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Aquinas Star 3 Northend United 1 Friday 25th October 2024

The Macaulay Wray sponsored U18s had their first Friday night game of the season and with Halloween on the horizon it was the ghosts of performances past that haunted the Blues in this mediocre showing.

The Northend lads started brightly with McKee setting up an early chance for Campbell, then on 7 minutes Stewart’s early clearance gave Luke Campbell something to chase, the striker held off the attention of two defenders and fired home to the top corner to make it 3 in 3 for him. The Blues continued to press with Campbell and Charlie McIlhatton both going close.

With the Blues looking in control, it gave an opportunity for those on the bench to get more minutes in the legs including a debut for Napier. The changes seemed to disrupt the flow of the game as the Blues lost their momentum and on the 26th and 35th minute Thompson punished individual errors to give Aquinas a two one advantage at the interval. Half time 2-1

The second half saw Northend change to a back three in an attempt to get a grip of the game higher up the pitch. The best chances came for Napier and McLaughlin with headed efforts with Blaney doing well in the Aquinas goal to deny both. On 52 minutes an extra touch in defence saw the ball bounce to Thompson who found the top corner from 25 yards and kill the game as a contest.

This was the classic bad night at the office performance and a reality check for the Blues, this group are capable of much better and the test now is how they react. Full time 3-1

Panel: Jack Stewart, Conrad McIlhatton, Feargal McKay, Rory Neeson, James McMahon, Michael O’Donnell, Ryan Stephens, Luke Campbell, Charlie McIlhatton, Ger McMahon, Alfie McKee, Diego McLaughlin, Andrew Napier, Conor Loughran

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Northend United 3 Glens United 0 Saturday 19th October 2024

The Macaulay Wray sponsored U18s made it two wins from two with a below par performance against Glens United, the early kick-off at a home venue was a pleasant change from the trip to Belfast. Played at Wakehurst on an excellent surface and in perfect conditions it was the blues who started the brightest with Campbell and McMahon going close in the opening minutes.

On 8 minutes a neat passage of play involving Conrad McIlhatton and O’Donnell, opened up the Glens defence down the right flank, O’Donnell’s effort was turned away for a corner. Stephens powerful delivery was met at the front post by Charlie McIlhatton his thunderbolt header giving Coulter no chance. The blues continued to dominate proceedings with Campbell and Loughran firing efforts straight at Coulter. On 21 minutes McKee found space on the left and drove down the line beating two Glens defenders and firing an effort across the Glens goal, the ball looked destined for the far corner with both Campbell and Loughran arriving for a tap in but in the crowded six-yard box it was the unfortunate Rogers who turned the ball into his own net and double the blues lead.

On 31 minutes Loughran was first to a long ball from Stephens, the big striker threaded a pass to Campbell who showed quick feet to elude his man and cooly lift the ball over the diving Coulter to give the blues a flattering lead at the interval. Half time 3-0

The second half saw Northend find more of a rhythm to their play moving the ball quicker and finding pockets of space in the Glens defence. On 46 minutes Campbell controlled a through ball on the edge of the box his first touch taking him away from two defenders but this time his effort was straight at Coulter. The introduction of McLaughlin after a few weeks on the sidelines was also a welcome sight for the home supporters, his first involvement a mazy run and lay off to Loughran but his effort was easily gathered by Coulter. A combination of poor finishing and an excellent performance from Coulter in the Glens goal ensured that there was no advance on the half-time scoreline.

This wasn’t the same confident performance as last week however 3 goals and a clean sheet led to a positive outcome. The back four of O’Donnell, Neeson, McKay and Stephens were again dominant from start to finish leaving Stewart without a save to make. Ahead of the back four Charlie McIlhatton was involved in much of what was good about the blues attacking game with striker Campbell making it two goals from two games. Full time 3-0

Player of the Match: Michael O’Donnell

Panel: Jack Stewart, Michael O’Donnell, Feargal McKay, Rory Neeson, Ryan Stephens, Alfie McKee, Charlie McIlhatton, Conrad McIlhatton, James McMahon, Ger McFadden, Luke Campbell, Diego McLaughlin, Loughran

Northend United 5 Sirocco Works 0 Saturday 12th October 2024

The Macaulay Wray sponsored U18s got their league campaign off to an excellent start against Sirocco on a fresh bright autumnal morning in South Belfast. The early exchanges were fairly even with both sides having chances with Campbell and McMahon going close with early efforts. At the other end the back four of Northend looked in no mood to give anything away. On 23 minutes the deadlock was broken when Stephens short corner to McKee saw the winger skip past the full back and fire home from an acute angle. It took just a minute for the blues to double their lead as debutant McIlhatton knocked the ball past his marker, cut inside and drove into the box, his left footed effort was parried by Ritchie but the new lad showed dogged determination to get to the ball first and curl right footed to the net.

The Blues continued to dominate possession, in the last minute of the half Sirocco forced a corner that saw Harding half volley well saved by Stewart. Half time 2-0

The second half started brightly for the Blues, McMahon won possession in the middle of the park and his through ball saw McKee upended on the edge of the box. Stephens stepped up and curled a superb free kick around the wall well out of reach of Ritchie. The early goal gave the Northend lads a spring in their step as they started to play some excellent football, moving the ball confidently and making life difficult for Sirocco.

On 51 minutes O’Donnell surged down the right and crossed for Campbell, the striker’s first touch created an opening but his effort was blocked then McIlhatton created space in the crowded box to fire home from 6 yards. On 60 minutes O’Donnell and McMahon combined on the right, the latter playing a superb cross field ball behind the Sirocco defence and Campbell tapped the ball home at the back post but alas the effort was ruled offside. On 69 minutes McKee played a neat one two with McIlhatton who slipped the ball through to Campbell, the striker got his reward as he sidestepped two defenders and slotted home to make it five.

This was a confident performance from a blues side who had a rough start to the season, a series of injuries, sickness and absenteeism saw the team again travel with eleven players. The defence were solid throughout, five goals one from defence and three from midfield, a memorable debut for McIlhatton and a team performance that we knew this group are capable of. Full time 5-0

Panel: Jack Stewart, Conrad McIlhatton, Michael O’Donnell, Feargal McKay, James McMahon, Ryan Stephens, Alfie McKee, Rory Neeson, Liam Heggarty, Charlie McIlhatton, Luke Campbell