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Glendowan Tigers 6 Northend Colts 3 Saturday 12th October 2024

This week, Northend U10 Colts faced a tough challenge against a well-organized Glendowan FC 2015 Tigers side. The game got off to a rough start for the Colts as Glendowan capitalized on some early opportunities, scoring two quick goals before we could settle into the match. Captain Daryn-Sháe tried to rally the team, driving forward and forcing the Glendowan keeper into a fine save after just 7 minutes. His persistence paid off soon after, as he squeezed in our first goal, cutting the deficit. Unfortunately, Glendowan kept up the pressure and netted a third goal before the first 15-minute third ended, leaving us 3-1 down.

The second third saw a much better start from Northend, with Archie Gordon testing the Glendowan keeper early on. However, a swift Glendowan counterattack extended their lead to 4-1. This goal seemed to spark new life into our team, and we began contesting the ball more fiercely. Our efforts were rewarded when Daryn-Sháe found himself through on goal, calmly finishing to make it 4-2. With a bit more confidence now Northend pressed again with Oscar coming close soon after, only to be denied by a tremendous save from the Glendowan keeper.

Controversy struck seven minutes into the second third when our ever-reliable keeper, Harrison Moore, made a fantastic low save. While he appeared to have the ball secured, the Glendowan striker poked it out from under him and forced it into the net. Despite our protests, the referee allowed the goal, making it 5-2 in Glendowan’s favour. Despite the setback, our boys didn’t give up, and Archie Gordon delivered the highlight of the day. Positioned just outside the box, Archie caught a Glendowan clearance perfectly on the volley, launching the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. It was a stunning strike, bringing us back to 5-3 at the end of the second third.

The final third of the game was a much tighter affair, with the Colts raising their tempo and matching Glendowan’s pace. Our defence, led by Noah McAleese and Myles Hardy, stayed resilient, while midfielders Kavan, Bobby, and Conan worked tirelessly to win the battles in the middle. Dara provided a good outlet up front, but much of the play in the final third was contested in midfield. As we pushed forward, Glendowan managed to grab a final goal. Full time 6-3

Though the result didn’t go our way, the boys showed determination and worked their way back into the game. There were plenty of learning and positives to take forward as we continue to improve as a team.

Player of the Match: Archie Gordon – what a strike!

Colts Panel: Harrison Moore, Bobby Millar, Myles Hardy, Noah McAleese, Kavan Kerr, Archie Gordon, Conan O’Neill, Daryn-Sháe Brett, Dara Butcher, Oscar Fagan

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Northend Colts 7 Andersonstown Community Hawks 0 Saturday 5th October 2024

With their cruel two goal injury time defeat still fresh in their memory from their last outing two weeks ago, this Colts side had a free week to let the dust settle and it did them wonders. Captain, Daryn-Sháe Brett lead by example and put his side 1-0 up with another one of his long range efforts. He later tried another but this effort cannoned off the foot of the post but Northend did double their advantage courtesy of a Andytown defender. At the back, Bobby Millar was mopping up everything that came his way, alongside the reliable Myles Hardy. Millar was particular enjoying his afternoon, with a few mazy runs and an effort on goal from the half way line that nearly caught the Hawks goalkeeper napping. Archie Gordon, in his first appearance for the 2015s, showed all his experience from three season with the 2014s and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with two efforts coming back off the post. He later turned provider, when his cute pass inside to Jackson Kyle-Cotter, who then was able to assist Oscar Fagan. Like all frontmen, Fagan never needs an invitation to shoot and he put his side another goal up just before the end of the half. Half time 3-0

The Colts were at it again early in the 2nd, when Brett released Gordon and the debutant cooling added a 4th. Next came the goal of game, Fagan, now playing on the left, completed a drag-back and pivot to sell three of the opposition and found Gordon free at the edge of the box. The new boy looked up and saw the late run of Kyle-Cotter, who seemingly was playing with a new found confidence, before he slotted the ball home into the bottom right corner, a great team goal. The Colts weren’t done and after good work from Gordon, his shot was spilled by the ACFC keeper and Brett was on hand to get his second of the afternoon but he wanted the hattrick and soon would be rewarded. With his back to goal, he simply drag-back-rolled the ball into the Andersonstown net for one of the cheekiest finishes ever! Northend wanted to protect their clean sheet and Noah McAleese presence at the back ensured this fate along with Harrison Moore in goals. Very late in the game, Conan O’Neill was unlucky not to get in on the act, when direct for a Moore goal kick, he ran the length of the pitch but his effort was saved by the Hawks keeper on this occasion. Full time 7-0

A confident display from the Colts side this afternoon saw them record their second victory of the campaign. Brett, Gordon and Millar were all very impressive but it’s hard to argue against awarding POTM to a centre midfielder, who never stopped running and scored a hat-trick in the game.

Player of the Match - Daryn-Sháe Brett

Panel: Harrison Moore, Bobby Millar, Myles Hardy, Archie Gordon, Daryn-Sháe Brett, Conan O’Neill, Oscar Fagan, Noah McAleese, Jackson Kyle-Cotter

Northend Colts 3 Dunmurray Youth Colts 4 Friday 20th September 2024

With both these sides with a win and two defeats in their opening three fixtures this was always going to be a tight contest. Northend were first off the mark when the energetic midfielder Daryn-Sháe Brett, did what he does best, won the ball from the opposition. His pass then released Dara Butcher and the starting striker put this Colts side 1-0 up for the second consecutive week. Dunmurry responded with two goals of their own which seemingly looked like Northend would go into the break trailing but Brett had other ideas. Again, the midfielder won the ball but this time released his cousin, Oscar Fagan, who was only on a matter of minutes and scored at the second attempt after his initial strike was blocked. Half time 2-2

In the second period, a Kavan Kerr switch from defence to midfield added extra muscle to this area of the pitch, alongside the strong pairing of Brett and Butcher, who was now on the right. Kerr twice used his strength to power through the Dunmurry defence and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. With this midfield trio causing havoc along with Fagan up top, Northend found themselves ahead for the second time in the game, courtesy of a bizarre Dunmurry own goal. Thereafter the Colts defence was under serious pressure but defensive pairing Myles Hardy and Noah McAleese and later Bobby Millar kept the West Belfast side at bay, not to mention some excellent saves from Harrison Moore in the Northend goal. However, in the final couple of mins, the Colts succumbed to the pressure and conceded two late heartbreaking goals. Full time 3-4

It was devastating for the kids to lose this game in this fashion but this is what happens in football and they may not know it now but they will have learnt some valuable life lessons this weekend. This was the most competitive game the Colts have had this season and performances were encouraging for this relatively new group of players, particularly Brett, Hardy and Kerr.

Player of the Match: Daryn-Sháe Brett

Colts Panel: lHarrison Moore, Kavan Kerr, Bobby Moore, Jackson Kyle-Cotter, Daryn-Sháe Brett, Noah McAleese, Dara Butcher, Myles Hardy, Oscar Fagan

Northend Colts 1 Crewe United 6 Saturday 14th September 2024

These first two months of the season will allow The Lisburn League the opportunity to assess all the teams results in their respective leagues to determine what level they should play going forward. This weekend 4th tier fixture seen The Colts paired against a young and well drilled Crewe United outfit.

From the off it was a backs against the wall scenario, with the defenders Myles Hardy and captain for the day, Bobby Millar having their work cut out after attack after attack. Hardy and Millar continuously got blocks and challenges in to keep the Glenavy based side at bay, coupled by some good saves from Harrison Moore in goal. However the onslaught continued with The Colts soon finding themselves 2-0 down. Another Crewe attack came with the Glenavy youngster striking the ball from distance. His shot was destined for the top corner but Moore showcased his agility with a fingertip save around the post. From the resulting corner, Moore rose and grasped the ball under pressure, instantly looked up and spotted the run of Dara Butcher up top. Moore’s “route one” technique set Butcher free who brought his side back into the game. Kavan Kerr continued the fight with some hard hitting whilst showing excellence composure on the ball. Signs were encouraging but The Colts were unable to add to their tally and conceded another before half time. Half time 1-3

The second stage of the game continued in similar vain with Moore pulling off a string of excellent saves. Conan O’Neill’s reintroduction to the forward line added legs up top. His drives forward elevated the pressure on his backline and was unlucky not to bring them back into the game with a couple of shots on target. Fatigue amongst the players started to creep in meaning a lot of tactical changes were needed which didn’t help Northends cause but today just wasn’t to be for our 2015 Colts.

Whilst this weekends game was a day to write off as “experience”, they played a team that possibly weren’t playing at the correct level. In saying that, there was a lot of encouragement to take, particularly the performance from Moore which was further echoed by The Crewe sideline after the game. Added to the fact that 5/10 of this matchday squad being new recruits, with Noah McAleese and Noah Wright wearing the blue and white for the first time. The squad will understandably need time to gel but the future is promising from this Colts team. Full time 1-6

Player of the Match: Harrison Moore

Colts Panel - Harrison Moore, Myles Hardy, Bobby Moore, Jackson Kyle-Cotter, Daryn-Shae Brett, Conan O’Neill, Dara Butcher, Kavan Kerr, Noah McAleese, Noah Wright

Northend Colts 3 Crewe United Jets 6 Friday 6th September

From the off, Northend found themselves in a game of cat and mouse against their Glenavy opposition until Jackson Kyle- Cotter broke on the right flank before placing his shot into bottom corner of the Crewe net. Some great early defensive work from Myles Hardy and Kavan Kerr left the Jets strikers frustrated but they were finally breached half way through the half to bring the game all square. Northend weren’t deterred and instantly went back in front after a great cross from Oscar Fagan which allowed Kyle-Cotter to bundle in his second. However, from thereafter, Northend had to weather the storm and even with some great saves from Harrison Moore, the Colts found themselves conceding a few late goals and went into the break trailing. Half time 2-5

A late first half tactical switch seen the introduction of Bobby Millar to the game and his presence seemed to steady the ship which continued into the latter stage of the game. The hard hitting defender seemed to get his foot and head to anything coming his way. This in turn allowed midfielder Daryn-Shae Brett a license to drive forward more frequently and it was Northend who struck first in the second period when Brett went on one of his mazy runs before his long range effort rifled into the top corner. Northend were now on top in game with some great passages of play but were unfortunately not able to add to their tally. Full time 3-6

After their opening day win, the Colts found them up against harder opposition and battled hard from the first whistle but ultimately came up short on this occasion. The scoreline possibly flattered their opposition and on another night, Northend would have been victorious

Player of the Match: Bobby Millar

Colts Panel - Harrison Moore, Kavan Kerr, Myles Hardy, Jackson Kyle-Cotter, Daryn-Shae Brett, Conan O’Neill, Oscar Fagan, Bobby Millar, Dara Butcher

Northend Colts 6 Downshire Dynamos 0 Friday 30th August 2024

From the kick-off, Northend were on the front foot and opened the scoring through Conan O’Neill, quickly followed by a double hat-trick from Oscar Fagan. Debutants Daryn-Shae Brett and Jackson Kyle-Cotter also got in on the act with a brace and goal respectively. Half time 4-0

In the 2nd half, Downshire added a few extra outfield players but still Northend pushed them hard with O’Neill doubling his tally before the lively Fagan’s left wing cross deflecting into the Dynamos goal by an unfortunate defender.

As a club, this was Downshire’s first ever game in youth football and we wish them all the best but take nothing away from this young Northend team, from the first whistle, they showed their experience and class. Full time 6-0

Player of the Match: Oscar Fagan

Colts Panel: Harrison McNab, Conan O’Neill, Bobby Millar, Oscar Fagan, Miles Hardy, Daryn-Shae Brett, Kavan Kerr, Jack Thompson, Noah Cawley, Jackson Kyle-Cotter