MK vs Banbury

You hear people say ‘start as you mean to go on’ but unfortunately for this reporter I wish my day had started differently. But we’ll come to that at the end.

On what can only be described as a stereotypical English day; overcast and cold, it left many players deciding just how many base layers were needed (I believe Leroy settled on 4). MK were en route to local rivals of old Banbury on the back of a convincing 6-1 thumping of Staines the previous week, whilst Banbury had recently dashed Havant’s title hopes only a fortnight previous. Both teams knew this would a very different encounter to the first half of the season.

After Leroy had finished ball boy duty for the previous game, the focus moved onto the match at hand. High ball pace combined with frantic running lead Banbury into the ascendancy during the first 10 minutes of the half, only a slight calibration issue for the Banbury forwards kept the score at 0-0.

MK soaked up pressure and a number of short corners like a professional footballer on the stand, only to launch a number of trademark counter attacks, which ended in ever more typical fashion (an empty back post). With possession shared the opening goal could have come at either end, at any minute, yet both goalkeepers remained steadfast. It wasn’t until a Banbury corner was duly dispatched past Nick ‘Papa Johns’ Gage that the deadlock was broken, 1-0 to Banbury making the next goal crucial with only 5mins left in the first half.

A couple of chatty Cathy’s from Banbury had started to get both umpires back’s up and despite a number of warnings continued to appeal like an children’s entertainer caught by Operation Yewtree. Advantage to MK they piled on the pressure, resulting in a number of short corners, eventually converted by Jamie Dodd to level the scores. MK now getting ever closer to adding a second before half time, Luke Stone was unpatriotically dispossessed by Banbury’s own import, who lead a quick and clinical counter attack from their own 25m line to go 2-1 up into the break.

Both teams rueing missed chances from the 1st half started the second with gusto, looking to stamp their dominance on the match. It was Milton Keynes who took the ascendancy, moving the ball well, creating numerous chances. Eventually the second half goal fest commenced with Mikey Goalson adding to his tally; 2-2 all to play for. Opportunities at both ends went begging on a number of occasions, but it was MK who went into the lead for the first time after a swift passage of play.

Luckily we have two umpires, as the next 10 mins of the second half was closer to basketball then hockey, with both teams throwing players forward desperate to take all three points. What can only be described as a speculative challenge from Tom Murtagh lead to an unhelpful yellow card for the MK talisman, though I’m sure he welcomed the rest. Much to MK’s dismay it was Banbury who pushed themselves into the lead with some well worked play around the D, leaving the match 4-3 in the hosts favour and only 5 minutes to play. Counter after counter left large spaces for both teams to play in but it was Banbury who sealed the points, with one final attack neatly finished with 2 minutes remaining.

Despite taking all three points from the encounter Banbury must be commended for their gracious hospitality. Offering tea’s, coffees and after match jug all with (changing) room service.

MOM – Luke Stone

And lastly as mentioned in the foreword:

DOD – Tom Murtagh – A unanimous decision due to a catalogue of bad decisions during the game, leaving his stick in the boot of his car (said car in Portsmouth with girlfriend), ripping his shirt after the game and still being ginger.