WINNING END TO THE SEASON 21-6-2009

MYS BLACKS 5 CRAMOND 2

A hard-fought victory to end the season against a strong and skilful Cramond team who were unlucky to be on the end of a 5-2 defeat.

Despite suffering from tonsilitis in the run-up to the game and being on antibiotics, Lloyd was, as ever, at the heart of everything and after one or two near misses, he put us 1-0 up from close range after his first shot was saved.

Cramond came back into the game, but Connor, Jason and David held firm and we went 2-0 ahead when Seth ran clear on the left and slid a perfect ball to Brandon who finished neatly. He could have had a second after a great cross from Lloyd found him at the back post, but the ball flashed over.

Cammy Brown was then called upon to make two excellent saves, and also clawed away two dangerous corners as Cramond started to dominate the game. they pulled it back to 2-1 just before half-time when the ball bounced weirdly into the air and one of their players nipped in to head home.

Cramond pinned us back at the start of the second half and pulled it back to 2-2 when one of their star players dispossessed a defender and laid a lovely square ball for a team-mate to slot home.

However, Youngstars came back strongly and Lloyd and Jack went close as we started to play some swift and skilful counter-attacking football. We went ahead when Lloyd released Scott to hammer the ball high into the net and it was 4-2 soon afterwards when Scott calmly steered the ball home with his left foot.

He could have his hat-trick after a brilliant team move involving Seth, Jack and Blair. Seth, who had an excellent second half in left midfield, won the ball and turned inside to find Jack. He laid the ball wide to Blair, who slipped a lovely pass around the defender for Scott. It would have been a magnificent team goal but the keeper smothered the shot.

Cramond were still creating good chances but we made the game safe when the ball bounced unluckily off the referee (Graham Johnston) and straight into the path of Jack, who ran clear to score. Blair hit the side-netting, Lloyd came close and Jason almost got his first goal of the season when his shot following a corner was cleared off the line.

Jason had a good consolation prize as he won Player of the Season for his consistent whole-hearted performances. He has combined strength and determination with increasing skill and his distribution of the ball from the back has been excellent - and his attitude is always brilliant.

Cammy Brown won Most Improved Player for his superb performances in goal in the second half of the season, but many of the boys could have taken this award. There have been many examples of individual improvement but the most significant improvement of all has been as a team. We have made the transition to the Edinburgh league very successfully and established ourselves as one of the top hal-dozen teams out of almost 20 in the Maradona league. To go nine games unbeaten at the end of the season is some feat and I'd like to say a final congratulations to all the boys for their efforts this season - and to the parents/guardians/brothers/sisters/grandparents for all their support. See you all next season!

Squad: Cammy Brown, Connor, Jason, Jack, Lloyd, Blair, Scott, David, Seth, Brandon, Cameron Sharp.
Scorers: Lloyd, Brandon, Scott 2, Jack