A DISAPPOINTING END 14-12-09

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)