MYS Black Stripes 2 - 2 Haddington Athletic Sky Blue (26Apr08)
Despite being a relatively low scoring game, there were a lot of positives to take from the match (particularly the rising confidence of Innes and Sam). The wind definitely played its part, causing difficulty for both teams, but all the kids tried their best to battle the conditions. Some great play between Lennon, Calum and Josh helped carve out a few early chances and the opening goal eventually came from a corner kick. Josh drilled the ball low into the box and it somehow squeezed between the keeper's legs and into the net. Haddington pulled one back though, with some great attacking play that allowed their striker to slot the ball in at Kyle's near post. Lennon displayed some great tricks and ball control out on the right hand side, but the team struggled to get past a strong Haddington defence.
The Youngstars were up against it in the second period, playing against a particularly strong wind. Morgan was worked hard out on the right wing, having to track back to defend whilst supporting our attacking moves going forward. Kyle was forced into making a couple of excellent saves as the Haddington kids took advantage of the wind behind them. Kyle was eventually beaten by a looping clearance from a Haddington midfielder. The ball was blasted high into the air and it bounced in front of Kyle, then over his head into the goals.
In the third period, the wind advantage helped and Sam had an excellent game on the left hand side of midfield. His tackling was strong, he ran back to support his defenders when needed, and showed great confidence in controlling the ball to dribble past opponents. He was involved in the set up of the Youngstar's equaliser, after winning the ball just inside the Haddington half. He skipped past his opponent with some good skill, then played a great pass through to Harvey on the right. Harvey quickly passed the ball into Calum's run inside the box and Calum kept his cool and tucked it past the advancing keeper.
The team was under real pressure in the final period, and some typically superb defending from Mark kept Haddington at bay. At one point, Mark managed to clear the ball high into the car park! Innes also had an excellent game, with strong tackling, good passing, and showing a real determination to drive forward with the ball. The Youngstars were unlucky not to score a third after Innes won a tackle in midfield and slotted the ball through to Morgan, who strode forward and played a great pass to Calum. One-on-one with the keeper, Calum hit a sound shot but, as it was against the wind, there wasn't enough power and the keeper made a good save.
All in all, the kids played well in the conditions and learned the importance of keeping the ball low when playing against the wind.
Teamsheet: Kyle, Mark, Innes, Morgan, Sam, Lennon, Josh, Harvey, Calum
Goal scorers: Josh, Calum
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
MORGAN SCORES FOR BOTH TEAMS
Dunbar Utd Black 13 - 8 MYS Black Stripes (19Apr08)
The Black Stripes team suffered its heaviest defeat for a couple of years today, after a strong start. Jason G was drafted in from the Blue Stripes to help out a depleted squad, and made an immediate impact by scoring early on. He managed to find space wide on the right and drilled in a low cross which the Dunbar keeper could only parry into his own net. Jason soon scored a second with a great chip over the keeper's outstretched arms. Dunbar fought back, however, and forced a brilliant save from Kyle, diving to his left and pushing the ball out for a corner. Continued Dunbar pressure eventually resulted in a goal when a high ball bounced in front of Innes but he couldn't get it clear. The Dunbar striker pounced and blasted the ball past Kyle.
The Dunbar kids played very well in the second period, with the wind behind them. Despite some great defending from Mark, they scored three quick goals without reply. Just before the end of the period, though, Josh won the ball in the middle of the park and dribbled round the Dunbar defence. He then smashed a superb shot into the net to make the score 4-3.
In the third period, the Youngstars played much better despite losing two quick goals (one of which was an amazing own goal from Morgan into the top corner). Jason, Harvey and Lennon combined well and managed to create four goals. For the first, Jason won the ball in midfield and passed to Harvey wide on the right. Harvey skipped round the Dunbar defence and fired the ball off the far post and into the corner of the net. He was on the score-sheet minutes later after Lennon shrugged off his marker and played a brilliant pass into his path on the right. Once again, Harvey kept calm and placed the ball past the advancing keeper. Lennon then set up the equaliser by passing the ball between the Dunbar defenders for Jason to strike into the top corner. The Youngstars then took the lead as Harvey crossed the ball in low from the right. Lennon's shot hit the goalkeeper but the ball was deflected into Morgan's path and he hammered it into the bottom corner.
Things fell apart in the final quarter as Dunbar piled on the pressure. Three quick goals gave them a comfortable lead and the Youngstars' heads started to drop. Kyle made a couple of great saves, but was helpless at most of the goals. Josh pulled one back for the Youngstars with a cross that sailed over the keeper's head, but the Dunbar players punished every mistake and scored a further four goals. Sam played well with good running back to help his defence, but in the end Dunbar were simply too strong. Still, this was a valuable lesson for the Youngstars and demonstrated the need to keep good concentration throughout the whole match. Hopefully, the boys will learn from this and become stronger in future games.
Teamsheet: Kyle, Mark, Innes, Morgan, Sam, Jason G, Josh, Harvey, Lennon
Goal-scorers: Jason G (3), Harvey (2), Josh (2), Morgan
The Black Stripes team suffered its heaviest defeat for a couple of years today, after a strong start. Jason G was drafted in from the Blue Stripes to help out a depleted squad, and made an immediate impact by scoring early on. He managed to find space wide on the right and drilled in a low cross which the Dunbar keeper could only parry into his own net. Jason soon scored a second with a great chip over the keeper's outstretched arms. Dunbar fought back, however, and forced a brilliant save from Kyle, diving to his left and pushing the ball out for a corner. Continued Dunbar pressure eventually resulted in a goal when a high ball bounced in front of Innes but he couldn't get it clear. The Dunbar striker pounced and blasted the ball past Kyle.
The Dunbar kids played very well in the second period, with the wind behind them. Despite some great defending from Mark, they scored three quick goals without reply. Just before the end of the period, though, Josh won the ball in the middle of the park and dribbled round the Dunbar defence. He then smashed a superb shot into the net to make the score 4-3.
In the third period, the Youngstars played much better despite losing two quick goals (one of which was an amazing own goal from Morgan into the top corner). Jason, Harvey and Lennon combined well and managed to create four goals. For the first, Jason won the ball in midfield and passed to Harvey wide on the right. Harvey skipped round the Dunbar defence and fired the ball off the far post and into the corner of the net. He was on the score-sheet minutes later after Lennon shrugged off his marker and played a brilliant pass into his path on the right. Once again, Harvey kept calm and placed the ball past the advancing keeper. Lennon then set up the equaliser by passing the ball between the Dunbar defenders for Jason to strike into the top corner. The Youngstars then took the lead as Harvey crossed the ball in low from the right. Lennon's shot hit the goalkeeper but the ball was deflected into Morgan's path and he hammered it into the bottom corner.
Things fell apart in the final quarter as Dunbar piled on the pressure. Three quick goals gave them a comfortable lead and the Youngstars' heads started to drop. Kyle made a couple of great saves, but was helpless at most of the goals. Josh pulled one back for the Youngstars with a cross that sailed over the keeper's head, but the Dunbar players punished every mistake and scored a further four goals. Sam played well with good running back to help his defence, but in the end Dunbar were simply too strong. Still, this was a valuable lesson for the Youngstars and demonstrated the need to keep good concentration throughout the whole match. Hopefully, the boys will learn from this and become stronger in future games.
Teamsheet: Kyle, Mark, Innes, Morgan, Sam, Jason G, Josh, Harvey, Lennon
Goal-scorers: Jason G (3), Harvey (2), Josh (2), Morgan
Saturday, April 12, 2008
YOUNGSTARS TOO STRONG IN THE END
MYS Black Stripes 6 - 4 Haddington Athletic Clarets (12Apr08)
We had a great performance from the kids today, on their first game back after the Easter break. Haddington took the lead in the first period with a great chip from just inside the box. Some good tracking back from Innes, and strong saves from Kyle helped prevent any further goals from Haddington's waves of attack.
In the second period, the Youngstars came back into the match with a cracking shot from Lennon that hammered the crossbar. Some further pressure eventually paid off with Mark blasting the ball through the centre to Harvey, who skipped past a defender and passed the ball into the net past the diving keeper. Haddington went back into the lead, though, when a good cross from the left was met on the volley by their striker and the ball sailed past Kyle. The best goal of the game came next, after a good kick-out from the Haddington keeper. Harvey won the ball with a header towards Calum, who played a first touch pass back into Harvey's path. Harvey simply looked up and lobbed the ball over the keeper's head to score his second equaliser. Haddington then scored a third goal with a powerful shot that Kyle got a hand to, but couldn't stop the ball crossing the line.
Early in the third period, Haddington went two goals ahead with another chip into the top corner. However, a defensive error let the Youngstars back into the game as Calum pounced on the ball and hit a great shot into the bottom corner. Mark's clearances and kick-ins had been brilliant all day and he set up the next goal when his strong kick-in found Harvey in space on the left. Harvey kept his cool and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to equalise yet again. The Youngstars then took the lead for the first time when a free-kick from Mark was spilled by the Haddington keeper. Once again, Calum was alert and managed to get to the ball first and blast it home. Some good tackling from Mark, Sam, and Innes in the box frustrated the Haddingston strikers as the Youngstars were put under real pressure.
A string of fine saves from Kyle helped keep Haddington out in the final quarter, and the Youngstars eventually went two goals ahead. Some great skill from Sam on the left wing allowed him to skip past a defender and play a good pass into Harvey's feet. Again Harvey took his time and placed the ball into the net for the final goal of the game. Morgan was playing on the left of midfield and made many great runs back to help out his defenders and keep Haddington at bay. All in all, a great performance from the kids today and a thoroughly entertaining match.
Teamsheet: Kyle, Mark, Innes, Morgan, Sam, Harvey, Lennon, Calum
Goal-scorers: Harvey (4), Calum (2)
We had a great performance from the kids today, on their first game back after the Easter break. Haddington took the lead in the first period with a great chip from just inside the box. Some good tracking back from Innes, and strong saves from Kyle helped prevent any further goals from Haddington's waves of attack.
In the second period, the Youngstars came back into the match with a cracking shot from Lennon that hammered the crossbar. Some further pressure eventually paid off with Mark blasting the ball through the centre to Harvey, who skipped past a defender and passed the ball into the net past the diving keeper. Haddington went back into the lead, though, when a good cross from the left was met on the volley by their striker and the ball sailed past Kyle. The best goal of the game came next, after a good kick-out from the Haddington keeper. Harvey won the ball with a header towards Calum, who played a first touch pass back into Harvey's path. Harvey simply looked up and lobbed the ball over the keeper's head to score his second equaliser. Haddington then scored a third goal with a powerful shot that Kyle got a hand to, but couldn't stop the ball crossing the line.
Early in the third period, Haddington went two goals ahead with another chip into the top corner. However, a defensive error let the Youngstars back into the game as Calum pounced on the ball and hit a great shot into the bottom corner. Mark's clearances and kick-ins had been brilliant all day and he set up the next goal when his strong kick-in found Harvey in space on the left. Harvey kept his cool and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to equalise yet again. The Youngstars then took the lead for the first time when a free-kick from Mark was spilled by the Haddington keeper. Once again, Calum was alert and managed to get to the ball first and blast it home. Some good tackling from Mark, Sam, and Innes in the box frustrated the Haddingston strikers as the Youngstars were put under real pressure.
A string of fine saves from Kyle helped keep Haddington out in the final quarter, and the Youngstars eventually went two goals ahead. Some great skill from Sam on the left wing allowed him to skip past a defender and play a good pass into Harvey's feet. Again Harvey took his time and placed the ball into the net for the final goal of the game. Morgan was playing on the left of midfield and made many great runs back to help out his defenders and keep Haddington at bay. All in all, a great performance from the kids today and a thoroughly entertaining match.
Teamsheet: Kyle, Mark, Innes, Morgan, Sam, Harvey, Lennon, Calum
Goal-scorers: Harvey (4), Calum (2)
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