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)
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