BLACKS BLOWN AWAY, 6-MAY-09

MYS BLACKS 2 WINDSOR PELE 5

After an excellent first-half performance, Youngstars were blown away by a fierce wind – and a Windsor Pele team who adapted better to the wild conditions.

Playing with the wind, Youngstars dominated the early play and took the lead when Lloyd released Jack on the right. From just outside the box, he smashed a shot high across the keeper into the top corner for one of the goals of the season.

Lloyd had another long-range effort well-saved but Youngstars just couldn’t get the vital second goal and the Windsor team equalised when a long cross from the left went over everyone’s head to leave their attacker with a simple tap-in.

We restored our lead thanks to some unselfish play by Lloyd, who could have gone for goal but played a lovely diagonal pass to Seth whose shot crept under the keeper and in.

We were good value for a 2-1 lead, built on confident distribution by Connor and Jason from the back - but a minute before half-time, Windsor equalised when a little defensive dithering allowed one of their players to pounce and slip the ball past Cammy Brown.

Within seconds of the restart we were behind as a charged-down clearance led to another simple – and silly – goal. From 2-1 up, we had made things very hard for ourselves at 3-2 down and were now fighting hard just to get the ball out of our own half as the wind gusted even stronger and Windsor pinned us back. Scott was getting very little chance up front as all the action was in and around our box. David worked hard in the wide midfield position along with Jack, Blair and Seth but it was hard to make headway in such a wind.

The weather played a part in the 4th and 5th goals but we fought back with Lloyd and Seth both going close, though Cammy Brown also had to make brave saves at our end. Though the scoreline looks bad, we played very well for a half against a team a league above us and should not be dispirited by the result.

Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, David, Lloyd, Jack, Scott, Seth, Blair.
Scorers: Jack, Seth