GREAT GAME IN THE SUN

MYS BLACK STRIPES 2 SPARTANS 3

On a beautiful day, these two teams served up a great example of the beautiful game. There was total commitment and excellent football from both sides and neither side really deserved to lose.

Youngstars had the better of the first half, setting the tone with some great closing down and tackling in the early stages. Seth won good possession and was closed down at the last minute after a neat one-two with Scott. Lloyd almost opened the scoring with a brilliant flick header from a corner by Scott and went close again after a lovely move when he tried to lift the ball over the keeper. Callum was then denied by a brilliant tackle on his own line by a Spartans defender.

Connor and Jason had protected the line really well in the first half (as David continued to do after the break) and Spartans' chances had largely been limited to corners - but we went one down immediately before the break. A throw out by Kieran - who was guesting in goal for us - fell awkwardly and a Spartans player nipped in to knock the ball away from Jason and Callum before twisting past Connor and lifting the ball cleverly over Kieran's head.

Youngstars didn't give in and hit back strongly in the second half. Lloyd found space after good work by Jack and the ball fell kindly for him to slip it past the keeper. Callum then took a superb quick throw-in and Scott sneaked the ball inside the near-post to put us 2-1 up.

The game continued end to end and Spartans equalised after a neat move and then went ahead when one of their players rode a couple of tackles before pulling it back to a team-mate for an easy finish.

Youngstars weren't finished and Seth lifted the ball over a defender for Jack to fire in a great shot which their keeper dived to save brilliantly. There were more close shaves at either end but the score remained the same, with Youngstars desperately unlucky not to get a result after a magnificent performance featuring exceptional commitment and some lovely passing football. Well done to all the boys for playing their part in the most enjoyable and high-quality game of the season so far.

Squad: Kieran, Jason, Connor, David, Lloyd, Seth, Jack, Scott, Callum, Blair