Pencaitland Blue 4 - 12 MYS Black Stripes (28Mar09)
The early kick-off caused a bit of confusion this morning, as a couple of kids turned up late and missed the start of the match. However, the kids on the pitch were up for it right from the outset and Jason scored an early goal to get things underway. Innes had collected the ball in goals and threw it out to Ross in midfield, who passed it high over the Pencaitland defence. Jason rushed forward and, one v one against the keeper, slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Shortly afterwards, Ross took a quick kick-in to Jason, who then played a great one-two with Josh in the Pencialtand box, before firing it past the goalkeeper for number two. Jason completed his hat-trick moments later when Josh won the ball in midfield and lobbed it over the oncoming defenders. Jason managed to control the ball, then lobbed the advancing goalkeeper and watched it land over the goal line. Pencaitland managed to break free a couple of times in the first 15 minutes, but Sam did a great job with his tackling and kept the strikers at bay.
Over the past 6 months or so, Morgan has been really enjoying his spell in midfield and he had a superb game again today, making an immediate impact when he came on in the second period. Jason played a neat pass to Lewis on the right hand side of midfield, who skipped past a couple of defenders and fired a fantastic cross towards the edge of the left hand side of the penalty area. Morgan had charged forward and with his first touch he curved the ball into the top right hand corner of the net. Minutes later, Lewis again found space on the right wing and dribbled to the by-line. He then looked up and drilled the ball low along the goal line where Morgan was waiting for a simple tap-in. Lewis and Harvey linked up well in this period, each switching from centre midfield to right wing to keep the pressure on Pencaitland. Lewis soon scored a great goal when he won the ball in the centre of the pitch, took a couple of steps forwards and rifled it past the diving keeper - the ball then bounced off the post and into the goals. Mark liked the goal so much he decided to show what he could do from distance when he found a bit of space with the ball, well outside the Pencaitland penalty box. He blasted an amazing shot into the top right corner, giving the keeper no chance. The scoring in the first quarter of the match was then rounded off by Lewis as he chipped the ball from an impossibly narrow angle into the top corner of the net.
Pencaitland fought back very well in the third period with some clever passing through the Youngstars defence resulting in three goals. Josh displayed his usual cool manner in defence, though, helping to prevent any further goals (supported by good tracking back by Innes in midfield). Calum was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet during this 15 minute spell, with a couple of efforts going narrowly wide.
A great Youngstars goal got the team back on track right from the start of the whistle in the final period. Lewis and Josh linked up well, and Lewis' pass found Calum in the middle of the penalty box. Calum swept the ball over to Morgan on the left, and he placed the ball into the bottom corner for his own hat-trick. Calum then got his reward for some quick thinking as he charged into the box and won the ball from a Pencaitland defender who wasn't paying attention. Calum then nut-megged the keeper and enjoyed the celebrations on his way back to the half-way line. Harvey had taken a turn in goals and was called upon to make a couple of good saves, but could do nothing about Pencaitland's next goal as a fantastic shot from outside the box was blasted into the bottom corner of the net. Calum soon scored another for the Youngstars though, following a good pass from Lewis, and then Lewis set up Morgan for the final goal of the game.
So, it was another great performance by the team today and the kids all seemed to enjoy themselves despite the cold conditions. Let's hope the weather improves as we move into spring!
Teamsheet: Innes, Mark, Sam, Ross, Josh, Morgan, Harvey, Lewis, Jason, Calum
Goal scorers: Jason (3), Morgan (4), Lewis (2), Mark, Calum (2)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
WILD WINDS AT WALLYFORD
MYS Black Stripes 7 -7 Haddington Athletic Sky Blues (14Mar09)
This was quite possibly the strongest wind the Youngstars have ever played in today, making it difficult to control the ball properly and display our usual accurate passing. However, both teams played very well in the conditions and put on an exciting game for the supporters on the sidelines.
Playing against the wind in the first quarter, the Youngstars took the lead against the run of play. Jason's pass found Calum just outside the box. Calum turned and layed the ball off to Morgan who played a superb pass between two defenders and straight to Lewis' feet. Lewis looked up and blasted the ball past the Haddington keeper to score his first of the match. Last week was expected to be Lewis' last game for the Youngstars but his commitments with Hearts FC do not yet clash with our games or training, so he remains a Youngstars player for the timebeing. And his presence was appreciated in the initial period of today's match as we came under increasing pressure from the Haddington kids. It wasn't long before the equaliser came, when a great in-swinging corner was parried out by Innes in goals but the Haddington striker managed to react first in the box and hammered the ball into the net. With the wind behind them, Haddington soon scored another goal to take the lead.
The Youngstars hit back early in the second period, though, when Mark won the ball deep in his own half and fired the ball to Harvey in the centre. Harvey's pass split the Haddington defence, leaving Jason free to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. Within seconds of the re-start Jason scored another for the Youngstars to regain the lead. Harvey came close with a few great efforts (two that hit the side-netting and one off the cross-bar) before Haddington forced a good diving save from Innes. But from the resulting corner, Haddington scored again and then added another moments later to go in front at the half-way point in the match.
In the third quarter, Ross had a strong game in defence showing great composure in controlling the ball and passing to his team mates in midfield. One of his clearances found Lewis on the right hand side, and he played a clever pass into Jason's path. Jason wasted no time in latching on to the ball and completing his hat-trick. Ross was then involved in the next goal when his clearance was met by Harvey, who played a neat pass to Jason at the edge of the box. With his back to goal, Jason nudged the ball out towards the left wing where Morgan met it cleanly and lobbed it over the keeper's head into the goals. The Haddington kids responded well, though, wth two good goals putting them back in front again. They would have scored more had it not been for some excellent defending from Sam, who won more than his fair share of tackles in defence.
Ross moved into midfield in the final period and, after beating his marker with some fantastic footwork, his cross was met by Lewis who headered it past the keeper's outstretched hand into the back of the net. Jason had fought hard all game against much taller Haddington defenders, and after winning the ball again in midfield, he saw Harvey in space and slotted the ball right into his path. Harvey didn't have to think about it as he moved forward and swept the ball high into the roof of the net. However, Haddington showed great determination and managed to squeeze in an equaliser shortly before the final whistle.
So, despite the blistery conditions, the kids all put on a really good show for those watching and the match ended in a fair result of seven goals each.
Teamsheet: Innes, Mark, Sam, Ross, Morgan, Harvey, Lewis, Jason, Calum
Goal scorers: Lewis (2), Jason (3), Morgan, Harvey
This was quite possibly the strongest wind the Youngstars have ever played in today, making it difficult to control the ball properly and display our usual accurate passing. However, both teams played very well in the conditions and put on an exciting game for the supporters on the sidelines.
Playing against the wind in the first quarter, the Youngstars took the lead against the run of play. Jason's pass found Calum just outside the box. Calum turned and layed the ball off to Morgan who played a superb pass between two defenders and straight to Lewis' feet. Lewis looked up and blasted the ball past the Haddington keeper to score his first of the match. Last week was expected to be Lewis' last game for the Youngstars but his commitments with Hearts FC do not yet clash with our games or training, so he remains a Youngstars player for the timebeing. And his presence was appreciated in the initial period of today's match as we came under increasing pressure from the Haddington kids. It wasn't long before the equaliser came, when a great in-swinging corner was parried out by Innes in goals but the Haddington striker managed to react first in the box and hammered the ball into the net. With the wind behind them, Haddington soon scored another goal to take the lead.
The Youngstars hit back early in the second period, though, when Mark won the ball deep in his own half and fired the ball to Harvey in the centre. Harvey's pass split the Haddington defence, leaving Jason free to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. Within seconds of the re-start Jason scored another for the Youngstars to regain the lead. Harvey came close with a few great efforts (two that hit the side-netting and one off the cross-bar) before Haddington forced a good diving save from Innes. But from the resulting corner, Haddington scored again and then added another moments later to go in front at the half-way point in the match.
In the third quarter, Ross had a strong game in defence showing great composure in controlling the ball and passing to his team mates in midfield. One of his clearances found Lewis on the right hand side, and he played a clever pass into Jason's path. Jason wasted no time in latching on to the ball and completing his hat-trick. Ross was then involved in the next goal when his clearance was met by Harvey, who played a neat pass to Jason at the edge of the box. With his back to goal, Jason nudged the ball out towards the left wing where Morgan met it cleanly and lobbed it over the keeper's head into the goals. The Haddington kids responded well, though, wth two good goals putting them back in front again. They would have scored more had it not been for some excellent defending from Sam, who won more than his fair share of tackles in defence.
Ross moved into midfield in the final period and, after beating his marker with some fantastic footwork, his cross was met by Lewis who headered it past the keeper's outstretched hand into the back of the net. Jason had fought hard all game against much taller Haddington defenders, and after winning the ball again in midfield, he saw Harvey in space and slotted the ball right into his path. Harvey didn't have to think about it as he moved forward and swept the ball high into the roof of the net. However, Haddington showed great determination and managed to squeeze in an equaliser shortly before the final whistle.
So, despite the blistery conditions, the kids all put on a really good show for those watching and the match ended in a fair result of seven goals each.
Teamsheet: Innes, Mark, Sam, Ross, Morgan, Harvey, Lewis, Jason, Calum
Goal scorers: Lewis (2), Jason (3), Morgan, Harvey
Saturday, March 7, 2009
NEW SEASON OFF TO A FLYER
Tranent Juniors 3 - 22 MYS Black Stripes (7Mar09)
The first game of the new 2009 season got off to flyer with a goal in the first minute. Josh found space with the ball just outside the Tranent penalty box, skipped past his marker, and fired the ball into the top corner of the net. A couple of minutes later, Josh was involved again as he beat his defender and drilled the ball low across the goal line for Calum to get on the end of it for an easy knock-in. Soon afterwards, Harvey won the ball on the half way line and charged down the right wing. He skipped past three Tranent players on his way to the penalty box, before shooting low into the bottom corner for goal number three. Morgan then had a superb effort saved by the Tranent goalkeeper, but the ball rebounded to Harvey who struck it sweetly into the back of the net. Innes in goals, and Sam and Mark in defence, had little to do in the first period as the Youngstars piled on the pressure. The fifth goal of the game was scored following a smashing cross by Harvey that was met by Calum and he fired the ball low past the diving keeper. Morgan was then unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his effort from outside the box flew just over the crossbar.
To help balance the teams, Josh and Calum joined the Tranent team for the second period and both were heavily involved throughout. It was the Youngstars who scored next, though, as Lewis played a great cross into Harvey's path and he blasted the ball high into the net to complete his hat-trick. Innes was playing as a striker in this period and made a great run with the ball through the middle, but his shot was met by a good save by the Tranent keeper. Jason was next to get on the scoresheet, after some great footwork at the edge of the penalty area followed by an excellent shot straight into the goals. Seconds later, Lewis scored his first of the match (and the team's eighth). Lewis was then involved in the next goal as he charged down the right wing, cut inside, and played a great pass across the 6 yard area. Innes was waiting to meet the ball and he swept it high into the roof of the net, scoring his first ever goal for the team. This gave Innes a great boost of confidence and he scored his second moments later. Lewis won the ball in his own half and played it to Innes, who layed the ball of to Jason and ran forward. Jason looked up and played a superb pass into Innes' path and he struck the ball low and hard past the keeper's near post. Mark had taken a turn as goalkeeper in this period, but had no action as Ross and Morgan in defence broke down every Tranent attack. A weak kick-out by the Tranent keeper was met by Lewis, who found Harvey with a well-weighted pass. Harvey met the ball on the run and drilled it past the advancing keeper for goal number eleven. The scoring was then completed in this period after a great clearance from Morgan found Lewis in space just outside the Tranent box. He turned his defender and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
In the third period, Lewis and Mark took the place of Josh and Calum in the Tranent side but were unable to stop Jason getting on the scoresheet again. Harvey was playing in goals and his kick-out found Morgan on the left wing. Morgan then played a neat pass to Jason, who rounded his marker and blasted the ball into the goals. Jason was invovled in the next goal too, as he played a great square pass across the goal line where Calum was waiting to knock the ball into the empty net for his hat-trick. Tranent managed to pull a goal back, however, as Lewis' pass was knocked forward by Mark and it took a deflection past Harvey's diving hands. The Youngstars bounced straight back, though, when Calum's cross found Morgan in space and he drilled it beyond the Tranent keeper. Tranent scored their second following a scramble in the box as Mark set up their striker for a great shot that sneaked past everyone. Lewis then scored for Tranent with a great effort from outside the penalty area. From the resulting kick-off, the Youngstars scored again as Calum's reactions meant he was first to the ball after the Tranent keeper parried it out with a good save. With the keeper on the ground, Calum had plenty of time to pick his spot in the back of the net.
The kids were beginning to tire a little in the final period, as the pitch was fairly heavy by this point. But that didn't stop some great play by Josh out on the left wing as he left a trail of opponents behind him with a mazy dribble. His accurate pass went straight to Lewis' feet, and he slotted it cooly inside the post. Mark then found some space with the ball on the left wing and played a great cross into the box, where Lewis met it with a volley past the helpless keeper. Lewis then returned the favour with a pass across the goals to Mark, who slotted it away with great confidence. Ross had been playing well in midfield during this period and set up the next goal with a great through-pass to Lewis, who controlled the ball well and rounded the keeper. Driving towards the empty net, it looked like Lewis would walk the ball over the line but Jason wanted more of the action and stole in to knock the ball into the net for his hat-trick. Sam had been playing as a lone defender in this last 15 minutes and some strong tackles ensured no one got past him. Ross then set up the next goal as his strike bounced off the keeper and into Lewis' path, who took the opportunity to score his 5th of the game. Lewis then rounded off the scoring with the last kick of the ball - a smashing effort from outside the box to complete his double hat-trick.
It was good to see all the kids getting lots of touches of the ball today, setting themselves up for the new season. They played really well as a team, with some great passing on display for the supporters, and all the kids can be realy proud of their performance. This was Lewis' last game for the Youngstars as he moves on to pursue his footballing ambitions with Hearts FC, and we wish him all the best for the future.
Teamsheet: Innes, Mark, Sam, Ross, Morgan, Josh, Harvey, Lewis, Jason, Calum
Goal scorers: Josh, Harvey (4), Calum (4), Jason (3), Lewis (6), Innes (2), Morgan, Mark
The first game of the new 2009 season got off to flyer with a goal in the first minute. Josh found space with the ball just outside the Tranent penalty box, skipped past his marker, and fired the ball into the top corner of the net. A couple of minutes later, Josh was involved again as he beat his defender and drilled the ball low across the goal line for Calum to get on the end of it for an easy knock-in. Soon afterwards, Harvey won the ball on the half way line and charged down the right wing. He skipped past three Tranent players on his way to the penalty box, before shooting low into the bottom corner for goal number three. Morgan then had a superb effort saved by the Tranent goalkeeper, but the ball rebounded to Harvey who struck it sweetly into the back of the net. Innes in goals, and Sam and Mark in defence, had little to do in the first period as the Youngstars piled on the pressure. The fifth goal of the game was scored following a smashing cross by Harvey that was met by Calum and he fired the ball low past the diving keeper. Morgan was then unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his effort from outside the box flew just over the crossbar.
To help balance the teams, Josh and Calum joined the Tranent team for the second period and both were heavily involved throughout. It was the Youngstars who scored next, though, as Lewis played a great cross into Harvey's path and he blasted the ball high into the net to complete his hat-trick. Innes was playing as a striker in this period and made a great run with the ball through the middle, but his shot was met by a good save by the Tranent keeper. Jason was next to get on the scoresheet, after some great footwork at the edge of the penalty area followed by an excellent shot straight into the goals. Seconds later, Lewis scored his first of the match (and the team's eighth). Lewis was then involved in the next goal as he charged down the right wing, cut inside, and played a great pass across the 6 yard area. Innes was waiting to meet the ball and he swept it high into the roof of the net, scoring his first ever goal for the team. This gave Innes a great boost of confidence and he scored his second moments later. Lewis won the ball in his own half and played it to Innes, who layed the ball of to Jason and ran forward. Jason looked up and played a superb pass into Innes' path and he struck the ball low and hard past the keeper's near post. Mark had taken a turn as goalkeeper in this period, but had no action as Ross and Morgan in defence broke down every Tranent attack. A weak kick-out by the Tranent keeper was met by Lewis, who found Harvey with a well-weighted pass. Harvey met the ball on the run and drilled it past the advancing keeper for goal number eleven. The scoring was then completed in this period after a great clearance from Morgan found Lewis in space just outside the Tranent box. He turned his defender and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
In the third period, Lewis and Mark took the place of Josh and Calum in the Tranent side but were unable to stop Jason getting on the scoresheet again. Harvey was playing in goals and his kick-out found Morgan on the left wing. Morgan then played a neat pass to Jason, who rounded his marker and blasted the ball into the goals. Jason was invovled in the next goal too, as he played a great square pass across the goal line where Calum was waiting to knock the ball into the empty net for his hat-trick. Tranent managed to pull a goal back, however, as Lewis' pass was knocked forward by Mark and it took a deflection past Harvey's diving hands. The Youngstars bounced straight back, though, when Calum's cross found Morgan in space and he drilled it beyond the Tranent keeper. Tranent scored their second following a scramble in the box as Mark set up their striker for a great shot that sneaked past everyone. Lewis then scored for Tranent with a great effort from outside the penalty area. From the resulting kick-off, the Youngstars scored again as Calum's reactions meant he was first to the ball after the Tranent keeper parried it out with a good save. With the keeper on the ground, Calum had plenty of time to pick his spot in the back of the net.
The kids were beginning to tire a little in the final period, as the pitch was fairly heavy by this point. But that didn't stop some great play by Josh out on the left wing as he left a trail of opponents behind him with a mazy dribble. His accurate pass went straight to Lewis' feet, and he slotted it cooly inside the post. Mark then found some space with the ball on the left wing and played a great cross into the box, where Lewis met it with a volley past the helpless keeper. Lewis then returned the favour with a pass across the goals to Mark, who slotted it away with great confidence. Ross had been playing well in midfield during this period and set up the next goal with a great through-pass to Lewis, who controlled the ball well and rounded the keeper. Driving towards the empty net, it looked like Lewis would walk the ball over the line but Jason wanted more of the action and stole in to knock the ball into the net for his hat-trick. Sam had been playing as a lone defender in this last 15 minutes and some strong tackles ensured no one got past him. Ross then set up the next goal as his strike bounced off the keeper and into Lewis' path, who took the opportunity to score his 5th of the game. Lewis then rounded off the scoring with the last kick of the ball - a smashing effort from outside the box to complete his double hat-trick.
It was good to see all the kids getting lots of touches of the ball today, setting themselves up for the new season. They played really well as a team, with some great passing on display for the supporters, and all the kids can be realy proud of their performance. This was Lewis' last game for the Youngstars as he moves on to pursue his footballing ambitions with Hearts FC, and we wish him all the best for the future.
Teamsheet: Innes, Mark, Sam, Ross, Morgan, Josh, Harvey, Lewis, Jason, Calum
Goal scorers: Josh, Harvey (4), Calum (4), Jason (3), Lewis (6), Innes (2), Morgan, Mark
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