Northend United Youth FC round-up: U-11s secure first silverware of season

This followed an excellent day’s football from the Young Blues at the Larne Soccer Sevens, on Easter Tuesday, when an under-strength U11 team had convincing wins over their local neighbours Carniny U11s and Irish League Academy side Crusaders U11s.

Also in the NWCDYL, the U10s turned in a good performance on Saturday, beating Institute 6-2.

This also followed some excellent performances at the Larne Soccer Sevens, when the U10s lost to Coleraine in the semi-finals after winning all matches in their group.

On Saturday, the U9s lost their Cup match against Coleraine by the odd goal in five in a cracker of a game.

In the Belfast and East Antrim League, the U12s turned in a great performance, beating Newington 3-0, to go two points clear at the top of the table, while the U13s earned a creditable draw with league challengers Loughside at Dunfane.

In the Elite National League, the U16s finished off their season with a 1-1 draw with Cookstown United at the Showgrounds, and the U14s lost their Plate match against Lisburn Youth at a sunny Smithfield.

LARNE SOCCER SEVENS

The Northend Blues fielded no less than six teams in total in the competition on Easter Tuesday, ranging from U9 to U14, and all teams reached either the finals or semi-finals in each of their age groups in an outstanding tournament for the club.

Another major highlight of the tournament was the performance of the U11s, who after a shaky start to this season, have recently been hitting top form and beat all before them in the group stages of the competition, including Irish League Academy side Crusaders and local derby rivals Carniny, who are challenging for the Lisburn League Title.

The management team of Connor Connelly and Desy Metrustry have certainly worked wonders with this young Blues team!

* For full reports plus picture coverage of the under-16s’ game against Cookstown, don’t miss this week’s Ballymena Times.