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Northend United 1 Midway United 2 Saturday 4th May 2019

On the final game of the season Vs Midway, Northend started stronger. Esler quickly made some dominate runs in to the box and McAuley had a free kick just go wide. After a cross from the right, Martin got his head on the ball to convert for the hoops. Midway broke through several times, but failed to place any of their opportunities in the net. Half Time 1-0

Midway made several changes and provided a much bigger challenge for Northend in the second half. Shirley and King handled the pressure well until the 60minute mark, when Midway equalised. Shortly after, Northend were reduced to 10 men. After some readjusting, Northend seemed to have the opposition contained, but just as they grabbed control, Midway managed to grab a second. Ferris and Las worked hard to try and create opportunities at the top, whilst McAuley and Esler worked hard to provide motivation and leadership to the squad. Ultimately, the match finished with no further goals to add. Full time 1-2

The U16s would like to thank the Mid-Ulster League and their officials for their hard work this season, and also thank the parents for their continued support throughout the year.

Panel: R Campbell, R Shirley, C McAuley, D King, J Montgomery, J Telford, P Ferris, M Las, C Martin, C Young, P Esler

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Northend United 4 Ballymoney United 2 Wednesday 24th April 2019

Northend came into the game against Ballymoney knowing 3 points were essential for their push for third place. The Ballymena team were dominant in the first 15 minutes, with some great strength shown in the midfield. Ferris gave the Blues the lead with a sublime strike from 20 yards. Ballymoney pushed hard to equalise and got one through a lofted free-kick. Half time 1-1

Northend were penned back in the early part of the second half, but still got the second through some good wing play by Martin and a deflected finish. Ballymoney pushed hard again and got a deserved equaliser. Montgomery got the goal his performance deserved from a corner to give Northend the lead again, and in the dying minutes, through some good hold up play by Las, Ferris got his 2nd and Northend's fourth to put the game to bed. Full time 4-2

Man of the Match: Jamie Montgomery

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

Annagh United 2 Northend United 0 Saturday 13th April 2019

Northend went into the game against Annagh knowing they needed 3 points to keep up the pressure on Midway for 3rd place. This Annagh team bore no resemblance to the one Northend beat convincingly in the cup earlier in the season.

Both teams struggled to develop their style of play on a difficult surface, but Northend did create the better of the play with Esler, Las and Ferris all going close. The midfield of McAuley, Dallat and Ferris controlled the play, with the defence holding firms. The best chance did go to Annagh, who rattled the crossbar towards the end of the half. Half time: 0-0

The second half struggled to get started, with the game following the same path as the first. Northend quickly went 0-2 down with the wind against them. Matty Las had the ball in the back of the net but was ruled offside. Connor McAuley had a good chance after catching the offside trap, but failed to convert. With a lofted ball in, McAuley attempted an ambitious overhead and, whilst making good contact, couldn't put the difficult chance on target. Full time 2-0

Men of the Match: Aaron Dallat and Joel Telford

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

Northend United 2 Rathfrailand 2 Saturday 30th March 2019

Northend were sluggish in the start against Rathfrailand. The game was not helped by a heavily sanded and bumpy pitch which didn't allow for the Blues usual passing game. Both teams were mostly restricted to shots from distance which made the game a challenge for all involved. Patrick Ferris was unlucky when he saw his shot cannon off the crossbar in the closing exchanges in the first half. Half time 0-0

Rathfrailand caught Northend cold after the break and took advantage of more sluggish play to score the opening goal. Northend responded quickly, with Matty Las volleying past the Rathfrailand keeper from just outside the box. The Co Down side restored their lead with a well-placed free-kick into the top corner of the Blues net.

Northend went close on a number of occasions with Pearse Esler providing the width and some telling crosses but poor finishing let the Blues side down. Northend did equalise five minutes from the end when Patrick Ferris lobbed the advancing Rathfrailand keeper following a delightful ball from the Northend midfield. Full time 2-2

Man of the Match: Dylan King

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

Brookvale 0 Northend United 3 Saturday 23rd March 2019

After two weeks off, Northend were happy to get back to football against a tough Brookvale side, lying above them in the League table. Northend started on the front foot, scoring within the first 5 minutes, with Pearse Esler reacting fastest to the goalkeeper's block. Northend continued to apply the pressure with fantastic play down the wings and determination in the centre. From a seemingly impossible position, Ciaran Martin scored a lovely left footed lob to double the Blues advantage. Shortly before the half time whistle, Northend added a 3rd with a sweetly struck finish from Las. Half time: 3-0

The energy from the first half had taken its toll on the boys, but where work rate left the squad, control and calm took over. The midfield was composed on and off the ball, and the defence was assured at the back, especially Dylan King, who seamlessly filled in at centre-back. Northend still carved several good opportunities, with a mixture of bad luck and good goalkeeping resulting in Northend being unable to add to their lead. In the dying minutes, Brookvale carved a few good opportunities, where stand in keeper Connor McAuley was called in to action with a great save, and Rueben Shirley producing two great goal line clearances. Full Time: 3-0

The squad would like to thank the fantastic turnout from parents and they were glad to reward them with the performance of the season.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

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

Northend United 2 Rossowen 1 Saturday 2nd March 2019

Northend went in to the game against Rossowen looking to make amends for their cup defeat to the same opposition. Northend dominated the early play and Matty Las saw his well struck shot just go wide of the upright. As the half progressed, Northend conceded against the run of play. With the conditions playing a big factor, Northend struggled to develop in to a rhythm, but still made several great chances which unfortunately couldn't be converted. Half time: 0-1

Northend came out the second half with more passion, putting in some great challenges in the midfield and playing calmly in defence. The Blues equalised from a well-struck Conor McAuley penalty kick, after Patrick Ferris was upended in the box. As the Blues piled on the pressure it became a matter of time before the winner came. Patrick Ferris duly obliged when he played a brilliant lob from a tight angle, bouncing right in to the top corner. Further chances came Northend's way with Ciaran Martin unable to find the net at the back post and McAuley seeing a free-kick cannon off the crossbar. Rossowen mounted some late pressure but the Northend defence stood firm and the Blues secured an important win, taking their undefeated run to five games. Full time 2-1

Man of the Match: Patrick Ferris

Panel: C McAuley, R Shirley, J Telford, D King, J Montgomery, P Ferris, C Martin, J Montgomery, M Las, P Esler, A Dallat, R Campbell