HARD LUCK AGAINST HADDINGTON

MYS Black Stripes 0 - 3 Haddington Sky Blues (12Sep09)

The Youngstars struggled to hit their top form today, and the Haddington squad took full advantage, playing some great football throughout.

Haddington took the lead half way through the first period, when a cracking effort from their right winger sailed into the top far corner of the goals. The Youngstars tried to hit back, but despite Calum dragging defenders back and forth across the pitch, the kids never found enough space to have clear chances at goal.

The second period was more promising, with Sam sweeping up everything that came at him in defence and both Morgans working very hard in midfield to win the ball and pass through the Haddington defence. Josh was very unlucky not to score when his thunderous strike was saved low across the ground by the diving keeper. Indeed, the Haddington keeper had an excellent game today and was forced off his line on many occasions to gather loose balls.

The Youngstars had their best spell in the third period, and yet lost two goals here. Cameron was playing in left midfield and had plenty of the ball, linking up well with Josh in the centre and Morgan M up front. At one point, Cameron managed to work some space and fired a great shot towards goal but the Haddington keeper made another brilliant save. Then, a strong effort from Josh bounced back of the post and fell to Cameron's left foot just wide of the goal - but the angle was too narrow and Cameron's shot hit the side netting. Haddington then went two goals up, when their corner met the head of one of their players in the box and he planted it past Calum's diving hand in goals. Soon afterwards, Haddington scored again when a nice through ball fell to their right winger again and he slotted it neatly between Calum and the post.

In the final period, the Youngstars had Mark and Morgan F to thank as they cleared the ball from defence on countless occasions. Ross had a good spell on the right side of midfield and showed some good footwork to get round his markers, but the Haddington team always seemed to have extra cover as their defenders were on hand to sweep up behind the midfield. In the last few minutes, the Youngstars almost scored as a brilliant in-swinging corner from Mark was met by Morgan M on the volley - but the ball cannoned back off the cross-bar to safety.

So, the match ended with a 3-0 victory for Haddington but the Youngtars were really unlucky not to have scored a few of their own. However, it's no bad thing for the players to experience defeat every once in a while and this will hopefully make them hungry for the next match.

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