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Northend United v Moyola Park U10s Saturday 17th February 2018

On Saturday the Northend Panthers team, resumed their games in Coleraine, and having moved up an age group they are now playing against teams at least a year older than them. This did not faze the boys, who played Moyola Park, with the Northend team going ahead after a couple of minutes, when good pressing from Jude Crawford allowed Eoghan Quinn to score from close range. Eoghan very quickly scored a second, again after good pressing, this time from CJ Croskery. Northend were now in control against their older opponents, controlling every aspect of the game, and a good move resulted in a shot from Carter Adams which brought a fantastic save from the Moyola keeper. From the corner Daniel Cooke got his head to the ball to make it 3 0. At the start of the second half Northend relaxed a little too much and allowed Moyola into the game when a clearance fell to an attacker who scored from close range. Having lost their clean sheet the Panthers, upped their work rate and two well taken goals from CJ Croskery after good work from Sam McArdle, and a move which came from keeper Alex Crawford, Dylan Morrow made a defence splitting pass, and CJ nipped in to score. The final Northend goal came from another corner, when Moyola failed to clear, and as usual Connor Tully was on hand to bury the loose ball.

A great all-round performance from the team in their first competitive fixture, for over two months, especially playing an older team.

Panel: A Crawford, D Cooke, C Adams, S McArdle, J Crawford, CJ Croskery, D Morrow, C Tully, E Quinn.

The weekend rounded off with an elite tournament, in Magherafelt, in atrocious weather which included, a large number of Irish League teams. Northend qualified from their group with a win, a draw and a loss, which qualified them for a semi-final against Larne. Northend controlled this game from start to finish, eventually winning 2-0 with goals from Caleb Da Prato, and Sam McArdle. This gave them a final against Cliftonville, and in a tight affair in which Northend had a number of chances, a single goal from Cliftonville, saw the Northend Boys lose out in the last minute. Another tournament, another final, a great result against some of the strongest Irish League academy's, all resulting in some great experiences, for the young Northend Team

Panel: A Crawford, D Cooke, C Adams, S McArdle, J Crawford, CJ Croskery, C Da Prato, C Quinn, A Pekula

IFA Small Sided Games

A busy week of football, saw the 2009 attend the coaching with Blackburn rovers, then play in three competitive fixtures, the first for over two months.

On Friday the IFA SSG resumed with the development team taking on Ballymena. A good first half in which Northend won a lot of their personal battles, saw it even at half time, although the stronger Ballymena team showed their experience, and pushed on in the second.

Well done boys, we are getting better every week.

Panel D.Cooke, C.McCann, C.Da Prato, A Pekula, A.Gillespie, C.King, L.Kearney.

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Northend United v Coleraine Academy Saturday 2nd December 2017

Saturday saw the last involvement in Coleraine before Christmas for the 2009 boys, and it involved a crunch tie with Coleraine Academy, with the Northend team coming away with a good win.

The game was tightly contested until the last 5 minutes of the first half, until a well worked short corner saw Carter Adams lob the ball over the keeper and the defender on the line to open the scoring for Northend. The second goal came quickly afterwards, when the ball was worked down the right side by Caleb Da Prato who crossed to the back post where Dylan Morrow was on hand to calmly beat a defender and finish to give Northend a 2-0 half time advantage.

The second half opened with Northend controlling the game, and playing fantastic football on the muddy surface. A break from Eoghan Quinn resulted in the third goal. He fed the ball to Jude Crawford who beat his marker and fired a shot which the Coleraine keeper could not hold on to.

Northend sat back a little and some good play from Coleraine, resulted in a penalty, which although Alex Crawford got a hand to, gave the Bannsiders a glimmer of hope. This was quickly extinguished, as the Northend Boys, upset at losing their clean sheet, hardly allowed Coleraine another kick of the ball, with two more goals coming from Dylan Morrow, and Carter Adams, assisted by Sam McArdle, CJ Croskery and Daniel Cooke.

Another great performance, from the youngest Northend side to be competing at Coleraine, a fantastic attitude, willingness, and commitment, from the players, along with skills developed over the last few years, with John Devlin at the Football Development Centre.

Well done…Back to training on Monday…

Panel: A Crawford, C Adams, S McArdle, CJ Croskery, D Morrow, C Tully, J Crawford, E Quinn, D Cooke, C Da Prato

Northend United v Coleraine Academy Saturday 18th November 2017

On Saturday Morning Northend 2009 travelled to Coleraine to play an unbeaten Coleraine Academy side. The game started with the Northend boys on top not giving their Coleraine counterparts any time or space on the ball. Northend camping in the Coleraine half and having numerous shots, with the keeper making a number of good saves.

The breakthrough came from a good team passing move, coming from defence to attack in 3 passes, with Jude Crawford on hand to finish. After this the Coleraine heads dropped, Northend barely letting the opposition into the defensive half, and when they did the Northend defence dealt with any threat .

Jude Crawford got his second of the game, when CJ Croskery was fouled 20 yards from goal. Jude stepped up and bent the ball around the wall in in off the post. The third goal came after good work and closing down allowed Connor Tully to nip in and finish from close range.

Northend's clean sheet was lost when indecision in defence allowed Coleraine to score a consolation right on the final whistle.

Panel A Crawford, C Adams, S McArdle, CJ Croskery, D Cooke, C Tully, A Pekala, J Crawford, E Quinn

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Northend Panthers v Ballymoney United Saturday 11th November 2017

Friday Night saw the resumption of the IFA SSG at the showgrounds, with two Northend teams taking part and acquitting themselves well. The development squad taking on Ballymena All Stars, and the Panthers playing Moyola. Both teams are showing great improvement since the start of the season. Well done and keep concentrating at training.

On Saturday morning, Northend Panthers travelled to Coleraine to take on a strong and very robust Ballymoney United side. Having lost 3-1 to the same team in the first game of the season, the boys had a point to prove, of a very heavy and muddy pitch.

Northend playing some really good passing football, despite the conditions, had two great chances in the first half, only being denied by two reckless challenges, which the referee failed to penalise!

Ballymoney's goal was a bit of a freak as a long clearance from the back, hit the mud and skidded past defenders and goalkeeper, the first goal The Panthers have conceded in 4 weeks.

The second have started again with Northend trying to play football, and keeping pressure on Ballymoney for most of the half, without getting the equaliser. Having shots cleared off the line, and also hitting the bar.

Northend finally got the equaliser they deserved after a great corner, the ball fell to Jude Crawford who slammed the ball home from close range. This was a really great game of football, from both teams, but a special mention to Northend for their fantastic attitude, work rate, and pride in themselves, for not accepting a defeat. Well done boys.

Panel: A Crawford, C Adams, S McArdle, D Cooke, CJ Croskery, J Crawford, E Quinn, C Tully, D Morrow

Northend Panthers v Dungiven Celtic Saturday 4th November 2017

Following on from last week's tremendous victory over Ballymoney Athletic, the 2009 team took on a big and strong Dungiven Celtic team in Coleraine.

The boys started brightly matching the much bigger Dungiven team physically, whilst still playing some nice football, with good passing and movement from the whole team. The goal of the match came from the back in a fantastic passing move in which the whole team touched the ball, with Connor Tully there at the end to finish the move off. A real joy to watch! A close runner up to that was a superb left foot volley from Jude Crawford, who smashed the ball into the net from 20 yards after the ball fell to him following a corner! Other goal scorers were Eoghan Quinn, Daniel Cooke and Dylan Morrow. A special mention must also go to our defence of Alex Crawford, Sam McArdle, CJ Croskery and Carter Adams, who for the third game in a row, refused to let the opposition score.

Well done boys another good win, all the concentration and hard work is paying off.

Panel: A Crawford, C Adams, S McArdle, CJ Croskery, D Morrow, C Tully, J Crawford, E Quinn, D Cooke

Northend Panthers v Limavady United Saturday 7th October 2017

Saturday say the 2009 Panthers playing in Coleraine, against Limavady United. The Northend boys started brightly causing Limavady problems, with their passing and movement. Chances falling to all the front players, bringing great saves and defensive work from Limavady.

On the occasions Limavady did get forward, good defensive covering from Carter Adams, and Daniel Cooke meant Alex Crawford in the Northend goal was rarely troubled. Northend made the breakthrough, when the ball fell to Jude Crawford, who with his tremendous shooting, buried the ball in the top corner. Just before half time Northend got reward for their efforts when CJ Croskery, curled a left foot shot beyond the keeper.

After half time, the Northend boys applied more pressure, with Eoghan Quinn getting his usual goal to make the score 3-0. Limavady scored two free kicks in quick succession, to put a bit of pressure on Northend, who quickly regained composure with Sam McArdle, usually imposing at the back came forward to calmly slot the ball home after a short corner.

It was all Northend now with two goals coming in quick succession, from Connor Tully and Dylan Morrow respectively.

A very composed and steady performance, from the Panthers, playing in this new league, against different opposition… A great place to learn.

Panel: A Crawford, S McArdle, C Adams, CJ Croskery, J Crawford, C Tully, D Morrow, D Cooke, E Quinn

2009s - Ballymena SSG Friday 6th October 2017

Friday night saw two 2009 teams playing in the IFA SSG, with both teams showing great improvement, over the last couple of weeks. The United team getting used to playing 7 a side, with positioning, passing and working together as a team, much more important, than with 5 a side, whilst the Panthers putting into practice, moves and disciplines practised in training.

The future for all the players certainly looking bright.

Panel: C McKillop, A Pekala, C McCann, C King, N Patnell, C McGinty, C Da Prato, N Quinn, B Stephens, D Cooke, S McArdle, C Tully, CJ Croskery, J Crawford, A Gillespie, C Adams, P Devlin

Northend United v Maiden City Academy Saturday 23rd September 2017

Northend Panthers had an early start on Saturday morning, with a 9.15 KO at HGYF in Coleraine, against a strong Maiden City team from Londonderry. The Panthers went behind from an early long range free kick, and a mix up in defence. After this however stand in goalkeeper Daniel Cooke made a number of good saves to keep the score to one.

The Panthers got themselves back into the game, after good pressing by Carter Adams the ball broke to Eoghan Quinn in the box to stab the ball home to equalise. The Northend boys then had the majority of play thanks to the fantastic running and pressing from CJ Croskery and Dylan Morrow Half Time 1-1

The second half got off to a flyer for Northend, who straight from the kick off attacked Maiden City. Shots rained in on the Maiden City goal, hitting the bar and post. The second goal came after great vision and passing from both Dylan Morrow and Connor Tully. Both making defence splitting passes which led to a second Northend goal.

The Northend boys were no in full control and dominated most of the play, however move and indeed goal of the match and season so far, came after Sam McArdle, as ever composed at the back, gained possession, beat a player and laid the ball to Dylan Morrow, who then in turn played a great ball to Connor Tully, who controlled, turned and beat his marker in one move. While most players would of shot, Connor played a perfect square pass to Jude Crawford who smashed the ball passed the keeper into the top corner. A goal which even the opposition coaches applauded.

Well done to all the kids involved over the weekend, all the hard work at training is having an effect.

Panel: D Cooke, S McArdle, C Adams, CJ Croskery, J Crawford, C Tully, E Quinn, D Morrow

Ballymena SSG Friday 22nd September 2017

Another busy weekend saw three 2009 teams playing. On Friday night at the Showgrounds 2 teams took to the field. This is a great opportunity for development players to gain more experience, playing 7 a side, and for the more experienced players to put into practice what they have learnt during the week.

Some really nice football was played, and more importantly for the kids lots of goals were scored, and conceded, with the development team including a number of new players playing some nice football with a lot of good passing and movement. Well done to everyone.

Panel: P Devlin, C McKillop, N Patnell, C Da Prato, L Kearney, C McGinty, C McCann, S McArdle, D Cooke, CJ Croskery, J Crawford, C Tully, C Adams

Ashfield Tournament Sunday 17th September

The performance of the weekend surely came on Sunday at Ashfield Tournament, where the team, missing a few regulars, including a recognised goalkeeper, performed superbly to win the final on penalties. This is a great credit to the boys who stepped in, to play in a tournament, which included a number of Irish League teams, Glentoran, Cliftonville, Portadown, Larne, Ballyclare, and shows the strength of the 2009 age group at Northend.

The team went unbeaten to top their group, which lead to a semi-final against a strong and well organised Glentoran Team, who had beaten Northend 3-1 two weeks ago. This was a much more even game with the Glens not really troubling the goal, and Northend got their reward, when after a Glentoran attack, Northend broke forward with quick passing, the ball fell to Connor Tully to slot the ball home. The final against Carryduff Colts was tense, with both defences on top and only 1 or 2 chances created, finishing 0-0 and penalties. Carryduff missed their 3 pens, and it meant the converted penalty from Carter Adams was enough to win the tournament for Northend.

This is a massive step up for the boys and it shows that on our day we are a match for anyone.

Panel: D Cooke, S McArdle, C Adams, A Pekala, C DaPrato, CJ Croskery, C Tully, E Quinn

Northend United v Portstewart Youth Saturday 16th September

Saturday brought a game at Coleraine, against a Portstewart Youth Team. The game started evenly then Northend made a breakthrough, with a great team passing goal. Portstewart heads dropped with this allowing Northend to dictate play, although when Portstewart broke through the defence and goalkeeper were there to keep them at bay. A good progression from last week.

Panel: A Crawford, D Morrow, C Tully, CJ Croskery, J Crawford, E Quinn, D Cooke, S McArdle, C Adams

Ballymena SSG Friday 15th September

A busy weekend saw the 2009 play in 3 separate competitions over 3 days! On Friday at the IFA SSG teams played some really nice football, especially the development team, both coming away with great performances in the 7 a side games.

Panel: C McKillop, C McGinty, L Kearney, A Gillespie, C King, N Patnell, C McCann