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Northend United 7 Carniny 8 Saturday 29th October 2012

This was a game that will live in the memory of those associated with both teams for a very long time. To put it mildly, this was an all action, end to end 'blockbuster', from kick off until the final whistle; and was described by an on looking league official as the most exciting game of football they have witnessed in the North West and Coleraine Youth League in recent years.

The 'baby blues' were faster out of the blocks than Usain Bolt, and found themselves ahead after only twenty seconds when Peter Bristow dribbled past two men on the edge of the area before firing his shot past the goalkeeper. Northend pressurised their opponents from the re-start and went two up when Jack Adams ripped one home from outside the box with only a minute gone. Carniny were clearly on the ropes as the 'baby blues' produced their best football of the season, each player was looking comfortable in possession, and the back three of David Magill, Josh McPeake and Ryan McGrath were producing an almost faultless performance. At the six minute mark, Corey McMillan finished off a neat move that involved five of the 'wee blues' players to put them three ahead. Jack Adams added number four mid-way through the half when he thundered home a right foot shot from distance. Corey McMillan once again finished off a flowing 'blues' attack for his second of the game on fourteen minutes, although Carniny were now able to field an extra player and pulled a goal back just before half-time when they scored directly from a free-kick on the edge of Northend's area. Half-time 'Wee Blues' 5 Carniny 1.

Now, the person who said that 'football was a funny old game' must have had one eye on this fixture, and even then they wouldn't have believed what was to come. Northend made a few changes at half-time although it was Carniny who made the brighter start and they began to enjoy the benefit of the 'extra player'. The 'reds' pulled a further goal back before Peter Bristow scored his second, and Northend's sixth, of the game within the opening four minutes. Carniny then added their third moments later, ahead of Jack Adams notching up his second 'hat-trick' of the season to restore a four goal cushion for the 'Northenders'. The 'wee blues' continued to press forward and saw at least two further chances rebound off the wood work and a cross from Peter Bristow crawl agonisingly across the front of the goal with a 'blue' striker failing to make contact. The 'baby blues' were beginning to tire against the resurgent Carniny side who still had an extra player at their disposal, and within the next eight minutes Carniny squeezed the 'wee blues' into their own half and brought the game level with only seconds remaining on the clock. By this stage the supporters and coaches of both sides had already long since fallen off the 'edge of their seats' and it was with deep, deep, deep into injury time when a Carniny player took a last desperate swing at a breaking ball and watched it soar past the Northend goalkeeper for a dramatic winner. Full time Baby Blues 7 - Carniny 8.

Despite the heart-break of those final seconds, the 'wee blues' can take great pride in their first half performance. The quality of their play in those opening twenty minutes is a benchmark of their progress over the last few months. Credit is also due to both teams for the work-rate, skill and sportsmanship they displayed - although I'm not sure that the supporters or coaches health could stand up to another match quite like this!

Man of the Match: David Magill

Panel: Owen Campbell, David Magill, Josh McPeake, Ryan McGrath, Cory McMillan, Peter Bristow, Jack Adams, Callum Gatt, and Jordan McFettridge.

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Ballymoney United 5 Northend United 0 Saturday 20th October 2012

The 'Baby Blues' suffered a real set back before a ball was kicked in this game, when their regular shot stopper, Owen Campbell, was ruled out through illness. Ryan McGrath, who has been impressive at left back for most of the season, bravely rose to the challenge and volunteered to go between the sticks for the benefit of the team. The match itself started at a frantic pace and honours were fairly even throughout the opening exchanges. Northend were a little unfortunate to go one down after ten minutes when a momentary lapse left a Ballymoney striker free inside the box and he neatly tucked his chance away. Jack Adams saw an effort drift wide of the Ballymoney goal a few minutes later, however the Ballymoney side were starting to dominate the midfield and created a handful of chances which produced a string of excellent saves from Ryan McGrath. With half -time approaching, and Ryan McGrath looking unbeatable in goal, it came as a real hammer blow to the 'wee blues' when they failed to close down two half chances quickly enough and were severely punished by Ballymoney's sharp finishing. Half-time 'Wee Blues' 0 Ballymoney 3.

The young Ballymena side started the second half with a real sense of urgency and were unlucky not to pull a goal back through Cory McMillan with two minutes gone. The match was once again being played at 100mph and both sides were displaying a tremendous work rate, closing each other quickly and shifting the play from one end to the other. Around the mid-point of the half, the 'wee blues' suffered a 'crazy' spell when they conceded two goals in as many minutes and on another day, with a little better luck, they 'young Northenders' might not have been so heavily punished for their mistakes. That was the end of the scoring and on balance, the 'baby blues' effort and general play didn't deserve such a heavy defeat. It was however good to see Owen Campbell coming along to support his team mates from the side-lines and to witness the heroics/acrobatics of Ryan McGrath in the Northend goal .

Man of the Match: Ryan McGrath

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

Ballymoney United (Mixed) 5 Northend United 0 Saturday 13th October 2012

Despite the score-line, the 'wee blues' gave a fantastic account of themselves against an older and physically stronger Ballymoney side. Northend started off a little slowly and found themselves a goal down within twenty seconds of the kick-off. Undaunted, the 'baby blues' started to play their way back into the game and were soon causing problems for their opponents at the other end of the field. Ballymoney were arguably enjoying the balance of possession, however they seemed uncomfortable with the speed at which the young Northend team closed them down and the 'wee blues' willingness to stand 'toe to toe' with this older side in every area of the pitch. It was no surprise when Cory McMillan went close to grabbing an equaliser on twelve minutes and was unlucky to see his powerful short 'creep' under the goal keeper and stop inches short of crossing the line. Both teams were putting 100% effort into the game and it was a real blow to the 'baby blues' when the conceded a second goal with only two minutes of the half remaining. Half-time 'Wee Blues' 0 Ballymoney 2.

As soon as the second-half started both sides once again ripped into 'top gear' and produced a wonderful display of gritty determination and good sportsmanship. As in the first half, the Northend backline were playing 'out of their skins' and Josh McPeake was putting in an eye catching display at the centre of defence. There was little to choose between the sides and it was possibly against the run of play when, with six minutes gone, a Ballymoney player broke down the left hand side and saw his looping cross drift over everyone's head, rebound off the post and fall into the goal. The 'wee blues' rolled up their sleeves and were unlucky to see an effort from Cory McMillan go narrowly past the post. Moments later David Magill saw a shot from outside the box go inches over the cross-bar. Ballymoney were still a threat and added their fourth mid-way through the half when a cross into the box 'bobbled' about for an eternity, before falling to an unmarked player who scored from close range. The 'baby blues' continued to play some delightful passing football and Josh McPeake was putting in a five star performance, thwarting several Ballymoney attacks and turning these to Northend's advantage. Ballymoney scored their fifth with six minutes remaining and arguably finished the stronger of the two sides.

Despite the score-line, the 'young blues' produced a gritty display against an older Ballymoney side and can draw a number positives from this experience. The coaches and parents were very pleased with the clear evidence of teams continued improvement.

Man of the Match: Josh McPeake

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

Portrush 1 Northend United 4 Saturday 6th October 2012

Northend's U9s recorded their first win of the season with a fantastic team display against a battling Portrush side. The 'Wee Blues' enjoyed the majority of possession throughout this game and pressed their opponents into their own half for long periods. It was Portrush, however, who took the lead on ten minutes when they broke swiftly from their own box to capitalise upon a momentary lapse from the young Ballymena side. An encouraging 'roar' from the large Northend support seemed to work its magic and within two minutes they were back on level terms following a neat finish from their captain Cory McMillan. With the wind at their backs the 'Baby Blues' drove forward again and it was Jack Adams who fired home their second goal on fourteen minutes following some excellent build up play down the left side of the pitch. The defensive trio of David Magill, Josh McPeake and Ryan McGrath were looking very solid and increasingly found time and space to support their midfield and forward lines. The 'Wee Blues' were now firmly in control of the game and were unlucky not to go further ahead as Jack Adams saw his long range effort crash off the cross-bar and rebound to safety. Half-time Score 2-1 to the Blues

The match had only just re-started when Northend scored their third. The build-up to the goal saw some excellent wing play from Peter Bristow and his cross was calmly stroked into the net by Jack Adams. The 'Wee Blues' were now producing their best football of the season so far and following a neat passing move from deep within their own half, it was that man again - Jack Adams - who notched his third of the game from just inside the Portrush box. The Ballymena side continued to press their opponents and left Owen Campbell with little to do in goal. Callum Gatt, Curtis Wilson and Jordan McFettridge all made an excellent impression upon the second half, as Portrush gave their all right up to the final whistle. The 'Baby Blues' were outstanding and produced a fantastic 'team' display which left their coaches and 'loyal' support delighted with their performance. Full time score 4-1 to the Baby Blues

Man of the Match: Jack Adams

Panel: O Campbell, D Magill, J McPeake, C McMillan, P Bristow, R McGrath, J Adams, C Gatt, J McFettridge and C Wilson.

Northend United 1 Bertie Peacocks 5 Saturday 29th September 2012

Despite the final score-line, both teams produced a really entertaining game of open football and on another day the outcome could have easily been reversed. The 'baby blues' players, coaches and 'loyal support' had to pinch themselves as they went two behind with only three minutes on the clock. Both goals coming from long range looping efforts which somehow ended in the back of Northend's net. Undaunted, the Ballymena side continued to play a passing game and after twelve minutes they went close to pulling one back when Peter Bristow thundered an unstoppable drive only to see his effort rebound off the post. Minutes later a fine strike from Cory McMillan seemed to be heading for the back of the net when it clipped off the heel of a team mate and fell in front of the relieved Peacock's keeper. The football continued to flow from end to end and it was again against the run of play when Bertie Peacocks added another to make it 3-0 at the break.

The 'Wee Blues' started the second half in a very determined fashion, encamping themselves in their opponents half for the majority of the opening six minutes. Owen Campbell was steadily imposing himself upon the game, his pace and movement were clearly unsettling the Peacock's defence. A number of further 'half' chances fell Northend's way before Cory McMillan blasted the ball into the bottom left hand corner from just inside the box with twelve minutes remaining. Bertie Peacock's U9'S were clearly on the back foot, however within a minute a long up-field ball fell to their striker who brilliantly crashed a shot in off the cross-bar (4-1). Despite the score-line Northend were resolute in defence and limited Peacocks to a few long range efforts. Owen Campbell was continuing to cause problems and with a little more luck the 'Wee Blues' could have been back in the game. As the match drew to an end Peacocks once again broke from deep within their own half to steal a late goal and make the final score 5-1.

Man of the Match: Owen Campbell

Panel: Oisin O'Mullan, David Magill, Josh McPeake, Cory McMillan, Peter Bristow, Ryan McGrath, Jack Adams, Callum Gatt, Owen Campbell and Jordan McFettridge.

Bertie Peacocks 5 Northend United 3 Saturday 22nd September 2012

This game turned out to be a real nail-bitter and both sets of supporters enjoyed a fine display of passing football and hard work from their respective teams. The opening exchanges were very tight until the 'little ants' took the lead after eight minutes. Northend's response came within a minute of the re-start, when Peter Bristow fired home the equaliser from just outside the box following a neat passing move down the centre of the pitch. Once again there was little to choose between either team until the 'little ants' capitalised on some excellent wing play to go 3 -1 at the break.

The Baby Blues started the second half with real purpose and it was no surprise when the pulled a goal back six minutes into the second half. On this occasion some good pressure on the 'little ants' defence created a chance for Cory McMillan to place his effort beyond the diving goal keeper. Both sides continued to play some very attractive football and Northend were starting to gain the upper hand when they got caught by a swift counter attack to go 4 -2 behind with eleven minutes remaining. Northend rolled up their sleeves and pinned the' little ants' into their own half as they went in search of a goal. Following some relentless pressure Josh McPeake finished off a nice move down the right hand- side to make the score 4-3 with six minutes left on the clock. Northend again piled on the pressure and were unlucky not to draw level when McPeake fired a great long-range effort inches past the top left hand corner of the goal. Just as an equaliser seemed inevitable, a lapse of concentration on the half way line let the 'little ants' in for a 'break away' goal against the run of play. Only a minute or so remained and despite their best efforts Northend were unable to rescue anything further from the game. Both teams deserve great credit for serving up a real treat for their 'passionate' supporters.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

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

Coleraine Academy 4 Northend United 1 Saturday 15th September 2012

Northend U9s opening league fixture produced an excellent display from the whole squad. Northend quickly took control in the opening exchanges and went ahead mid-way through the first half when, following some excellent pressure on the Coleraine defence by Jordan and Jack Adams, the ball broke to Peter Bristow on the edge of the box and he calmly placed his shot behind the Coleraine keeper. Northend's defence were looking very solid and limited Coleraine to a handful of chances, while at the other end they were unlucky not to have extended their lead as the first half came to an end.

Following the restart Coleraine settled a little more quickly than their opponents and grabbed a goal back after five minutes. Coleraine scored a second goal two minutes later before Northend finally got back into their stride and produced some of the passing football that had served them so well in the first half. The game went from end to end with each side enjoying a good share of possession and chances. In the latter stages Coleraine grabbed a further two goals to put the game beyond doubt and left a final scoreline which did not fully reflect how well the U9 team played for the majority of the game.

Man of the Match: Peter Bristow

Panel: Owen Campbell, David Magill, Corey McMillan , Josh McPeake , Peter Bristow, Jordan McFetridge, Jack Adams, Callum Gatt, Ryan McGrath, Curtis Wilson