TRANENT COLTS 1 MYS BLACKS 5
An impressive performance and a morale-boosting win featuring excellent performances from everyone involved.
Youngstars dominated the early stages and created some good chances, with Lloyd volleying just wide from a great cross by Scott. Jason missed a penalty after a handball by a Tranent player but could hardly be faulted as the ball used in the first ten minutes was rock-hard and the penalty spot seemed an awfully long way out.
We took the lead when Scott challenged a defender for a near-post corner and the ball bounced into the net. We were well worth our 1-0 lead after the first of three 20-minute periods with David in particular playing superbly in right defence.
The game was eight-a-side and the experiment of three at the back, with Jack pushing up to support Lloyd in central midfield, seemed to be working pretty well. Callum also put in a strong forst-half performance, pushing forward powerfully on the left.
We went 2-0 up in the second period when Brandon slipped a neat through ball to Lloyd and when his shot was saved, Brandon followed up to tuck in the rebound.
In the third period, Tranent created their best chances and Kieron Ross, guesting for us in goal, made some outstanding saves. We made the game safe when Lloyd skipped through to finish coolly after some great skill. Scott made it four from a tight angle and although we took our foot off the gas and Tranent made it 4-1 with a scrambled goal, Scott completed his hat-trick with another neat finish.
Blair, Cammy Brown, Callum and Seth all played a big part in wide midfield, but Brandon won man of the match for some neat link-up play and his goal.
Squad: Kieron, David, Jason, Jack, Lloyd, Cammy Brown, Callum, Seth, Blair, Scott, Brandon
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Blue Stripes lose but good first game workout
MYS Blue Stripes 2 -v- 6 Windsor Pele
Despite losing, this was a good first game for the boys as they are unlikely to come up against tougher opposition in the coming season.
Apart from a spell at the beginning of the second half when we lost our concentration and lost 3 goals in quick succession the boys all dug in well although Ross did have to be on inspired form with several top class saves especially in the second half when we were against a strong wind. It was particularly pleasing for the coaches that all the players kept their heads up and continued to battle even after going 5-1 down.
We started the game well with the wind at our backs and should probably have been ahead before we lost a goal against the run of play with a bit of sloppy defending. Windsor managed to tuck a second away before Paul Clark pulled one back just before half time.
The second half saw us playing into an increasingly strong wind and, as expected, Windsor used this to their advantage pinning us back and shooting at every opportunity. As well as Ross, Reece also deserves a mention for a solid display in defence, arguably his best game since joining the side. As has often been the way we actually played better football against the wind, keeping the ball on the deck and getting in behind the opposition defence on several occasions. We could have scored in the second half at least once before Matthew made a good run to get on the end of a square pass from Paul and tuck the ball away.
All in all not a disaster despite the scoreline and if we continue to maintain that good team spirit and approach we will win far more games than we will lose in the coming period of fixtures.
Despite losing, this was a good first game for the boys as they are unlikely to come up against tougher opposition in the coming season.
Apart from a spell at the beginning of the second half when we lost our concentration and lost 3 goals in quick succession the boys all dug in well although Ross did have to be on inspired form with several top class saves especially in the second half when we were against a strong wind. It was particularly pleasing for the coaches that all the players kept their heads up and continued to battle even after going 5-1 down.
We started the game well with the wind at our backs and should probably have been ahead before we lost a goal against the run of play with a bit of sloppy defending. Windsor managed to tuck a second away before Paul Clark pulled one back just before half time.
The second half saw us playing into an increasingly strong wind and, as expected, Windsor used this to their advantage pinning us back and shooting at every opportunity. As well as Ross, Reece also deserves a mention for a solid display in defence, arguably his best game since joining the side. As has often been the way we actually played better football against the wind, keeping the ball on the deck and getting in behind the opposition defence on several occasions. We could have scored in the second half at least once before Matthew made a good run to get on the end of a square pass from Paul and tuck the ball away.
All in all not a disaster despite the scoreline and if we continue to maintain that good team spirit and approach we will win far more games than we will lose in the coming period of fixtures.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
FERNIESIDE TOO STRONG
MYS BLACKS 3 FENIESIDE 6
In our three previous games with Fernieside, we had won one, lost one and drawn one, with the teams always evenly matched. Today, although the game was a bit closer than the score appears, our opponents out-played and out-fought us with some neat, skilful football combined with a tough-tackling approach all over the pitch.
Youngstars struggled to make an early impact and Connor and Jason found it hard going as the nippy Fernieside strikers made darting runs in behind the defence. They took the lead when one of them found space to slot past Cammy Brown and went 2-0 up after a scramble following a corner.
Youngstars then showed some steel as Seth made a great run down the left and cut the ball back for Scott to steer it home. We had lots of corners, swung in well by Lloyd, but couldn't get on the end of any of them. Fernieside could have been further ahead, but Cammy did well in goal and Jason in particular put in some great strong tackles.
We were 2-1 down at half-time and re-organised things at the break, putting three men at the back (it was an 8-a-side game) to try to deny space to the visiting strikers. This worked well for 15 minutes as Cammy Dunlop (and later David) pushed up if they were free to allow our midfield to close down Fernieside further up the pitch.
We dominated the early period of the second half and scored a great equaliser as Lloyd put through a brilliant ball for Jack, who took his time and picked his spot perfectly. Unfortunately, a loss of concentration allowed Fernieside back ahead before Scott ran through on the left and lifted a great shot over the keeper and inside the far post to make it 3-3.
Again, we were unable to hold on to the lead and an unlucky ricochet off a defender saw Fernieside go 4-3 up. Youngstars then had another great period and Seth, Scott and Jack all missed clear chances to draw us level. The boys fought really hard but conceded two late goals, as the ball squirmed unluckily past Callum, off the post and straight to a Fernieside player to tap in - and then Jason was very unfortunate to see an attempted clearance slice into his own goal.
We did some good things today, but this game showed us we have to be tougher all over the pitch. Too often, we allowed Fernieside to win possession when we should have had the ball - and as we keep saying to the boys, if they don't have the ball, they can't start playing the good football we all know they are capable of.
Squad: Cammy Brown, Connor, Jason, Callum, Lloyd, David, Seth, Scott, Jack, Cammy Dunlop
In our three previous games with Fernieside, we had won one, lost one and drawn one, with the teams always evenly matched. Today, although the game was a bit closer than the score appears, our opponents out-played and out-fought us with some neat, skilful football combined with a tough-tackling approach all over the pitch.
Youngstars struggled to make an early impact and Connor and Jason found it hard going as the nippy Fernieside strikers made darting runs in behind the defence. They took the lead when one of them found space to slot past Cammy Brown and went 2-0 up after a scramble following a corner.
Youngstars then showed some steel as Seth made a great run down the left and cut the ball back for Scott to steer it home. We had lots of corners, swung in well by Lloyd, but couldn't get on the end of any of them. Fernieside could have been further ahead, but Cammy did well in goal and Jason in particular put in some great strong tackles.
We were 2-1 down at half-time and re-organised things at the break, putting three men at the back (it was an 8-a-side game) to try to deny space to the visiting strikers. This worked well for 15 minutes as Cammy Dunlop (and later David) pushed up if they were free to allow our midfield to close down Fernieside further up the pitch.
We dominated the early period of the second half and scored a great equaliser as Lloyd put through a brilliant ball for Jack, who took his time and picked his spot perfectly. Unfortunately, a loss of concentration allowed Fernieside back ahead before Scott ran through on the left and lifted a great shot over the keeper and inside the far post to make it 3-3.
Again, we were unable to hold on to the lead and an unlucky ricochet off a defender saw Fernieside go 4-3 up. Youngstars then had another great period and Seth, Scott and Jack all missed clear chances to draw us level. The boys fought really hard but conceded two late goals, as the ball squirmed unluckily past Callum, off the post and straight to a Fernieside player to tap in - and then Jason was very unfortunate to see an attempted clearance slice into his own goal.
We did some good things today, but this game showed us we have to be tougher all over the pitch. Too often, we allowed Fernieside to win possession when we should have had the ball - and as we keep saying to the boys, if they don't have the ball, they can't start playing the good football we all know they are capable of.
Squad: Cammy Brown, Connor, Jason, Callum, Lloyd, David, Seth, Scott, Jack, Cammy Dunlop
Sunday, February 1, 2009
LAST-GASP EQUALISER FOILS MYS 31-01-2009
MYS BLACK STRIPES 1 ABERLADY 1
There is a history of incredibly tight, low-scoring games between the black stripes and Aberlady (including two goalless draws) and this game followed the same pattern.
The first half was a bit scrappy to begin with but Aberlady had generally the better of it until the period just before half-time. They went closest when Callum did well to save a fierce close-range shot, but Youngstars also had two good chances. Seth ran through but saw his low shot saved by Kieron Ross (who played for us last week!) and then Kieron saved well again from a great effort by Jack. Blair also had a good effort when he almost got on the end of a brilliant cross from Jack after a great team move.
By and large, Cammy Dunlop and Connor were in control at the back, and Youngstars also defended well in the second half - and created many more chances at the other end. Brandon ran clear and was unlucky to poke the ball just wide of the post and Scott also beat the defence but couldn't get much power into his shot. Kieron then made another great save, this time from Lloyd as he ran through on the left-hand side.
At the other end, Callum made another great finger-tip save before the deadlock was finally broken as Scott turned sharply to knock in a corner from Cammy Brown.
Aberlady could have equalised when Ben Stirling broke through but steered his shot against the post, then Youngstars almost went 2-0 up when Lloyd's long-distance lob dropped onto the top of the bar.
With both sides fighting for every ball, it looked like Youngstars would just squeeze home - but then Aberlady equalised with almost the last kick when the ball broke to one of their players from a corner and he hit it through a packed goalmouth into the corner.
A disappointing end - but a good result against a strong team, and a huge amount of effort put in again by everybody. Well done.
Squad: Callum, Connor, Cammy Dunlop, Jack, Lloyd, Cammy Brown, Scott, Seth, Blair, Brandon.
There is a history of incredibly tight, low-scoring games between the black stripes and Aberlady (including two goalless draws) and this game followed the same pattern.
The first half was a bit scrappy to begin with but Aberlady had generally the better of it until the period just before half-time. They went closest when Callum did well to save a fierce close-range shot, but Youngstars also had two good chances. Seth ran through but saw his low shot saved by Kieron Ross (who played for us last week!) and then Kieron saved well again from a great effort by Jack. Blair also had a good effort when he almost got on the end of a brilliant cross from Jack after a great team move.
By and large, Cammy Dunlop and Connor were in control at the back, and Youngstars also defended well in the second half - and created many more chances at the other end. Brandon ran clear and was unlucky to poke the ball just wide of the post and Scott also beat the defence but couldn't get much power into his shot. Kieron then made another great save, this time from Lloyd as he ran through on the left-hand side.
At the other end, Callum made another great finger-tip save before the deadlock was finally broken as Scott turned sharply to knock in a corner from Cammy Brown.
Aberlady could have equalised when Ben Stirling broke through but steered his shot against the post, then Youngstars almost went 2-0 up when Lloyd's long-distance lob dropped onto the top of the bar.
With both sides fighting for every ball, it looked like Youngstars would just squeeze home - but then Aberlady equalised with almost the last kick when the ball broke to one of their players from a corner and he hit it through a packed goalmouth into the corner.
A disappointing end - but a good result against a strong team, and a huge amount of effort put in again by everybody. Well done.
Squad: Callum, Connor, Cammy Dunlop, Jack, Lloyd, Cammy Brown, Scott, Seth, Blair, Brandon.
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