Coach Zsolt Jakri gives us the lowdown on how his young side battled back to snatch the win.

 

 

It was probably the warm Scottish weather to blame, but the team started very slowly, with a more experienced and older Cockenzie team leading attack after attack.

 

 

The two defenders, Freya and Dora had to work hard to support Morgan, who had a couple of fine saves. It was not until the last minute of the first 15 when Spartans finally had a great passing move with Emma finishing it off – a welcome, if somewhat undeserved lead (1-0)!

 

 

The team was shuffled around by the coach for the second 15 minutes to offer different playing experience to all the players. Libby went in goals and had to pull out some fantastic saves but could not stop the opponents scoring two goals very early and then adding another one following a mix-up in the Spartans defence. A couple more saves followed and with Lucy, Rosie and Sophie starting to put more pressure on the visiting team, the Blues forced an error from the opposing defence and Dora capitalised with a composed goal (2-3).

 

 

The clouds arrived before the last 15; the slight chill woke the Blues up and they put in a great effort to turn the game around. The girls started to pass the ball really well, got into positions and created lots of chances. Rosie showed strong hands in the goal, Rona offered great skills with a couple dribbles and a fantastic top corner shot from distance then Hannah scored very cleverly from inside the box. However, a defensive error led to a Cockenzie goal between the two Spartans celebrations to set up an exciting finale.

 

 

The game seemed to be heading for a 4-4 draw, but, with only a minute remaining, probably the best move of the game saw the back line of Emma and Lucy clearing the ball with good passes up to Freya. The ball then found Dora on the right, who dribbled past two players at the right corner and sent in a great cross for Bethany, whose first shot was saved by the goalie but our midfielder put the rebound away to secure a 5-4 win in a game that was fantastic to watch for all the spectators, but which certainly sped up the hair loss of the Blues’ coach! The unbeaten run in the Development League continues, four wins and a draw from our younger U11s so far this season.

 

 

Team (photo attached)

 

L-R:

 

back: Bethany, Libby, Emma, Rona, Hannah, Morgan
front: Rosie, Lucy, Freya, Sophie, Dora