MORGAN SCORES FOR BOTH TEAMS

Dunbar Utd Black 13 - 8 MYS Black Stripes (19Apr08)

The Black Stripes team suffered its heaviest defeat for a couple of years today, after a strong start. Jason G was drafted in from the Blue Stripes to help out a depleted squad, and made an immediate impact by scoring early on. He managed to find space wide on the right and drilled in a low cross which the Dunbar keeper could only parry into his own net. Jason soon scored a second with a great chip over the keeper's outstretched arms. Dunbar fought back, however, and forced a brilliant save from Kyle, diving to his left and pushing the ball out for a corner. Continued Dunbar pressure eventually resulted in a goal when a high ball bounced in front of Innes but he couldn't get it clear. The Dunbar striker pounced and blasted the ball past Kyle.

The Dunbar kids played very well in the second period, with the wind behind them. Despite some great defending from Mark, they scored three quick goals without reply. Just before the end of the period, though, Josh won the ball in the middle of the park and dribbled round the Dunbar defence. He then smashed a superb shot into the net to make the score 4-3.

In the third period, the Youngstars played much better despite losing two quick goals (one of which was an amazing own goal from Morgan into the top corner). Jason, Harvey and Lennon combined well and managed to create four goals. For the first, Jason won the ball in midfield and passed to Harvey wide on the right. Harvey skipped round the Dunbar defence and fired the ball off the far post and into the corner of the net. He was on the score-sheet minutes later after Lennon shrugged off his marker and played a brilliant pass into his path on the right. Once again, Harvey kept calm and placed the ball past the advancing keeper. Lennon then set up the equaliser by passing the ball between the Dunbar defenders for Jason to strike into the top corner. The Youngstars then took the lead as Harvey crossed the ball in low from the right. Lennon's shot hit the goalkeeper but the ball was deflected into Morgan's path and he hammered it into the bottom corner.

Things fell apart in the final quarter as Dunbar piled on the pressure. Three quick goals gave them a comfortable lead and the Youngstars' heads started to drop. Kyle made a couple of great saves, but was helpless at most of the goals. Josh pulled one back for the Youngstars with a cross that sailed over the keeper's head, but the Dunbar players punished every mistake and scored a further four goals. Sam played well with good running back to help his defence, but in the end Dunbar were simply too strong. Still, this was a valuable lesson for the Youngstars and demonstrated the need to keep good concentration throughout the whole match. Hopefully, the boys will learn from this and become stronger in future games.

Teamsheet: Kyle, Mark, Innes, Morgan, Sam, Jason G, Josh, Harvey, Lennon

Goal-scorers: Jason G (3), Harvey (2), Josh (2), Morgan