Northend United 2 Ballymacash Rangers 3   Saturday 11th January 2025

A lacklustre start would have been forgiven considering this United Youth side had not played a game in four weeks but this certainly wasn’t the case in the first period, with some fast flowing football on display. Preston Balmer and Lewis Hill were marshalling the defence at ease and Gabriel McQuillian was unlucky not to put his side ahead early on. Eoin Walker was driving at the Ballymacash opposition with some lung-busting runs down the left flank and after he was fouled midway through the first period, Shay Termonia stepped up and whipped a dangerous ball into the box, which was glanced home by the big target man Oisin Logan. Termonia was soon be rewarded with a goal of his own, as after charging down a defensive clearance, the ball nestled into The Rangers net. 2-0

An injury to McQuillan allowed Archie Gordon to enter the fray and with his delicate touches up top and linking up with his onrushing midfielders, it appeared Ballymacash would really have to dig deep to get back into the game. They were restricted to pop shots from distance and against the run of play, one such effort halved the deficit. Dara Butcher in his first outing for the Youth team was working tirelessly in the right side of midfield but Northend were having to weather a storm and succumb to the pressure when Ballymacash equalised late in the second period. 2-2

The final period was end to end action with Walker and Termonia hitting the crossbar and post respectively from direct free kicks. At the other end with Ballymacash bearing down on Sam Stewart’s goal, the big keeper showed all the bravery of the day by making an excellent save with his body before reacting quickly and pouncing on the loose ball. A goal had seemed destined. Late in the game, Ballymacash were afforded two attempts at an indirect free-kick. After blocking the first effort, the ref pulled it back because the opposition “hadn’t waited for the whistle” to the disadvantage of Northend. A goal was scored at the second attempt, a cruel way to lose the game. Full time 2-3

Letting a two goal lead was devastating for this young Northend team especially in the manner of how the winning goal came about. Nonetheless the teamwork and effort on display was very pleasing to the coaching staff. Termonia was excellent with a goal and assist, Stewart stood tall when his team needed him the most but Walker all round performance was something to be admired. On the left he was a constant menace with his mazy runs but never reneged on his defensive duties with some hard hitting crushing tackles.

United Panel: Sam Stewart, Preston Balmer, Lewis Hill, Shay Termonia, Oisin Logan, Eoin Walker, Gabriel McQuillan, Dara Butcher, Archie Gordon

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