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Northend United 0 Cookstown Youth 3 Saturday 1st December 2018

Northend went a goal down early in their match with Cookstown, which could have been a sign of things to come. It got worse ten minutes into the game when the Blues conceded a soft goal, when their keeper failed to deal with the poor conditions.

However, the Blues worked hard to get back in the game, with Matty Las having a few good strikes well saved. Pearse Esler played some great football, with a delightful through ball to Las whose shot was again saved, and with some trickery, won the U16s a penalty. Matty Las stood up to take it, but shot just wide. Patrick Ferris and Ciaran Martin were causing the Cookstown defence all sorts of problems with their wing play but despite being 2-0 down, Northend were certainly the better team. Half time 0-2

Northend came out with the same fire and energy as the first half. Jamie Montgomery was a tower in the midfield, winning every header possible and challenging well when needed. Ferris was a brilliant composer in the centre, taking the ball forward when needed and playing it as appropriate. Northend maintained their dominance with multiple shots, but just couldn't seem to find the back of the net. The defence was exemplary, highlighted by McAuley's brilliant full pace sliding tackle on the striker. Northend were unfortunately caught on the counter and, whilst the initial shot hit the crossbar, the rebound fell to a Cookstown player, who finished well. Northend continued to push for a fully deserved consolation, but it wasn't to be for the lads. Full time 0-3

A scoreline that didn't reflect the game, with the Blues doing everything but score. The whole squad left Lisburn with their heads held high. Full credit to Cookstown for their part in a very attractive match for the watching supporters.

Men of the Match: Pearce Esler, Jamie Montgomery

Panel: O Kerr, R Shirley, D King, C McAuley, J Telford, P Esler, J Montgomery, P Ferris, M Las, C Martin, C Young, A Pescaru

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Loughgall 0 Northend United 1 Saturday 24th November 2018

Northend looked to get back to winning ways against Loughgall, following their first defeat of the season. Opportunities were few and far between in the first half, with neither team really threatening the opposing goal. Some tricky wing play from Dylan King and Ciaran Martin offered good chances in space, but nothing that led to a goalscoring opportunity. Half time 0-0

In the second half, Northend played a more attacking style and created some chances. Pearse Esler had the beating of the Loughgall full back, whilst the midfield combination of Patrick Ferris and Joel Telford controlled the game. Loughgall's high ball tactics were well dealt with by the Blues defence. Midway through the half, Conor McAuley hit an unstoppable free kick in to the top corner of the Loughgall net to give the Northend the lead. Matty Las and McAuley both had good chances to double the lead, but the game finished 1-0, which brings the Northend boys back to winning ways. Full Time 0-1

Man of the Match: Dylan King

Panel: O Kerr, C Young, R Shirley, C McAuley, O McAuley, J Telford, D King, C Martin, J Montgomery, P Ferris, M Las, P Esler, A Pescaru

Ardstraw 4 Northend United 4 Saturday 17th November 2018

Northend were the quickest out of the blocks in this match and should have opened the scoring in the first few minutes and five minutes later that they missed their second chance. With Pearse Esler and Ciaran Martin attacking down the wings, it was only a matter of time before Northend opened their scoring through a well worked move which Patrick Ferris applied the finishing touch. Northend were playing some of their best football of the season and it wasn't long before Matty Las doubled their lead. As the half wore on, Ardstraw came more into the game but Joel Telford and Connor McAuley in the heart of the Blues defence were dealing with whatever Ardstraw could throw at them and Ollie Kerr looked assured in the Blues net.

Jamie Montgomery added a third goal for Northend when he scored from outside the Ardstraw box. Half time 0-3

Into the second half and Ardstraw pulled a goal back within the first few minutes, when they caught The Northend midfield and defence sleeping. This prompted the Omagh side on and midway through the half, they scored their second. The Ardstraw keeper was in great form and made some telling saves from Matty Las and Patrick Ferris.

Northend extended their lead with fifteen minutes of the match remaining when Jamie Montgomery scored his second goal of the game after creating space in the Ardstraw box. Ardstraw came storming back and scored their third goal. As play flowed from end to end Northend went close again but another great save from the Ardstraw keeper kept them in the game. Six minutes into added time, Ardstraw scored their equalising goal when again the Northend midfield and defence switched off. Full time 4-4

Panel: O Kerr, P Esler, D King, C McAuley, O McAuley, J Telford, M Las, C Martin, P Ferris, J Montgomery, R Shirley, C Young, A Pescaru

Midway United 4 Northend United 0 Saturday 10th November 2018

Northend were up against it in this match having lost their centre-half Conall after 10 minutes of the match following an aerial clash. Midway scored their first goal of the match with a well-struck free kick after fifteen minutes. They doubled their lead on twenty minutes when hesitation in the Northend defence allowed the Midway striker to score.

Northend conceded the third goal minutes before half time when a ball into the box was only partially cleared and the Midway midfielder smashed the ball past Ollie Kerr in the Northend net. Half time 3-0

Into the second half and with a team reorganisation, Northend took the game to Midway. Pearse Esler and Patrick Ferris were stretching the Midway defence and Matty Las was combining with both of them to create a few chances.

In the heart of the Northend defence, Joel Telford and Conor McAuley were keeping the Midway strike-force at bay. However, a corner with ten minutes remaining allowed Midway to score a fourth goal when again Northend didn't clear. With Jamie Montgomery driving Northend on in the final few minutes, Ciaran Martin went close with a final chance for the Blues. Full time 4-0

Panel: O Kerr, P Esler, D King, C McAuley, O McAuley, J Telford, M Las, C Martin, P Ferris, J Montgomery, R Shirley, C Young, A Pescaru

Banbridge Rangers 1 Northend United 1 Saturday 3rd November 2018

Northend went into this match on the back of some good results and started off the match on the front foot, with Matty Las creating a good chance in the opening minutes. Gradually Banbridge began to claw their way back into the game and the impressive Ollie Kerr and the Northend backline stood their ground to clear whatever Banbridge could throw at them. With Ciaran Martin and Pearse Esler creating chances, Matty Las again went close with a couple of shots. However, Banbridge took the lead when a free-kick found its way through the Northend wall and the Banbridge striker scored from close range. Half time 1-0

With Patrick Ferris and Jamie Montgomery introduced to play, the second half was played with a higher tempo. Northend were creating a number of chances through Las and Esler but it looked like it wasn't going to be their day as the Banbridge defence stood rigid. Northend eventually pulled level, when Conall scored on the third attempt after the Banbridge defence cleared the ball off the line twice before.

Banbridge almost had the last word as they struct the Northend upright with the ball carrying in the strong wind. Final score 1-1

Panel: O Kerr, R Shirley, D King, C McAuley, O McAuley, J Telford, M Las, C Martin, P Esler, P Ferris, J Montgomery, A Pescaru