SLOW START TO NEW SEASON FOR BLACKS 15-AUG-09

MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR TOURNAMENT - 15-8-2009

UNDER-12s MARADONA SECTION
MYS BLACKS 0 HILLFIELD SWIFTS 2
MYS BLACKS 2 WINDSOR COLTS 0
MYS BLACKS 0 LEITH ATHLETIC 1
MYS BLACKS 1 EDINBURGH SOUTH 2
MYS BLACKS 1 TRANENT COLTS 1

On a day of rain, sun and wind, the black stripes made a sluggish start to the season, albeit against some good-quality opponents.

We were blown away in our first game against an impressive Hillfield Swifts team, who moved the ball around superbly and worked hard for each other. Cammy Brown made a good save but a Hillfield player followed up to net the rebound. Cammy had to come to our rescue a couple more times before a superb curler made it 2-0. Jason almost scored with a far post header, Jack headed over from close range and the goalkeeper smothered a shot from Scott as we finally woke up in the last five minutes.

The boys came back well against the host team, creating a number of chances before Lloyd gave us the lead with a fierce shot the keeper couldn't hold. Cammy Brown then made a brilliant save to tip away a cracking shot bound for the top corner before Lloyd added a late second after some neat football.

This win meant we still had a good chance of making the final but we were narrowly beaten in a good game against Leith Athletic, who had blown away Hillfield 3-0 in an earlier match with some magnificent passing and movement. Both teams had a few good chances, with Callum almost scoring from close range and their keeper made a couple of good saves, but Leith netted the decisive single goal.

This left us with a lot to do, but we dominated the early stages against Edinburgh South and Scott scored from close range after Jason's powerful shot was saved. We should have pushed on to win but one of their strikers sneaked in begind Connor to volley home superbly before a defensive error saw them take a 2-1 lead. This was the game we really shouldn't have lost.

Against Tranent, we were much quicker to the challenge and performed well. Seth came close when the keeper smothered his left-foot shot at the back post and we gained a deserved draw when Lloyd ran clear to equalise Tranent's opener. This looked like a good result as Tranent went on to beat Leith 1-0 in the final.

Our boys then added some strong vocal support on the other pitch to the blue stripes, who won the Zidane section with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Leith in the final. Jason had a more active role, deputising for the injured Ross.

Blacks squad: Cammy Brown, Connor, Jason, Jack, Lloyd, Seth, Callum, Scott, Cammy Sharp, Brandon (David played for blues, Blair away)