Northend United 1 Windmill Stars 5   Saturday 18th January 2025

It was the first game of the year and the first in 4 weeks for our Agnew, Mitchell & Cairns sponsored 2011s. A new venue at Aghalee pitch which was in great condition against top undefeated side Windmill stars. The game got off to a fast pace and both teams went end to end in the first 10 minutes. With Hughes upfront going close after 7 minutes our midfield of Gordon, Barr, McClintock and Casely worked tirelessly to keep up. Hector and Martin had the run of each wing but Windmill showed their determination and tracked every run we made. It was counter-attack after 30 minutes play and tired legs trying to get back that opened up a gap in our formation to gift Windmill an easy tap in. Our defensive line up of Brown, Cairns and Wilson had been impenetrable up to that point a real credit as our first attempt at having only 3 at the back. McClintock was having his best game if the season so far in an unfamiliar midfield position showing his fitness and willingness to tackle much bigger opponents and created a nice run for Gordon whose shot went wide of the post. Half time 0-1

Sickness has been a real struggle this week with a number of players unavailable and several still not recovered, both Gordon, Hector couldn’t continue and Mitchell couldn’t field. Both Cameron and King introduced with no further subs available.

On the restart both teams created opportunities in the first 10 minutes of play. Barr winning the ball in midfield sent Cameron on a run down the right whose shot went narrowly wide. Windmill had a good 15-minute run of play with their fitness starting to show, Brown, Cairns and Wilson busted themselves across the defensive line and Devlin showing great athleticism with several fingertip saves but with tired legs in midfield we couldn’t keep Windmill from scoring 4 in quick succession. With a bit of a lift in the final 10 minutes Hughes and Cassley had 2 chances scuffed off the line and with play turned in our favour Hughes hit a low shot from 20 yards just past the keeper into the net giving the boys confidence to push forward. At 1-5 it was a bit of a climb but the wee blues kept pushing right to the last. Full time 1-5

A real game if two halves today but positive to see the potential we have in this squad against top opposition. A few more weeks to regain our fitness levels and hopefully the sickness will have passed.

Falken Tyres Player 0f the Match: Reece McClintock. His work rate in unfamiliar midfield from start to finish was outstanding.

Panel: Pearse Devlin, Jonah Mitchell, Tiernan Martin, Thomas Cairns, Sonny Barr, Seanan Hughes, Ollie Hector, Cathal Gordon, Fletcher Wilson, Rory Brown, , Jayden Cassley, Mason King, Reece McClintock, Preston Cameron