Northend United 5 Sirocco Works 0   Saturday 12th October 2024

The Macaulay Wray sponsored U18s got their league campaign off to an excellent start against Sirocco on a fresh bright autumnal morning in South Belfast. The early exchanges were fairly even with both sides having chances with Campbell and McMahon going close with early efforts.   At the other end the back four of Northend looked in no mood to give anything away.  On 23 minutes the deadlock was broken when Stephens short corner to McKee saw the winger skip past the full back and fire home from an acute angle.   It took just a minute for the blues to double their lead as debutant McIlhatton knocked the ball past his marker, cut inside and drove into the box, his left footed effort was parried by Ritchie but the new lad showed dogged determination to get to the ball first and curl right footed to the net.

The Blues continued to dominate possession, in the last minute of the half Sirocco forced a corner that saw Harding half volley well saved by Stewart. Half time 2-0

The second half started brightly for the  Blues, McMahon won possession in the middle of the park and his through ball saw McKee upended on the edge of the box.  Stephens stepped up and curled a superb free kick around the wall well out of reach of Ritchie.   The early goal gave the Northend lads a spring in their step as they started to play some excellent football, moving the ball confidently and making life difficult for Sirocco. 

On 51 minutes O’Donnell surged down the right and crossed for Campbell, the striker’s first touch created an opening but his effort was blocked then McIlhatton created space in the crowded box to fire home from 6 yards.  On 60 minutes O’Donnell and McMahon combined on the right, the latter playing a superb cross field ball behind the Sirocco defence and Campbell tapped the ball home at the back post but alas the effort was ruled offside.   On 69 minutes McKee played a neat one two with McIlhatton who slipped the ball through to Campbell, the striker got his reward as he sidestepped two defenders and slotted home to make it five.

This was a confident performance from a blues side who had a rough start to the season, a series of injuries, sickness and absenteeism saw the team again travel with eleven players.  The defence were solid throughout, five goals one from defence and three from midfield, a memorable debut for McIlhatton and a team performance that we knew this group are capable of.   Full time 5-0

Panel:  Jack Stewart, Conrad McIlhatton, Michael O’Donnell, Feargal McKay, James McMahon, Ryan Stephens, Alfie McKee, Rory Neeson, Liam Heggarty, Charlie McIlhatton, Luke Campbell

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