GREAT TEAM PERFORMANCE AS SEASON RE-STARTS

Haddington Athletic 0 - 11 MYS Black Stripes (29Aug09)

The Youngstars got the second half of the 2009 season off to a flyer, with a brilliant performance from every single player involved. Haddington fielded their new team today (having now entered three teams into our league), and hosted the match on a very windy pitch in the sunshine.

Josh opened the scoring after some great link-up play on the right wing between Ross and Calum. When the ball fell to Josh, he dribbled past the last defender and fired the ball high into the net. Ross came close to getting a second a few moments later, but his shot rattled back off the post. However, the Youngstars eventually went two goals in front after Josh won the ball in his own penalty area and passed it up to Calum on the half-way line. Calum charged upfield and managed to beat three defenders before getting his shot towards goal. The Haddington keeper made a great save, but Calum had follwed up well and was on hand to collect the rebound and rifle the ball high into the roof of the net from a very tight angle.

Early in the second period, Ross scored a fantastic goal after some great skill on the right wing. After beating his marker, he cut inside and curled the ball with the oustide of his right foot into the bottom corner of the goals. With the wind behind them, Haddington had some good chances to score during this period and Innes was called upon to make a good diving save to prevent a goal for the home side. Morgan F continued to show his improved confidence on the left wing, with many driving runs resulting in him beating his opponents and getting the ball into the box. Calum then came close to getting his second when his strike beat the keeper, but the ball hit the crossbar and fell to safety. With the last kick of the ball in this period, Cameron scored a great goal from the left hand touchline, just inside the Haddington half. His looping shot was met by the keeper, but he could only parry it upwards and into the net.

Ross took a turn in goals in the third period and made a couple of good saves when required. However, the Youngstars remained on top with Sam and Mark keeping the Haddington strikers at bay. Sam's courage and tackling ability has been brilliant over the last few months, and today was certainly no different as he won tackle after tackle. At the other end of the pitch, the midfield trio of Josh, Morgan M and Cameron caused continuous trouble for the Haddington defence with some brilliant passing and dribbling on display. It was Cameron who scored the team's fifth goal when he twisted and turned on the left wing, before he cut inside and curled the ball with his right foot into the far corner of the net past the diving keeper. Josh soon scored his second of the day, with a powerful shot from a tight angle on the right hand side. Cameron then completed his hat-trick after Morgan M drove through the centre of the pitch, riding a few tackles along the way, and passed the ball into his path. Cameron looked up and slotted the ball neatly into the bottom near hand corner giving the keeper no chance. Innes had taken a position as striker during this third period and played well with his back to goal, laying the ball off to his team mates on many occassions. He was rewarded with a goal of his own after Josh's effort was parried by the keeper and Innes pounced on it to bury it in the far corner.

In the final period, Calum took the goalkeeping position and made a few fantastic diving saves to prevent any Haddington goals. Mark was given the opportunity to play as a striker, and got a nice early goal following some excellent build-up play. Morgan M dribbled through the midfield and passed the ball wide to Innes on the left. Innes charged down the wing, then played the ball into Mark's path and his first-time shot found the bottom corner of the net. The team's next goal was very similar as Morgan F this time drove forward in the centre of the pitch and played the ball wide to Innes on the left wing. Again he charged foward before playing the ball infield, this time into Morgan M's path, and he slotted it away with ease. The final goal was scored by Mark, direct from his own corner kick. The ball curled beautifully into the penalty area and over everyone's head into the far corner of the net, taking everyone by surprise.

All in all, this was a great team performance and the kids can feel very proud of the way they applied themselves throughout the entire match.

Teamsheet: Innes, Sam, Mark, Cameron, Morgan F, Morgan M, Josh, Ross, Calum

Goal scorers: Josh (2), Calum, Ross, Cameron (3), Innes, Mark (2), Morgan M