What an Improvement!

Belhaven Hill U-13 0-1 Merchiston Castle U-13

Achieving anything worthwhile is never easy to do; things take time, effort, discipline, determination, talent and practice. Whether you want to become a world-class scientist or professional golfer, you have to work at your subject. A lot. This what the pupils of Belhaven have done over the past two years; we do not play a lot of football up and down the school and have had very few matches indeed in recent times. As such a lot has been asked of the boys and though I can see the strides they have made over time, the results haven't necessarily reflected Belhaven's gradual improvement.

As such, today's result represents a phenomenal step in the right direction.

The game kicked off with Belhaven straight on the attack and we could have been two goals to the good in the first five minutes, had Henry's cross not evaded the strikers and Douglas' heavy touch not run to the keeper when clean through.

After seven minutes Dougal was first tested and he showed that he was up for the fight in repelling a good Merchiston attack. Two minutes later the same player again stopped Merchy with a solid save. The game was one for swinging, however, and after 15 minutes Douglas had another great chance to put the hosts one up but didn't connect properly.

The half ended with Belhaven letting up a little and our offside-trap was sprung once for a Merchiston forward to go through but thankfully Dougal was there to make three good saves as the half ended.

The second half began in gutsy fashion, with both teams scrapping their way for the ball, and a cry of 'fight to the death' went up from a giggle of Form One girls who had braved the cold in support of the boys. The ball was being kept too much down the centre of the pitch and Henry and Freddy were seeing precious little quick ball through to them.

After 31 minutes the Belhaven line finally broke as Edward was left as the one in a 2-on-1 and Merchiston squeezed the ball in at the near post. All fair, I feel as the visitors had their foot on the pedal just a little more than we did.

William came on in goal and was straight into the action making several fine saves and watching his goal lead a somewhat charmed life at times as accurate crosses whizzed by his fingertips but thankfully, from a Belhaven standpoint, out of reach of any oncoming Merchiston attacker.

Still Belhaven played and created a wonderful move down the right involving George, Freddy and Douglas and but for a little good fortune on two occasions only a last-ditch tackle prevented a blue striker bearing down clean-through on goal.

In the end the whistle blew and sounded a defeat for Belhaven but the manner in which they played, looking out for each other, showing good resilience as well as looking to create openings whilst still holding their shape bodes very well for the future. It says much that three players took jarring body blows during the game but stayed on, such was their desire to compete.

Leo was maginificent in defence, often being a one-man wall against a tide of attackers, Tom's close-control was exemplary as always and George led the team with authority and control. Dougal and William both produced some fantasic saves and both Andrew and Henry on the left, and Jamie and Freddy on the right linked extemely well.

Boys, we need to look at our throw-ins and also at getting the ball into wide positions more often. Keep on at each other to keep your line at the back, too. Very well done on your perfomance today.

Men of the match: Leo for a peerless defensive performace and Dougal for an at-times match-saving performance.

Next up: Dunbar Grammar at home 28/1/2010 at 1430.

Mr. Curry

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