PUNISHED AT PENCAITLAND

Pencaitland Blue 7 - 4 MYS Blue Stripes (11Apr09)

Summer football has arrived. On a sparkling day we pitched up at Pencaitland with a squad of 8 as we were missing Brendan and Owain. In continuing to try and field a strong team over all 4 quarters, we started with Cameron in goal. However he was blameless as Pencaitland flew out the blocks and stunned us by scoring 4 goals before we had a chance to get in the game. Literally every attack yielded a goal and we found it really difficult to cope with their pace, strength and precise passing. When we had a chance to recover our composure we were able to pull one goal back before the end of the first quarter courtesy of Keiron whose shot the goalie tried to stop with his feet, only to miss the ball and give us some hope.

In the second period we started to play better and became the dominant team. However we were very wasteful in front of goal and whilst we missed numerous chances to reduce the deficit, we did pull one back courtesy of a good strike from Ben. Credit also needs to be given to their keeper who was truly inspired in this period. Just when you thought we could start to put them under pressure, we gave away a crazy goal from their only foray up field. From their kick in on one side we let the ball travel an inordinate distance across the pitch for one of their players to control and toe poke the ball past Keiron. Talk about a goal out of nothing when we had the numerical advantage in relation to more defenders than attackers.

Therefore we went into the third period 5-2 in arrears and with Ben now assuming the role of goalie, he was also doubling up as a makeshift sweeper when they threatened to cut through us again. We gave ourselves a chance following a great strike from Jamie to make the score 5-3. However we found it impossible to keep them at bay and shortly before the end of the quarter, they scored another well crafted goal. It was just rewards based on the pressure they had been applying. With Jason injured, Ethan went in goal and we again worked hard to limit them to one chance, however on this day it was all they required to put the game beyond us. Keiron pulled a goal back before the end of the game to make the score slightly more respectable, as a result of a scuffed shot which crept past their goalie.

All in all we were giving a lesson on letting the ball do the work, creating space to receive the ball and finishing the chances which are presented to you. We were also reminded that we need to get our heads in the game right from the start and compete.

Finally whilst it is right to play football in better weather to help develop skills, summer football with a limited squad and injuries presents a challenge for the players and if you discount the first quarter, we then drew the next 3 quarters 3-3. Therefore for this, all the boys deserve credit for their efforts.

Teamsheet: Cameron, Scott, Ethan, Keiron, Jason, Lennon, Ben & Jamie

Goal scorers: Keiron (2), Ben & Jamie