Northend United sides move indoors to beat freeze

IN the hastily arranged Ballymena North Centre Youth Winter League, most of the local Youth football teams have come together, in order to beat the big freeze and play competitive matches at the Centre on a Saturday from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jan 2010, 08:21 BST
Updated 11th Jan 2010, 11:11 BST

In the inaugural games Northend United Youth played Ballymena Youth Academy at U10, U11, U12 and U13 age levels, on Saturday.

Before large crowds of parents and supporters, both sets of Youth Academies played out some very competitive football at all age levels in seven-a-side matches. These matches allowed the coaches to get their teams some much needed practice.

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With the big freeze predicted to last for a while longer, matches planned for Saturday 16th January involve Antrim Rovers, Kells and Connor Youth, Waveney Youth, Ballymena Youth Academy and Northend United Youth.

For more information of teams already playing and times of matches or if any additional teams are interested, please contact Mark on 07850669727 for details.

The big freeze at the weekend ruled out all Northend United Youth’s competitive fixtures.

However the teams are planned to get back to competitive action this Saturday, January 16, if weather permits, with two of the teams playing in the NIBFA Cup.

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The U11s travel to play Limavady United Youths and the Northend U14s entertain Glentoran at Ballymena Showgrounds, in the same competition.

Northend U10s travel to play Lurgan Town Boys in the inaugural George Best Cup, incorporating the best teams from the George Best League, South Belfast League, the Belfast and East Antrim League and the Mid-Ulster League.

SEASON REVIEW TO DATE

With half the 2009/10 season now completed, Northend United Youth teams are challenging for honours in three different age groups.

The U10s in their first season look like contesting a league and cup double in the BEAYIL league.

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After a slow start, this young team is now playing some excellent football and are lying second in their league as well as in the semi-final of their cup.

Coaches Sean O’Brien, Kirk Little, Jimmy Montgomery and Ryan O’Loughlin have got the Northend 'Babies' playing some attractive football in a short space of time.

The new U11 team have hit the ground running and currently are third in their league. Playing some attractive football, this team will be a force to be reckoned with under coaches Mark Herbison, Steven O’Mullan, Paul Lecky and Warren Crawford

The recently formed U12 team continues to go from strength to strength, under the direction of John Devlin and Rodney Campbell.

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The U13 team are also third in their league and are well positioned for the second half of the league, to have a good final run in. With a prolonged Cup run, coaches Glen Speirs, Ruairi Hamill and Stephen McLees will be looking to add silverware for the season.

Finally, the U14 team, in their first season in the South Belfast League, have been on a roller coaster of a journey, beating the top teams and losing to the lesser teams in the league, giving coaches Johnny Sayers, Brendan McAfee and Timmy Devlin much food for thought.

With plans for the 2010/11 season now well underway, Northend United Youth will be forming a new U10 team, to add to their existing five teams, making it one of County Antrim’s fastest growing youth football clubs.

CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING

Due to the severe weather conditions, The BEAIYL sponsored Child Protection Training Course, being carried out by Jim Grattan, is now rescheduled for Wednesday 20th January 6.30pm – 9.30pm at Ballymena Rugby Club Premises. All Committee and Coaching Staff are requested to attend.

COMMITTEE MEETING

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A Committee Meeting has been arranged for Wednesday, January 13, at 7pm in the Michelin Club. A full turnout is requested to discuss the feasibility of End of Season Football Tournaments and associated fund raising.