ALL HOME GAMES WILL KICK OFF AT 10AM ON SUNDAYS (REPORT 930) UNLESS YOU ARE TOLD BEFOREHAND. THIS IS NOW THE PELE SECTION AND IS MADE UP OF SOME TEAMS FROM LAST YEAR'S PELE, SOME FROM LAST YEAR'S MARADONA (INCLUDING US, TRANENT COLTS & SPARTANS) AND SOME NEWCOMERS - INCLUDING DUNBAR AND GULLANE, WHO ARE A SPIN-OFF FROM NORTH BERWICK.
30 AUG: MYS BLACKS V GULLANE FC
6 SEPT: TRANENT COLTS V MYS BLACKS
13 SEPT: SPARTANS V MYS BLACKS
20 SEPT: MYS BLACKS V HUNTERFIELD
27 SEPT: MYS BLACKS V LIBERTON
4 OCT: DUNBAR V MYS BLACKS
11 OCT: SPARTANS BLUES V MYS BLACKS
18 OCT: MYS BLACKS V ESKMILL BOYS CLUB
25 OCT: MYS BLACKS V PEEBLES
1 NOV: GULLANE V MYS BLACKS
8 NOV: MYS BLACKS V TRANENT COLTS
15 NOV: MYS BLACKS V SPARTANS
22 NOV: HUNTERFIELD V MYS BLACKS
29 NOV: LIBERTON V MYS BLACKS
6 DEC: MYS BLACKS V DUNBAR
13 DEC: MYS BLACKS V SPARTANS BLUES
Sunday, August 16, 2009
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)
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)
Monday, June 22, 2009
BLACK STRIPES 2008-09 SEASON IN STATS
Here are all the results and scorers for any statistical anoraks like me! Dave
EDINBURGH LEAGUE GAMES
TYNECASTLE: LOST 0-4
EDINBURGH SOUTH: WON 6-1 (Callum, Seth, own goal, Lloyd, Brandon, Jack)
CRAMOND: DREW 4-4 (Lewis 2, Seth 2)
MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR: LOST 2-3 (Seth 2, 1 pen)
SPARTANS: LOST 2-6 (Lloyd 2)
EASTHOUSES: WON 6-5 (Seth 2, own goal, Callum, Blair, Lloyd)
BONNYRIGG ROSE: WON 1-0 (Jack) - match abandoned after 25 minutes
TRANENT COLTS: LOST 4-7 (Paul 2, David, Seth)
LEITH ATHLETIC: DREW 1-1 (Callum)
EASTHOUSES: LOST 4-5 (Scott 2, Blair, Seth)
DUNEDIN: WON 5-3 (Scott, Jack, Seth, Blair, Cammy Brown)
LIBERTON: WON 3-0 (Connor, Scott, Lloyd)
FERNIESIDE: WON 3-2 (David, Scott, Jack)
EDINBURGH SOUTH: DREW 2-2 (Lloyd,Branodn)
EDINBURGH CITY: LOST 5-6 (own goal, Jack, Blair, Scott, Lloyd)
SPARTANS: LOST 2-3 (Lloyd, Scott)
CAVALRY PARK: WON 5-2 (Scott 3, Blair, David)
WINDSOR: WON 1-0 (Scott)
LEITH ATHLETIC WHITES: WON 7-0 (Scott 3, Lloyd 3, David)
EDINBURGH CITY: WON 6-1 (Lloyd 2, Scott 2, Callum, Seth)
LOANHEAD: WON 2-0 (Seth, Scott)
LEITH ATHLETIC COLTS: DREW 1-1 (Jack)
EASTHOUSES: WON 5-4 (Scott, Seth, Lloyd, Callum, Jack)
FERNIESIDE: DREW 3-3 (Lloyd, Jack 2)
CRAMOND: WON 5-2 (Lloyd, Brandon, Scott 2, Jack)
LEAGUE GAMES - PLAYED 25, WON 13, DRAWN 5, LOST 7 FOR 85, AGAINST 65
GOALS: Scott 20, Lloyd 16, Seth 13, Jack 10, Blair 5, Callum 5, David 4, own goals 3, Brandon 3, Lewis 2, Paul 2, Cammy Brown 1, Connor 1
OTHER GAMES - 7-A-SIDE FRIENDLIES:
ABERLADY LOST 1-3 (Seth pen)
TRANENT COLTS: LOST 4-6 (Seth 2, Lloyd, Jack)
WINDSOR PELE: LOST 3-4 (Scott 2, Jack)
ABERLADY DREW 1-1 (Scott)
FERNIESIDE: LOST 3-6 (Scott 2, Jack)
TRANENT COLTS: WON 5-1 (Scott 3, Brandon, Lloyd)
WINDSOR PELE: LOST 2-5 (Jack, Seth)
BLUE STRIPES: WON 4-0 (Seth 3, Brandon)
11-A-SIDE FRIENDLY
TRANENT COLTS WON 5-0 (Jack, Euan 2, Dylan, Seth)
SCORERS IN FRIENDLIES: Scott 8, Seth 8, Jack 5, Brandon 2, Lloyd 2, Euan 2, Dylan
TOURNAMENTS
MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR TOURNAMENT
WINDSOR LOST 0-1
TRANENT COLTS WON 2-1 (Lloyd, Euan)
HILLFIELD SWIFTS WON 2-1 (Paul 2)
LOANHEAD WON 3-2 (Seth, Paul, Euan)
FINAL - WINDSOR LOST 0-4
TRANENT COLTS TOURNAMENT
TRANENT COLTS WON 2-1 (Seth, Scott)
SALVESEN DREW 1-1 (Lloyd)
SPARTANS LOST 0-1
Scorers in tournaments: Paul 3, Lloyd 2, Seth 2, Euan 2, Scott
Overall scorers: Scott 29, Seth 23, Lloyd 20, Jack 15, Blair 5, Brandon 5, Callum 5, Paul 5, David 4, Euan 4, own goals 3, Lewis 2, Cammy Brown 1, Connor 1, Dylan 1
EDINBURGH LEAGUE GAMES
TYNECASTLE: LOST 0-4
EDINBURGH SOUTH: WON 6-1 (Callum, Seth, own goal, Lloyd, Brandon, Jack)
CRAMOND: DREW 4-4 (Lewis 2, Seth 2)
MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR: LOST 2-3 (Seth 2, 1 pen)
SPARTANS: LOST 2-6 (Lloyd 2)
EASTHOUSES: WON 6-5 (Seth 2, own goal, Callum, Blair, Lloyd)
BONNYRIGG ROSE: WON 1-0 (Jack) - match abandoned after 25 minutes
TRANENT COLTS: LOST 4-7 (Paul 2, David, Seth)
LEITH ATHLETIC: DREW 1-1 (Callum)
EASTHOUSES: LOST 4-5 (Scott 2, Blair, Seth)
DUNEDIN: WON 5-3 (Scott, Jack, Seth, Blair, Cammy Brown)
LIBERTON: WON 3-0 (Connor, Scott, Lloyd)
FERNIESIDE: WON 3-2 (David, Scott, Jack)
EDINBURGH SOUTH: DREW 2-2 (Lloyd,Branodn)
EDINBURGH CITY: LOST 5-6 (own goal, Jack, Blair, Scott, Lloyd)
SPARTANS: LOST 2-3 (Lloyd, Scott)
CAVALRY PARK: WON 5-2 (Scott 3, Blair, David)
WINDSOR: WON 1-0 (Scott)
LEITH ATHLETIC WHITES: WON 7-0 (Scott 3, Lloyd 3, David)
EDINBURGH CITY: WON 6-1 (Lloyd 2, Scott 2, Callum, Seth)
LOANHEAD: WON 2-0 (Seth, Scott)
LEITH ATHLETIC COLTS: DREW 1-1 (Jack)
EASTHOUSES: WON 5-4 (Scott, Seth, Lloyd, Callum, Jack)
FERNIESIDE: DREW 3-3 (Lloyd, Jack 2)
CRAMOND: WON 5-2 (Lloyd, Brandon, Scott 2, Jack)
LEAGUE GAMES - PLAYED 25, WON 13, DRAWN 5, LOST 7 FOR 85, AGAINST 65
GOALS: Scott 20, Lloyd 16, Seth 13, Jack 10, Blair 5, Callum 5, David 4, own goals 3, Brandon 3, Lewis 2, Paul 2, Cammy Brown 1, Connor 1
OTHER GAMES - 7-A-SIDE FRIENDLIES:
ABERLADY LOST 1-3 (Seth pen)
TRANENT COLTS: LOST 4-6 (Seth 2, Lloyd, Jack)
WINDSOR PELE: LOST 3-4 (Scott 2, Jack)
ABERLADY DREW 1-1 (Scott)
FERNIESIDE: LOST 3-6 (Scott 2, Jack)
TRANENT COLTS: WON 5-1 (Scott 3, Brandon, Lloyd)
WINDSOR PELE: LOST 2-5 (Jack, Seth)
BLUE STRIPES: WON 4-0 (Seth 3, Brandon)
11-A-SIDE FRIENDLY
TRANENT COLTS WON 5-0 (Jack, Euan 2, Dylan, Seth)
SCORERS IN FRIENDLIES: Scott 8, Seth 8, Jack 5, Brandon 2, Lloyd 2, Euan 2, Dylan
TOURNAMENTS
MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR TOURNAMENT
WINDSOR LOST 0-1
TRANENT COLTS WON 2-1 (Lloyd, Euan)
HILLFIELD SWIFTS WON 2-1 (Paul 2)
LOANHEAD WON 3-2 (Seth, Paul, Euan)
FINAL - WINDSOR LOST 0-4
TRANENT COLTS TOURNAMENT
TRANENT COLTS WON 2-1 (Seth, Scott)
SALVESEN DREW 1-1 (Lloyd)
SPARTANS LOST 0-1
Scorers in tournaments: Paul 3, Lloyd 2, Seth 2, Euan 2, Scott
Overall scorers: Scott 29, Seth 23, Lloyd 20, Jack 15, Blair 5, Brandon 5, Callum 5, Paul 5, David 4, Euan 4, own goals 3, Lewis 2, Cammy Brown 1, Connor 1, Dylan 1
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
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
Blue Stripes finish league fixtures in style 18-6-09
Tranent Juniors 1 -v- 9 MYS Blue Stripes
A fairly one sided affair again but the players deserve credit for keeping their shape even after the first few goals went in and they also kept the ball down well into a strong wind.
Goals came from Blair, Josh, Matthew and James who was helping us out as we had a couple of boys missing.
Sadly this was the last game for Josh, Arran C and Arron O who will be playing for the Windsor next year whilst we hopefully move into the Edinburgh League. The coaches wish them well and thank them for their efforts for the team.
A fairly one sided affair again but the players deserve credit for keeping their shape even after the first few goals went in and they also kept the ball down well into a strong wind.
Goals came from Blair, Josh, Matthew and James who was helping us out as we had a couple of boys missing.
Sadly this was the last game for Josh, Arran C and Arron O who will be playing for the Windsor next year whilst we hopefully move into the Edinburgh League. The coaches wish them well and thank them for their efforts for the team.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
DRAMA AT FENIESIDE, 17-6-09
FERNIESIDE 3 MYS BLACKS 3
It is difficult to write a report of this game - re-arranged to Wednesday as Fernieside had a club event the previous Sunday - without mentioning "the incident", but I fear it is best left alone. What I will say is that I came along for a kids' football match and ended up experiencing something more like a Shakepearean play, by turns comic and tragic.
The comedy came when Cammy Brown - the cornerstone of a long unbeaten run since he decided he wanted to be a full-time goalie - was sent to the wrong ground by his dad. The rest of us were at Fernieside, he was at Wallyford. Oops.
Callum bravely volunteered to go in goal, no easy task, especially as the penalty box at Fernieside is the tiniest in the league by some distance, making distribution by the goalie very hazardous indeed.
Our stand-in did well, catching the ball confidently, making some good saves and kicking out well as the game see-sawed from end-to-end at what seemed like 100 miles per hour. Seth had a good angled shot well-saved, Jack just failed to head in at the back post and after a brilliant move involving a superb dummy by David, Seth hit a good chance straight at the keeper.
Though we had most of the chances in the first 20 minutes, Fernieside took the lead with a fierce right foot shot across Callum (who had no chance) into the corner. They made it 2-0 with a left-foot shot high into the net, but the wind and slope had been in their favour and we were confident of coming back into it.
Lloyd had a shot well-saved just before half-time after another good move, but immediately after the break, he ran onto an excellent throw by Jack to slip the ball home to pull us back to 2-1.
The Cammy cavalry then arrived but after one good save, he had no chance with a brilliant curling shot from the left of the goal to put the home team 3-1 up. The incident then took place and meant a break of almost ten mnutes before play could resume.
Jason and Connor (and David when Jason was off after a whack on the knee) held the line well at the back and we were starting to move the ball forward well. Brandon and Seth, however, struggled to make an impression up front and with Scott missing, we pushed Jack up top. This could, in hindsight, be seen as a piece of tactical genius as he scored twice to rescue a 3-3 draw.
His first goal came when their keeper handled outside the box and Lloyd played the free-kick to Jack who swept it in. The equaliser was a net-buster as he found spce to the right-hand edge of the box and hammered the ball into the far corner. It was a well-deserved draw for us and Callum, David and Blair deserve credit for helping take the game to Fernieside from the midfield with Lloyd and Jack - and all the boys deserve huge credit for coping in a very difficult situation.
That is now nine league games unbeaten, a tremendous record.
Finally, I would like to make one thing clear - if I ever feel any of our boys are cheating or deliberately playing in an unsporting manner, they will be withdrawn from the pitch. If they persistently argue with a referee or their team-mates - or deliberately set out to hurt other players - they have no part in this team. On this occasion (like the rest of the season), I feel our boys played in a whole-hearted, committed way, but without any malice. Please all do your best to ensure this remains the case.
Squad: Callum, Jason, Connor, David, Lloyd, Jack, Seth, Blair, Brandon, Cammy.
Scorers: Lloyd, Jack 2
It is difficult to write a report of this game - re-arranged to Wednesday as Fernieside had a club event the previous Sunday - without mentioning "the incident", but I fear it is best left alone. What I will say is that I came along for a kids' football match and ended up experiencing something more like a Shakepearean play, by turns comic and tragic.
The comedy came when Cammy Brown - the cornerstone of a long unbeaten run since he decided he wanted to be a full-time goalie - was sent to the wrong ground by his dad. The rest of us were at Fernieside, he was at Wallyford. Oops.
Callum bravely volunteered to go in goal, no easy task, especially as the penalty box at Fernieside is the tiniest in the league by some distance, making distribution by the goalie very hazardous indeed.
Our stand-in did well, catching the ball confidently, making some good saves and kicking out well as the game see-sawed from end-to-end at what seemed like 100 miles per hour. Seth had a good angled shot well-saved, Jack just failed to head in at the back post and after a brilliant move involving a superb dummy by David, Seth hit a good chance straight at the keeper.
Though we had most of the chances in the first 20 minutes, Fernieside took the lead with a fierce right foot shot across Callum (who had no chance) into the corner. They made it 2-0 with a left-foot shot high into the net, but the wind and slope had been in their favour and we were confident of coming back into it.
Lloyd had a shot well-saved just before half-time after another good move, but immediately after the break, he ran onto an excellent throw by Jack to slip the ball home to pull us back to 2-1.
The Cammy cavalry then arrived but after one good save, he had no chance with a brilliant curling shot from the left of the goal to put the home team 3-1 up. The incident then took place and meant a break of almost ten mnutes before play could resume.
Jason and Connor (and David when Jason was off after a whack on the knee) held the line well at the back and we were starting to move the ball forward well. Brandon and Seth, however, struggled to make an impression up front and with Scott missing, we pushed Jack up top. This could, in hindsight, be seen as a piece of tactical genius as he scored twice to rescue a 3-3 draw.
His first goal came when their keeper handled outside the box and Lloyd played the free-kick to Jack who swept it in. The equaliser was a net-buster as he found spce to the right-hand edge of the box and hammered the ball into the far corner. It was a well-deserved draw for us and Callum, David and Blair deserve credit for helping take the game to Fernieside from the midfield with Lloyd and Jack - and all the boys deserve huge credit for coping in a very difficult situation.
That is now nine league games unbeaten, a tremendous record.
Finally, I would like to make one thing clear - if I ever feel any of our boys are cheating or deliberately playing in an unsporting manner, they will be withdrawn from the pitch. If they persistently argue with a referee or their team-mates - or deliberately set out to hurt other players - they have no part in this team. On this occasion (like the rest of the season), I feel our boys played in a whole-hearted, committed way, but without any malice. Please all do your best to ensure this remains the case.
Squad: Callum, Jason, Connor, David, Lloyd, Jack, Seth, Blair, Brandon, Cammy.
Scorers: Lloyd, Jack 2
Sunday, June 7, 2009
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
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
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