Northend U-14s wrap up campaign with win over Ballymena

In a reduced weekend of football, it was Johnny Sayers U14 team who wrapped up their League campaign with their second derby win of the season over neighbours Ballymena United.
A Northend United under-14 player holds off his Ballymena United opponent during Saturday's match at Smithfield. INBT 15-902HA Northend United under-14 player holds off his Ballymena United opponent during Saturday's match at Smithfield. INBT 15-902H
A Northend United under-14 player holds off his Ballymena United opponent during Saturday's match at Smithfield. INBT 15-902H

Elsewhere in the Lisburn League, the U13s drew with Carrick Rangers in their penultimate league match.

In the National League, the U17s recorded a good 4-2 win over St Oliver Plunketts at the Showgrounds on Friday night.

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Both U8s and U10s teams took advantage of a free weekend, to play a friendly match against each other, while the U11s were unlucky to lose out by the odd goal in three to Ballymoney United in the NWCDYL League.

Finally the U12s can count themselves unfortunate not to have taken all the points against Coleraine side, Bertie Peacocks.

UNDER-11

Northend 1, Ballymoney United 2: This was a rematch of the game from two weeks ago which Northend won 2-1. Ballymoney were out to avenge that defeat and were clearly up for the match.

But it was Northend who made the breakthrough to go one up. The ever industrious Ciaran Campbell worked tirelessly took the ball past the defence and crossed from the by line finding Jamie Morrow unmarked who slotted home.

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The second half saw the introduction of Jamie Montgomery and Pierce Esler. Ballymoney started the brighter of the two teams and quickly found themselves level from a well taken goal.

Northend appeared to be still on their break when they let in another soft goal from a long range lob that appeared to be going over but dipped at the last minute and Euan McSparron could not keep out.

The reaction from the Ballymoney support and players was clearly evident from their goal and this seemed to lift the Northend boys.

Northend went all out attack Harry Wylie sat in front of the defence allowing Calum Kilgore to rampage up the pitch. Ciaran Campbell was everywhere breaking up play and setting up Northend’s attack.

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The Northend team piled the pressure on and just failed to find the equaliser. MOM - Ciaran Campbell, Calum Kilgore

Northend: E McSparron, C Higgins, R McQuillan, C Kilgore, H Wylie, C Campbell, J Morrow, P Esler, J Montgomery, C Barr, P Ferris.

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Northend 2, Bertie Peacocks Youths 2: Northend dominated play for large periods of the game with Josh Coates and Conor McDonald scoring for the Ballymena boys and Jay Kirkpatrick turning in a man of the match performance.

However Northend had to settle for a share of the points as the Coleraine side came storming back into the game. MOM - Jay Kirkpatrick

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Northend: S Higgins, J Kirkpatrick (c), C Mc Donald, C Meeke, C Forsythe, O Connolly, J Coates, C Metrustry, M Stewart, C Killough, J Scullion.

UNDER-13

Northend 1, Carrick Rangers 1: Northend did not have the best of preparation for this match when they were left with just 11 fit players, by the morning of the match.

Nevertheless, they started this game well and were unlucky to go behind ten minutes into the match. The game changed within three minutes when Northend then lost Philip Kyle to a head injury after a clearance by the Carrick goalkeeper hit him straight on the side of the face. Northend were left with only ten players.

Despite this they pushed Carrick and within two minutes they had forced a penalty after the Carrick keeper brought down Conor McGarry when through clear on goal. The referee had no option but to send off the Carrick keeper to make the match 10 versus 10. Ruairi Campbell scored the penalty to even the score 1-1 and there was no further scoring.

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Northend: C Brennan, T McAuley, S Frew, R McCluney, J Brady, R Iovu, R Campbell, T Patchett, C McGarry, P Kyle, C Gordon

UNDER-14

Ballymena United 2, Northend 3: Northend did the double over local rivals Ballymena United when they came from two goals down at half time to score three goals and could have had more in a blistering second half performance.

Ballymena deservedly took the lead after fifteen minutes when from a free-kick, needlessly conceded, the ball flew high into the Northend net, giving keeper Josh mark no chance.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0, after the ball was flicked into the net from another free-kick.

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A different Northend came out for the second half and 10 minutes into the half James Hayburn broke the deadlock for Northend, when from all of 25 yards he drove a free-kick straight through the Ballymena keeper’s hands and into the net.

This score lifted the Wee Hoops and five minutes later it was 2-2 when Sam Hutchinson’s shot was blocked on the Ballymena goal-line and when the ball broke to Aaron Campbell, he planted the rebound into the bottom corner of the net.

Northend were now camped in the Ballymena half and it was no surprise when 15 minutes before the end of the game, Kuba Babuszewski was on hand to finish off another Campbell corner, which again wasn’t properly cleared by the Ballymena defence.

Manager Johnny Sayers commented after the game “Our first season in the Lisburn League has been a transition for the team and injuries to key people didn’t help our cause. But today our team showed what it is capable off, especially in the second half.

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“To complete our second derby win of the season over Ballymena United is a tremendous achievement for the Northend boys.”

Northend: J Marks, T Evans, J Hayburn, D Dobbin, A Shaw, K Babuszewski, G Macartney, B Millar, J Wharry, A Campbell, M Kirk, E Mc Laughlin, S Hutchinson, A O’Boyle

UNDER-17

Wakehurst 4, St Oliver Plunketts 2: Wakehurst welcomed St Oliver Plunketts to the Showgrounds on Friday night in their penultimate home fixture of the season. The Hurst Boys started strongly and Jamie Speirs tested the Plunkett’s keeper with a rasping shot. Speirs repeated this again on ten minutes with the keeper again pulling off a good save.

Kyle Jackson gave the Ballymena Boys the lead on 18 minutes when Stephen Hare slipped him a good pass and Jackson drilled the ball into the corner of the net.

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The Belfast Boys won a series of corners towards the end of the first half but found Aodhan Tolan in the Hurst nets in top form. Wakehurst weathered this storm and seen out the rest of the half.

Into the second half and Plunkett’s continued the form they finished the first half with.

The Belfast Boys drew level after five minutes of the half when they were awarded a penalty and their striker gave Tolan no chance with the resultant kick.

Wakehurst, with Thomas Brady dominating the midfield, began to claw their way back into the game and Speirs was unlucky to see the Plunketts keeper pull off another good save from a thunderbolt of a shot.

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Plunkett’s took the lead after twelve minutes of the half, when their striker outpaced the Wakehurst defence and crossed the ball into a packed home defence and their player was quickest to react to stroke the ball past Aodhan Tolan.

Ross Swan, Lee Scroggie and Ryan Gault were all introduced to play in an effort to freshen up the Wakehurst midfield. This proved to be an inspired substitution as Ross Swan clawed the Ballymena Boys back into the game when he won a ball he had no right to and planted his shot past the Plunkett’s keeper.

This goal visibly lifted the home team and Jamie Speirs both seen the Plunkett’s keeper make good saves from goal-bound shots. However, following a Wakehurst corner, Stevie Hare was on hand to plant the ball past the Plunkett’s keeper to give the home team the lead.

Wakehurst were now playing with a lot of confidence and Ryan Gault could have further increased their lead when he just failed to get on the end of a good cross with only the keeper to beat.

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However with five minutes remaining, Stephen Hare scored his second of the night and Wakehurst’s fourth when he followed up a high ball into the box and placed his header over the head of the advancing Plunkett’s keeper. Final score 4-2

Wakehurst: A Tolan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, N Swann (c), J Cameron, J Speirs, T Brady, K Jackson, S Hare, A Neill, C Waring, L Scroggie, R Swan, R Gault

FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Northend United’s Football Development Centre recommences on Friday 25th April at the Ballymena North Centre for another five week duration. The Football Development Centre is open to all boys and girls aged 4 to 10 inclusive who are unconnected with any other Club and takes place each Friday night from 6.00pm to 7.30pm.

For more information, or to reserve your child a place on the course, please call John Devlin on 07919056834. Application forms can also be printed off the Northend website www.northendunitedyouthfc.co.uk

WAKEHURST FC UPDATE

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Jamie Speirs and Aodhan Tolan were again members of the Wakehurst FC Irish League Championship 2 panel at the weekend for their match against Newington Wakehurst won the match by a 1-0 scoreline with Jamie Speirs again getting an extended run-out in the second half.

Jamie and Aodhan also currently play in the National League for the Wakehurst U17 team and starred in the 4-2 win over St Oliver Plunketts on Friday night. It won’t be long before more of the other youth team players make the transition to Irish League football with Wakehurst FC.

U19 TEAM FOR 2014/15 SEASON

Northend United and Wakehurst FC are pleased to announce that they are forming an U19 team to compete in the NIFL Youth League next season.

With training due to commence shortly, all interested players should get in contact with Phil Hanlon on 07588353386 or email: [email protected]