Untitled

Oak Athletic 5 Northend United 1 Saturday 24th November 2012

On a cold and frosty November morning, Northend played their final league game before the winter break against an Oak Athletic side who are sitting close to the top of the U9s league. The game started at a cracking pace and both sides went close to opening the scoring within the first couple of minutes. The 'wee blues' looked more than an equal match for their opponents and gradually pushed the Oak defence deep into their own half. Despite enjoying a majority of possession during this period, the 'baby blues' were unable to convert chances which fell to Jack Adams and Peter Bristow. Oak were looking dangerous on the counter attack and took the lead on nine minutes when a long up-field ball bobbled around the Northend box before finding its way into the back of the net. The 'wee blues' made an immediate response through Josh McPeake. The young Northend defender picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch and ran half the length of the filed, evading several tackles on his way, before forcing the ball into the back of the Oak goal. Both sides went close to adding another and it was perhaps a little against the run of play when an Oak striker fired home their second from an acute angle minutes before the half-time whistle. Half-time 1-2.

Northend immediately looked to have the bit between their teeth and Josh McPeake went close to scoring his second of the game with another strong run up-field. There was nothing to choose between either team and the 'baby blues' arguably enjoyed a greater number of clear chances during the opening ten minutes. In defence, Corey McMillan was looking very assured at left back and Owen Campbell proving to be more than equal to anything that came his way between the sticks. By this point the game was on an absolute knife edge and it was clear that the next goal would be crucial in deciding the outcome. Thirteen is considered to be an unlucky number and so it proved for the 'wee blues' as Oak grabbed their third goal on the thirteenth minute mark. The young Northenders were very unlucky to have an in-field pass intercepted by an Oak player, and they could do nothing as a hopeful up-field pass agonisingly made its way into the side of the net. To their credit the 'baby blues' once again took the game to their opponents and with lady luck well and truly on her way out of town, Oak scored their fourth from a deflected corner and their fifth with a scrambled effort in the dying seconds of the game. Full-time Northend 1 - Oak Athletic 5.

This was certainly a much more closely contested game than the final score-line suggests and each of the 'wee blues' squad should take great pride in the extent of their improvement from the early games of the season. I think the players and their large travelling support will have plenty to cheer about in the new-year.

Man of the Match: Josh McPeake

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

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

Northend United 2 Coleraine Olympic 2 Saturday 17th November 2012

On a beautiful November morning, Northend United and Coleraine Olympic served up a real cracker of a game which had the supporters from each side absolutely enthralled until the final whistle. It was clear from the opening exchanges that both teams were very evenly matched and there was nothing to separate either side until the 'baby blues' opened the scoring after nine minutes. David Magill intercepted a loose Coleraine pass and found Corey McMillan with his back to goal on the right hand side of the penalty area. Corey done well to retain possession and upon beating his marker, he delivered a dangerous ball across to the far side of the box. Jack Adams made himself a yard within a packed area and instinctively spun to place a thunderous right-foot effort inches inside the far post. Both teams were producing some entertaining football, and there was again little to choose between either side when 'the Olympic' took advantage of a breaking ball and drew themselves level after fourteen minutes. Owen Campbell and Josh McPeake were both in outstanding form. Owen was quickly off his line to thwart a Coleraine attack and Josh was producing a man of the match performance with his ability to read the game and quickly turn defensive pressure into a 'wee blues' attack. Half-time score 1-1.

The 'Northenders' made an immediate impact from the re-start. Jack Adams and Corey McMillan pressurised the Coleraine defence before Kevin Cosgrove pounced upon a half chance and calmly placed his effort beyond the diving goal-keeper. Northend drove forward looking for their third and despite creating a number of decent chances the 'baby blues' could not take advantage of this period of play. To their credit, Coleraine kept chipping away at the Northend defence only to find Ryan McGrath and Josh McPeak in outstanding form. Upon the nine minute mark Owen Campbell was quickly off his line to clear any danger from a long up-field ball. In the following passage of play the 'baby blues' were slow to close their opponents and a second up-field pass found a Coleraine forward with a clear run in on goal. Owen was once again quick off his line, but on this occasion the ball broke favourably for the 'Olympic' striker and agonisingly crept over the line to draw the game level. Callum Gatt added steel to the 'wee blues' defence and the Ballymena side were unlucky not to score from a string of corners within a two minute period towards the end of the game. To their credit, Coleraine came back fighting once again and almost snatched a late winner from a free-kick in the dying seconds. Full time score 2 - 2.

On balance, both sides produced a brilliant display of football and approached the game with a great attitude. A draw was probably therefore a fair result, although the young Northend side may regret not having taken full advantage of the chances which came their way.

Man of the Match: Josh McPeake

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

Limavady 0 Northend United 1 Saturday 10th November 2012

Northend's U9s produced a fantastic all-round team performance, notching up another victory and in doing so recording their first clean sheet of the season. Limavady started strongly and pushed the 'baby blues' back into their own half for the opening few minutes of the game. The 'young Northenders' were in no mood to concede any ground and slowly started to play their way into the game with good passing and movement off the ball. Owen Campbell was in commanding form in goal and the defensive trio of David Magill, Josh McPeake and Ryan McGrath looked very comfortable in possession, and were equal to anything the Limavady side had to throw at them. By the mid-point of the half, the Wee Blues were starting to dominate the game. Some outstanding interplay in and around the oppositions box saw Peter Bristow, Corey McMillan and Jack Adams each going close with two chances apiece, however Limavady's goal-keeper was having an inspired morning 'between the sticks', and a string of excellent saves kept the scores level at half-time. Half-time 0-0.

From the re-start, the Wee Blues were quickly into their stride and resumed the pass and move game that have served them well in the first-half. Corey McMillan moved from midfield into the left back slot as Kevin Cosgrove came on for his debut. The 'baby blues' new signing quickly got into the swing of things, linking up well with his new team mates and showing real enthusiasm to close down the opposition. The young Ballymena side were now firmly in control of the game and deservedly took the lead on the ninth minute. Corey McMillan picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch and drove a low cross-come-shot into the crowded area, Josh McPeake was the quickest to re-act and brilliantly deflected the ball into the left hand corner of the net. The 'roar' that came from the 'loud and loyal' support certainly drove the Wee Blues forward in search of a second. They went close with efforts from Kevin Cosgrove, Peter Bristow and an in-swinging corner from Jack Adams which crashed against the cross-bar. Limavady mounted one last attack within the final minute of the game, but on this occasion the misfortune of late goals that has blighted the Wee Blues in recent weeks stayed away, and they rounded off a terrific all-round team performance with a well deserved win. Full-time Score 1-0.

Man of the Match: Corey McMillan

Panel: Owen Campbell, David Magill, Josh McPeake, Ryan McGrath, Corey McMillan, Peter Bristow, Jack Adams, Kevin Cosgrove

Northend United 1 Ballycastle 2 Saturday 3rd November 2012

The U9s, fresh from their derby encounter last week, were missing a few regulars for their match against Ballycastle United on Saturday morning.

The Baby Blues started strongly with Jack Adams and Oisin O'Mullan prominent in most of the early play. Northend opened the scoring after some good play from Oisin O'Mullan allowed him to get his shot in against the Ballycastle keeper. The Blues looked comfortable in possession at this stage of the game.

However play flowed from end to end and Ballycastle equalised before half time when their striker gave Owen Campbell no chance in the Northend nets. Half time score 1-1

With some changes made to formation at half time, the Baby Blues again started the second half strongly. They were unfortunate when a shot cannoned off the crossbar.

As play again flowed from end to end, both teams looked like they could score another goal. Midway through the half, Ballycastle were awarded a free kick and from the kick, the Northend defenders blocked the sight of their keeper Owen Campbell and the ball hit the back of the net to give Ballycastle a 2-1 lead.

The young Blues were unable to get back in the game with another shot hitting the upright. Final score 2-1

Man of the Match: Corey McMillan

Panel: Owen Campbell, Josh McPeake, Ryan McGrath, Cory McMillan, Jack Adams, Callum Gatt, Oisin O'Mullan, Jordan McFetridge