Youth football: Northend Blues round-up

With no fewer then three of the Northend teams challenging for League honours, these score-lines reflect the improvements the Club is undergoing during this season.

In Match of the Day, Glen Speirs U15s turned in a five star performance to beat nearest rivals Glendowan 1-0 at Dunfane Park to go nine points clear at the top of the League. Ryan Gault was the scorer for the Blues before a large crowd of parents and supporters.

Elsewhere in the Belfast and East Antrim League, the U11s continued their good form with a 3-1 win over Ballyclare Colts. This win not only cements second place in the League but gives the boys a two game advantage over the league leaders.

The U12s turned in a solid performance, beating Ballyclare Comrades 4-0 with both Daniel Bell and Matthew Kirk scoring a brace of goals each. The U13s drew their match against Newington Youths at Smithfield, as did the U14s who drew their match against Loughside in Belfast. The U16s match was cancelled.

UNDER 9

Coleraine Academy 5, Northend United 3: Northend went in front when Charlie Metrustry shot from just outside the box was to hot to handle for the Coleraine keeper as he could only parry the ball into his net. Christy McKillop then put Northend further in front when he cut in from the left and sent the keeper the wrong way. Coleraine then pulled one back before Ciaran Campbell added a third when he skipped past a few players and coolly slotted into the bottom corner. Coleraine pulled the score level just before half-time with two goals. Half time score 3-3

Northend were playing the better football and could have added more goals but it was Coleraine who scored two more goals to win this great game of football.

UNDER 11

Northend United 3, Ballyclare Colts 1: Northend had to win this match to go into second place in the League, and they put in a fine performance to win this game 3 - 1.

After some fine wing play by Sean McKay, Robbie McGaughey crossed to Ruairi Campbell, who neatly volleyed by the Ballyclare goalkeeper.

This domination led to Northend’s second goal, when a great cross from the right by Sean McKay, was cooly slotted home by Conor McGarry.

Ballyclare Colts pulled one back ten minutes into the second half, after a long punt from their back, put through a Ballyclare forward, who placed the ball perfectly into the corner of the net.

Leading goalscorer Sean McKay brilliantly curled the ball into the top of the net, putting Northend 3 - 1 ahead.

UNDER 12

Ballyclare Comrades 0 Northend United 4: Jordon Adams down the right wing was having a great game and was the source of most Northend attacks. Daniel Bell opened the scoring for Northend when his shot from a tight angle flew into the far corner of the Ballyclare net. Bell added the second as well when he blasted his shot into the bottom corner to put Northend well in control going into the second-half.

Northend made a few changes at half-time with Matthew Kirk coming on and it turned out to be a great substitution with Kirk adding two more goals with great finishing after the midfield of Kuba Babuszewski and Jordan Stock passing balls down the wings.

UNDER 13

Northend United 1, Newington Youths 1: The match got underway with the Blues going straight on the attack and battling for everything and after five minutes took the lead. Robbie Dennison crossed the ball in from the right and as Zack Herbison battled the defender and keeper the ball took a ricochet and headed towards goal and Johnston Kirkpatrick, on his first start, prodded the ball home.

Northend were playing some good football but the big defence of Newington were getting to grips with the pace of Herbison and Kirkpatrick and putting in some fiesty challenges. From a long ball out of defence Newington levelled the game when their no7 latched onto the pass and held off a couple of weak tackles before blasting the ball past Eamonn Elliott in goals.

UNDER 14

Loughside 0 Northend United 0: The defence played well and the midfield competed across the park, however Leo Morgan played the lone striker giving his all till substituted with five minutes to go.

James Morgan in the Northend goals made a brilliant save from a well struck shot that was bound for the top corner, which was applauded by both sides.

UNDER 15

Northend United 1 Glendowan 0: Northend kept up the pressure in a one-sided first half and it was only a matter of time before they opened the scoring.

From a pin-point Benny O’Neill corner, Ryan Gault scored when he volleyed the ball into the back of the net, giving the Glendowan keeper no chance.

This was a super team performance from all with Jamie Speirs and Benny O’Neill dominating play in their areas but Man of the Match today goes to Aidan O’Donnell who had a super game, leading the Northend forward line and not allowing the Glendowan defence to have any time on the ball.

NORTHEND UNITED NOTES

QUIZ NIGHT: Northend United Youth are holding a Family Quiz Night on Thursday night, commencing at 7.30pm sharp at Connolly’s Bar, Dunvale. Quiz Master for the evening is our very own Johnny Sayers, so why not come along and make it an excellent night’s craic?

EASTER FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS

All players going to either the Falkirk or Preston Football Tournaments at Easter are reminded that the deposits for the trips are now due.

COMPETITION WINNER

Congratulations goes to Northend U15 Player Thomas Brady, who this week attended the Manchester United versus Liverpool match along with his brother, courtesy of Northend United Youth FC.

Thomas won the pair of tickets for this match in a raffle at the Northend Prize Night in May 2011 and has been eagerly awaiting this game for some time. What a pity he had to watch champions, Manchester United defeat his beloved Liverpool.

It was handshakes all round for the young Northend player at the final whistle.