MYS Blue Stripes 6 - 4 Dunbar Colts Black (28Mar09)
We had our first home game for months against Dunbar Colts Black, who have always given us very difficult games in the past. The weather was marginally better and we were blessed with some sun, however both teams still had to contend with the wind and cold.
Despite the conditions we made a very bright start and with the wind at our back, we quickly pressed Dunbar back in their own half. We created chances for Ben and Jason through good creative play from Lennon and Keiron. However we were to end the first period goalless, despite Ben running on to a huge clearance from Lennon and then dragging his shot past the post. It was a frustrating period as our dominant play deserved more.
We picked up where we left off at the beginning of the 2nd period and despite now playing into the wind, Ben had our first chance with a well struck shot which just narrowly flew over the bar. Then at last a goal to reward our play. Jason won the ball in midfield and played the ball to Lennon who controlled the ball perfectly and fired a great shot past their goalie. This seemed to give us the confidence to push on and it wasn’t long before we extended our lead courtesy of Ben who controlled the ball with both feet and then dispatched a great shot high into the net. It was his close control which mesmerised the Dunbar defence and allowed him to get his shot away before they could react.
Over the first two periods our defence in the form of Scott and Owain in the first period and then Brendan and Ethan in the second were really solid and we hardly allowed a Dunbar a strike on goal. Having said that Dunbar worked a very good goal shortly into the third period when what seemed like a hopeful ball forward was clinically finished with a great strike past Ben. If we needed a reminder as to how good Dunbar can be, this was it. However we reacted in a very positive way as from the resulting kick off, Jason played the ball into space for Cameron to run onto, control and hit a great shot high past their keeper into the net. Then from our next attack we extended our lead courtesy of a good pass from Cameron into Keiron who ran on and drilled the ball into the net. Just before the end of our best period of the game we scored our fifth, this time Jason won the ball in midfield, found himself able to run on into space and with the wind at his back, he hit a great shot which gave the keeper no chance.
We went into the last period comfortably ahead and in order to give everyone equal match time, we made changes which seemed to make no difference initially as from a corner by Keiron, Owain who was now playing centre mid, controlled the ball at the edge of the box, dragged the ball to his left to create space and then hit a low shot into the corner of the net. At 6-1, we looked very comfortable however whether it was tiredness or complacency, we then started to get over-run and it wasn’t long before Dunbar’s pressure was rewarded with a goal from a shot which seemed to move in the air and it gave Jason no chance. We then failed to clear a bouncing ball in our box from one of their many attacks, which was struck with such venom high into Jason’s right hand top corner. Whilst we could have done better clearing the ball from our box, you had to admire the shot which was unstoppable. Just before the end Dunbar scored their fourth which was just a result of the pressure they had been applying and was no more than they deserved.
For three-quarters of the game we played the best football we have played for a long time and whilst it was no surprise that Dunbar came back strongly in the last quarter, it doesn’t detract from what is an excellent result against one of the best teams in the league. Credit is given to ALL the players for their effort and determination as we continue to improve as the season progresses.
Teamsheet: Cameron, Scott, Owain, Keiron, Jason, Lennon, Ben, Brendan and Ethan
Goalscorers: Lennon, Ben, Cameron, Keiron, Jason & Owain
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
TRANENT HIT FOR SIX
Tranent Colts 4 - 6 MYS Blue Stripes (14Mar09)
We travelled to Tranent for our 2nd game of the season and were faced with another windy day, the only saving grace this week being the wind was across the pitch rather than behind, thereby offering no real advantage to either team.
However we could not blame the elements as Tranent quickly got into their stride, over-ran us in midfield and took the lead courtesy of a great shot past Cameron. This shook us into action and we gradually started to get into the game with some good link up play between Jason and Ben and Keiron and Ben. Our pressure quickly brought an equaliser from Jason collecting the ball in midfield and then beautifully disguising a reverse left foot pass into Ben who struck it first time past the keeper. Shortly afterwards Ben was able to intercept a clearance from their goalie and run on and finish to put us in the lead. We were now looking good with Scott and Ethan providing the defensive platform for Keiron, Jason and Lennon to take complete control of the game and allow Ben every opportunity to add to his already impressive goal tally for the season. Just before the end of the first period and just after Jason and Ben had shot wide, we scored a great team goal which started with Cameron feeding Ethan who in turn found Lennon. He carried the ball forward then picked out Ben who drilled home from just outside the safety zone to allow us to finish the first period 1-3. Another hat-trick for Ben, but more importantly we showed great character in coming back from losing an early goal.
We made some changes going into the 2nd quarter which saw Brendan and Jamie assume the defensive responsibilities and Owain replace Lennon. We also switched Cameron and Jason, however the changes did nothing to loosen our grip on the game and quickly Ben was able to add number 4, courtesy of Jamie robbing their defender and playing a great pass into Ben’s path for him to finish with style. We were creating lots of chances, the next one being a good pass from Brendan into Ben with his quick shot being deflected for a corner. Brendan and Jamie were showing that they were just as effective as Scott and Ethan and they were linking well as a defensive partnership and able to hold Tranent at bay. The midfield three of Keiron, Cameron and Owain were also linking well and it was Owain’s persistence which enabled him to rob the defender and play the ball to Ben who today only had eyes for goal and it was another great strike which took the score to 1-5. Shortly before the end of the 2nd quarter, Jamie set up Owain who hit a shot just over the bar.
More changes at the beginning of the 3rd quarter, but this time it really seemed to affect us. We seemed to take a long time to settle and as a result we quickly lost a soft goal with the ball being played through our midfield very easily and Scott and Ethan being over-ran. Despite a couple of great saves from Jamie, one in particular when he tipped the ball over the bar, we lost another goal when once again we seemed to be outnumbered in midfield and defence. It wasn’t obvious at the time what changes Tranent had made, suffice to say they were proving to be a real handful and whether we had become a bit complacent, they were clearly the team in the ascendancy and before long we lost another goal to take the score to 4-5.
The break couldn’t come quickly enough as it allowed us to re-group, make some further changes and break Tranent’s rhythm. We reintroduced Keiron, Cameron and Ben with Owain going in goal and whilst we were still living dangerously at the back, we were able to compete much better around the pitch. For the first time in what felt like a long while, we created a chance when Ben turned provider with Cameron shooting just wide. We continued to play the game in their half and it wasn’t long after we swapped Jason for Lennon, that Ben controlled a long pass from Jamie and played the ball into Jason who seemed to strike the ball with the outside of his right foot with his shot deceiving the keeper who probably thought the ball was going past but it sneaked just inside his right hand post. This gave us some breathing space again and allowed us to play out the rest of the game quite comfortably.
It is quite satisfying to see that when we are asked the question, we have the mental strength to respond and we clearly showed that we wanted to win the game. There is still much room for improvement particularly with our passing game, however I have to give them all a lot of credit for defeating a very capable Tranent team.
Finally, many thanks for the fantastic support and positive encouragement given to the all the players by our parents, which for the Blue Stripes is normal and I fully expect our behaviour to be rewarded with a spot in the last four of the Fair Play Cup.
Teamsheet: Cameron, Scott, Ethan, Keiron, Jason, Lennon, Ben, Brendan, Owain & Jamie
Goalscorers: Ben (5) & Jason
We travelled to Tranent for our 2nd game of the season and were faced with another windy day, the only saving grace this week being the wind was across the pitch rather than behind, thereby offering no real advantage to either team.
However we could not blame the elements as Tranent quickly got into their stride, over-ran us in midfield and took the lead courtesy of a great shot past Cameron. This shook us into action and we gradually started to get into the game with some good link up play between Jason and Ben and Keiron and Ben. Our pressure quickly brought an equaliser from Jason collecting the ball in midfield and then beautifully disguising a reverse left foot pass into Ben who struck it first time past the keeper. Shortly afterwards Ben was able to intercept a clearance from their goalie and run on and finish to put us in the lead. We were now looking good with Scott and Ethan providing the defensive platform for Keiron, Jason and Lennon to take complete control of the game and allow Ben every opportunity to add to his already impressive goal tally for the season. Just before the end of the first period and just after Jason and Ben had shot wide, we scored a great team goal which started with Cameron feeding Ethan who in turn found Lennon. He carried the ball forward then picked out Ben who drilled home from just outside the safety zone to allow us to finish the first period 1-3. Another hat-trick for Ben, but more importantly we showed great character in coming back from losing an early goal.
We made some changes going into the 2nd quarter which saw Brendan and Jamie assume the defensive responsibilities and Owain replace Lennon. We also switched Cameron and Jason, however the changes did nothing to loosen our grip on the game and quickly Ben was able to add number 4, courtesy of Jamie robbing their defender and playing a great pass into Ben’s path for him to finish with style. We were creating lots of chances, the next one being a good pass from Brendan into Ben with his quick shot being deflected for a corner. Brendan and Jamie were showing that they were just as effective as Scott and Ethan and they were linking well as a defensive partnership and able to hold Tranent at bay. The midfield three of Keiron, Cameron and Owain were also linking well and it was Owain’s persistence which enabled him to rob the defender and play the ball to Ben who today only had eyes for goal and it was another great strike which took the score to 1-5. Shortly before the end of the 2nd quarter, Jamie set up Owain who hit a shot just over the bar.
More changes at the beginning of the 3rd quarter, but this time it really seemed to affect us. We seemed to take a long time to settle and as a result we quickly lost a soft goal with the ball being played through our midfield very easily and Scott and Ethan being over-ran. Despite a couple of great saves from Jamie, one in particular when he tipped the ball over the bar, we lost another goal when once again we seemed to be outnumbered in midfield and defence. It wasn’t obvious at the time what changes Tranent had made, suffice to say they were proving to be a real handful and whether we had become a bit complacent, they were clearly the team in the ascendancy and before long we lost another goal to take the score to 4-5.
The break couldn’t come quickly enough as it allowed us to re-group, make some further changes and break Tranent’s rhythm. We reintroduced Keiron, Cameron and Ben with Owain going in goal and whilst we were still living dangerously at the back, we were able to compete much better around the pitch. For the first time in what felt like a long while, we created a chance when Ben turned provider with Cameron shooting just wide. We continued to play the game in their half and it wasn’t long after we swapped Jason for Lennon, that Ben controlled a long pass from Jamie and played the ball into Jason who seemed to strike the ball with the outside of his right foot with his shot deceiving the keeper who probably thought the ball was going past but it sneaked just inside his right hand post. This gave us some breathing space again and allowed us to play out the rest of the game quite comfortably.
It is quite satisfying to see that when we are asked the question, we have the mental strength to respond and we clearly showed that we wanted to win the game. There is still much room for improvement particularly with our passing game, however I have to give them all a lot of credit for defeating a very capable Tranent team.
Finally, many thanks for the fantastic support and positive encouragement given to the all the players by our parents, which for the Blue Stripes is normal and I fully expect our behaviour to be rewarded with a spot in the last four of the Fair Play Cup.
Teamsheet: Cameron, Scott, Ethan, Keiron, Jason, Lennon, Ben, Brendan, Owain & Jamie
Goalscorers: Ben (5) & Jason
Thursday, March 12, 2009
NEW SEASON KICKS OFF WITH A WIN
North Berwick Colts 1 - 8 MYS Blue Stripes (7Mar09)
At the start of another season when the focus is on summer football, today’s weather bore absolutely no resemblance to summer. It was another cold windy day and it was clear that the team that had the wind behind them was always going to have the advantage.
Consequently we started with that advantage in the first period and quite quickly we had North Berwick pinned back as we applied all the pressure. From a Ben corner, Keiron headed over the bar. Shortly after Keiron drilled the ball home which was our reward after a number of shots from Ben and Jason had been blocked. When North Berwick did get out of their half, they were denied by solid defending from Scott and Owain. Shortly before the end of the first period Keiron put us further ahead by following up a shot from Ben which their goalie did really well to stop, but he could only parry into Keiron’s path, who had the easy task of side-footing into the empty net.
At the beginning of the 2nd period we switched goalies from Cameron who barely touched the ball to Jason, with Cameron assuming Jason’s position in middle of midfield. In addition we brought Brendan and Ethan on to replace Scott & Owain in defence. Ben and Keiron picked up where they left of with good link up play on the right hand side which saw Keiron shoot into the side netting. We were completely dominant by now and had shots from Cameron, Ben and Lennon all saved by an inspired goalie. However it was just a matter of time before Lennon and Cameron engineered a short corner which saw the ball drilled across by Cameron for Keiron to stroke the ball home to claim his first hat trick of the new season. Shortly afterwards Ben got our fourth with low shot past the keeper. At this point North Berwick brought on an extra player in an attempt to make it more of an even game. However, having got a taste for goal, Ben scored his 2nd and our fifth courtesy of a great strike with his right foot with flew into the goalie’s top right hand corner – a truly unstoppable shot. Just before the end of the 2nd period, North Berwick scored a well deserved goal from the only girl on the pitch. North Berwick were using their extra player to good advantage and when the ball broke to the girl just outside the box, she struck a great shot, which with the wind at her back, flew past Jason in goal.
At the beginning of the 3rd period when we were playing downwind again, we applied loads of pressure and had good link up play involving Ethan, Lennon, Brendan & Cameron, which saw shots from Jason and Owain being saved. For all the pressure, it took a great shot from Jason to register our only goal in this period and take the score to 6-1 at the end of the third period. With Ben our goalie in the third period and us playing downwind, his only touch was as a result of a good save.
Going into the last period we rested Cameron and Jason and gave Ben the responsibility of playmaker in middle of midfield. His link up play with Keiron on the right and Lennon on the left created chances which on another day would have seen Brendan open his account for this season. However Ben soon scored his third and our seventh when he collected the ball in midfield drove forward and unleashed another great strike past the keeper. Shortly before the end Keiron chalked up his fourth and our eighth after another flowing move involving Scott and Ben, which saw Keiron shoot the ball past their goalie.
After our outing against Dunbar last week when we were a bit ring rusty, we showed glimpses of our passing game and I’ve no doubt we will continue to make good progress in this area as the season progresses. I also think when we have the opportunity of being able to play a game in better weather, this will make a huge difference.
Finally, both sets of players deserve great credit for putting on such an enjoyable spectacle in pretty foul weather.
Teamsheet: Cameron, Scott, Owain, Keiron, Jason, Lennon, Ben, Brendan & Ethan
Goal scorers: Keiron (4), Ben (3), and Jason
At the start of another season when the focus is on summer football, today’s weather bore absolutely no resemblance to summer. It was another cold windy day and it was clear that the team that had the wind behind them was always going to have the advantage.
Consequently we started with that advantage in the first period and quite quickly we had North Berwick pinned back as we applied all the pressure. From a Ben corner, Keiron headed over the bar. Shortly after Keiron drilled the ball home which was our reward after a number of shots from Ben and Jason had been blocked. When North Berwick did get out of their half, they were denied by solid defending from Scott and Owain. Shortly before the end of the first period Keiron put us further ahead by following up a shot from Ben which their goalie did really well to stop, but he could only parry into Keiron’s path, who had the easy task of side-footing into the empty net.
At the beginning of the 2nd period we switched goalies from Cameron who barely touched the ball to Jason, with Cameron assuming Jason’s position in middle of midfield. In addition we brought Brendan and Ethan on to replace Scott & Owain in defence. Ben and Keiron picked up where they left of with good link up play on the right hand side which saw Keiron shoot into the side netting. We were completely dominant by now and had shots from Cameron, Ben and Lennon all saved by an inspired goalie. However it was just a matter of time before Lennon and Cameron engineered a short corner which saw the ball drilled across by Cameron for Keiron to stroke the ball home to claim his first hat trick of the new season. Shortly afterwards Ben got our fourth with low shot past the keeper. At this point North Berwick brought on an extra player in an attempt to make it more of an even game. However, having got a taste for goal, Ben scored his 2nd and our fifth courtesy of a great strike with his right foot with flew into the goalie’s top right hand corner – a truly unstoppable shot. Just before the end of the 2nd period, North Berwick scored a well deserved goal from the only girl on the pitch. North Berwick were using their extra player to good advantage and when the ball broke to the girl just outside the box, she struck a great shot, which with the wind at her back, flew past Jason in goal.
At the beginning of the 3rd period when we were playing downwind again, we applied loads of pressure and had good link up play involving Ethan, Lennon, Brendan & Cameron, which saw shots from Jason and Owain being saved. For all the pressure, it took a great shot from Jason to register our only goal in this period and take the score to 6-1 at the end of the third period. With Ben our goalie in the third period and us playing downwind, his only touch was as a result of a good save.
Going into the last period we rested Cameron and Jason and gave Ben the responsibility of playmaker in middle of midfield. His link up play with Keiron on the right and Lennon on the left created chances which on another day would have seen Brendan open his account for this season. However Ben soon scored his third and our seventh when he collected the ball in midfield drove forward and unleashed another great strike past the keeper. Shortly before the end Keiron chalked up his fourth and our eighth after another flowing move involving Scott and Ben, which saw Keiron shoot the ball past their goalie.
After our outing against Dunbar last week when we were a bit ring rusty, we showed glimpses of our passing game and I’ve no doubt we will continue to make good progress in this area as the season progresses. I also think when we have the opportunity of being able to play a game in better weather, this will make a huge difference.
Finally, both sets of players deserve great credit for putting on such an enjoyable spectacle in pretty foul weather.
Teamsheet: Cameron, Scott, Owain, Keiron, Jason, Lennon, Ben, Brendan & Ethan
Goal scorers: Keiron (4), Ben (3), and Jason
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)