Northend under-12s top of table going into 2013

On Saturday they clinically beat Ballyclare Comrades 9-0 which catapulted them into top position.

The rest of the Northend teams have been enjoying a two week festive break; with a number of them looking forward to getting back to competitive action on Saturday 5th January, in a return to their League and Cup programmes.

The U14s travel to Magherafelt Sky Blues on Friday 4th January with a 6.30pm kick off at Moyola Park in a National League match, while the U13s travel to Belfast to play North Belfast United in the Northern Ireland Boys Football Cup.

UNDER 12

Ballyclare Comrades 0, Northend 9: From the start Northend dominated the play and in the first minute Robbie McGaughey scored from inside the box from a throw in from Scott Sempey.

On 10 minutes Connor Meneely made it 2-0 when he collected the ball in the middle of the box and fired in a great drive past the keeper.

It was 3-0 on 17 minutes when Ruairi Campbell latched onto a three man passing and smashed home inside the box past the keeper’s near side.

The same player made it 4-0 three minutes later when good build up play saw Robbie control the ball inside a packed box and drive home an unstoppable shot.

On 25 minutes Sean McKay ensured the points when he tapped in from a good cross from Ruairi Campbell.

Northend continued to pile on the pressure after the break and Sean McKay corner was whipped in with pace, fell on the goal line and bounced into the net, the defence left flat footed. On 42 minutes, Comrades turned the ball into their own net to make it 0-7. Sean McKay then let fly with a cross-cum-shot that whizzed past the keeper and the final goal came on 57 minutes; a poor goal kick was collected by Robbie McGaughey who accelerated past the defence bearing down on goal and slotted the shot past the oncoming keeper. MOM - Sean McKay, Robbie McGaughey and Robert McCluney.

Northend: L McAfee, O Hampshire, R McCluney, C Meneely, R McGaughey, M Willighan, T McAuley, C McGarry, S McKay(c), S Lecky, R Campbell, S Sempey, P Kyle

THE SEASON SO FAR

With almost half of the 2012-13 season now completed, Northend United Youth teams are strongly challenging for honours on a number of different fronts.

The U9s, under the direction of Robert Adams, are playing in the Coleraine and District Youth League at 7-a-side for the first time, had a slow start in September but results have been picking up and the boys have recently been turning over some of the top teams in their League with their team performances.

The U10s have been building on their performances from the latter half of last season. Now being managed by Mark Lecky, these young guns have been setting the North West and Coleraine and District Youth League alight with their fluent passing style of play.

Currently sitting second in the League, these young players have been attracting numerous leading football scouts to their matches in recent weeks with a number of the players firmly under the spotlight.

The U11s have been involved in the North West and Coleraine and District 9-a-side league this year, in accordance with the IFA guidelines on small sided games and are really benefiting from the experience.

Under the direction of Conor Connolly and Desy Metrustry, the young Blues are beginning to turn in some impressive performances after a slow start. Again a number of the young Blues are attracting the attention of IFA Development Squad football scouts and the future looks rosy for this talented group of boys.

The U12s currently sit top of their League and are well position for a good second half of the League program. This team who won their Shield and League double last year are looking to go one better this year and win the Knock-Out competition also. Coaches Paul Lecky, Andy Kerr and Charlie Kinney have got the U12s playing their passing style of football in this highly competitive league.

The U13 team had an explosive start to their season winning five out of the first five matches but injuries and non-availabilities have seen the team drop a number of points in the last few weeks. Managers Johnny Sayers and Timmy Devlin added a number of new players to their panel in pre-season and know that a bit more consistency from the boys will see them challenging for honours in the second half of the season.

The U14 team, in the National league for the first time, have turned in some early season impressive results. Being paired with Irish League and Airtricity League Academy sides such as Ballymena United, Coleraine, Crusaders, Derry City, Glenavon and Portadown has really whetted the imagination of the players. Manager John Devlin has lined up a number of new signings once the transfer window opens during January and will look forward to having a good second half of the season.

Finally, the U16 team, also in the National League for the first time this season, are enjoying playing against established Irish League Academy Clubs.

The Northend boys have given a good account of themselves in a number of matches, although inconsistency has caused a number of points to be dropped in matches they really should have made their dominance count. Manager Glenn Speirs knows that one or two new signings during January will give his team a good run-in for the second half of the season.

With plans for the 2012/13 season now well underway, Northend United Youth will be forming a new U9 team, to add to their existing seven teams, making it one of County Antrim’s fastest growing youth football clubs.

PLAYERS WANTED

With the closure of this season’s transfer window rapidly approaching at the end of January, Northend are on the lookout for more players.

If you were born between 1997 and 2005 and are interested in playing competitive football in either The North West and Coleraine and District youth League, The Belfast and East Antrim Youth League or the Elite National Youth League, why not come along to our training sessions on a Monday night at the Showgrounds or get in contact with John Devlin on 0791 905 6834

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS

Continuing on with a long tradition of competing in National Football Tournaments, plans are already at an advanced stage for taking a number of the Northend teams to a football tournament in Scotland during the May-Day weekend.

GOLF FUNDRAISING DAY

Sunday 21st April 2013 is the day of the eagerly awaited Northend United Youth Golf Fundraising Day being held in Galgorm Castle Golf Club.

With numerous prizes on offer and a host of Celebrities coming out to support the Northend cause, it promises to be another excellent day’s golf for all concerned. Watch this space for more details as the weeks unfold in the run-up to this event.