MYS BLACKS 4 SPARTANS BLUES 5 - DECEMBER 14, 2009
After a series of great and gritty performances, the boys ended the seven-a-side season with their worst performances for months. We had beaten this Spartans team 3-0 earlier in the season and could have had eight. Today, they played us off the park and if anything, the scoreline flattered us.
We had the best of the early play but were restricted to long-range efforts from Jack and Seth which went wide. We went behind after about 20 minutes and although Jack equalised after missing an earlier one on one, we went 2-1 behind just before half-time. Our big weakness was our tackling in wide midfield, which was really poor. Too many players today forgot that we have to win the ball to play and tackled much too softly. This gave Spartans the advantage and they took it.
Immediately after half-time, we came right back into the game and created a few chances, with Scott coming more into the game up front. But more poor defending allowed Spartans to take a 3-1 lead and although Jack ran through to finish neatly to make it 3-2, the visitors then pulled away - first with a skilfully-worked goal, then another from a short back pass after more poor defending. At 5-2 down we were dead and buried but Jack completed his hat-trick and Callum could have set up a grandstand finish but blasted wide from close in. We did make it 5-4 when a clearance cannoned off Jack and looped high into the net, but it was the last kick off the game.
As well as Jack, Connor and Jason were the only players who could hold their heads high today as they never stopped battling and tackling. Further forward we were weak and need to improve when we move up to 11s.
However this game shouldn't hide the fact that we have taken another step forward this year -apart from the games against Gullane and Currie, all the teams in this league were strong and apart from the 6-1 thrashing at Spartans, all our defeats were by a single goal. We played some great stuff and have progressed in many aspects, especially in moving the ball forward from the back and in scoring from corners. Our victory at Hutchy Vale was the best all-round performance I can remember from any Youngstars team.
As a team, we have improved a lot and dealt well with the loss of Lloyd. All credit to all the boys for their efforts, which will stand them in good stead when they move up to 11-a-side.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, Seth, Jack, Callum, David, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Jack (4)
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
HARD-FOUGHT WIN, 6-12-09
MYS BLACKS 5 DUNBAR UNITED 4
This was a totally different game to last week. We didn't play the same fluent football, but scored a high proportion of our chances and battled all the way to the end against a skilful passing team.
Dunbar had the better of the early play, and we struggled to get possession in their half. David, back in goal in the absence of Cammy Brown, made two or three excellent saves to keep the score at 0-0.
Our first clear chance came when Seth played a lovely through-ball for Jack, but the keeper blocked his shot and ge put the rebound wide. But about five minutes before half-time, Callum hurled the ball over a defender and Jack ran on and squeezed the ball under the goalie.
Unfortunately, we again conceded a goal just before half-time when a well-directed corner was headed in by a Dunbar player off the inside of the post. But this time we came straight back as Scott lofted a brilliant ball through and jack ran on to slide the ball, left-footed, across the keeper and in.
It was 2-1 at half-time but just like last week, we lost a goal right at the start of the second half as a Dunbar player ran through to finish neatly.
Connor and Jason were coming under fierce pressure at the back, but stuck to their task brilliantly throughout the game.
We were starting to pass the ball around better than the first half, but it was Dunbar who gained the upper hand from another one on one. David saved the first shot well but another striker was on hand to score from the rebound.
Our heads could have dropped but we came back with a bullet as Callum scored one of the goals of the season. Brandon, Scott and Jack worked the ball neatly into space and Callum hit an absolute rocket into the top corner from well outside the box.
We then raced into a 5-3 lead as Scott scored two beauties, first slipping the ball neatly past the keeper and then firing a powerful shot across the goalie right into the far corner.
At 5-3, we still weren't comfortable and Dunabr pulled it back to 5-4 with almost ten minutes still left when we defended a corner poorly. There were one or two close shaves near the end, but David, Connor and Jason held firm and the midfield tackled back superbly, especially as everyone was really tired.
This was a real backs-to-the-wall performance, but a really good result that showed great team spirit.
Squad: David, Connor, Jason, Seth, Jack, Callum, Scott, Brandon
Scorers: Jack (2), Callum, Scott (2)
This was a totally different game to last week. We didn't play the same fluent football, but scored a high proportion of our chances and battled all the way to the end against a skilful passing team.
Dunbar had the better of the early play, and we struggled to get possession in their half. David, back in goal in the absence of Cammy Brown, made two or three excellent saves to keep the score at 0-0.
Our first clear chance came when Seth played a lovely through-ball for Jack, but the keeper blocked his shot and ge put the rebound wide. But about five minutes before half-time, Callum hurled the ball over a defender and Jack ran on and squeezed the ball under the goalie.
Unfortunately, we again conceded a goal just before half-time when a well-directed corner was headed in by a Dunbar player off the inside of the post. But this time we came straight back as Scott lofted a brilliant ball through and jack ran on to slide the ball, left-footed, across the keeper and in.
It was 2-1 at half-time but just like last week, we lost a goal right at the start of the second half as a Dunbar player ran through to finish neatly.
Connor and Jason were coming under fierce pressure at the back, but stuck to their task brilliantly throughout the game.
We were starting to pass the ball around better than the first half, but it was Dunbar who gained the upper hand from another one on one. David saved the first shot well but another striker was on hand to score from the rebound.
Our heads could have dropped but we came back with a bullet as Callum scored one of the goals of the season. Brandon, Scott and Jack worked the ball neatly into space and Callum hit an absolute rocket into the top corner from well outside the box.
We then raced into a 5-3 lead as Scott scored two beauties, first slipping the ball neatly past the keeper and then firing a powerful shot across the goalie right into the far corner.
At 5-3, we still weren't comfortable and Dunabr pulled it back to 5-4 with almost ten minutes still left when we defended a corner poorly. There were one or two close shaves near the end, but David, Connor and Jason held firm and the midfield tackled back superbly, especially as everyone was really tired.
This was a real backs-to-the-wall performance, but a really good result that showed great team spirit.
Squad: David, Connor, Jason, Seth, Jack, Callum, Scott, Brandon
Scorers: Jack (2), Callum, Scott (2)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON, 29-11-09
HUTCHISON VALE 1 MYS BLACKS 6
It's not always easy coaching a youth football team, but today was one of those days that makes all the hassle worthwhile.
It is hard to find enough superlatives about how the boys played today. There was no moaning about Lloyd leaving us - the other boys just stepped up their game and blew Hutchy Vale away.
To win away at such a big name in youth football is an achievement - to win so well was a wonderful bonus.
On an astroturf pitch in bitterly cold conditions, we started well and created a number of chances but failed to convert them - a familiar story. However, we were doing everything right - winning the ball all over the pitch, getting it on the floor to pass about and as a result, creating plenty of chances.
The well-deserved goal finally came at the very end of the first half as Seth delivered a superb corner to the far post and Brandon sneaked in ahead of Connor and a couple of defenders to prod the ball home. We have started scoring lots more goals from corners, mainly thanks to the superb delivery from Scott in particular, but also Seth and Callum.
We lost a goal right at the start of the second half as Cammy was left with no chance as a powerful shot went in off the inside of the post. However, we stood firm and after Hutchy Vale went close, we broke away and Scott, who had a superb game, ran clear and smacked the ball across the keeper and inside the far post.
Jack, who was colossal in midfield, almost extended the lead when he ran clear but the keeper saved his shot and Seth was unlucky to see his volleyed rebound come back off the underside of the bar.
However, we soon made the game safe, as Scott followed up a rebound to score from very close range, then Callum side-footed home neatly after a brilliant team move.
Callum then hit a right-foot shot high into the net from another rebound before Scott rifled home a sixth to complete his hat-trick.
Although the goals flowed in the second half, the victory was built from the back, with Cammy distributing the ball with confidence and Connor and Jason tackling magnificently and using the ball intelligently coming forward. The pair of them hardly allowed Hutchy Vale a clear chance apart from the goal.
Praise also for David, Seth and Brandon, who all played extremely well despite being used, as ever, in a a variety of positions. The versatility of our team, and ability of players to slot into different positions when needed, has been a hugely important feature if our team this season.
Magnificent - no other word for it. Thanks for a great day, boys.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Callum, Scott, Brandon, Seth
Scorers: Brandon, Scott (3), Callum (2)
It's not always easy coaching a youth football team, but today was one of those days that makes all the hassle worthwhile.
It is hard to find enough superlatives about how the boys played today. There was no moaning about Lloyd leaving us - the other boys just stepped up their game and blew Hutchy Vale away.
To win away at such a big name in youth football is an achievement - to win so well was a wonderful bonus.
On an astroturf pitch in bitterly cold conditions, we started well and created a number of chances but failed to convert them - a familiar story. However, we were doing everything right - winning the ball all over the pitch, getting it on the floor to pass about and as a result, creating plenty of chances.
The well-deserved goal finally came at the very end of the first half as Seth delivered a superb corner to the far post and Brandon sneaked in ahead of Connor and a couple of defenders to prod the ball home. We have started scoring lots more goals from corners, mainly thanks to the superb delivery from Scott in particular, but also Seth and Callum.
We lost a goal right at the start of the second half as Cammy was left with no chance as a powerful shot went in off the inside of the post. However, we stood firm and after Hutchy Vale went close, we broke away and Scott, who had a superb game, ran clear and smacked the ball across the keeper and inside the far post.
Jack, who was colossal in midfield, almost extended the lead when he ran clear but the keeper saved his shot and Seth was unlucky to see his volleyed rebound come back off the underside of the bar.
However, we soon made the game safe, as Scott followed up a rebound to score from very close range, then Callum side-footed home neatly after a brilliant team move.
Callum then hit a right-foot shot high into the net from another rebound before Scott rifled home a sixth to complete his hat-trick.
Although the goals flowed in the second half, the victory was built from the back, with Cammy distributing the ball with confidence and Connor and Jason tackling magnificently and using the ball intelligently coming forward. The pair of them hardly allowed Hutchy Vale a clear chance apart from the goal.
Praise also for David, Seth and Brandon, who all played extremely well despite being used, as ever, in a a variety of positions. The versatility of our team, and ability of players to slot into different positions when needed, has been a hugely important feature if our team this season.
Magnificent - no other word for it. Thanks for a great day, boys.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Callum, Scott, Brandon, Seth
Scorers: Brandon, Scott (3), Callum (2)
Friday, November 27, 2009
THRILLER IN THE MUD, 22-11-2009
HUNTERFIELD 5 MYS BLACKS 5
Although just about all the other games in the area were off after heavy rain, we went ahead on a quagmire of a pitch, with one area of the pitch a total mudbath.
Finding the pitch was hard enough, but playing on it was even worse. We started defending the Mudbath End, but took the early initiative and Seth had a snapshot well-saved after some neat interplay. We took the lead when Scott muscled a defender off the ball and rounded the keeper to score - but were soon pegged back when the ball held up on the line when it looked like it was going out. A Hunterfield player pulled it back and his team-mate side-footed the ball across Ross and in off the post.
Ross was playing in goal as it was an eight-a-side game and Cammy Brown was back in his old position of right midfield. Ross made some good saves and Connor and Jason made some goal-saving tackles in the mud as Hunterfield came at us, but we created plenty of chances too but struggled to find the target. Callum smacked the ball against the post but made up for it when he chased a long ball from Connor that looked lost - and pounced to score when it squirmed away from the keeper.
Again, we failed to hold on to the lead as a long-range shot slipped away from Ross and rolled over the line to make it 2-2 at half-time.
We were almost straight back into the lead after the break when Seth broke clear and hammered the ball against the angle of post and bar. Soon after, Scott played a great ball to Cammy, who whacked the ball across goal for Brandon to meet with a superb left-foot volley.
Unfortunately we then started to lose possession too often as Hunterfield roared back into the match. First, a long-range shot just inside the post left Ross with no chance, then he was badly exposed as a free header put the home team 4-3 ahead. We were in real trouble when a speculative shot looped in off the inside of a post at 5-3 down with less than 10 minutes left.
Jack had played superbly in the second half and got us back into the game with an excellent header from a pinpoint corner by Scott.
Scott then played a lovely ball in to Jack to run clear for a great chance of an equaliser. His first shot was saved, but he reacted well to score from the rebound to earn us a deserved draw.
Squad: Ross, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Seth, Scott, Callum, Cammy, Brandon.
Scorers: Scott, Callum, Brandon, Jack (2)
Although just about all the other games in the area were off after heavy rain, we went ahead on a quagmire of a pitch, with one area of the pitch a total mudbath.
Finding the pitch was hard enough, but playing on it was even worse. We started defending the Mudbath End, but took the early initiative and Seth had a snapshot well-saved after some neat interplay. We took the lead when Scott muscled a defender off the ball and rounded the keeper to score - but were soon pegged back when the ball held up on the line when it looked like it was going out. A Hunterfield player pulled it back and his team-mate side-footed the ball across Ross and in off the post.
Ross was playing in goal as it was an eight-a-side game and Cammy Brown was back in his old position of right midfield. Ross made some good saves and Connor and Jason made some goal-saving tackles in the mud as Hunterfield came at us, but we created plenty of chances too but struggled to find the target. Callum smacked the ball against the post but made up for it when he chased a long ball from Connor that looked lost - and pounced to score when it squirmed away from the keeper.
Again, we failed to hold on to the lead as a long-range shot slipped away from Ross and rolled over the line to make it 2-2 at half-time.
We were almost straight back into the lead after the break when Seth broke clear and hammered the ball against the angle of post and bar. Soon after, Scott played a great ball to Cammy, who whacked the ball across goal for Brandon to meet with a superb left-foot volley.
Unfortunately we then started to lose possession too often as Hunterfield roared back into the match. First, a long-range shot just inside the post left Ross with no chance, then he was badly exposed as a free header put the home team 4-3 ahead. We were in real trouble when a speculative shot looped in off the inside of a post at 5-3 down with less than 10 minutes left.
Jack had played superbly in the second half and got us back into the game with an excellent header from a pinpoint corner by Scott.
Scott then played a lovely ball in to Jack to run clear for a great chance of an equaliser. His first shot was saved, but he reacted well to score from the rebound to earn us a deserved draw.
Squad: Ross, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Seth, Scott, Callum, Cammy, Brandon.
Scorers: Scott, Callum, Brandon, Jack (2)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
A BIG IMPROVEMENT, 14-11-2009
MYS BLACKS 1 SPARTANS 2
Last time we played Spartans stronger team, we were hammered 6-1 and played very poorly. Today, we competed well and were unlucky to be beaten by a good team.
The first half was really tight, with few clear chances at either end. Seth had a long range shot tipped over and Scott hit the side netting, while Cammy made one good save and David cleared a shot off the line after a scramble.
It was 0-0 at half-time and we had tomanage without Connor in the second half after he took a nasty kick just before the break. Jason and David did superbly without him, though, with some full-blooded tackling and impressive and calm distribution. We were also thankful to Brandon for chasing back to stop a dangerous break.
Youngstars certainly showed much more composure on the ball today, and we also tackled well across the pitch. We took the lead not long after half time when Seth charged down an attempted clearance and hammered the ball first time into the corner of the net.
Spartans came straight back with a lovely goal as their striker turned on he edge of the box and fired into the corner. The game could have gone either way but Spartans nicked it with a superb goal, built all the way from the back. Scott had a superb curling shot brilliantly saved and then was denied again from close range.
In the end, we again lost by a single goal but this was a very good performance all over the pitch, with Lloyd working especially hard in midfield.
Last time we played Spartans stronger team, we were hammered 6-1 and played very poorly. Today, we competed well and were unlucky to be beaten by a good team.
The first half was really tight, with few clear chances at either end. Seth had a long range shot tipped over and Scott hit the side netting, while Cammy made one good save and David cleared a shot off the line after a scramble.
It was 0-0 at half-time and we had tomanage without Connor in the second half after he took a nasty kick just before the break. Jason and David did superbly without him, though, with some full-blooded tackling and impressive and calm distribution. We were also thankful to Brandon for chasing back to stop a dangerous break.
Youngstars certainly showed much more composure on the ball today, and we also tackled well across the pitch. We took the lead not long after half time when Seth charged down an attempted clearance and hammered the ball first time into the corner of the net.
Spartans came straight back with a lovely goal as their striker turned on he edge of the box and fired into the corner. The game could have gone either way but Spartans nicked it with a superb goal, built all the way from the back. Scott had a superb curling shot brilliantly saved and then was denied again from close range.
In the end, we again lost by a single goal but this was a very good performance all over the pitch, with Lloyd working especially hard in midfield.
OH NO! TRANENT AGAIN, 7-11-2009
MYS BLACKS 2 TRANENT COLTS 3
This was the third time we had lost by a single goal to Tranent this season. In our tournament, when we lost 1-0, and when they beat us 2-1 in the league, we really should have won well on both occasions. This was a tighter game but again, we probably deserved to take something out of it.
The match was very flat for the first 15 minutes, with both sides struggling to get a grip. There was then a goal rush before half-time, with Tranent going ahead when Jack unluckily chested the ball over his own goal line from a well-directed corner. He made up for it soon after by powering home a header from a superb corner kick by Scott.
Unfortunately, we fell asleep and allowed Tranent to take the lead when one of their players nipped in unmarked at the back post to finish off a good move. We came straight back again when Seth turned a defender on halfway and ran clear to slide a neat left-foot shot into the corner.
Yet again, we conceded a goal on the stroke of half time as we allowed a Tranent player a free header from a corner.
At 3-2 down, we had an uphill battle in the second half, and we had Ross - deputising for Cammy in goal - to thank for three or four fine saves. The Tranent keeper also saved well from Callum and Lloyd, and we came very close to an equaliser in the last minute when Scott turned inside a defender superbly but lashed his shot over the bar.
There were no complaints about the second half performance. Connor, David and Jason fought really hard to contain a physical Tranent team and we never gave up. If only we could avoid conceding so often just before the break.
Squad: Ross, Connor, David, Jason, Lloyd, Jack, Seth, Callum, Scott, Brandon
Scorers: Jack, Seth
This was the third time we had lost by a single goal to Tranent this season. In our tournament, when we lost 1-0, and when they beat us 2-1 in the league, we really should have won well on both occasions. This was a tighter game but again, we probably deserved to take something out of it.
The match was very flat for the first 15 minutes, with both sides struggling to get a grip. There was then a goal rush before half-time, with Tranent going ahead when Jack unluckily chested the ball over his own goal line from a well-directed corner. He made up for it soon after by powering home a header from a superb corner kick by Scott.
Unfortunately, we fell asleep and allowed Tranent to take the lead when one of their players nipped in unmarked at the back post to finish off a good move. We came straight back again when Seth turned a defender on halfway and ran clear to slide a neat left-foot shot into the corner.
Yet again, we conceded a goal on the stroke of half time as we allowed a Tranent player a free header from a corner.
At 3-2 down, we had an uphill battle in the second half, and we had Ross - deputising for Cammy in goal - to thank for three or four fine saves. The Tranent keeper also saved well from Callum and Lloyd, and we came very close to an equaliser in the last minute when Scott turned inside a defender superbly but lashed his shot over the bar.
There were no complaints about the second half performance. Connor, David and Jason fought really hard to contain a physical Tranent team and we never gave up. If only we could avoid conceding so often just before the break.
Squad: Ross, Connor, David, Jason, Lloyd, Jack, Seth, Callum, Scott, Brandon
Scorers: Jack, Seth
Monday, November 2, 2009
YOUNGSTARS TOO HOT FOR CURRIE, 1-11-09
CURRIE STAR 1 MYS BLACKS 8
The black stripes recorded a third successive seven-a-side win with an excellent team performance on a dreich and miserable day.
From the start of the match, the boys took on board what we had worked on in training and were much stronger in the tackle all over the park. We took a very early lead when Jack nicked the ball under the keeper after a one-two with Scott. Soon afterwards, Jack set up Seth on the edge of the box and he fired a fine shot high into the net to make it 2-0.
Jack scored again from close range and Lloyd hit an angled shot across the keeper to make it 4-0 with barely 20 minutes gone. David, playing left defence in the absence of Jason, had a superb game, and got forward to support the attack on several occasions. On the other side at the back, Connor was magnificent and barely lost a tackle all match. Both defenders - plus Callum when he filled in for David at the back - distributed the ball really well.
Cammy Brown was barely troubled in the first half, while the Currie keeper made five or six great saves to keep the score down,. Towards the end of the half, we lost our discipline a wee bit and started taking pot-shots rather than looking for the simple ball - but on the whole, our first half display was excellent.
We were straight back into our stride at the start of the second half but missed a bagful of chances before Currie pulled a goal back from a corner against the run of play. (we need to defend corners better as we have lost a lot of goals from them).
Callum nipped in to dispossess a defender and score to make it 5-1 and we could have had another ten goals but for more excellent goalkeeping and poor finishing on our part. Callum also had a goal disallowed for offside, as did Jack in the first half.
Jack did complete his hat trick when he ran clear to slot home, after Lloyd had also scored three. His last goal was smacked high into the net after a great team move involving Connor, Callum and Scott.
Although he didn't score, Scott had a very good and hard-working game, while Brandon also played well to continue an excellent run of form. If we can carry on playing like this, we can realistically look at the same sort of long unbeaten run that we had at the end of last season. When we win the ball and get it down to play, no-one can touch us - as long as we start taking our chances!
Squad: Cammy, Connor, David, Lloyd, Jack, Seth, Scott, Callum, Brandon
Scorers: Jack (3), Seth, Lloyd (3), Callum
The black stripes recorded a third successive seven-a-side win with an excellent team performance on a dreich and miserable day.
From the start of the match, the boys took on board what we had worked on in training and were much stronger in the tackle all over the park. We took a very early lead when Jack nicked the ball under the keeper after a one-two with Scott. Soon afterwards, Jack set up Seth on the edge of the box and he fired a fine shot high into the net to make it 2-0.
Jack scored again from close range and Lloyd hit an angled shot across the keeper to make it 4-0 with barely 20 minutes gone. David, playing left defence in the absence of Jason, had a superb game, and got forward to support the attack on several occasions. On the other side at the back, Connor was magnificent and barely lost a tackle all match. Both defenders - plus Callum when he filled in for David at the back - distributed the ball really well.
Cammy Brown was barely troubled in the first half, while the Currie keeper made five or six great saves to keep the score down,. Towards the end of the half, we lost our discipline a wee bit and started taking pot-shots rather than looking for the simple ball - but on the whole, our first half display was excellent.
We were straight back into our stride at the start of the second half but missed a bagful of chances before Currie pulled a goal back from a corner against the run of play. (we need to defend corners better as we have lost a lot of goals from them).
Callum nipped in to dispossess a defender and score to make it 5-1 and we could have had another ten goals but for more excellent goalkeeping and poor finishing on our part. Callum also had a goal disallowed for offside, as did Jack in the first half.
Jack did complete his hat trick when he ran clear to slot home, after Lloyd had also scored three. His last goal was smacked high into the net after a great team move involving Connor, Callum and Scott.
Although he didn't score, Scott had a very good and hard-working game, while Brandon also played well to continue an excellent run of form. If we can carry on playing like this, we can realistically look at the same sort of long unbeaten run that we had at the end of last season. When we win the ball and get it down to play, no-one can touch us - as long as we start taking our chances!
Squad: Cammy, Connor, David, Lloyd, Jack, Seth, Scott, Callum, Brandon
Scorers: Jack (3), Seth, Lloyd (3), Callum
Monday, October 26, 2009
A LESSON IN 11-A-SIDE, 24-10-2009
MYS 4 MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR 11
Hmmm. This is a hard report to write. We have never conceded double figures before and it's not a pleasant experience. However, having said that, we have to play more 11-a-side to improve and this was a mixture of the top two Windsor teams in this age group.
We put out a decent team but we were 2-0 down fairly quickly as Ross, who played in goal for the first half, was left with no chance with two fine shots high into the net. The disappointing thing about the early stages was our lack of physical presence all over the pitch - and the fact that we were too often second to the ball.
Windsor went 3-0 up after some dithering at the back but Scott pulled us back into it at 3-1 after Seth played him through. Lloyd and Jack were battling hard in central midfield and Cammy Brown and Craig did well at full back, but we struggled to create many clear chances and often relied on Callum's deadly long throws to get the ball into the danger area.
We gave away another silly goal to go 4-1 down and it was 6-1 before half-time.
In the second half, we gave a much better account of ourselves, but not before we had gone 9-1 down. Brandon lifted a shot over the keeper to make it 9-2 and Jack followed up the keeper's save from Scott's cross-shot to make it 9-3. Jack had earlier missed a great chance after running clear and Seth couldn't get any power in his shot after turning and outpacing a defender. The Windsor keeper saved well from Seth and although Lloyd scored from a tight angle after a neat bit of skill, Windsor scored twice more, one of them an unlucky own goal from Craig, who was given man of the match.
David and Connor deserve credit for continue to work hard at the back while under siege and Ross did well at full back in the second half. Brandon played well in the wide right position and Euan and Scott worked hard up front. But at the end of the day, as they say, they were stronger all over the park.
Squad: Ross, Cammy, Craig, David, Connor, Seth, Lloyd, Jack, Callum, Euan, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Scott, Brandon, Jack, Lloyd.
Hmmm. This is a hard report to write. We have never conceded double figures before and it's not a pleasant experience. However, having said that, we have to play more 11-a-side to improve and this was a mixture of the top two Windsor teams in this age group.
We put out a decent team but we were 2-0 down fairly quickly as Ross, who played in goal for the first half, was left with no chance with two fine shots high into the net. The disappointing thing about the early stages was our lack of physical presence all over the pitch - and the fact that we were too often second to the ball.
Windsor went 3-0 up after some dithering at the back but Scott pulled us back into it at 3-1 after Seth played him through. Lloyd and Jack were battling hard in central midfield and Cammy Brown and Craig did well at full back, but we struggled to create many clear chances and often relied on Callum's deadly long throws to get the ball into the danger area.
We gave away another silly goal to go 4-1 down and it was 6-1 before half-time.
In the second half, we gave a much better account of ourselves, but not before we had gone 9-1 down. Brandon lifted a shot over the keeper to make it 9-2 and Jack followed up the keeper's save from Scott's cross-shot to make it 9-3. Jack had earlier missed a great chance after running clear and Seth couldn't get any power in his shot after turning and outpacing a defender. The Windsor keeper saved well from Seth and although Lloyd scored from a tight angle after a neat bit of skill, Windsor scored twice more, one of them an unlucky own goal from Craig, who was given man of the match.
David and Connor deserve credit for continue to work hard at the back while under siege and Ross did well at full back in the second half. Brandon played well in the wide right position and Euan and Scott worked hard up front. But at the end of the day, as they say, they were stronger all over the park.
Squad: Ross, Cammy, Craig, David, Connor, Seth, Lloyd, Jack, Callum, Euan, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Scott, Brandon, Jack, Lloyd.
Monday, October 19, 2009
A NAIL-BITING WIN! 18-10-2009
MYS BLACKS 5 ESKMILL BOYS CLUB 4
Another strange game, in which we played some fantatsic football to totally dominate the game then almost threw it away.
We started sloppily and poor defending almost allowed Eskmill to take the lead inside the first minute, but only two minutes had passed when we fell asleep at the back and a striker scored from the angle to put them 1-0 up.
We responded well and Lloyd ran clear before turning inside the keeper to finish neatly with his left foot. He then played a brilliant 1-2 with Jack who just couldn't quite get his toe around the ball from almost on the line. However, he made up for it soon after when he slipped the ball through the keeper's legs to put us 2-1 up.
We were playing some terrific stuff and Seth found space on the right edge of the box and lashed the ball high into the top corner - then from a similar position, he held off a defender and hit the ball across the keeper and in for 4-1. David had a great shot well-saved before Brandon looped in a shot for 5-1.
Connor and Jason were distributing superbly from the back and Lloyd was doing a great job up front in the absence of Scott. But despite being 5-1 up, Eskmill kept pressing and hit the post before scoring from a corner just before half-time.
We needed to score again to get a breathing-space but Euan had a shot well-saved and then the visitors pulled it back to 5-3 and really got their hopes up. Lloyd had a shot well-saved and Seth almost completed his hat-trick when his volley from a corner deflected wide off a defender but we were giving Eskmill too much time on the ball.
The game got a bit out of hand before things calmed down - but we were made to sweat as we defended a free kick poorly and Eskmill made it 5-4, then almost equalised at the death. We held on to record a victory based on some superb first half play.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Seth, Lloyd, Brandon, Euan
Scorers; Lloyd, Jack, Seth (2), Brandon
Another strange game, in which we played some fantatsic football to totally dominate the game then almost threw it away.
We started sloppily and poor defending almost allowed Eskmill to take the lead inside the first minute, but only two minutes had passed when we fell asleep at the back and a striker scored from the angle to put them 1-0 up.
We responded well and Lloyd ran clear before turning inside the keeper to finish neatly with his left foot. He then played a brilliant 1-2 with Jack who just couldn't quite get his toe around the ball from almost on the line. However, he made up for it soon after when he slipped the ball through the keeper's legs to put us 2-1 up.
We were playing some terrific stuff and Seth found space on the right edge of the box and lashed the ball high into the top corner - then from a similar position, he held off a defender and hit the ball across the keeper and in for 4-1. David had a great shot well-saved before Brandon looped in a shot for 5-1.
Connor and Jason were distributing superbly from the back and Lloyd was doing a great job up front in the absence of Scott. But despite being 5-1 up, Eskmill kept pressing and hit the post before scoring from a corner just before half-time.
We needed to score again to get a breathing-space but Euan had a shot well-saved and then the visitors pulled it back to 5-3 and really got their hopes up. Lloyd had a shot well-saved and Seth almost completed his hat-trick when his volley from a corner deflected wide off a defender but we were giving Eskmill too much time on the ball.
The game got a bit out of hand before things calmed down - but we were made to sweat as we defended a free kick poorly and Eskmill made it 5-4, then almost equalised at the death. We held on to record a victory based on some superb first half play.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Seth, Lloyd, Brandon, Euan
Scorers; Lloyd, Jack, Seth (2), Brandon
Friday, October 16, 2009
SPARKIER AT SPARTANS, 11-10-2009
SPARTANS BLUES 0 MYS BLACKS 3
After our drubbing at Spartans a few weeks ago, we returned to play their slightly weaker team. Although we came through in the end, this was a weird game. Their keeper had an absolute blinder and we could have won 6 or 7-0, but it never felt very comfortable until the third goal went in.
We started well and Scott almost poked the ball home with our first attack and soon after, Callum hit the ball into the side netting.
We created chances on a regular basis, and Cammy Brown had a very quiet day in goal, only having to make a couple of pretty simple saves.
It was clear we needed to get more width into the game and eventually, not long before half-time, we made the breakthrough - in a very lucky manner. However, it was a cracking move as Jack laid the ball in to Scott who flicked a neat pass to Seth coming in from the left. He hit in a great shot, which the Spartans keeper dived to save (yet again) but the rebound landed right under the feet of a home defender who smacked the ball back into his own net while trying to clear.
Seth had a similar chance which the keeper again saved well and we had to be content with a 1-0 lead at half-time. Fortunately, we were able to keep up the pressure after the break - and one of the big positives from this game was the way that we brought Connor and Jason (and later David) into the game with sensible square balls. it is important that our defenders get more involved higher up the pitch in all games - especially ones like today when they were handling the opposition attacks very comfortably.
We created a few more chances before we gained some breathing-space as Lloyd ran through and slid the ball into the far corner to make it 2-0. Despite many more chances, it was late in the game when Jack sneaked the ball into the corner to cap a superb performance in central midfield.
There were a lot of positives from this game - perhaps more than anything else, it was great to keep a clean sheet!
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason. David, Lloyd, Jack, Callum, Seth, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Own goal, Lloyd, Jack.
After our drubbing at Spartans a few weeks ago, we returned to play their slightly weaker team. Although we came through in the end, this was a weird game. Their keeper had an absolute blinder and we could have won 6 or 7-0, but it never felt very comfortable until the third goal went in.
We started well and Scott almost poked the ball home with our first attack and soon after, Callum hit the ball into the side netting.
We created chances on a regular basis, and Cammy Brown had a very quiet day in goal, only having to make a couple of pretty simple saves.
It was clear we needed to get more width into the game and eventually, not long before half-time, we made the breakthrough - in a very lucky manner. However, it was a cracking move as Jack laid the ball in to Scott who flicked a neat pass to Seth coming in from the left. He hit in a great shot, which the Spartans keeper dived to save (yet again) but the rebound landed right under the feet of a home defender who smacked the ball back into his own net while trying to clear.
Seth had a similar chance which the keeper again saved well and we had to be content with a 1-0 lead at half-time. Fortunately, we were able to keep up the pressure after the break - and one of the big positives from this game was the way that we brought Connor and Jason (and later David) into the game with sensible square balls. it is important that our defenders get more involved higher up the pitch in all games - especially ones like today when they were handling the opposition attacks very comfortably.
We created a few more chances before we gained some breathing-space as Lloyd ran through and slid the ball into the far corner to make it 2-0. Despite many more chances, it was late in the game when Jack sneaked the ball into the corner to cap a superb performance in central midfield.
There were a lot of positives from this game - perhaps more than anything else, it was great to keep a clean sheet!
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason. David, Lloyd, Jack, Callum, Seth, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Own goal, Lloyd, Jack.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A GAME OF TWO HALVES, 4-10-2009
DUNBAR 4 MYS BLACKS 3
I think we suffered in this game from a lack of regular matches, having lost 3 out of the last 4 Sundays due to a combination of bad weather, the September weekend and illness in an opposing team.
We were very slow off the mark against a very strong Dunbar team, who moved the ball around confidently. However, too often, we were second best to the ball and very tentative in the tackle. We gave away possession all over the pitch and defended poorly for the first 25 minutes, and paid the price as Dunbar took a deserved 2-0 lead.
Towards the end of the first half, we created our first real chances and Lloyd was unlucky to slide a left-foot shot across the face of goal and just wide.
Connor and Jason had been put under intense pressure in the first half and held things together well, while Cammy Brown made a couple of fine saves to keep the score down.
It is fair to say the boys got a bit of a rocket at half time for such a laklustre performance. Luckily, this seemed to work. With Jack moving into centre midfield to add some height and strength, Lloyd found much more space on the right side of midfield and had an excellent second half.
We were unlucky to go 3-0 down when a speculative flick from a Dunbar player looped high towards the top corner. Cammy got a hand on the ball and tipped it onto the bar but it fell right at the feet of a striker who couldn't miss from a yard out. At 3-0 down, we finally started to play and were starting to win far more tackles . When Jack picked up possesion in midfield and fired a high long-range shot into the net, we were back in contention. Brandon then showed superb technique to volley home from a corner at the back post to make it 3-2.
Dunbar were still creating chances and we were unlucky when a shot deflected off Jason and wrong-footed Cammy. However, Lloyd set up Seth to hammer another cracking goal into the corner and Lloyd twice came very close to equalising, while Scott also had a shot charged down late on. Right at the end, Callum almost curled a corner straight in to the back post, but it wasn't to be.
I praised the boys at the end for a superb second half display, which hopefully we can carry forward to next week. We scored three superb goals and played some excellent football when our backs were against the wall - we just gave Dunbar too much of a start.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Brandon, Scott.
Scorers: Jack, Brandon, Seth
Man on the Match: Connor
I think we suffered in this game from a lack of regular matches, having lost 3 out of the last 4 Sundays due to a combination of bad weather, the September weekend and illness in an opposing team.
We were very slow off the mark against a very strong Dunbar team, who moved the ball around confidently. However, too often, we were second best to the ball and very tentative in the tackle. We gave away possession all over the pitch and defended poorly for the first 25 minutes, and paid the price as Dunbar took a deserved 2-0 lead.
Towards the end of the first half, we created our first real chances and Lloyd was unlucky to slide a left-foot shot across the face of goal and just wide.
Connor and Jason had been put under intense pressure in the first half and held things together well, while Cammy Brown made a couple of fine saves to keep the score down.
It is fair to say the boys got a bit of a rocket at half time for such a laklustre performance. Luckily, this seemed to work. With Jack moving into centre midfield to add some height and strength, Lloyd found much more space on the right side of midfield and had an excellent second half.
We were unlucky to go 3-0 down when a speculative flick from a Dunbar player looped high towards the top corner. Cammy got a hand on the ball and tipped it onto the bar but it fell right at the feet of a striker who couldn't miss from a yard out. At 3-0 down, we finally started to play and were starting to win far more tackles . When Jack picked up possesion in midfield and fired a high long-range shot into the net, we were back in contention. Brandon then showed superb technique to volley home from a corner at the back post to make it 3-2.
Dunbar were still creating chances and we were unlucky when a shot deflected off Jason and wrong-footed Cammy. However, Lloyd set up Seth to hammer another cracking goal into the corner and Lloyd twice came very close to equalising, while Scott also had a shot charged down late on. Right at the end, Callum almost curled a corner straight in to the back post, but it wasn't to be.
I praised the boys at the end for a superb second half display, which hopefully we can carry forward to next week. We scored three superb goals and played some excellent football when our backs were against the wall - we just gave Dunbar too much of a start.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Brandon, Scott.
Scorers: Jack, Brandon, Seth
Man on the Match: Connor
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A TALE OF TWO PENALTIES, 17-9-09
MYS BLACKS 3 HUNTERFIELD 2
The black stripes bounced back from the drubbing at Spartans to record a well-deserved win with some more great football. The victory was remarkable in some ways as we were without Lloyd (at Hibs) and had Connor and David injured. Cammy Brown came out of goal for the first time in months, with Ross from blue stripes guesting between the sticks despite feeling unwell.
Like last Thursday against Tranent, we had only one sub and it was hard work for all the boys. Also like last week, we started strongly and Jack crashed a shot off the top of the bar. We took the lead when Seth turned his man on the left and laid a perfect ball to Scott, who stroked the ball calmly into the corner with his left foot.
Jack almost made it two when he charged through the middle, but took one touch too many and pulled the ball wide. We were dominating the game but after some head tennis in the midfield, a Hunterfield player smashed in an unstoppable shot which cannoned in off the underside of the bar.
We went ahead after a lovely move on the right. It ended with Callum swinging in a superb cross which Seth flicked into the far corner with his head. The visiting keeper saved well from Scott and Callum and Brandon also went close before we lost our traditional goal just before half-time. After a scramble from a corner, Cammy Brown raised both hands and blocked the ball at close range. It was a clear penalty and though Ross came close to saving it, the ball sneaked home to make it 2-2.
Seth had a chance to make it 3-2 straight after the break after another impressive move, but coudn't quite get his head to the ball at the back post. Callum and Jack had shots well saved and Jack headed onto the bar - but as Hunterfield came back into the game more, Cammy and Jason worked fantastic shifts to keep them at bay.
We had lost our fluency but took the lead when a Hunterfield defender raised his hand to deflect a cross by Seth away from Scott at the back post. Not everyone saw it clearly but in my mind, his hand was away from his body and he had denied Scott a clear goalscoring chance by deflecting the ball away.
Seth, who has never missed a penalty in a game, kept up his 100 per cent record and slotted the ball right into the corner to cap a fantastic man of the match performance. He almost completed a hat-trick when he hit a left-foot shot just wide after a good pass by Scott.
Although Seth won man of the match, all the boys deserve huge credit for another brilliant performance.
Squad: Ross, Cammy, Jason, Brandon, Jack, Seth, Scott, Callum
Scorers: Scott, Seth 2 (1 pen)
The black stripes bounced back from the drubbing at Spartans to record a well-deserved win with some more great football. The victory was remarkable in some ways as we were without Lloyd (at Hibs) and had Connor and David injured. Cammy Brown came out of goal for the first time in months, with Ross from blue stripes guesting between the sticks despite feeling unwell.
Like last Thursday against Tranent, we had only one sub and it was hard work for all the boys. Also like last week, we started strongly and Jack crashed a shot off the top of the bar. We took the lead when Seth turned his man on the left and laid a perfect ball to Scott, who stroked the ball calmly into the corner with his left foot.
Jack almost made it two when he charged through the middle, but took one touch too many and pulled the ball wide. We were dominating the game but after some head tennis in the midfield, a Hunterfield player smashed in an unstoppable shot which cannoned in off the underside of the bar.
We went ahead after a lovely move on the right. It ended with Callum swinging in a superb cross which Seth flicked into the far corner with his head. The visiting keeper saved well from Scott and Callum and Brandon also went close before we lost our traditional goal just before half-time. After a scramble from a corner, Cammy Brown raised both hands and blocked the ball at close range. It was a clear penalty and though Ross came close to saving it, the ball sneaked home to make it 2-2.
Seth had a chance to make it 3-2 straight after the break after another impressive move, but coudn't quite get his head to the ball at the back post. Callum and Jack had shots well saved and Jack headed onto the bar - but as Hunterfield came back into the game more, Cammy and Jason worked fantastic shifts to keep them at bay.
We had lost our fluency but took the lead when a Hunterfield defender raised his hand to deflect a cross by Seth away from Scott at the back post. Not everyone saw it clearly but in my mind, his hand was away from his body and he had denied Scott a clear goalscoring chance by deflecting the ball away.
Seth, who has never missed a penalty in a game, kept up his 100 per cent record and slotted the ball right into the corner to cap a fantastic man of the match performance. He almost completed a hat-trick when he hit a left-foot shot just wide after a good pass by Scott.
Although Seth won man of the match, all the boys deserve huge credit for another brilliant performance.
Squad: Ross, Cammy, Jason, Brandon, Jack, Seth, Scott, Callum
Scorers: Scott, Seth 2 (1 pen)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A LESSON IN FOOTBALL, 13-9-2009
SPARTANS 6 MYS BLACKS 1
This was a very disappointing result, but a few days afterwards, I feel a bit less disheartened and I hope that everyone - players, coaches and parents - can all take something positive from the game.
Spartans is a huge club with a great pedigree and excellent facilities. The club can attract the best players because of its name and its marvellous set-up. In some respects, the fact that we have competed with them in the last few meetings is amazing.
On this occasion, we really were taught a lesson as the Spartand boys played fabulous pass-and-move football. Having said that, we were very slow to the ball and gave them far too much space to play in - and we failed to get the ball down and pass it around as we know we can.
Spartans took an early lead when we were sloppy at the back and allowed a striker space in the inside-left area. He hit a cross-shot which fell nicely for a player running in at the back post to nudge it home.
By half-time, we were 3-0 down. Goals 2 and 3 were both rebounds after Cammy Brown saves. In some ways, we were a little unlucky at how the ball fell, but 3-0 was a fair reflection of the home team's dominance and Cammy made several good saves to keep the score down. Towards the end of the half, Lloyd and Scott had shots on target as we started to claw our way back.
We needed to pull a goal back straight after the break, but went 4-0 down when a superb left-foot shot left Cammy with no chance.
Finally we started to play and Jack set up Scott to finish nicely to pull it back to 4-1. Immediately, Seth headed a clearance back into the Spartans box and it fell for Scott right in the centre of goal but he mis-hit his shot and the keeper saved.
David and Jason were coming under fierce pressure at the back as Spartans broke swiftly on the superb 3G astro surface. The fifth goal may have been close to offside but like the first half, Spartans had the bulk of the chances and deserved more goals.
Seth and Lloyd hooked shots just over as Youngstars tried to limit the damage but it was Spartans who scored the final goal as a well-placed shot evaded Cammy's dive.
This was a real shame after the excellent performance against Tranent but like I say, hopefully the boys will take on board the skilful movement of the Spartans' players - and try to copy it!
Squad: Cammy, Jason, David, Seth, Jack, Lloyd, Scott, Brandon.
Scorer: Scott
This was a very disappointing result, but a few days afterwards, I feel a bit less disheartened and I hope that everyone - players, coaches and parents - can all take something positive from the game.
Spartans is a huge club with a great pedigree and excellent facilities. The club can attract the best players because of its name and its marvellous set-up. In some respects, the fact that we have competed with them in the last few meetings is amazing.
On this occasion, we really were taught a lesson as the Spartand boys played fabulous pass-and-move football. Having said that, we were very slow to the ball and gave them far too much space to play in - and we failed to get the ball down and pass it around as we know we can.
Spartans took an early lead when we were sloppy at the back and allowed a striker space in the inside-left area. He hit a cross-shot which fell nicely for a player running in at the back post to nudge it home.
By half-time, we were 3-0 down. Goals 2 and 3 were both rebounds after Cammy Brown saves. In some ways, we were a little unlucky at how the ball fell, but 3-0 was a fair reflection of the home team's dominance and Cammy made several good saves to keep the score down. Towards the end of the half, Lloyd and Scott had shots on target as we started to claw our way back.
We needed to pull a goal back straight after the break, but went 4-0 down when a superb left-foot shot left Cammy with no chance.
Finally we started to play and Jack set up Scott to finish nicely to pull it back to 4-1. Immediately, Seth headed a clearance back into the Spartans box and it fell for Scott right in the centre of goal but he mis-hit his shot and the keeper saved.
David and Jason were coming under fierce pressure at the back as Spartans broke swiftly on the superb 3G astro surface. The fifth goal may have been close to offside but like the first half, Spartans had the bulk of the chances and deserved more goals.
Seth and Lloyd hooked shots just over as Youngstars tried to limit the damage but it was Spartans who scored the final goal as a well-placed shot evaded Cammy's dive.
This was a real shame after the excellent performance against Tranent but like I say, hopefully the boys will take on board the skilful movement of the Spartans' players - and try to copy it!
Squad: Cammy, Jason, David, Seth, Jack, Lloyd, Scott, Brandon.
Scorer: Scott
Thursday, September 10, 2009
AN UNBELIEVABLE DEFEAT, 10-9-2009
MYS BLACKS 1 TRANENT COLTS 2
Youngstars took the lead after 15 seconds and played superbly for most of the game but were somehow squeezed out by a Tranent team who seem to have a jinx over us.
With Lloyd missing his first game in four years, Jack played in centre midfield and had a magnificent game. Connor was still out injured but Jason and David played superbly and distributed the ball extremely well from the back.
We took the lead in the blink of an eye; after a neat piece of inter-passing including Seth, Callum and Jack, Scott ran through to score a lovely goal to put us ahead.
We could have had a bucketful by half-time, but Jack had a goal disallowed for pushing, Callum hit the outside of the post and the Windsor keeper made some fine saves. As often happens, we were left to regret our failure to score again as Tranent created their first chances right at the end of the first half. Cammy made a great close-range save but was beaten after misjudging a high ball in the low sun.
Tranent took the lead right at the start of the second-half when poor marking allowed a striker to chest the ball in at the near-post from a corner. We lost our way for a wee while but dug in well and created lots more chances. Scott couldn't quite keep the ball down, Jack had a powerful shot blocked superbly by the keeper and Callum hit the outside of the post again. The keeper saved well again from Scott and Seth and then, right at the death, Jason lashed a shot against the angle of post and bar. It just was not our day, but without two of our strong players missing, this was a really exceptional performance.
Squad: Cammy Brown, David, Jason, Seth, Jack, Callum, Scott, Brandon, Cammy Sharp.
Scorer: Scott
Youngstars took the lead after 15 seconds and played superbly for most of the game but were somehow squeezed out by a Tranent team who seem to have a jinx over us.
With Lloyd missing his first game in four years, Jack played in centre midfield and had a magnificent game. Connor was still out injured but Jason and David played superbly and distributed the ball extremely well from the back.
We took the lead in the blink of an eye; after a neat piece of inter-passing including Seth, Callum and Jack, Scott ran through to score a lovely goal to put us ahead.
We could have had a bucketful by half-time, but Jack had a goal disallowed for pushing, Callum hit the outside of the post and the Windsor keeper made some fine saves. As often happens, we were left to regret our failure to score again as Tranent created their first chances right at the end of the first half. Cammy made a great close-range save but was beaten after misjudging a high ball in the low sun.
Tranent took the lead right at the start of the second-half when poor marking allowed a striker to chest the ball in at the near-post from a corner. We lost our way for a wee while but dug in well and created lots more chances. Scott couldn't quite keep the ball down, Jack had a powerful shot blocked superbly by the keeper and Callum hit the outside of the post again. The keeper saved well again from Scott and Seth and then, right at the death, Jason lashed a shot against the angle of post and bar. It just was not our day, but without two of our strong players missing, this was a really exceptional performance.
Squad: Cammy Brown, David, Jason, Seth, Jack, Callum, Scott, Brandon, Cammy Sharp.
Scorer: Scott
STRUGGLE AT 11-A-SIDE 8-9-2009
MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR COLTS 3 MYS 2
After two impressive performances at the end of last season, Youngstars struggled to adjust to the bigger pitch and were fairly well-beaten by a Windsor team who adapted better to the windy conditions and long grass.
The game was fairly even for the first 15 minutes or so but Windsor took a grip on the game in the second part of the first half-hour period. First, some indifferent tackling by Youngstars allowed a Windsor player to nick the ball back from the byline for a team-mate to poke home. Not long afterwards, a Windsor striker ran onto a through ball and slipped the ball home to make it 2-0 at half-time.
Youngstars had been mainly limited to efforts from the edge of the box, but at the beginning of the second-half, some nice football saw a through ball from Jack find Scott, who hit the ball high into the net.
We really needed to push for the equaliser but Windsor seized back the initiative and had the better of the play. However, Youngstars defended better in the second half with Ross doing well at right-back and David, Jack and Jason putting in some strong tackles and covering well (Connor was injured after breaking his hand).
We were a bit unlucky to go 3-1 down when a corner was cleared only for the second cross to spin off the outside of the Windsor player's foot and deceive Cammy in goal.
We had a good spell late on, with the Windsor keeper saving well from Lloyd and Scott missing a good chance. Lloyd was squeezed out in a tight position when he should have crossed after a good run before Cammy kept us in it with a brilliant save from a volley.
The best came last as Callum smashed a superb shot high into the top corner to make it 3-2, but it was too little, too late.
Squad: Cammy Brown, Cammy Sharp, David, Jack, Jason, Blair Currie, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Scott, Euan, Brandon, Ross, Matthew.
Scorers: Scott, Callum.
After two impressive performances at the end of last season, Youngstars struggled to adjust to the bigger pitch and were fairly well-beaten by a Windsor team who adapted better to the windy conditions and long grass.
The game was fairly even for the first 15 minutes or so but Windsor took a grip on the game in the second part of the first half-hour period. First, some indifferent tackling by Youngstars allowed a Windsor player to nick the ball back from the byline for a team-mate to poke home. Not long afterwards, a Windsor striker ran onto a through ball and slipped the ball home to make it 2-0 at half-time.
Youngstars had been mainly limited to efforts from the edge of the box, but at the beginning of the second-half, some nice football saw a through ball from Jack find Scott, who hit the ball high into the net.
We really needed to push for the equaliser but Windsor seized back the initiative and had the better of the play. However, Youngstars defended better in the second half with Ross doing well at right-back and David, Jack and Jason putting in some strong tackles and covering well (Connor was injured after breaking his hand).
We were a bit unlucky to go 3-1 down when a corner was cleared only for the second cross to spin off the outside of the Windsor player's foot and deceive Cammy in goal.
We had a good spell late on, with the Windsor keeper saving well from Lloyd and Scott missing a good chance. Lloyd was squeezed out in a tight position when he should have crossed after a good run before Cammy kept us in it with a brilliant save from a volley.
The best came last as Callum smashed a superb shot high into the top corner to make it 3-2, but it was too little, too late.
Squad: Cammy Brown, Cammy Sharp, David, Jack, Jason, Blair Currie, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Scott, Euan, Brandon, Ross, Matthew.
Scorers: Scott, Callum.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
BLACK STRIPES PIPPED BY PENALTY
MYS FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL - 22 AUGUST 2009
MYS BLACKS 1 EDINBURGH CITY 0
MYS BLACKS 1 SPARTANS 0
MYS BLACKS 0 TRANENT COLTS 1
MYS BLACKS 2 MYS BLUES 1
After a poor start the week before at the Windsor tournament, the black stripes played some brilliant football and came very close to winning their own club's first-ever festival of football.
Against strong opposition, they tackled powerfully, showed superb commitment and played some terrific passing football. In the first three games, they carved out maybe 15 good chances in all and in truth, should have won the first game by four or five goals. A combination of poor finishing and superb goalkeeping from Edinburgh City's exceptional keeper kept the score to 1-0.
The second game followed a similar pattern and we deserved our first-ever victory over Spartans. (I know Scott and Lloyd scored the goals in the first two games, but can't for the life of me remember which was which!) Thanks to Spartans for helping us out by attending at short notice after the Windsor let us down badly by failing to raise a squad.
Tranent Colts had won 1-0 with a last-minute goal against Spartans then crushed Edinburgh City 5-1, so we played them needing a win to top our group. Again, we had the best of the game but the Tranent keeper made two or three fine saves and we missed one other great chance. We lost the game when we failed to clear a corner and a goalbound header was pushed out by Connor's hands! I was glad to see Tranent score from the kick as it wouldn't have felt right for them to have missed. We could still have come back but it wasn't to be.
The blue stripes finished second in their group (after beating Dunbar, drawing with Longniddry and losing to Aberlady), so we played off aginst them. Jason hit the post from long-range but it was 0-0 at the ten-minute half-time break., Blair Millar scrambled a goal to put the blues 1-0 up but Lloyd nipped in to score after a great through-ball by Connor and then Scott poked home the winner from close range.
All in all, we played more consistent and better football (over a total of 80 minutes) than we perhaps ever have done before. Credit to all theboys for wonderful effort and superb play. In the final, Tranent Colts comfortably beat Aberlady 4-1.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Lloyd 2, Scott 2
MYS BLACKS 1 EDINBURGH CITY 0
MYS BLACKS 1 SPARTANS 0
MYS BLACKS 0 TRANENT COLTS 1
MYS BLACKS 2 MYS BLUES 1
After a poor start the week before at the Windsor tournament, the black stripes played some brilliant football and came very close to winning their own club's first-ever festival of football.
Against strong opposition, they tackled powerfully, showed superb commitment and played some terrific passing football. In the first three games, they carved out maybe 15 good chances in all and in truth, should have won the first game by four or five goals. A combination of poor finishing and superb goalkeeping from Edinburgh City's exceptional keeper kept the score to 1-0.
The second game followed a similar pattern and we deserved our first-ever victory over Spartans. (I know Scott and Lloyd scored the goals in the first two games, but can't for the life of me remember which was which!) Thanks to Spartans for helping us out by attending at short notice after the Windsor let us down badly by failing to raise a squad.
Tranent Colts had won 1-0 with a last-minute goal against Spartans then crushed Edinburgh City 5-1, so we played them needing a win to top our group. Again, we had the best of the game but the Tranent keeper made two or three fine saves and we missed one other great chance. We lost the game when we failed to clear a corner and a goalbound header was pushed out by Connor's hands! I was glad to see Tranent score from the kick as it wouldn't have felt right for them to have missed. We could still have come back but it wasn't to be.
The blue stripes finished second in their group (after beating Dunbar, drawing with Longniddry and losing to Aberlady), so we played off aginst them. Jason hit the post from long-range but it was 0-0 at the ten-minute half-time break., Blair Millar scrambled a goal to put the blues 1-0 up but Lloyd nipped in to score after a great through-ball by Connor and then Scott poked home the winner from close range.
All in all, we played more consistent and better football (over a total of 80 minutes) than we perhaps ever have done before. Credit to all theboys for wonderful effort and superb play. In the final, Tranent Colts comfortably beat Aberlady 4-1.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Lloyd 2, Scott 2
TIGHT PITCH, FLATTERING RESULT, 30-8-09
MYS BLACKS 9 GULLANE 1
A difficult and frustrating game ended with a scoreline that totally flattered Youngstars, who scored five goals in the last ten minutes.
A very tight pitch made it hard to open up the game in the way we did so successfully at our tournament a week earlier. There were also minor teething troubles with new rules, including offside, the passback rule and the retreating line. This is a line roughly halfway between the edge of the penalty box and the halfway line – and when the goalie has the ball on the floor or in his hands, the attackers must retreat outside the line. When a defender touches the ball – or it comes to a stop – the attacking team can move in.
Youngstars created few clear chances in the first 15-20 minutes. Seth didn’t get enough power on a left-foot shot from a wide position and the keeper saved comfortably, then he got a hand on a shot from Lloyd to touch it onto a post. The keeper saved well again when Seth hit a low shot towards the corner after a nice move.
North Berwick had one or two chances but we took the lead after about 20 minutes when Callum rifled the ball across goal and Jack hammered it in at the back post. Callum flicked the ball over the keeper and in during a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-0, then Brandon smashed in a close-range shot from a narrow angle after another melee. We started the second half slowly and North Berwick came back into the game when a striker nicked the ball past Cammy to make it 3-1.
Another goal then and we might have wobbled, but Lloyd scored after another scrappy approach to give us breathing-space. Finally, we started to open up the game and play football. It had been hard for Connor, David and Jason to move the ball forward in such a tight area but we began to find space and Lloyd hammered in a fifth after good work by Brandon and Seth set up Scott neatly for No 6. Another unselfish pass from Seth set up Lloyd to make it 7-1 before two excellent final goals.
David hit a long-range shot low into the corner and then Seth played a one-two from a corner with Lloyd and smacked an unstoppable shot high into the top corner. 9-1 flattered us, but hopefully with a bit more space to work in, we will be able to play more of the football we showed at the end of the game.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Jack, Callum, Brandon, Lloyd 3, Scott, David, Seth
A difficult and frustrating game ended with a scoreline that totally flattered Youngstars, who scored five goals in the last ten minutes.
A very tight pitch made it hard to open up the game in the way we did so successfully at our tournament a week earlier. There were also minor teething troubles with new rules, including offside, the passback rule and the retreating line. This is a line roughly halfway between the edge of the penalty box and the halfway line – and when the goalie has the ball on the floor or in his hands, the attackers must retreat outside the line. When a defender touches the ball – or it comes to a stop – the attacking team can move in.
Youngstars created few clear chances in the first 15-20 minutes. Seth didn’t get enough power on a left-foot shot from a wide position and the keeper saved comfortably, then he got a hand on a shot from Lloyd to touch it onto a post. The keeper saved well again when Seth hit a low shot towards the corner after a nice move.
North Berwick had one or two chances but we took the lead after about 20 minutes when Callum rifled the ball across goal and Jack hammered it in at the back post. Callum flicked the ball over the keeper and in during a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-0, then Brandon smashed in a close-range shot from a narrow angle after another melee. We started the second half slowly and North Berwick came back into the game when a striker nicked the ball past Cammy to make it 3-1.
Another goal then and we might have wobbled, but Lloyd scored after another scrappy approach to give us breathing-space. Finally, we started to open up the game and play football. It had been hard for Connor, David and Jason to move the ball forward in such a tight area but we began to find space and Lloyd hammered in a fifth after good work by Brandon and Seth set up Scott neatly for No 6. Another unselfish pass from Seth set up Lloyd to make it 7-1 before two excellent final goals.
David hit a long-range shot low into the corner and then Seth played a one-two from a corner with Lloyd and smacked an unstoppable shot high into the top corner. 9-1 flattered us, but hopefully with a bit more space to work in, we will be able to play more of the football we showed at the end of the game.
Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Scott, Brandon.
Scorers: Jack, Callum, Brandon, Lloyd 3, Scott, David, Seth
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