Northend under-12s clinch deserved runners-up spot in league

It was also a good day for the U10s United team who beat Ballymoney Minis by a 6-0 scoreline, the team’s biggest win of the season.

The U10 Youth team weren’t so fortunate as lost their match against Coleraine Alexandra by a 3-2 scoreline.

Elsewhere in the North West, the U11s lost their match by the odd goal in five.

Finally on Friday night, the Club held a mini soccer blitz at the Showgrounds for their U8s and U7s development teams with over thirty-five boys and girls enjoying the experience, under the direction of Northend’s Football Development Officer, John Devlin.

UNDER-7/8

On Friday night at the Ballymena Showgrounds, there was again a large attendance at the Northend United Youth U7 and U8 Mini Soccer Blitz where 6 teams of boys and girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves in a small sided games environment under the watchful eye of coaches John Devlin, Ally McGarry, David Hendron, Gordon Patterson, Eoin Hudson and Brian O’Hara

Teams participating in the Blitz included:

Section 1 - U8s United, U8s Youth, and U8s Colts

Section 2 - U7s United, U7s Youth and U7s Tigers

With almost 35 boys and girls from 2006 and 2007 in attendance, they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to next week for the next instalment.

UNDER-10

Northend United 6, Ballymoney Minis 0: With the influential Kevin Cosgrove falling ill on the morning of the game, the wee blues were forced to make a few changes ahead of their cup tie with Ballymoney.

Northend looked a little out of sorts in the opening moments of the game until Jack Adams fired home from the edge of the box on four minutes.

Moments later, David Magill broke-up a Ballymoney attack deep in his own half before making a good run down the right flank and passing to Owen Campbell.

Owen beat his marker and cut the ball back from the bye-line towards the unmarked Peter Bristow who smashed his shot high into the net.

The Wee Blues were now firmly in control of the game and with ten minutes gone Owen Campbell collected a loose ball in the box before placing a side-footed effort into the bottom corner.

Jack Adams scored his second of the game on 14 minutes when his goal bound effort was deflected into the net off a Ballymoney player.

Peter Bristow scored Northend’s fourth when he controlled a cross from Ben O’Neill before placing his shot beyond the keeper.

With 16 minutes gone Jack Adams played a wide pass to Peter Bristow and Peter’s excellent cross into the box saw Owen Campbell smash a first time volley off the underside of the bar.

As the ball bounced in front of the open goal, it was Owen Campbell who re-acted the quickest to force the ball over the line.

With five minutes remaining Peter Bristow made another strong run through the middle of the pitch and found space behind the Ballymoney defence before finishing off an excellent bit of play.

Northend: C Wilson, D Magill, B O’Neill, C McMillan, P Bristow, J Adams, O Campbell.

UNDER-11

Northend 1, Maiden City 2: This was a rematch of the NIBFA Cup match that Maiden city narrowly won one nil, however this was a more confident Northend team.

Maiden City took the lead half way through the half when Euan McSparron pulled off a great save but instead of jumping on ball the defence half cleared it off the line.

The ball then came back in again and was half cleared dropping to a Maiden City player, who drilled it in from the left edge of the box and the defence stood still watching it creep in at the far post.

Northend were surprised at this and again gifted the ball away on the left allowing a Maiden City player to skip through half hearted challenges and played some neat passes with the ball being neatly put into the net.

Northend did, however, find their form with less than 5 minutes to go. Harry Wylie in midfield began to find his range of passes and he got a well deserved goal.

The mounting pressure from Pat Ferris on the right who started to torment the opposition with his pace found Harry Wylie outside of the box who had time to control and hit a fantastic shot into the top right corner.

In a frantic finale, Harry Wylie headed against the post from a corner, while Pat Ferris who from a few yards from the goal line somehow had his shot saved by the goalkeeper and Jamie Montgomery just couldn’t convert the rebound.

MOM - Harry Wylie.

Northend: E McSparron, F McQuillan, R McQuillan, C Kilgore, H Wylie, C Campbell, J Morrow, J Montgomery, J Wilson, P Ferris.

UNDER-12

Northend 2, Coleraine Olympic 0: Coleraine Olympic were in second place before this game and still contesting the league title. Northend Utd were in third spot, hoping to overtake them into second place.

Matthew Stewart went close after only five minutes and was rewarded for his efforts shortly after when he came out on top in a 50/50 challenge with the Coleraine keeper, poking the ball home to put Northend into the lead.

Midway through the half, Charlie Metrustry stretched the Blues’ lead when he volleyed home from a Conor McDonald corner to put Northend two goals up at the break.

MOM - Charlie Metrustry

Northend: S Higgins, C Killough, C Mc Donald, C Meeke (c), C Forsythe, O Connolly, J Coates, C Metrustry, M Stewart, J Scullion, R Gamble

FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Northend United’s Football Development Centre recommences on Friday 25th April at the Ballymena North Centre for a five week duration.

The Football Development Centre is open to all boys and girls aged 4 to 10 inclusive who are unconnected with any other Club and takes place each Friday night from 6.00pm to 7.30pm.

For more information, or to reserve your child a place on the course, please call John Devlin on 07919 056834. Application forms can also be printed off the Northend website www.northendunitedyouthfc.co.uk

WAKEHURST FC UPDATE

With no 1st team match on Saturday, it was back to playing for Wakehurst Strollers for Jamie Speirs and Aodhan Tolan who were joined by fellow U17 players Niall Swann, James Cameron, Kyle Jackson and Jonny Hanlon, as the Strollers racked up a 4-0 win over Carrickfergus side Red Star.

BELFAST CITY MARATHON

Northend United Youth FC are once again entering two relay teams of coaches and parents in this year’s Belfast City Marathon on Monday 2nd May.

As part of the Club‘s support for good charitable causes, they are supporting the local charity The Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children which will give vital support to the lives of young people diagnosed with cancer and their families.

Sponsorship forms are circulating amongst coaches and boys alike and all donations would be much appreciated for this worthwhile cause.

UNDER-19 TEAM

Northend United and Wakehurst FC are excited to announce that they are forming an U19 team to compete in the NIFL Youth League next season.

With training due to commence shortly, all interested players should get in contact with the Club. For more information, contact Phil Hanlon on 07588353386 or email: [email protected]