Northend’s youngest sides show top form

The Northend United Youth U-9 team pictured in their new kit sponsored by McDonalds. INBT11-269AC

Ally McGarry’s U9 teams continue to dazzle at the Irish FA small sided games at the Showgrounds 3G each Saturday morning, while Alex McDonald’s U8 teams who again field three teams at the Irish FA small sided games at the Showgrounds 3G each Friday night.

Three U7 teams also made their competitive debuts on Friday night in a small sided games format against their neighbours Ballymena United, with a thoroughly enjoyable night’s football enjoyed by all players and coaches alike.

In the North West and Coleraine League, the U10s got their first taste of 9-a-side football in their match against Portrush, but they came out on the wrong side in a three goal thriller, with Jay McKeown scoring his 46th goal of the season. The U11s were also in action in the North West but lost their match against Coleraine Academy by a 3-1 scoreline.

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Three under-9 teams were again in action in the Small-Sided Games tournament at the Showgrounds.

Northend United Panel: L Devlin, J Mark, C Burnside, O Maka C Hendron and C McKeown

Northend Youth Panel: S McDermott, K McAllister, P Mitchell, D Kowalski, E Pirie, D Patterson and PP Donegan

Northend Pumas Panel: P Murphy, C Lutton, T Hasson, R Dunne, C O’Hara, A Long and C Reid.

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Northend United 1, Portrush 2: Jay McKeown continued his rich goalscoring form when he took the ball onto his left foot and directed a perfect shot over the keeper into the far corner to put Northend 1-0 up in the fifth minute.

McKeown also struck the crossbar in the first half but two second half goals condemned the Ballymena boys to defeat.

Northend: PJ McDonnell, O Kerr, Z Erwin, R Campbell, S Bristow, B O’Neill, J McKeown, S O’Broin, L Turner, C McAvoy, E Mitchell, T Boyd

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Northend United 1, Coleraine Academy 3: Northend paid the price in this game for a sluggish first half performance which ended with them three goals down.

A couple of positional changes at half-time made a world of difference and Peter Bristow scored a deserved goal.

Northend: C Wilson, D Magill, P Bristow, J Adams, K Cosgrove, J McIlhatton, Owen Campbell, Lewis Hector, David McKay and Callum McMurray.