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