Northend U9s Run Glentoran Close in Final of Sevens Tournament

The Northend Blues put in a great performance that seen them make it into the Plate Final against Irish League Academy side Glentoran after six fantastic matches in a tournament that seen them play against some of the finest youth teams in the country, including disposing of their local rivals, Ballymena United, in a pulsating semi-final clash.

UNDER 9s

Northend United 1 Glentoran Academy 4: In the first game of the group Northend lost out to Glentoran who were not three goals better in open play but their finishing was the difference as they went 2-0 up, but Northend pulled one back after Jay McKeown skipped past the Glens defence to cross for Shea O’Broin to head home. The Glens then scored two late goals.

Northend United 2 St Oliver Plunkett’s 4: This was a cracker of a game with Northend forcing the play but fell behind before Pearse McAuley pulled one back before taking the lead in the match, when Shea O’Broin scored his second goal of the day.

However Plunkett’s pulled one back then not for the first time Northend conceded two late goals, but the boys never gave up and Jay McKeown hit the bar late on.

Northend United 2 Ballymoney United 3: Northend changed the position’s of all the players for this game and it took them until the second half to get going with the score 1-1 at halftime with Jay McKeown scoring for Northend.

After the restart Northend fell behind again but the pulled back again with Luke McGaughey when he scored from close range. However Ballymoney broke the young Northend hearts when they scored a late winner.

Northend United 3 Glentoran Cougars 1: Northend really hit form in this Quarter final game with Jay McKeown scoring twice and Stevie Bristow getting the other goal in a devastating display. The young Northend Blues should really have scored more goals as their passing and movement was first class.

Minutes from the end of this match the Cougars scored a late consolation goal. Ryan Campbell and Ben O Neill in defence were outstanding in this match with Pearse McAuley in midfield, pulling the strings for a free flowing Northend team. However this was to be McAuley’s last match in the tournament when the influential player picked up a late injury.

Northend United 1 Ballymena United 1: In the semi-final against local derby rivals Ballymena United, Northend were now down to the bare bones as they had lost two players to injury. The game went from end to end with Ballymena having most of the play, but Northend were quick to counter attack and Shea O’Broin had a few good chances before Ballymena took the lead in the second half.

The game then changed when Shea O’Broin chased a long ball into the Ballymena corner and hit an unstoppable shot towards the Ballymena goal which gave their keeper no chance as it hit the back of the Ballymena net.

With the score at final whistle ending up 1-1, it was down to penalties to decide this game and Northend won 2-1 with Ryan Campbell and Shea O’Broin scoring the penalties for Northend. This was a great game from both the local Ballymena based teams with Corey McKillop in goals for Northend in brilliant form.

Northend United 1 Glentoran Academy 2: Northend again met Glentoran in the final after previously playing them in the original group stages and it was amazing as three teams from this original group made the overall finals with St Oliver Plunketts progressing to the Cup Final.

Without doubt this was the best game Northend played with all the players digging deep foe a great team performance.

Northend also had goalscoring chances as well before the Glens took the lead, scored in a Northend goalmouth scramble. Glentoran then they scored again when Northend failed to clear a ball and it was crossed into the back post and the Glens were two up.

Northend were far from finished and scored the goal of the game after Zack Erwin played a great ball into the corner for Shea O’Broin who played back into the path of Stevie Bristow who then smashed his shot into the top corner of the Glens goal. Northend just couldn’t find another goal to force a penalty shootout. This was another outstanding performance from every Northend player on a very hot day.