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.