WILD WINDS AT WALLYFORD

MYS Black Stripes 7 -7 Haddington Athletic Sky Blues (14Mar09)

This was quite possibly the strongest wind the Youngstars have ever played in today, making it difficult to control the ball properly and display our usual accurate passing. However, both teams played very well in the conditions and put on an exciting game for the supporters on the sidelines.

Playing against the wind in the first quarter, the Youngstars took the lead against the run of play. Jason's pass found Calum just outside the box. Calum turned and layed the ball off to Morgan who played a superb pass between two defenders and straight to Lewis' feet. Lewis looked up and blasted the ball past the Haddington keeper to score his first of the match. Last week was expected to be Lewis' last game for the Youngstars but his commitments with Hearts FC do not yet clash with our games or training, so he remains a Youngstars player for the timebeing. And his presence was appreciated in the initial period of today's match as we came under increasing pressure from the Haddington kids. It wasn't long before the equaliser came, when a great in-swinging corner was parried out by Innes in goals but the Haddington striker managed to react first in the box and hammered the ball into the net. With the wind behind them, Haddington soon scored another goal to take the lead.

The Youngstars hit back early in the second period, though, when Mark won the ball deep in his own half and fired the ball to Harvey in the centre. Harvey's pass split the Haddington defence, leaving Jason free to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. Within seconds of the re-start Jason scored another for the Youngstars to regain the lead. Harvey came close with a few great efforts (two that hit the side-netting and one off the cross-bar) before Haddington forced a good diving save from Innes. But from the resulting corner, Haddington scored again and then added another moments later to go in front at the half-way point in the match.

In the third quarter, Ross had a strong game in defence showing great composure in controlling the ball and passing to his team mates in midfield. One of his clearances found Lewis on the right hand side, and he played a clever pass into Jason's path. Jason wasted no time in latching on to the ball and completing his hat-trick. Ross was then involved in the next goal when his clearance was met by Harvey, who played a neat pass to Jason at the edge of the box. With his back to goal, Jason nudged the ball out towards the left wing where Morgan met it cleanly and lobbed it over the keeper's head into the goals. The Haddington kids responded well, though, wth two good goals putting them back in front again. They would have scored more had it not been for some excellent defending from Sam, who won more than his fair share of tackles in defence.

Ross moved into midfield in the final period and, after beating his marker with some fantastic footwork, his cross was met by Lewis who headered it past the keeper's outstretched hand into the back of the net. Jason had fought hard all game against much taller Haddington defenders, and after winning the ball again in midfield, he saw Harvey in space and slotted the ball right into his path. Harvey didn't have to think about it as he moved forward and swept the ball high into the roof of the net. However, Haddington showed great determination and managed to squeeze in an equaliser shortly before the final whistle.

So, despite the blistery conditions, the kids all put on a really good show for those watching and the match ended in a fair result of seven goals each.

Teamsheet: Innes, Mark, Sam, Ross, Morgan, Harvey, Lewis, Jason, Calum

Goal scorers: Lewis (2), Jason (3), Morgan, Harvey