DUNBAR PROVE TOO STRONG

Dunbar Utd Black 9 - 6 MYS Black Stripes (16Feb08)

With the move to summer football resulting in the cancellation of league matches in February, a friendly match was arranged with Dunbar. This proved to be a really good work-out for the kids, in preparation of the new league starting in March. Dunbar opened the scoring fairly early on, but the Youngstars bounced back with a quick equaliser. Sam had been having a great game in this first period, and really building his confidence. He won the ball in the Dunbar half and then spotted Calum making a geat run forwards. Sam played a fantastic pass into Calum's feet, and Calum quickly controlled the ball and slotted it into the bottom corner of the net.

No goals were scored in the second quarter, mainly thanks to some excellent defending from both teams. For the Youngstars, Innes made a number of great tackles, and Mark swept up brilliantly throughout (including a superb goal-line clearance) to keep Dunbar at bay. Kyle was also relied upon to make a number of good diving saves. At the other end, Harvey, Morgan and Calum played some excellent football but were unable to break through the Dunbar defence.

Things fell apart for the team in the third quarter after a reasonable start. After a cracking Dunbar goal (straight into the top corner from a shot outside the box), the Youngstars grabbed another quick equaliser. Harvey played a great cross into the box and the Dunbar keeper got a hand to the ball - but it dropped to Lennon who passed it into the back of the net. However, Dunbar soon proved too strong with many attacks down the right hand side resulting in great passes and crosses into the Youngstars' penalty area. Five goals were scored in quick succession, resulting in a 7-2 lead for Dunbar at the end of the third period.

The Youngstars improved in the final quarter and managed to claw back a goal straight away. Josh took a corner on the left and the ball proved too difficult to defend as a Dunbar defender deflected it into his own net. Shortly afterwards, the Dunbar keeper cleared the ball out of the box but it fell to Harvey and he strode forward and blasted the ball into the bottom corner of the goals. Dunbar scored another goal to make it 8-4, but some great corners from Josh almost resulted in further goals for the Youngstars. Lennon was unfortunate not to score on two occassions - one from a header that wend narrowly wide, and another from a cracking shot that hit the crossbar. Another goal did arrive from a brilliant run from Josh down the right hand side. His cross was perfect for Calum to knock the ball into the net. Dunbar then scored another goal from a corner of their own but, again, the Youngstars kept their heads up and pulled one back. Josh had charged straight through the Dunbar defence and fired the ball past the keeper in the final minute of the match. Overall, this was a really enjoyable game with plenty of goals for the spectators to enjoy.

Teamsheet: Kyle, Mark, Innes, Morgan, Josh, Sam, Harvey, Lennon, Calum

Goal scorers: Calum (2), Lennon, Harvey, Josh, Own Goal