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Tranent Colts 6 - 6 MYS Black Stripes (14Nov09)

Still without the services of Mark and Morgan M, the Black Stripes enlisted the help of Jason Grossart from the Blue Stripes for today's match at Tranent. And he proved to be a very influential player in the middle of the pitch against a tough Tranent side.

Tranent started the strongest, forcing a couple of great saves from Innes... but the Youngstars opened the scoring when Jason won the ball in midfield and played it forward to Calum. With the keeper advancing quickly, Calum kept his cool and nudged the ball under the keeper's body and it rolled over the goal line. Tranent hit back though, and it took a goal line clearance from Sam to keep the ball out of the Youngstars' net after a well worked corner. However, the equaliser eventually came when a Tranent midfielder won the ball a few yards outside the penalty box, strode forward and hammered it into the back of the net.

It was Tranent's turn to take the lead next when a lofted effort in the second period was met by Innes' outstretched hand, but he could only manage a slight touch on it and the ball bounced into the goal. Lennon was unlucky not to equalise when his strike from outside the box hit the crossbar and bounced wide. Ross picked up the loose ball and fired a cracking shot at goal that forced a brilliant diving save from the Tranent keeper. From the resulting corner, Tranent cleared the ball up to the middle of the pitch where their striker was waiting... he charged forward and found himself one-on-one with Innes, but his shot was blocked by Innes' foot and went wide of goal. Later, a Tranent kick-out from defence was won by Ross on the right wing, and his driven cross found Calum in the box where he blasted the ball past the helpless keeper to equalise. Ross was playing well on the right wing, winning lots of tackles and playing some great passes. And it was his turn to score next when his low cross from the wing missed everyone in the box and the ball found its way right into the bottom corner. Josh and Lennon linked up well during this quarter, with each of them finding space for shots that went narrowly wide.

Early in the third quarter, Tranent were level again when their striker's shot rebounded off Innes and then back of the striker, before rolling into the net. Ross hit a powerful shot next, once more requiring a diving save from the keeper and the ball eventually fell to Jason, but his strike went narrowly over the bar. Some great footwork from a Tranent midfielder then left him some space in the box for a shot, and he lobbed the ball into the top corner to take the lead. As expected, the Youngstars hit back with Jason holding off some strong tackles down the wing and driving into the box close to the the by-line. Despite some pulls on his jersey, and tough-tackling, Jason simply shrugged his shoulders and waited until Calum found some space in the box before rolling the ball into his path. Calum took one swipe at the ball and completed his hat-trick, before he had to leave the field with an injury. Cameron took his place up-front and made an immediate impact after winning the ball and bombing down the right wing... his low cross went right across the goal line where Morgan was heading towards the back post - but he could only get a slight touch on the ball and it went just wide. Playing slightly up-hill in a heavy pitch gave us some problems, but Sam had a great game at the back with some really powerful clearances helping to keep the pressure off.

The Youngstars went ahead in the final quarter after a quick kick-in from Ross. Jason collected the pass and played a great through ball between two defenders, into Lennon's path. With the keeper advancing towards him, Lennon stretched out his leg and slid towards the ball, tucking it under the keeper's body and into the goal. Tranent scored a quick equaliser, though, when a strong shot skidded right under Innes' feet. Lennon put the Youngstars ahead again, after Jason had chipped the ball over the defence - Lennon controlled the pass well, then fired a brilliant strike that gave the keeper no chance. However, Tranent soon broke free in attack again and scored a late equaliser for the game to end in a draw.

This was a great close match for the spectators to enjoy, with action at both ends of the pitch. A draw was a fair result and both teams should be really proud of their performance today on a very muddy, difficult pitch after all the recent rain. Well done everyone!

Teamsheet: Innes, Sam, Cameron, Morgan F, Ross, Josh, Jason G, Lennon, Calum

Goal scorers: Calum (3), Ross, Lennon (2)