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)