Northend United U14s Progress in NIYFA Cup!

Most of Northend’s teams were in action this weekend, with some very impressive performances across all age groups.

The U14s United team get performance of the week for their 6-3 win over Lisbellaw United in the prestigious NIYFA Cup at the Showgrounds on Saturday morning.

Top results were also recorded by the U10s, U11s, U14s Colts, U16s and U18s in what has been an outstanding weekend of results.

The U15s were unlucky to lose their match against Knockbreda 1-0, in a match where VAR proved the ball never crossed the line for the only goal.

Under 11s South Belfast Youth League

Northend Jets 3 Springfield Star 1

Northend started brightly in what was an evenly contested opening, with little to separate the two sides in the early stages.

It was Northend who eventually broke the deadlock when an Oisin Goodall corner was brought down brilliantly by Conor McGarry and finished off by Christian Holba.

Just before half-time, another perfectly delivered Goodall corner produced a moment of real magic. Conor McGarry launched himself into the air and connected with an incredible overhead bicycle kick, sending the ball flying into the net.

Springfield came out with more purpose in the second half, but Northend soon found their rhythm again. The pace of Ruairi Walker proved too much for the Springfield defence as he drove past his marker before calmly slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3–0.

Springfield managed to grab a consolation goal right at the end, but by then the result was already beyond doubt.

Player of the Match was Christian Holba.

Under 14s NIYFA Cup

Northend United 6 Lisbellaw United 3

Northend United 2013 welcomed Lisbellaw United U14 to the Showgrounds for an entertaining NIYFA Cup encounter.

Northend started strongly, playing some lovely football, moving the ball quickly and creating a number of early opportunities.

Despite the positive start, Northend found themselves behind against the run of play after 12 minutes. Lisbellaw sent a long ball forward and some lackadaisical defending allowed their striker a clear sight of goal.

Just two minutes later, Fionn was fouled around 25 yards from goal. Conan stepped up to take the resulting free kick and produced a superb strike, sending the ball flying into the top corner.

Northend continued to move the ball well, showing patience and recycling possession when necessary. Jack and James controlled the defence and remained composed on the ball.

That patience paid off in the 20th minute. Conan won a succession of challenges in midfield before slipping a through ball into Fionn. He drove into the box, cut inside his defender and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.

Lisbellaw remained dangerous on the counter and almost drew level when their forward used his pace to get in behind the Northend defence, but his effort went just wide.

Northend then added a third. Trey broke down a Lisbellaw attack before Conal played a ball over the top for Fionn to chase. The goalkeeper got there first but couldn't hold onto the ball, allowing Fionn to react quickest and roll it into the empty net.

Northend extended their lead early in the second half with a well-worked corner. Mason played it short to Conal, who returned the ball to him. Mason then delivered an excellent in-swinging cross towards the back post, where Josh was waiting to tap home.

Another Northend attack resulted in a corner. Conan swung the ball into the box and when Lisbellaw couldn't clear their lines, Conal lifted it back into the six-yard area. The goalkeeper could only punch the ball away and Fionn was on hand to drive it into the net. Hat-trick for Fionn and 5-1 to Northend.

Lisbellaw continued to battle for every ball and look for opportunities to break forward. They won a free kick on the edge of the Northend box after the boys went to ground rather than staying on their feet. From the resulting set piece, Lisbellaw produced a lovely strike into the top corner.

As Lisbellaw pushed forward, spaces began to open up at the back. A clearance from Jack found Mason, who took on his man, beat another defender and then spotted the goalkeeper off his line. He produced a brilliant finish, delicately chipping the keeper to make it six.

Lisbellaw never gave up and pulled another goal back with around five minutes remaining. A throw-in on the right, caught Northend ball-watching and failing to pick up their men, creating space for the Lisbellaw midfield. The resulting shot was cleverly flicked into the bottom corner.

A convincing performance from Northend and one that showed exactly what this squad is capable of when they move the ball with confidence and play with patience.

Panel: Jack McCaw, Josh Carson, Alphie Woodhouse, Conal Devlin, Conor Best, Fionn McGarry. Fionn Rafferty, Jack Curry, James McConaghy, Mason Buxton, Noah McGarry, Trey Mawhinney

Under 14s – South Belfast Youth League

Northend Colts 2 St Mary’s Boys 0

Goals from Jason Archer and Thomas Millar were enough to seal all the points for the hard working Northend Colts team, in what was a rare home match, played at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Panel: Jamie McCann, Cian McDonald, Fraser O’Kane, Oscar McGlone, Jason Archer, Godsthrone Davids, Ronan Ward, James Mullan, Maksymilian Zaporowicz, Nathaniel Mackle, Callan Davidson, Michael McAuley, Thomas Millar, Oluwalonimi Kuforiji, Kieran O’Loan, Oliver Pypec.

Under 16s – South Belfast Youth League

Northend United 5 Albert Foundry 2

It was another great performance from the Agnew, Mitchell and Cairns sponsored 2011s this week as their winning streak continued against Albert Foundry.

A solid start in the first 15 minutes had put them 2-0 in front. The first goal, started with Devlin in nets who found McGarry whose header flicked forward and the relentless pressure from Gordon caught out the Foundry defence and the winger smashed it home.

The second came from a real counter attack from the Northend six yard line. Martin won the ball and to repay the favour Gordon set up McGarry and the striker beating the Foundry defence for the second.

For the last 15 minutes of the half it was end to end action with both teams having a fair amount of possession, but no further goals.

In the second half Foundry caught the defence napping when a shot on goal saved by Devlin was not followed up and the oFundry striker tapped in their first.

Seconds later Northend went to the other end and Traynor was brought down in the box and converted his penalty. A loose ball across goal was cleared well by the Northend defence but an unfortunate rebound put it into their own net.

With confidence high between players the midfield and defence worked the ball well, Mitchell, King, Cassley, McClintock and Gordon covered every inch of the pitch, Traynor worked tirelessly to push through the Foundry defence and the striker went on the bag a further two goals making his day with a half time hat-trick.

Man of the match this week was Thomas Traynor who came on at half time to bag his hat-trick.

Panel: Phelem Devlin, Jonah Mitchell, Jayden Cassley, Tiernan Martin, Cathal Gordon, Olly Hector, Harry Campbell, Oliver Morrison, Fletcher Wilson, Rory McGarry, Dylan McManus, Thomas Traynor, Patrick McFadden, Reece McClintock, Mason King.

Under 18s – South Belfast Youth League

Northend United 6 Carryduff Colts 0

Northend’s Pizza Parlour-sponsored 2009s produced an impressive performance against Carryduff Colts at Newforge Sports Complex on Friday night.

The game started slowly, with Northend taking a few minutes to settle into their rhythm.

The breakthrough arrived after just five minutes. Kian O’Neill picked up possession and played a clever through ball looking for Oisín Gordon. A Carryduff defender attempted to cut it out, but the ball took a deflection and found its way into the net for an own goal.

Oisín was causing the Carryduff defence all sorts of problems with his pace, movement and aggressive pressing, and it wasn’t long before he doubled the advantage. Another excellent run in behind saw him take a great first touch before calmly side-footing the ball past the goalkeeper.

Then came the goal of the night. Some lovely interplay through the middle saw Oisín flick the ball on before Rhys O’Neill helped it into the path of Caleb Da Prato. With space ahead of him, Da Prato spotted the goalkeeper off his line and, from around 30 yards, unleashed a superb strike into the top corner.

Northend repeatedly worked their way to the by-line, forcing corners and creating chances. Oisín grabbed his second of the night on 22 minutes, reacting quickest when the ball broke inside the area and finishing to complete an excellent brace.

Two minutes later he turned provider. Oisín rounded the goalkeeper and, with a defender recovering to close him down, showed great awareness to slip the ball across goal for Kian O’Neill to slide home and complete the first-half scoring at 5–0 - though Kian McNeill almost made it six with an overhead kick!

To their credit, Carryduff came out fighting in the second half and continued to compete, but Northend remained defensively strong. Liam Slattery in particular was excellent, attacking 50-50 challenges aggressively and winning the ball all over the pitch.

A final goal eventually arrived on 63 minutes. Liam Kearney found the opening with a clever through ball, and a great first touch from Rhys O’Neill created the space before his composed low finish was slipped across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

It was a very impressive all-round display from Northend, with the biggest positive being the quality of their football.

Player of the Match was Oisín Gordon.

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Liam Kearney, Liam Slattery, Hubert Pekala (C), Ruairi Hamill, Adrian Pekala, Caleb Da Prato, Pearce Devlin, Oisín Gordon, Kian McNeill, Kian O’Neill, Rhys O’Neill.