BRILLIANT WIN OVER WINDSOR 3-6-2008

MYS BLACKS 6 WINDSOR MARADONA 3

After a series of fairly straightforward games, the blacks put in a magnificent performance to beat the Windsor Maradona squad 6-3.

Without David, Cammy Brown and Cameron Dunlop - all injured - we went behind when Aaron O'Donnell of the blue stripes (who plays for Windsor on Sundays) escaped his marker to bullet in a header from a corner. Youngstars fought back immediately as Seth squeezed in a neat shot from a tight angle to make it 1-1. Seth went close again as the Windsor keeper made a good save, but the visitors made it 2-1 when their striker sneaked away from three Youngstars defenders to score with his left foot.

Paul, who had come on for Callum in left midfield, then won a vital tackle after we cleared a Windsor corner and sent Scott clear to finish coolly. Paul then lifted a lovely pass over a defender for Scott to score again to put us 3-2 up.

That was the score after the first of 2 x 25-minute periods, but Youngstars took a grip after the interval and had by far the better of the game. Blair put in some great work in right midfield, with some terrific throw-ins to set up chances, with Callum causing danger down the left. Lloyd, as ever, was superb in central midfield, but despite creating several chances, it took a while before Connor made it 4-2 when he met a corner with his knee (I think) to knock the ball home through the keeper's legs.

We could have gone further ahead but allowed Windsor back into the game when Ross (covering in goal with David still injured) saved a shot but a striker followed up to net the rebound. At 4-3, it was tight, but Lloyd scored a deserved goal - with his left foot! - and then hammered a shot high into the net to complete a brilliant win.

All the players deserve great credit, with Jack, Jason and Connor all magnificent at the back. There was superb commitment from all the team and some excellent passing football throughout the game. The boys should be very proud of themselves.