Northend United Youth FC

Carrick Rangers U13s 7 Northend United U13s 3

Saturday 23rd January 2010

After a five week lay-off, Northend returned to League action with an away game against current League leaders Carrick Rangers at the Woodburn pitches on Saturday.

The enforced lay-off affected Northend's usual flowing game of football and they found themselves on the back foot almost immediately. However Captain Jamie Speirs was putting in some good work in midfield, threading the ball through to his strikers.

From a corner kick on ten minutes Carrick took the lead when some sloppy defending in the Northend defence allowed the Carrick striker to score from close range.

Northend then came back at Carrick and Michael Laverty was unlucky when his shot hit the upright with the keeper well beaten.

With Northend piling on the pressure at this stage, Carrick broke out of defence and a pass up to their striker saw him hit a timid shot which somehow squirmed under the Northend keeper's body to make the score 2-0 to Carrick.

Northend kept on attacking Carrick but again on another breakaway, the Carrick pushed the ball well wide of the Northend goalkeeper and the ball was going wide when the referee blew for a very dubious penalty. This was the pivotal point in the game and the Carrick striker converted the penalty kick to make the score 3-0, leaving an uphill task for Northend.

Northend pulled a goal back, when Dylan Hamill outpaced the central defender and shot past the keeper to make the score 3-1. Carrick scored another goal, with a pile driver of a shot into the Northend top corner of the goal to make the halftime score 4-1 to Carrick

The second half saw Northend attack Carrick more but they fell further behind when another timid shot from their striker beat the Northend goal keeper.

Dylan Hamill reduced the score to 5-2 when he coolly beat the keeper with a penalty after Matthew Mulholland was upended in the penalty box.

Carrick went on to score two more soft goals before Jaime Brown scored Northend's third goal just before the final whistle to make the final score 7-3 to Carrick Rangers.

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Philip Leetch, Stefan McLees, Niall Swann, Eoin Campbell, Jamie Speirs(c), Michael Laverty, Dylan Hamill, Matthew Mulholland, Caolan Tierney, Jaime Brown, Glen Fenton, Rhys O'Mullan

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Northend United U13s 0 Cliftonville U13s 3

Saturday 12th December 2009

Northend went into this game full of confidence against a team riding high in the NIBFA League and who have not been beaten from early September.

Played before a large crowd of parents and supporters, a game of two halves saw Cliftonville take the game to Northend from the kick-off but the defence of Caolan Tierney, Jordan Donnelly, Stefan McLees and Niall Swann soaked up some early pressure and Niall Shannon in the Northend net dealt comfortably with Cliftonville's long range shots.

However Cliftonville were looking dangerous down the wings and from one of these attacks, Cliftonville took the lead when a high ball from the left floated in over the Northend keeper's head.

Michael Laverty replaced Walsh and had an immediate effect in stemming any further attacks down Cliftonville's left flank.

As the half wore on, Northend came more into the game with some good attacking play from Matthew Mulholland and Jamie Speirs. From a Northend corner, Jaime Brown should have equalised the score, when he narrowly shot wide.

This was a cruel twist of fait as Cliftonville broke down their right wing and a high shot from their winger, found the top corner of the Northend net, giving Niall Shannon no chance.

Cliftonville continued to dominate for the remainder of the first half but couldn't add to their tally and the score remained 2-0 to Cliftonville at half-time.

A more determined Northend came out after half-time and Philip Leetch and Jamie Speirs began to dominate midfield.

Northend were awarded an early corner and from a loose ball, Jamie Speirs blasted over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Northend were now showing more determination and some good passing play involving Mulholland and Hamill ended with Matthew Mulholland shooting narrowly past the post.

Michael Laverty was causing all sorts of problems for Cliftonville with his probing runs down the Northend right wing. However Northend failed to capitalise on their pressure and were made to pay when a through-ball from a Cliftonville midfielder played in their striker and from what looked like an offside position he lobbed the Northend keeper to make the score 3-0 to Cliftonville.

Glen Fenton replaced Brown to give Northend more pace down their wing. Northend came back at Cliftonville again and from another corner, Niall Swann just failed to convert when a last ditch block saved the day for Cliftonville.

Northend continued to take the game to Cliftonville for the remainder of the half but couldn't get on the score sheet.

Cliftonville delivered a valuable lesson in finishing to Northend but this is a team who have beaten bigger names than Northend more convincingly in their NIBFA League.

Man of the Match: Birthday Boy - Michael Laverty

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Caolan Tierney, Philip Leetch, Stefan McLees, Niall Swann, Philip Leetch, Jamie Speirs(c), Dylan Hamill, Ryan Walsh, Matthew Mulholland, Jaime Brown, Michael Laverty, Glen Fenton, Ciaran McCambridge, Paul Marrs

Antrim Rovers U13s 0 Northend United U13s 12

Saturday 5th December 2009

Northend went into this game with one eye on their NIBFA match against Cliftonville next week at Smithfield.

This match started at blistering pace and Northend went one nil up, when captain Jamie Speirs scored from a twenty yard pile driver.

Antrim Rovers came back at United and Stefan McLees was called upon to clear an Antrim attack off the Northend goal line.

The Northend defence of Philip Leetch, Jordan Donnelly, Stefan McLees and Niall Swann soaked up some early pressure and Niall Shannon in the Northend net dealt comfortably with Antrim's long range shots.

The referee awarded Northend a free-kick twenty-two yards out and Matthew Mulholland scored in the top corner of the net, when he floated the ball over the keeper's outstretched arms.

Matthew Mulholland further increased Northend's score when after some slick one-two play with Ryan Walsh; he was again on hand to beat the keeper from fifteen yards.

In a spellbinding first half, Matthew Mulholland completed his hat-trick when in a carbon copy of his first goal; he floated the ball high over the goalkeeper into the net, from a free kick on the edge of the penalty box.

Niall Swann completed the scoring in the first half when he was on hand to score from a Northend corner to make the half-time score 5-0 in Northend's favour.

Michael Laverty replaced Campbell at Half-time and slotted in at right back, with Philip Leetch going to centre midfield. Dylan Hamill was next to add to Northend's total when he coolly slotted past the keeper on receiving an excellent through-ball from Mulholland.

With nine minutes of the second half gone, Caolan Tierney scored with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty box, giving the goalkeeper no chance. Indeed Tierney is now on a rich vein of form, having scored in each of the last four matches.

Next to add to Northend's total was Ryan Walsh, when he ran on to a through-ball and slotted past the keeper.

Jaime Brown and Ciaran McCambridge replaced the hard working Tierney and McLees before Man of the Match Jamie Speirs scored his second and Northend's ninth goal.

As the Antrim defence tired, Matthew Mulholland ran through the middle, leaving two defenders for dead, before beating the keeper with a low drive into the net.

On another Northend attack, Michael Laverty's through-ball left Ryan Walsh in the clear with only the keeper to beat to make the score 11-0 and finally on the stroke of full time, Matthew Mulholland scored his fifth to make the final score 12-0 in Northend's favour

Men of the Match - Jamie Speirs and Matthew Mulholland

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Philip Leetch, Stefan McLees, Niall Swann, Eoin Campbell, Jamie Speirs(c), Dylan Hamill, Ryan Walsh, Matthew Mulholland, Caolan Tierney, Michael Laverty, Ciaran McCambridge, Jaime Brown

Northend United U13s 1 Castleview Swifts U13s 2

Saturday 28th November 2009

Northend went into this game missing regulars, Tierney, Brown, Leetch and Fenton due to illness but such is the strength and character of this squad, is that those who were drafted in gave an excellent account of themselves and were unlucky to find themselves on the losing team.

This match started at a batting pace with Castleview Swifts and Northend United getting bogged down into a midfield battle. Castleview were showing some nice touches in midfield but found Jamie Speirs for Northend playing a true Captain's role and battling for every ball.

The Northend defence of Michael Laverty, Jordan Donnelly, Stefan McLees and Niall Swann soaked up some early pressure and Niall Shannon in the Northend net dealt comfortably with Castleview's long range shots.

Northend began the match with a different formation and it was the result of this that Matthew Mulholland, in the Northend attack, was giving the Castleview defence all sorts of problems. Linking up with Ryan Walsh, the strike-force was causing havoc in the Castleview defence.

As the half progressed, play continued in midfield with both teams trying to carve out an opening in the opposing team. However both sets of defences were in fine form, snuffing out any threat from the opposing strikers. The score remained 0-0 until half time.

As usual, Northend came out much the stronger team in the second half and Jamie Speirs and Eoin Campbell in the Northend midfield began to dominate play. Dylan Hamill was beginning to find his early season form with some fine runs down the Northend right side, linking up with Ryan Walsh. From one of these jinxing runs, a crossed ball went tantalising across the Castleview goalmouth with no Northend striker able to get a foot to it.

With most of the play inside the Castleview half, Northend couldn't find a way past their defence and they were made to pay as Castleview attacked the Northend goal on fifteen minutes. The referee adjudged a Northend defender to have committed a foul inside the penalty box and awarded a penalty kick to Castleview. Their striker gave the Northend goalkeeper no chance with the spot kick to make the score 1-0 to Castleview.

This goal focused the Northend team and again they attacked Castleview. From a Jamie Speirs cross on twenty minutes, the ball found Matthew Mulholland at the back post and he beat the keeper with a looping header to make the score 1-1.

It was all Northend at this stage and from a Matthew Mulholland corner; Niall Swann hit the post with another header.

Next Ryan Walsh went on a jinxing run, ending up inside the penalty box and was blatantly hauled down by the Castleview defender, but the referee waved play on, much to the distain of the home supporters.

This cruel decision was to come back and haunt Northend when with three minutes remaining on the clock, Castleview scored with a timid shot which somehow deceived the Northend keeper and made the final score 2-1 to Castleview.

This match was an excellent advert for youth football and one were in a draw would have been a fair result.

Men of the Match - Jamie Speirs, Michael Laverty

Panel: Niall Shannon, Michael Laverty, Jordan Donnelly, Stefan McLees, Niall Swann, Eoin Campbell, Jamie Speirs(c), Dylan Hamill, Ryan Walsh, Matthew Mulholland, Ciaran McCambridge, Jaime Brown, Glen Fenton

Northend United U13's 2 Comber Rec U13's 0

Saturday 21st November 2009

Northend United went into this game high on confidence, having strung together a few decent results in previous weeks.

Northend started playing with the breeze but it was Comber Rec who had Northend defending almost immediately. With Comber dominating in the first few minutes, the Northend defence of Jordan Donnelly, Caolan Tierney, Stefan McLees and Niall Swann defended superbly against a very skilful Comber Team.

Jamie Speirs and Jaime Brown in the Northend forward line were finding few spaces in the Comber defence.

With Comber Rec pulling the strings in midfield, Niall Shannon in the Northend goal was dealing comfortably with whatever long range shots Comber fired at him.

Northend had chances in the first half but the Comber Rec goalkeeper saved shots from Jamie Speirs and Matthew Mulholland.

Comber Rec looked like taking the lead on twenty minutes, only for a blocking tackle from Stefan McLees inside the penalty box. With some further resolute defending from Niall Swann, the match remained scoreless to half time.

Northend brought on Thomas Brady for Laverty at half time to try and shore up the midfield. It was a different Northend that came out for the second half and one that now took the game to Comber. Playing into a strong breeze, Northend attacked from the start. Jamie Speirs was unlucky with another shot going narrowly wide before Ryan Walsh replaced the hard working Philip Leetch.

Comber Rec attacked Northend again but found Niall Swann, Stefan McLees and Niall Shannon on top of their game.

With thirteen minutes of the second half gone and the match possibly heading for extra time, a Northend attack was cleared by the Comber Rec defence only as far as Caolan Tierney. From all of thirty-five yards, he unleashed a dipping left foot shot into the top corner of the net, scoring a main contender for goal of the season.

This goal gave Northend a spring in their step and Ryan Walsh, who was having a good game, was unlucky when after beating two Comber Rec defenders, pulled his shot narrowly past the post.

On nineteen minutes Comber Rec made a good breakaway and looked like troubling the Northend goal only for another great blocking interception from Stefan McLees.

With play swinging from end to end, on twenty two minutes, Jaime Brown crossed from the left wing and Ryan Walsh was on hand to score his first and Northend's second of the match.

Paul Marrs replaced Brown in the forward line and gave a good account of himself before the referee blew for full time.

Northend now get back to league duty next week when they take on Castleview Swifts at Smithfield

Men of the Match - Niall Swann and Stefan McLees

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Caolan Tierney, Stefan McLees, Niall Swann, Philip Leetch, Matthew Mulholland(c), Dylan Hamill, Jamie Speirs, Jamie Brown, Michael Laverty, Thomas Brady, Ryan Walsh, Paul Marrs

Northend United U13's 9 Carnmoney Colts U13's 1

Saturday 14th November 2009

Northend went into this game high on confidence after having beaten league contenders Larne Youth the previous week and relaunching their own title bid.

Northend started at a blistering pace and Jamie Speirs scored the first on six minutes from a Jaime Brown cross.

Carnmoney Colts came back at Northend for the next ten minutes and Niall Shannon, in the Northend goal, was forced to keep them in the game with numerous saves. One in particular was a point blank save from a Carnmoney Colts volley on the six yard line.

However Northend weathered this storm and Jamie Speirs scored a second on fourteen minutes, when he received a Philip Leetch through-ball and easily beat the keeper.

Stefan McLees was guilty of not putting Northend further ahead when he delayed his shot allowing the Colts defender to make a blocking tackle.

Jamie Brown scored Northend's third goal when he converted at the back post after a Matthew Mulholland shot was parried by the keeper.

Northend dominated play for the rest of the half but the score remained 3-0 to Northend at half-time.

Northend came out a different team in the second half and almost immediately, Stefan McLees made the score 4-0 when he scored a left foot shot at the back post, from a Dylan Hamill cross.

Jaime Brown was next to score when he scored an almost carbon copy of the previous week's goal, when he turned two defenders and score a left foot volley into the top corner of the net, giving the Colt's keep no chance.

Ciaran McCambridge and Michael Laverty replaced Donnelly and Campbell in the Northend rearguard and gave a good account of themselves.

Man of the match Philip Leetch increased the score to 6-0 when he scored a header from a Jamie Speirs cross after eleven minutes of the second half. In a match where Northend were starting to dominate play, Niall Swann and Caolan Tierney were pulling the strings driving forward from the Northend defence.

Matthew Mulholland scored Northend's seventh with another left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area, before Paul Marrs and Glen Fenton replaced Brown and Speirs to give fresh running to the Northend forward line.

Carnmoney hit Northend on the counter attack and from a left-wing cross, a Northend United defender sliced the ball into his own net to make score 7-1.

Philip Leetch, who was having an inspirational game in midfield, ran through the middle onto a Caolan Tierney through-ball and from twenty yards shot high over the keepers head and into the roof of the net.

Almost on full time Dylan Hamill scored Northend's ninth goal when he converted after receiving a through-ball from Paul Marrs. This was a satisfying display from Northend as they prepare for their NIBFA Cup match against Comber Rec at Smithfield next week.

Man of the Match - Philip Leetch

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Caolan Tierney, Eoin Campbell, Niall Swann, Philip Leetch, Matthew Mulholland(c), Dylan Hamill, Jamie Speirs, Jamie Brown, Stefan McLees, Ciaran McCambridge, Michael Laverty, Paul Marrs, Glen Fenton

Northend United U13's 2 Larne Youth U13's 1

Saturday 7th November 2009

After a one week lay-off, Northend United took on League challengers Larne Youth in an East Antrim league match at Smithfield.

Northend United were determined to get back to winning ways and started off the livelier team, taking the game to Larne at every opportunity.

In the early exchanges, the Northend strike force of Jaime Brown and Stefan McLees were looking dangerous but couldn't penetrate the Larne defence.

As the half progressed, Larne came more into the game. On seventeen minutes a dangerous through ball was only partially cleared by the Northend defence which allow the Larne striker to weave his way into the penalty box and score from a tight angle.

This goal disrupted the Northend passing game and allowed Larne to come more into the game; however the Northend defence of Donnelly, Campbell, Swann and Leetch soaked up the pressure.

With twenty-five minutes of the first half gone, Jaime Brown scored a contender for goal of the season, when he received the ball almost on the half-way line, turned and beat two defenders before unleashing a thunderous drive into the Larne net to make the score 1-1.

This goal lifted Northend and they were the stronger team for the remainder of the first half.

Northend came out after half time and totally dominated most of the second half. With Jamie Speirs and Matthew Mulholland dictating play in midfield and Dylan Hamill making dangerous runs down the line, Northend looked like they could get more goals.

From a Matthew Mulholland corner, Caolan Tierney rose majestically to head the ball into the net to give Northend a 2-1 lead.

As Northend took the game to Larne, McLees had an opportunity to put the match beyond Larne's grasp but he was unlucky with a shot which was well saved by the keeper. Indeed the striker had another opportunity to score but the Larne defender cleared the ball off the line.

Northend brought on Michael Laverty and Ciaran McCambridge, for Tierney and Brown.

Northend were to rue these missed chances as Larne pilled on the pressure towards the end of the match. Niall Shannon pulled off two excellent saves and Niall Swann made some telling interceptions to keep Larne at bay and give Northend a well deserved 2-1 victory.

This was a true gutsy display from Northend and one that signals their return to form.

Man of the Match - Matthew Mulholland

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Philip Leetch, Eoin Campbell, Niall Swann, Matthew Mulholland(c), Jamie Speirs, Dylan Hamill, Jamie Brown, Stefan McLees, Caolan Tierney, Ciaran McCambridge, Michael Laverty, Paul Marrs