THE only Northend United Youth game to survive the big freeze was an under strength U14 team who travelled to Hydebank to play Ards Youth in a South Belfast League match and suffered a 3-2 defeat, after taking the lead in this game.
Elsewhere the U10, U11 and U12 team's matches were called off on Saturday morning due to the heavy frost on each of the Ballymena pitches.
UNDER-14
Northend 2, Ards Youth 3: Northend United U14s have had a very inconsistent sea
son to date, with a run of several wins followed by several defeats.
United went into this game with several players missing with the flu but no excuses can be used as the players that went were fully capable of getting all three points.
Northend started off at blistering pace and were 1-0 up after only three minutes when Matt King's inch perfect pass found Ryan McIllroy on the left wing. His powerful run and shot was only parried by the Ards keeper and Aidan Hughes followed in to blast the ball home from close range.
It looked as if it was going to be an easy game but this soon changed as Northend slacked off on pace in the middle of the park. They failed to close Ards down and gave them the freedom of the pitch.
The Ards equaliser came on 20 minutes, and with it Northend lost their shape and passing ability.
With some strong words from the Northend management at half time; United upped their game and played Ards of the park for spells of the second half.
They got their just reward with a second goal, when Simon Cunningham found Ryan McIllroy with a pass. He cut in from the right but the keeper came out and forced him wide, forcing him to pull it back to Aidan Hughes who knocked home for his second of the game.
Again United let the lead slip away, when a needless free-kick was struck from 20 yards and flew into the back of the Northend net.
Northend were still the better team and pushed on, but with no real conviction and found themselves 3-2 down after the referee awarded Ards a penalty in the last five minutes when Ryan Douds made what looked to be a fantastic tackle.
To add salt to the wounds of Northend, they had a penalty appeal in the last minute of the game, when Ryan McIllroy was up-ended in the box, the referee decided to give a free-kick outside the box.
Men of the Match - Ryan McIllroy and Ryan Douds
Northend: Thomas Brady, Emmet Kerr, Matt King, Ryan Douds, Simon Cunningham, Mark Robinson, Declan McAfee, Ciaran Ferris, Ryan McIllroy, Conan Dunne, Aidan Hughes, Brendan Lynas.
CUP MATCHES
Northend United Youth teams have some mouth watering Cup ties coming up. In the NIBFA competition, The U11s travel to play Limavady United Youths and the Northend U14s entertain Glentoran in the same competition on 16th January.
The Northend U10s travel to play Lurgan Town Boys in the inaugural George Best Cup on 9th January.
TRAINING
There will be no training night on Monday 28th December but this will resume again on Monday 4th January at Ballymena Showgrounds Pitch 3.
