YOUNGSTARS TOO STRONG IN THE END

MYS Black Stripes 6 - 4 Haddington Athletic Clarets (12Apr08)

We had a great performance from the kids today, on their first game back after the Easter break. Haddington took the lead in the first period with a great chip from just inside the box. Some good tracking back from Innes, and strong saves from Kyle helped prevent any further goals from Haddington's waves of attack.

In the second period, the Youngstars came back into the match with a cracking shot from Lennon that hammered the crossbar. Some further pressure eventually paid off with Mark blasting the ball through the centre to Harvey, who skipped past a defender and passed the ball into the net past the diving keeper. Haddington went back into the lead, though, when a good cross from the left was met on the volley by their striker and the ball sailed past Kyle. The best goal of the game came next, after a good kick-out from the Haddington keeper. Harvey won the ball with a header towards Calum, who played a first touch pass back into Harvey's path. Harvey simply looked up and lobbed the ball over the keeper's head to score his second equaliser. Haddington then scored a third goal with a powerful shot that Kyle got a hand to, but couldn't stop the ball crossing the line.

Early in the third period, Haddington went two goals ahead with another chip into the top corner. However, a defensive error let the Youngstars back into the game as Calum pounced on the ball and hit a great shot into the bottom corner. Mark's clearances and kick-ins had been brilliant all day and he set up the next goal when his strong kick-in found Harvey in space on the left. Harvey kept his cool and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to equalise yet again. The Youngstars then took the lead for the first time when a free-kick from Mark was spilled by the Haddington keeper. Once again, Calum was alert and managed to get to the ball first and blast it home. Some good tackling from Mark, Sam, and Innes in the box frustrated the Haddingston strikers as the Youngstars were put under real pressure.

A string of fine saves from Kyle helped keep Haddington out in the final quarter, and the Youngstars eventually went two goals ahead. Some great skill from Sam on the left wing allowed him to skip past a defender and play a good pass into Harvey's feet. Again Harvey took his time and placed the ball into the net for the final goal of the game. Morgan was playing on the left of midfield and made many great runs back to help out his defenders and keep Haddington at bay. All in all, a great performance from the kids today and a thoroughly entertaining match.

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

Goal-scorers: Harvey (4), Calum (2)