TIGHT TOURNAMENT AT TRANENT, 6-6-09

TRANENT COLTS TOURNAMENT

SALVESEN 0 SPARTANS 1
MYS BLACKS 2 TRANENT COLTS 1
MYS BLACKS 1 SALVESEN BC 1
SPARTANS 0 TRANENT COLTS 1
MYS BLACKS 0 SPARTANS 1
TRANENT COLTS 2 SALVESEN 1

This was a great wee tournament, with all four teams in our group very well-matched - and no more than a single goal separating the teams in every game, which consisted of two ten-minute halves.

After Spartans won a tight game against Salvesen, we had a great match against the hosts. They dominated and we were pretty fortunate to go in 2-0 up at the break. Seth scored at the far post after a good cross by Jack and then Scott ran clear to finish neatly. We let one in straight after the break and Tranent came close to an equaliser several times, but Cammy Brown kept us ahead and we held on.

We were back on straight away and chnaged things around slightly to give one or two boys a rest. It didn't affect us too badly and Lloyd missed one good chance before scoring neatly after great work by Jack.

Connor and Jason had put in a great shift at the back but were coming under real pressure and Salvesen broke through to equalise. There was almost a dramatic conclusion as Jack - who had been hurt at the end of the first half - came off the bench in the dying seconds as Scott prepared to take a corner. The kick was placed perfectly as Jack ran in at the back post, but his header, from point-blank range, hit the outside of the post.

Tranent then played very well to beat Spartans 1-0, which meant that a victory over Spartans would see us run out "winners". (technically, it was non-competitive, but the effort put in didn't really justify that phrase).

Unfortunately, we seemed to run out of steam and one of their strikers sneaked round the back of Connor and ran clear to score under Cammy. We struggled to find any rhythm but Callum and Scott had good long-range efforts, then their keeper saved well from Scott and the rebound fell awkwardly for Seth.

We pushed hard but couldn't find a way back. Tranent then came from 1-0 down to beat Salvesen 2-1 in the final game.

Although we faded a little after a promising start, we did a lot of good things and the coaches commented that we have come a long way in a year. Twelve months ago, we would have struggled badly against teams of this calibre and there is no doubt we have made massive process.

The 1-0 loss to Spartans This was the first time we had lost to a Maradona team in any form of football (7s, 11s and tournaments) since Spartans beat us 3-2 way back in April. Well done, boys.

Squad: Cammy, Connor, Jason, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Scott, Callum, Brandon (David away, Blair injured)
Scorers: Seth, Scott, Lloyd