BLACKS PULLED BACK IN 4-4 THRILLER 6-9-08

CRAMOND 4 MYS BLACK STRIPES 4


An exciting game ended in a draw, but Youngstars really should have won after creating the majority of the chances.


We were well under-strength, with David and Jason missing as well as Cammy Brown, who had to pull out with flu the night before the game. This left us without our keeper and the stand-in, so Callum deputised in goal and we borrowed Lewis Jarvis from the under-10s to bolster the squad outfield.


The first period was very even, but Youngstars struggled to create may clear chances until Lewis lofted in a goal from nowhere from the edge of the box. Cramond equalised as their striker found acres of space behind our defence. There was then a weird incident, where Brandon seemed to have scored with a carbon copy of Lewis's goal, but the ref said it had gone in through a hole in the side-netting.

We took the lead when Seth scrambled home a great cross from Lewis with his thigh, and the period either side of half-time could have seen us take a comfortable lead and probably win the game. But first, Seth blasted a good chance against the outside of the post and then Brandon mis-hit when one on one with the keeper.

We went in to half-time 2-1 up and it could have been 3-1 when a Cramond player handled in the box to give us a penalty, but the keeper dived to save Lloyd's well-struck shot. We paid the price as poor defending and tackling allowed Cramond to equalise and then take the lead. We hit the post again when Blair smacked in a shot after good play by Lloyd and Lewis had a shot well-saved after a brilliant crossfield pass from Blair.

We did get level after Lewis's shot was charged down and Seth volleyed the rebound in off the post - and then went ahead again when Lewis rounded the keeper to score his second. We should have held on but another lapse of concentration allowed Cramond to make it 4-4.

All in all, this was an entertaining but frustrating game which we really should have won. We had far more chances and at 2-1 and 4-3 up, really should have finished the game off. Our tackling and inability to close down opponents near our box cost us the win, but we are still creating bags of chances and have made a good start in our new league.

Squad: Callum, Jack, Connor, Cameron D, Lewis, Lloyd, Seth, Paul, Brandon, Blair.