Milton Keynes vs Northampton

This Saturday MKHC men’s 1s faced Northampton Saints at home. Milton Keynes were playing with a reduced squad due to holiday commitments, but were keen to take another step forward after an encouraging performance last week.

The weather was extremely hot, and so it was decided that rather than play the traditional two halves of hockey, the game would be split into quarters to allow players some respite from the heat (especially important given the large ginger contingent in the squad this week…).

And so into the 1st quarter! Milton Keynes began strongly and maintained good possession probing the Northampton defence to try and find a weakness. Despite the heat, the work rate of the side was excellent and the forward line of Leroy, Giac, Mikey and Sibo pressed well and were causing the Saints defence some real problems. Saints themselves were limited to a few breaks, but nothing the MK backline couldn’t handle when marshalled by GK Nick Gage. Eventually MK broke the deadlock when a ball was fed into the D by Danny to Mikey, who proceeded to turn and smash the ball past the Saints GKs left shoulder for a great goal. Shortly after this MK allowed Saints a chance due to some lax marking and they managed to tuck it away.

After some stern words at halftime from Sensei Anderson, MK re-entered the field ready to take the game to Saints. The tempo was upped and the midfield began to exert their influence with Danny, Eric and Ginge beginning to pick passes through the Saints defence and create chances. Eventually MK managed to make a break through when Leroy’s shot was half saved and Giac managed to smuggle away the rebound. The third goal was pretty much the same with Leroy teeing up Giac to make it 3-1. All the while Saints tried to press, but the MK defence calmly worked the ball around them. Ex 1s player Mark ‘Cubby‘ Davies was heard on the sideline likening Chaz and Nick to Beckenbauer and Moore, such was the quality and composure in their distribution. At the end of the quarter MK were on the verge of scoring a fourth, but the umpire cruelly blew halftime as Leroy burst through to the Saints goal. The next goal would have to wait…

The second half began much as the 1st half ended, with MK enjoying large amounts of possession and making all the running. The next goal was definitely the best of the game – straight off the training ground. The ball was won in the middle of the park, and Ginge fed the ball up the field to the waiting Leroy, who proceeded to carry the ball directly through the Saints defence, and upon reaching their D, fed the ball to Eric who was waiting on the back post to slot away for an easy finish. A wonderful team goal! Mk turned the screw in this half with continued pressure in the Saints D, which led to easy tap in goals for Danny and Sibo. 6-1 MK at ¾ time.

After some stern words at quarter time, MK came out looking to truly put the game to bed. This was done very quickly with the ball won on the right side and fed into the D for an MK shot, this was saved by the keeper, but not well enough, as debutant Gavin Dowland ghosted in at the back post to volley home the 7th. As the game drew to a close MK managed to score an 8th goal. Here Mikey Gilson fed Captain Nick Anderson, who drilled a beautiful reverse stick cross towards the back post, to where Mikey, having continued his run, dived to touch in. A fitting goal to cap an excellent team performance in difficult conditions. Final score 8-1 (I know this was originally reported 9-1, but we have been unable to discover who the 9th scorer was…)