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)