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