GREAT TEAM DISPLAY BY THE BLACKS, 7-12-08

MYS BLACK STRIPES 3 LIBERTON 0, 7-12-08

A second consecutive home win for Youngstars thanks to a very solid display by the entire team.

This match looked in doubt right up to the morning of the game due to the freezing temperature, but there was enough give in the pitch to make the playing surface safe for all the boys.

Youngstars started strongly with some good breaks from midfield by Lloyd and Jack and some lovely passing movements. However, it was Connor who gave us the lead with his first goal of the season when he poked the ball home following a corner from Lloyd.

We should have been further ahead with Scott causing the Liberton defence some real problems with his strong running, but we couldn't score again - Lloyd and David both had clear opportunities but pulled them wide. Luckily, Jason and Connor were really solid at the other end and Callum dealt with anything that came his way in goal very confidently. The wide midfielders - including Blair, David, Jack and Seth at different times - worked hard to get back and help the defenders, while also linking up well in attack.

We went in at half-time 1-0 up and went straight back onto the attack. Brandon, who had come on at the end of the first half, linked up nicely with Seth, Lloyd and Jack and we came close on several more occasions. Seth hit the outside of the post from close-range after a great ball in from Jack and Brandon almost got on the end of a great move before the defender dived in.

Lloyd had a great long-range effort brilliantly saved by the keeper and David fired wide - but finally, Scott hit the target after Lloyd won a powerful tackle and set him up beautifully to slip the ball in.

Scott then caused havoc in the Liberton defence with some brilliant runs, but couldn't quite get the finish or the final pass. However, although Liberton had one or two chances, they were mainly from quite far out and Callum coped well as Youngstars remained on top.

Jason had a blast from long range which went over and at the back, he and Cammy Dunlop (and later, Connor again) held things together well. There was more good work from the wide midfield players, especially Jack, who worked very hard in the second half, and our effort was rewarded when Lloyd cut in from the left to smash in a brilliant third.

Lloyd could easily have won player of the week for a magnificent, all-action display but it went to Connor, who put in some superb tackles, passed the ball forward intelligently, held his position well - and scored!

Yet it was a real squad effort today as all 11 boys (Cammy Brown was away) dug in and worked hard for the whole hour of the game. We played good football in patches and - importantly - kept a clean sheet for the first time this season. Well done to everyone - let's hope we can make it three in a rownat Fernieside next week!