MK vs Banbury

On a sunny Saturday in late October Milton Keynes took on local rivals Banbury in an important game that would potentially allow them to overtake last season’s pre xmas points total in just 5 games.

MK arrived in a positive frame of mind having put in a strong performance last week and would look to build on this to hopefully secure the win that eluded them in the preseason fixture against the same opponents.

And so the game commenced with MK having pushback, which they immediately passed to Banbury. A bold move, but one that would eventually pay dividends as it appeared to lull Banbury into a false sense of security. Milton Keynes eventually began to take hold of the game, distributing well from the back with Charlie Page and Andy Pettefer looking comfortable on the ball, and Ian Cooper and Scott Craig relentlessly releasing our forwards on the wings. This all led to MK making the breakthrough. The ball was fed down the line for Liam Foster, who drilled a classic reverse stick cross for Mikey Gilson to finish on the back post. Following this MK won a short corner. Jamie Dodd stepped up and duly dispatched with laser-like accuracy. Having built a small margin, Mikey Gilson decided it was time for him to turn on the style. His second a reverse stick deflection into the top corner after a nice cross from Jamie and his third a volley into the roof of the net following a save from the Banbury keeper. Mikey Gilson? More like Mikey Goalson…

MK were 4-0 up at half time and it was time to listen to the wisdom of CoachDad. Despite an emphatic 1st half display he was keen to impress on us that it was important to manage the game and see out the victory. MK obviously completely ignored his advice and decided to try and make the game more interesting for their adoring fans on the side lines.

Initially MK came out and picked up where they left off playing some nice patterns, but then Tom Murtagh, whose mind was clearly already on the RWC final, attempted a tackle that would have been more at home at Twickenham and contrived to get not only himself sent off, but also Ali McColl. MK managed to weather the storm with only 9 men, having practiced this last week at Staines, but things were to get worse. Banbury managed to aerial the ball over CP, which is not an unimpressive feat, and their receiving forward beat Nick Gagé to score their 1st. After this they only went and scored again from a penalty stroke! Stephen Ruse and Frazer McColl couldn’t take this lying down and redoubled their efforts in midfield to regain MK’s dominance. The game was played out in a nervy manner with Brett Holland also deciding he fancied an early finish with minutes to go. Despite all this MK came out 4-2 winners. Serial Dick of the Day recipient Nick Anderson was left a jolly happy Captain!