VICTORY IN FIRST HOME GAME OF SEASON

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