Dunbar Colts Black Stripes 6 - 6 MYS Blue Stripes (4Oct08)
In keeping with previous games this season, we travelled with only nine kids, due to Cameron being injured. However on another extremely wet and windy day, this did not detract from us starting the game really strongly and we quickly established a lead courtesy of Keiron finishing off a good one-two move with Ben down the right, by way of a great shot which came off the underside of the bar. Shortly after, Jason doubled our lead when he controlled a corner from Ben on the left then turned the defender and shot past the keeper. We weren’t having it all our on way and despite some good saves from Owain, we lost a goal shortly before the end of the first period when Dunbar put together a good passing move and reduced the deficit to one.
In the second period we realised the importance of taking our chances as we suffered an onslaught from Dunbar who were able to take advantage of playing with the wind at their backs. They had a number of chances and it was only down to the tenacity of each individual and some inspired goalkeeping from Ben, which kept Dunbar at bay. However Dunbar drew level from a crazy goal which started from our kick-in in their half. Rather than drive the ball forward we tried to play a very adventurous pass across the pitch to one of our defenders. The wind caught the pass and it flew back to one of their players who coolly slotted it past Ben. Due to a combination of good play and taking advantage of the elements, Dunbar went ahead quite soon afterwards which was well deserved. However our never say die attitude was evident for all to see as we regained our composure and managed to draw level again as Jason won the ball close to their goal and fired home.
After the second period we lost Scott and Keiron as both were booked to appear as half time entertainment at Tynecastle that day with Musselburgh Windsors. However their efforts were invaluable as it meant we could rest 2 players during the first 2 periods as we would have to play the 2 remaining 15 minute periods with only 7 players.
With Owain restored to striker, and the wind at our back, he managed to use his body to deflect a shot from Jamie and after assuring the referee that the ball did not come off his hand, the goal stood. At this stage we were playing well, but against a well organised Dunbar team we could not extend our lead and it wasn’t long before they drew level again. Just before the end of the third period, we were awarded a free kick after Owain was fouled outside the box. Whilst Ben was aware that he could not score direct from the free kick, we received a huge slice of luck when his shot-come-cross got the slightest of deflections off one of the Dunbar players’ head and flew into the net. To his credit the referee allowed the goal to stand and we went into the final period with a slight advantage.
However with the advantage of the wind, Dunbar dominated large parts of the final period and although Jason finished off a typically flowing move which involved great work from Brendan, Ethan and Lennon, we could not hold onto the lead and Dunbar scored two goals in the final period to ensure the game finished all square. Whilst we pride ourselves on playing flowing football, this game proved that each one of our players also has a big heart and can dig deep and adapt to the horrendous conditions. Both sets of players deserve huge credit for putting on such an entertaining game of football and for agreeing to play for the pre-agreed 4 x 15 minute periods.
Teamsheet: Owain, Scott, Ethan, Brendan, Ben, Jamie, Jason, Keiron, Lennon
Goal scorers: Jason (3), Keiron, Ben, Owain
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
PENCAITLAND PLAY WITH DEPLETED SQUAD
MYS Blue Stripes 16 - 2 Pencaitland Blue (20Sep08)
This week it was the turn of Keiron and Lennon to be absent for various reasons and with Pencaitland having numerous call-offs and only arriving with 6 players, it was agreed that our sub for each of the 4 quarters would join their team.
Obviously news of our previous week’s performance had leaked out (or it may just have been coincidence) as at the start of the game we were joined by 2 Hibs scouts on the sidelines. Unfortunately due to the slightly surreal nature of the game and sensing that we weren’t all that happy playing against one of our own, we started the game really poorly and couldn’t string 2 passes together. Ironically just after the scouts left, we started to play better and we scored goals through Ben (3) Jason and Owain. The link up play of Cameron, Jason, Owain and Ben was instrumental in securing our lead in the first period with Scott and Ethan providing the defensive solidity in front of Jamie.
In the second period with Cameron now in goal, Brendan assuming his role on the right side of defence, Ethan on the right side of midfield and Jamie on the left side of midfield we picked up from where we left off with goals from Jason (2) and Jamie. With the first of Jason’s goals, it was a quick kick out from Cameron which released Jamie down the left to subsequently find Jason who walked the ball into the net. Jason and Ben were instrumental in Jamie’s goal with Ben linking up well for Jason’s third goal.
The third period saw more changes, the most effective being Owain assuming the role of striker. I think that without exception, every time we attacked during this third period we scored. The link up play of Jamie and Owain was awesome with Owain helping himself to 6 goals in this period as Jamie became the chief architect. Owain’s finishing left the Pencaitland keeper helpless and although we lost a well deserved goal, this period showed that we have discovered another extremely capable striker which will give us more options in the future. In addition to Owain the goal scorer, he also became the provider in setting up Ethan whose deflected shot left the keeper helpless.
In the last period Cameron the birthday boy helped himself to 2 goals. The first was where he intercepted a pass across the box with his shot beating the keeper to his right hand side. His second involved good link up play between Jamie and Jason with Cameron blasting a shot past their keeper. Pencaitland helped themselves to a goal during the final period to bring the final score to 16-2.
All in all, once we got started we played some great football and again the most pleasing aspect was our passing. In addition we took the majority of chances we created and the goals were spread around the team. It was a difficult game as we were always playing against one of our own players, however special praise and thanks needs to go to Brendan, Scott, Ben and Ethan who were willing to join Pencaitland to ensure the game could be played.
Teamsheet: Jamie, Scott, Ethan, Cameron, Jason, Owain, Ben & Brendan
Goal scorers: Owain (7), Jason (3), Ben (3), Cameron (2), & Jamie
This week it was the turn of Keiron and Lennon to be absent for various reasons and with Pencaitland having numerous call-offs and only arriving with 6 players, it was agreed that our sub for each of the 4 quarters would join their team.
Obviously news of our previous week’s performance had leaked out (or it may just have been coincidence) as at the start of the game we were joined by 2 Hibs scouts on the sidelines. Unfortunately due to the slightly surreal nature of the game and sensing that we weren’t all that happy playing against one of our own, we started the game really poorly and couldn’t string 2 passes together. Ironically just after the scouts left, we started to play better and we scored goals through Ben (3) Jason and Owain. The link up play of Cameron, Jason, Owain and Ben was instrumental in securing our lead in the first period with Scott and Ethan providing the defensive solidity in front of Jamie.
In the second period with Cameron now in goal, Brendan assuming his role on the right side of defence, Ethan on the right side of midfield and Jamie on the left side of midfield we picked up from where we left off with goals from Jason (2) and Jamie. With the first of Jason’s goals, it was a quick kick out from Cameron which released Jamie down the left to subsequently find Jason who walked the ball into the net. Jason and Ben were instrumental in Jamie’s goal with Ben linking up well for Jason’s third goal.
The third period saw more changes, the most effective being Owain assuming the role of striker. I think that without exception, every time we attacked during this third period we scored. The link up play of Jamie and Owain was awesome with Owain helping himself to 6 goals in this period as Jamie became the chief architect. Owain’s finishing left the Pencaitland keeper helpless and although we lost a well deserved goal, this period showed that we have discovered another extremely capable striker which will give us more options in the future. In addition to Owain the goal scorer, he also became the provider in setting up Ethan whose deflected shot left the keeper helpless.
In the last period Cameron the birthday boy helped himself to 2 goals. The first was where he intercepted a pass across the box with his shot beating the keeper to his right hand side. His second involved good link up play between Jamie and Jason with Cameron blasting a shot past their keeper. Pencaitland helped themselves to a goal during the final period to bring the final score to 16-2.
All in all, once we got started we played some great football and again the most pleasing aspect was our passing. In addition we took the majority of chances we created and the goals were spread around the team. It was a difficult game as we were always playing against one of our own players, however special praise and thanks needs to go to Brendan, Scott, Ben and Ethan who were willing to join Pencaitland to ensure the game could be played.
Teamsheet: Jamie, Scott, Ethan, Cameron, Jason, Owain, Ben & Brendan
Goal scorers: Owain (7), Jason (3), Ben (3), Cameron (2), & Jamie
A COMFORTABLE WIN
Dunbar Colts White 2 - 11 MYS Blue Stripes (13Sep08)
On a day when we were without Owain who was on holiday, the Blue Stripes delivered their best performance of the season so far in completely dominating a very good Dunbar team. Whereas in previous weeks we may have been slow in getting into our stride, today we simply overwhelmed Dunbar and the foundations for a very good performance were laid in the first period when great link up play between Cameron, Jason, Keiron and Ben delivered goals from Jason, Ben (2) and Keiron. We were also very solid at the back with Scott and Ethan forming a very effective defensive partnership.
The goals we scored in the first period came about as a result of good passing and support play and it was pleasing to see the boys trying to pass the ball up the pitch and also offer the person with the ball numerous options.
We brought Lennon and Brendan on for the second period and we picked up where we left off with Ben’s third coming from a fantastic left foot reverse pass from Jason which completely fooled the Dunbar defence and allowed Ben to smash a right foot shot past their keeper from outside the box.
Ben scored his fourth and our sixth with a good shot across the goalie’s body after a very fluent move which saw us string 6 passes together with the ball being moved left and right across the pitch until we managed to create the opening for Ben. This was a great example of a team goal with most outfield players involved and it showed how far we have progressed that we are always looking to make a pass rather than just kick it up-field. Just after, Dunbar scored a deserved goal from their best player and this spurred us back into action with goals from Ben and Lennon who showed great composure in waiting for the right time to dispatch a good right foot shot past the goalie after collecting a pass from Ben.
In the second period we made several changes but it didn’t affect our performance and it just demonstrates the effectiveness of Ethan who switched from left side of defence to right midfield and continued to produce an excellent performance.
With Dunbar now benefiting from an extra player and our rotation of goalie’s continuing with Jason going between the sticks, the third period was a very even game with our only goal coming by way of a great left foot shot from Jamie who was in the right position outside the box to collect a clearance from a corner and fire a shot past their keeper.
In the final period Jamie was able to help himself to his first hat-trick with goals by way of a tap in from Ben’s shot and another great left foot shot which the goalie could do nothing about. It is becoming apparent that the boys are becoming more comfortable playing as a team and even though we make a number of changes through the game not least because we don’t have a recognised goalie, they all play a valuable part in the team’s success by doing their best wherever they are asked to play.
As I said at the start this was a very accomplished performance and it is very pleasing that the goals are spread over a number of different players. However it would be remiss not to recognise the efforts of all the boys who are instrumental in the ever improving team performances.
Teamsheet: Jamie, Scott, Ethan, Brendan, Ben, Cameron, Jason, Keiron & Lennon
Goal scorers: Ben (5), Jamie (3), Jason, Keiron & Lennon
On a day when we were without Owain who was on holiday, the Blue Stripes delivered their best performance of the season so far in completely dominating a very good Dunbar team. Whereas in previous weeks we may have been slow in getting into our stride, today we simply overwhelmed Dunbar and the foundations for a very good performance were laid in the first period when great link up play between Cameron, Jason, Keiron and Ben delivered goals from Jason, Ben (2) and Keiron. We were also very solid at the back with Scott and Ethan forming a very effective defensive partnership.
The goals we scored in the first period came about as a result of good passing and support play and it was pleasing to see the boys trying to pass the ball up the pitch and also offer the person with the ball numerous options.
We brought Lennon and Brendan on for the second period and we picked up where we left off with Ben’s third coming from a fantastic left foot reverse pass from Jason which completely fooled the Dunbar defence and allowed Ben to smash a right foot shot past their keeper from outside the box.
Ben scored his fourth and our sixth with a good shot across the goalie’s body after a very fluent move which saw us string 6 passes together with the ball being moved left and right across the pitch until we managed to create the opening for Ben. This was a great example of a team goal with most outfield players involved and it showed how far we have progressed that we are always looking to make a pass rather than just kick it up-field. Just after, Dunbar scored a deserved goal from their best player and this spurred us back into action with goals from Ben and Lennon who showed great composure in waiting for the right time to dispatch a good right foot shot past the goalie after collecting a pass from Ben.
In the second period we made several changes but it didn’t affect our performance and it just demonstrates the effectiveness of Ethan who switched from left side of defence to right midfield and continued to produce an excellent performance.
With Dunbar now benefiting from an extra player and our rotation of goalie’s continuing with Jason going between the sticks, the third period was a very even game with our only goal coming by way of a great left foot shot from Jamie who was in the right position outside the box to collect a clearance from a corner and fire a shot past their keeper.
In the final period Jamie was able to help himself to his first hat-trick with goals by way of a tap in from Ben’s shot and another great left foot shot which the goalie could do nothing about. It is becoming apparent that the boys are becoming more comfortable playing as a team and even though we make a number of changes through the game not least because we don’t have a recognised goalie, they all play a valuable part in the team’s success by doing their best wherever they are asked to play.
As I said at the start this was a very accomplished performance and it is very pleasing that the goals are spread over a number of different players. However it would be remiss not to recognise the efforts of all the boys who are instrumental in the ever improving team performances.
Teamsheet: Jamie, Scott, Ethan, Brendan, Ben, Cameron, Jason, Keiron & Lennon
Goal scorers: Ben (5), Jamie (3), Jason, Keiron & Lennon
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