PENCAITLAND POWER PAST YOUNGSTARS

MYS Black Stripes 4 - 9 Pencaitland

With a couple of key players missing today, the Youngstars were always going to struggle against a strong Pencaitland side who have merged both of their squads together. Still, the kids played some good football in spells and managed to score some goals in the process.

The Youngstars started the stronger side with an effort from Lennon going narrowly wide and then Ross forced a cracking save from the Pencaitland keeper. However, Pencaitland got a lucky break when a Youngstars' clearance bounced back off the face of a Pencaitland midfielder and the ball fell right into the path of their striker who slotted it past Calum in goals. However, the scores were level again after a neat short corner where Josh played a 1-2 with Lennon then squeezed the ball past the keeper's near post. Pencaitland soon regained the lead, though, with a great little passing move between three or four players from a quick kick-in. Towards the end of the period, Innes almost scored a fantastic equaliser when his shot from the half-way line had to be tipped over the bar by the Pencaitland keeper.

In the second quarter, an equaliser eventually came from Ross after some great play on the wing by Morgan was followed by a great pass for Ross to run onto. His first touch took him past the last defender, leaving him free to blast the ball past the helpless keeper. It was all about Pencaitland after that, though - they scored three goals in a row, and it would have been more had it not been for some brilliant defending by Cameron.

Pencaitland scored another two goals in the third period, and again some great heading and tackling from Cameron prevented further damage. Lennon also played very well here, with lots of good tracking back and tackling to keep Pencaitland at bay. The Youngstars almost got a goal back when a strike from Calum hit the post, and then Morgan hit the rebound narrowly wide of goal. Despite being under constant pressure for most of the game, Sam showed his usual confidence in winning many tackles and making some great passes up to his midfielders. But the Pencaitland defence were simply too powerful during this period and were very difficult to breakdown.

The final period was more evenly contested and, although Pencaitland scored two early goals, the Youngstars played very well. Josh set up a good goal for Calum to score, and then hit the post with a strike of his own. Minutes later, a high bouncing ball in the box was met sweetly by Morgan as he hammered it into the back of the net.

So, things turned out as expected with Pencaitland proving too strong on the day, but the crowd were treated to some great spells of play from the Youngstars.

Teamsheet: Innes, Sam, Cameron, Josh, Ross, Morgan, Lennon, Calum

Goal scorers: Josh, Ross, Calum and Morgan