back into the game, although the Baby Blues still held the balance of possession in the early exchanges of the second half. Josh McPeake was looking very assured in defence and Keelan Campbell joined the attack. The Olympic pulled themselves level on five minutes when Northend were slow to clear the ball out of defence. The game was now going from end to end and it looked as though extra time might well be on the cards. Ryan McGrath made a fine stop from a long range effort, at the other end Corey McMillan and Kevin Cosgrove each went close. With five minutes remaining Coleraine sneaked into the lead when a clearance fell to an Olympic midfielder, who wasted no time in shooting home. The Wee Blues dominated the final moments of the game but were unable to level the score.

This was a fantastic game of football and one which the Baby Blues can draw a number of positives from for the remainder of the league campaign. Full-time Northend 2 - Coleraine Olympic 3

Man of the Match: Owen Campbell.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, J McPeake, C McMillan, K Cosgrove, J Adams, Owen Campbell, Keelan Campbell

Larne Easter Tournament Tuesday 2nd April 2013

The U9's joined a host of other clubs at the Larne FDC Easter Tournament at Sandy Bay Playing Fields.

The 2004 age group had no less than twelve teams, split into two mini-leagues of six. The Wee Blues were drawn against Coleraine Academy, Loughgall, Maiden City, Oxford United Stars and the hosts - Larne.

The overall standard of football within this age group was exceptional and the large crowd were treated to a number of highly competitive matches with no more than two goals separating any of the teams. The Wee Blues squad were very competitive in each of their five group games, the starting line-up was rotated for each game and each boy displayed the full extent of their development by playing in a number of different positions throughout the competition.

Although missing out on qualification for the semi-finals, the overall day was a huge success and each and every member of the wee blues squad should be very pleased with their performance and certainly enjoyed this great experience.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, J McPeake, J McFettridge, C Wilson, K Cosgrove, J Adams, Niall Devine, O O'Mullan

Northend United 0 Carniny 2 Saturday 16th March 2013

Each of the previous encounters between these sides this season have been absolute thrillers and this top of the table Challenge League clash didn't disappoint the large crowd. Both teams went for the win from the first whistle and there was nothing to choose between either side in the opening few minutes. Northend gradually took control of the game and were unlucky not to take the lead from a string of corners around the five minute mark. The game was being played at a frantic pace and both sides were showing terrific commitment and sportsmanship with each and every challenge. It was certainly against the run of play when Carniny took the lead on seven minutes. A long up field ball saw their striker fire his effort goal bound from a tight angle; and despite the close attention of the Northend defence, the ball somehow squirmed its way over the line. The Wee Blues were unfazed by this set back and once again took the game to Carniny. Try as they might the baby blues were unable to convert a string of chances and were certainly the stronger team on display. Half time 0-1.

Oisin O'Mullan came into the midfield for the start of the second half and created a number of chances for the Wee Blues. Northend were once again pressing their opponents into their own half but were having no luck in front of goal. Again, completely against the run of play, Carniny launched the ball up filed and capitalised upon a loose ball at the edge of the box to go two up. The baby blues stuck to their passing game and were unlucky to see efforts from Rio Tsang and Oisin O'Mullan blocked on the line. Northend were continuously driving forward but this was just not going to be their day. That said, the overall team performance was nothing short of outstanding, every player worked hard for the team and they certainly deserved something from the game. Full-time Northend 0 - Carniny 2

Man of the Match: Kevin Cosgrove.

Panel: R McGrath, D Magill, J McPeake, C McMillan, P Bristow, K Cosgrove, J Adams, R Tsang, O O'Mullan.

Northend United 1 Carniny 3 Saturday 9th March 2013

Northend's unbeaten start to 2013 came to an end in this closely fought U9 Cup fixture. The Wee Blues started slowly and clearly looked to have suffered from a two week break without a game. Northend were gradually starting to gain the upper hand and went close to notching the opening goal through a series of long range efforts from Corey McMillan and a succession of corners which saw the ball bounce agonisingly around the Carniny goalmouth. Carniny were now clinging on by their finger- tips and a hopeful up-field ball saw them mount their first real attack of the game on eleven minutes. The 'baby-blues' were slow to track their men back to their own area and a Carniny player cut the ball back from the by-line for a team mate to force the ball past a blameless Ryan McGrath. The Wee Blues picked themselves up and once again tried to play their way back into the game; however they struggled to find any sort of rhythm, and the passing game which has served them so well in the second half of the season was clearly not quite there today. That said, Northend pulled a goal back on fourteen minutes when Peter Bristow scored a contender for goal of the season, Peter picked up a loose ball in his own half and dribbled past several Carniny players before firing a brilliant effort into the far left hand corner of the net. A fantastic piece of skill. Half time score 1-1.

Carniny made no less than six changes at half time and really 'beefed up' their defensive and attacking lines. Northend again tried to kick start their passing game but it just wasn't happening for the 'baby blues'. With six minute gone Carniny scored their second of the game when Northend failed to fully clear the ball and allowed a Carniny player too much time to get his shot on target. Despite being out of sorts the Wee Blues continued to work hard and as a result created a number of half chances. At the other end Ryan McGrath made a great save from a long range shot and in general had very little to do. Corey McMillan was in outstanding form and covered every inch of grass in an effort to turn things around. The young Northenders pushed for an equaliser; Peter Bristow cracked a first time effort off the upright from distance and Kevin Cosgrove then saw two efforts blocked on the goal-line; what do you need to do? Unfortunately the 'baby blues' conceded their third with five minutes remaining and to their credit they continued to try and get something from the game until the final whistle. Full-time Northend 1 - Carniny 3

This was a bitter defeat for the Wee Blues although the run out will hopefully get rid of a few cob-webs for the remainder of their league campaign, and now puts them into the draw for the U9 shield.

Man of the Match: Corey McMillan.

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