Northend under-11s are 'Clare winners

The Northend U10 team were narrowly defeated 4-3 by Barn United in a top of the table clash

The U12 team were given a master class in the art of finishing when they were defeated 6-0 by West Belfast team, Glendowan.

The Northend U13 team had a free weekend and the U14's match was cancelled due to their opponents playing in a rearranged NIBFA match.

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Barn United 4, Northend 3: Northend U10s took to the field on a wet and windy morning at Greenisland, in the second of three round robin games, knowing a win would virtually seal a place in the shield final.

However the boys were sluggish from the start, finding it difficult to get a foothold in the game and Barn went into the lead after ten minutes.

Shortly before half time, Barn United doubled their lead with a counter attack down the left flank, and the score remained 2-0 to Barn at the interval.

The second half saw the introduction of Ruairi McAllister for Sempey. Northend lifted their game and began to dominate this spell of the game, controlling the play in midfield. They got their just rewards when an O'Boyle corner fell to Cory Little in the box and he made no mistake, blasting the ball into the corner to reduce the deficit to one goal.

Play opened up after this, with both teams creating chances, and when Barn were awarded a penalty, Kieran O'Boyle in Northend's goal was up to the task, saving brilliantly to keep the scoreline 2-1.

Barn United went on to score again, to increase their lead to 3-1 after some sloppy defending.

With nothing to lose, Northend introduced their subs now to try to turn the game around, with Blaine Scott, James O'Loughlin and Ruairi Campbell coming on for Montgomery, O'Brien and Irwin.

The changes paid off almost immediately, with Ruairi Campbell wreaking havoc down the right wing, and he earned his side a penalty when he was upended in the box. Matthew Downey calmly struck the ball into the corner of the net to make the score 3-2 to Barn United.

With the game opening up again, Barn were able to score again after a poor clearance fell straight to the feet of their striker who had the simple task of side-footing home from twelve yards, to make the score 4-2 with less than five minutes remaining.

Northend weren't giving up easily, and when Cory Little picked up the ball on the halfway line, he raced past three Barn defenders and slotted the ball through the goalkeeper's legs at his near post to score his second of the game and bring the final scoreline to 4-3.

Men of the Match: Jamie Stevenson and Alex O'Boyle

Northend: Kieran O'Boyle, Scott Sempey, Alex O'Boyle, Aaron Campbell, Jamie Wray, Matthew Erwin, Matthew Downey, Jamie Stevenson, Aaron Montgomery, Shea O'Brien, Cory Little, Blaine Scott, Ruairi McAllister, James O'Loughlin, Ruairi Campbell, Aidan Graffin.

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Northend 4, Ballyclare Colts 2: Ballyclare scored first, the forward collected a ball from a throw in and went between two defenders, who had left the tackling to each other, and gave young James Morgan in goals no chance with a fierce shot.

Northend upped their game and started to pass the ball well. This led to the equaliser when Conor Graham played the ball out on the right to Conor McHugh whose inch perfect cross to David Kilgore, allowed him to lay it back to Zack Herbison to fire it past the Colts keeper.

Northend then scored again when David Kilgore beat two defenders before being tackled. As the ball bounced, in came Zack Herbison to fire it over the keeper and into the net for his and United's second.

Ballyclare Colts then equalized when their midfielder burst through Northend's defence. Morgan in the Northend goal saved his shot, only for the referee to point to the spot for a penalty, judging one of the Northend players had pulled the Colts player's shirt. Up stepped the Ballyclare player to rifle the ball high into the net, to leave the half time score 2-2

It wasn't until midway through the half when Northend scored again. This time Zack Herbison and David Kilgore linked up again but once again the keeper saved from Kilgore, Eamon Elliott following up from a tight angle to put United 3-2 in the lead.

Northend started to apply some good pressure to the Ballyclare defence and won a corner. Conor McHugh swung the ball in and the Colts defender sliced the ball up and over his keeper for an own goal to make the score 4-2 in Northend's favour.

Man of the Match: Conor Graham, Zack Herbison

Northend: James Morgan, Robbie Dennison, Ryan McKenna, Matthew Adams, Philip Maybin, Eamon Elliott, Conor Graham, Conor McHugh, David Kilgore, Zack Herbison, Rhys O'Mullan, Ben Sempey, Archie Magill, Ricky Waide, Ryan Gordon, Oliver Boyle.

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Northend 0, Glendowan 6: Northend United U12s were given a lesson in finishing by the West Belfast team from start to finish, in this BEAYIL League match.

Glendowan went into a three goal lead within 15 minutes, with their quick passing style of football which was just too much for the inexperienced Northend team.

United had a chance too pull a goal back when Ciaran Neeson made a great run into the penalty box but could only steer his shot into the side netting. Glendowan's response was to score another two quick goals before half time to leave the score 5-0 in their favour.

It was the same story in the second half with Glendowan scoring again to put the game beyond Northend's reach.

Northend: Anthony O'Neill, Jack Dawson, Kyle Johnston, Michael Carberry, Leo Morgan, Calum Johnston, Ciaran Neeson, Joshua King, Przemyslaw Nowak, Harry Kilgore, Eoin McCorkindale, Adrian Dubyna, Aaron Reid, Conor McCormick, Krystian Yaworski, Gracyan Drezewski.

MINI SOCCER ACADEMY

Northend United Mini Soccer Academy will recommence on Saturday 13th February at Dunfane Pitches 2.15pm to 4pm.

Unfortunately due to a waterlogged pitch, last week's coaching session didn't happen. John Devlin commented: "It was disappointing to have to cancel on Saturday, but the council and ourselves have to think of the players' and coaches' safety."

For more information, please contact John on 0791 905 6834.

GEORGE BEST U-10 CUP

Northend's U10 team make the long journey to Lurgan Arena on Saturday 13th February, to play the local Lurgan Town Boys in the first round of the inaugural George Best U10 Cup incorporating the elite teams from The South Belfast League, The George Best Castlereagh League, The Belfast and East Antrim League and The Mid-Ulster League.

TABLE QUIZ

Northend United Youth are holding a Table Quiz on Thursday 11th February at the Ballymena Rugby Club, Eaton Park, commencing at 7pm. The funds generated will go towards the cost of the end of season trip to the Scotland Easter Cup in Ayr.

Northend United Youth would appreciate as much support as possible from players, their families, friends, coaches and supporters. Quizmaster is Johnny Sayers.