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Northend Colts 1 Ballynahinch Olympic 0 Saturday 21st October 2023

From the 1st whistle Northend went straight at Ballynahinch, they were relentless. Wave after wave of attack came from everywhere.

They played in little pairs, backing each other up, Maxim and Cian on the right, Jamie, David and Harrison on the left, James and Oscar in the middle. They were composed, playing accurate passes and moving on to support after. The boys talked constantly as well, showing maturity in their play too. We’re seeing the start of little triangles in attacking which is very promising.

The Ballynahinch keeper was under fire with shot after shot from the Blues, fair play to him he kept us at bay until Harrison made it 1-0 with a well taken goal. Ballynahinch barely got out of their half thanks to our attack and big Fraser dominating at centre back, but the one break that they had was expertly kept out by keeper Cathal Doherty. Half time 1-0

Changes made in the second half: Jacob in nets, Ronan right mid, Max centre midfield, Dara left midfield and Jason up front as the lone striker.

The 2nd half went the same way as the 1st, with the new wave of attack going at Ballynahinch at every chance. Max was superb taking it to them, lots of shots and crosses came in but we just couldn’t get on the end of them. Dara the same on the left side, threatened every time he got the ball. Jason held the ball well and played his wingers in but again was unfortunate not to get the killer touch in front of goal. The game finally ended 1-0 to Northend. Full time 1-0

A few candidates today for POTM, special mention to Fraser being so dominant at the heart of defence, and nearly every attacker too because they worked so well. But today it goes to Harrison for his goal, all round tenacious play, and for stepping back and defending in the 2nd half

Player of the Match: Harrison Smyth

Panel: Cathal Doherty, Jacob Moore, Fraser O’Kane, Jamie McCann, Max Zaporpwicz, Maxim Kostolny, Jason Archer, Oscar McGlone, James Mullan, Harrison Smyth, Dawid Radziwonka, Cian Mc Donald (c), Dara O’Broin, Ronan Ward

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Northend Colts 6 Hillsborough Boys 4 Saturday 14th October 2023

With a full strength squad Northend Colts faced up against Hillsborough Boys and the wee Colts took to the pitch on fire. The front 3, Dawid Radziwonka, Harrison Smyth and Maxim Kostolny pushed high up the pitch to press the Hillsborough team, not allowing them any time or space on the ball .On the occasions Hillsborough got out they faced the tenacious midfield of Oscar McGlone and James Mullan whose breaking up of the football Hillsborough tried to play left the 3 boys at the back Jamie McCann, Fraser O'Kane and Cian McDonald time to mop up, stay composed and play out from the back which helped to start the next wave of attack.

Due to the team working as one it wasn't long until the early pressure paid off and Northend made the break through taking the lead.

The first goal seemed to fill the Colts with confidence which stemmed throughout the team, the flood gates opened and the wee blues started to enjoy themselves almost as much as they did during the unorthodox warm up process. By half time the Colts cruised in with a little swagger 4-0 in front. Half time 4-0

The second half began in the same vein as the first with Northend in control, but it was Hillsborough who got the goal which reminded the colts that they still had work to do.

Northend replied almost immediately and soon took the game to 6-1 .To the great credit of Hillsborough who remained determined and grew into the game they started to give Northend plenty to think about as they managed to pull back the score line and finish the match 6-4 to the Colts. Full time 6-4

Today we saw our team take another big step in their development. The enthusiasm to play for each other as a team and not as individuals is something that the 2013 Colts has in abundance. This attitude mixed with a willingness to listen and learn is very special

Player of the Match: Cian McDonald. Cian had a great game at the back. He was organised and confident while defending, but it was when Cian was on the ball today which was most impressive.

Panel: Jacob Moore, Fraser O’Kane, Jamie McCann, Max Zaporpwicz, Maxim Kostolny, Jason Archer, Oscar McGlone, James Mullan, Harrison Smyth, Dawid Radziwonka, Cian Mc Donald, Dara O’Broin, Ronan Ward, Cathal Doherty

Crewe United Colts 6 Northend Colts 0 Saturday 7th October 2023

With the Colts starting well and looking bright at the first whistle they put the Crewe United team under pressure in the opening moments and even manage to have the ball in the back of the Crewe net for it to be ruled out for a foul. Briefly before Max Zaporpwicz eyes lit up and got that goal he's been after for the last few weeks.

From here on, it was all about the team in red. A well drilled team with a strong midfield and some very fast forward players put the colts under wave after wave of attacks in the first half.

The Colts continued to battle and work hard, but it just wasn't our day lads.

Player of the Match: Jason Archer Jason work hard today when defending from the front and had some great touches to bring others into play to ease the pressure.

Panel: Jacob Moore, Dara O’Broin, Fraser O’Kane, Max Zaporpwicz, Maxim Kostolny, Jason Archer, Oscar McGlone, James Mullan, Jamie McCann, Harrison Smyth, Ronan Ward, Cian Mc Donald

Northend Colts 0 Ballynahinch Olympic 2 Saturday 30th September 2023

With our boys fired up from the last match, the Colts started this game on the front foot. Attacking Ballynahinch at every opportunity, the Colts did not let up! Team captain Maxim terrorised them on the right wing, supported by Cian behind him. Fraser carried the ball forward well on the left with Jamie tucked in behind ready to help.

James and Oscar were relentless, pressing forward trying to play balls into Jason up front who worked superbly.

Harrison marshalled the defence well anytime it came back towards our goal, and Jacob was calm in nets, handling everything that came his way.

Attack after attack, some great passages of play, and plenty of shots, but unfortunately Ballynahinch held firm and defended well. The Colts just missed that killer blow.

With halftime approaching, it’s a miracle that it ended 0-0, with the game being massively in favour of Northend. Half time 0-0

In the second half, a clearance from the back unluckily landed straight at a Ballynahinch players feet who hit a once in a lifetime strike from just inside the half that ended up in the back of the net. The heads started to drop a bit. Then Ballynahinch got a second. At this point the Colts were fighting to get their heads up. Plenty of effort from there until the end, but the match ended 0-2 to Ballynahinch.

Player of the Match: Jamie McCann Jamie worked his socks off from start to finish.

Panel: Jacob Moore, Fraser O’Kane, Maxim Kostolny, Jason Archer, Oscar McGlone, Ronan Ward, James Mullan, Harrison Smyth, Cian Mc Donald, Max Zaporpwicz, Cathal Doherty

Colin Valley Colts 1 Northend Colts 2 Saturday 23rd September 2023

Like all new teams it takes time to gain a rhythm of play, to learn to trust in the ability of the guy beside you and settle into a formation that brings the best out of each characteristics the players bring to the pitch. For the 2013 Colts, today was that day!

With the same will and desire we have seen over the past few weeks, the Colts came to the field with that little bit of something extra, which made a big difference. From the start, the Colts began to pass the ball around the field, with composure showing throughout the team. Great offensive runs down the right wing via Maxim, with Cain always in support. This created chance after chance and left Colin Valley on the back foot. Defensive processioning and awareness from the three boys at the back, Cain McDonald, Harrison Smyth and Jamie McCann gave the team the foundation for the midfield and attack to express themselves throughout and continue the onslaught on the Colin Valley goal. This aside due to some outstanding saves and a disallowed goal, the two teams came in at the break 0-0. Half time 0-0

A regroup and a word of encouragement to continue the great work, the boys started the second half right where they left off and were soon awarded a penalty for a hand ball.

With not a nerve to be seen, James Mullan stepped up and fired Northend Colts into the lead. This was soon to be followed by another, which the determined midfielder James controlled a bouncing ball and almost took the net back to Ballymena on its way. With the Colts now crusing towards the first victory of the season everyone wanted a bit of the action, great runs being made by the birthday boy Max almost put the Colts in the distance of any potential come back, but it was Colin Valley who managed to get the next goal. With all of the team showing each other support and encouragement, they climbed over this hurdle on the road to victory and let loose once again. With the great timing of his runs, Dara found himself in some wonderful positions only to be denied by the brick wall that was the Colin Valley goalkeeper. As the ref blew on the final whistle, I don't believe that Lisburn has seen the likes of the celebrations before.

A fantastic team performance of which all players can be proud of. Full time 1-2

The POFM award this week is awarded to Cain McDonald for his great all-around performance, being astute at the back and going forward when his team needed him. Special mention the Frazer and Dara for volunteering to cover the injured Jacob in goal.

The coaching team would like to thank the parents for their support today. This is a great bunch of boys. Their hard work and team ethos is really paying off. Keep up the great work. And enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Player of the Match: Cain McDonald

Panel: Dara O’Broin, Jamie McCann, Max Zaporpwicz, Maxim Kostolny, Jason Archer, Oscar McGlone (c), Ronan Ward, James Mullan, Harrison Smyth, Cian Mc Donald, Dawid Radziwonka, Fraser O’Kane, Jamie McCann

Northend Colts 0 Lisburn Rangers 5 Saturday 16th September 2023

Today may have felt like a case of deja vu for the guys as Northend Colts came up against the Lisburn Rangers side they faced last week

On the same pitch the two teams kicked off once again for round two. Northend started the game with determination and fight, in an effort to get their own back against the side that sent them home last week with a 4-0 defeat. But despite the good start attitude and some nice moments of team football the Colts came in at the break 2-0 down just like the week before. Half time 0-2

The break saw Northend make a number of changes as they continued the good work they carried out in the first half. Unfortunately the Lisburn team were just a little to much for our boys and the game finished with a 5-0 defeat.

Despite the result the performance the guys put in today was 100 times better than the previous week with good football being played, a team togetherness and each player playing to the best of their ability.

This is what it is all about, as we walked away today with smiles on our faces as each kid knows that they did their best .

A very special mention today to our three new additions to the team who made their debuts

Fraser O'Kane , Jamie McCann , and Dawid Radziwonka you did great boys . Full time 0-5

Player of the Match: Harrison Smyth

Panel: Jacob Moore, Max Zaporpwicz, Maxim Kostolny, Jamie McCann, Oscar McGlone, James Mullan, Harrison Smyth, Dawid Radziwonka, Cian Mc Donald (c), Dara O’Broin, Fraser O’Kane, Ronan Ward, Jason Archer

Northend Colts 0 Lisburn Rangers 4 Saturday 9th September 2023

Today Northend 2013 Colts played Lisburn Rangers. With the early start, great weather and fantastic venue it made for the perfect conditions to kick on from a very positive start to the season after last week's terrific start.

Unfortunately the early start didn't seem to favour the young Ballymena team and the Colts started the game a little on the back foot and found it difficult to perform the way we know they can. Half time 0-2

By the end of the half the Colts were 2 down, by 2 well taken goals from the Lisburn side.

A more upbeat second half showed some positive moments that the team can build on in the coming weeks. Today just wasn't our day, as we played a very well organised Lisburn team who are a little further on in their development at this time.

Final score ended with a 4-0 defeat but lots of positives can be taken, especially the good performance from the two guys in the centre of defence, Cathal Doherty and Oscar McGlone and a very impressive first start for Dara O'Broin. Full time 0-4

Player of the Match: James Mullan

Panel: Jacob Moore, Cathal Doherty, Max Zaporpwicz, Maxim Kostolny, Jason Archer, Oscar McGlone, Ronan Ward, James Mullan, Harrison Smyth, Cian Mc Donald, Dara O’Broin

Northend Colts 1 Ballynahinch Olympic 1 Saturday 2nd September 2023

The Colts kicked off their new season with an away draw with Ballynahinch Olympic. The team played some pleasing football with a number of training drills paying off. Coaches McDonald and Smyth were pleased with their first performance. Full time 1-1

Panel: Cathal Doherty, Max Zaporpwicz, Maxim Kostolny, Jason Archer, Oscar McGlone, Ronan Ward, James Mullan, Harrison Smyth, Cian Mc Donald, Dara O’Broin