MK Ladies 1sts vs. Henley 1sts - 19.11.2016

The Milton Keynes ladies 1st team faced another tough mid-table clash this weekend, this time at home against Henley. Having taken all three points last weekend, the team was eager to back up this win with another on home turf. MK started the game strongly and dominated possession in the opening minutes of the game, however, couldn’t create the goal scoring opportunities they deserved. Henley on the other hand, had luck on their side and with just eleven minutes on the clock, found a way through the MK defence and, following a bit of a mix-up in the D, bobbled the ball home. MK battled hard for an equaliser, Laura Browne making some driving runs through midfield and some excellent link up play from Thea Jackson and Lisa Kavanagh created some superb scoring chances but the goal wasn’t forthcoming and the home side remained one nil down going into the half time break.

The side returned to the pitch knowing at least two goals were once again required for them to take all three points from the game and began to build some sustained periods pressure on the Henley defence once more. MK were rewarded when a foul in the D by one of the Henley defenders resulted in a penalty corner and a well worked routine led to Karmel Bracken finding the goal and getting herself on the score sheet for the second successive week. With the scores at 1-1 and just under thirty minutes still to play the game was wide open once more. Henley attacked with pace and determination, however, some excellent tackles from Clare Stacey and Maxine McMenamin along with some first class saves from goalkeeper L-J Millers, kept the scores level. Player of the match, Alice Vigor had a superb game in midfield, working tirelessly to support the defence and the attack and making some penetrating runs down the right side of the pitch. Moving towards the end of the game and with less than five minutes remaining on the clock, the home side knew it was now or never for a winner and in a similar fashion to last weekend’s last minute winner, the MK side stepped it up a gear once more and scored one of their finest team goals of the season, culminating in Thea Jackson, on her knees, deflecting the ball home. MK didn’t make the last few minutes easy for themselves or the spectators on the side line and right on the whistle conceded a penalty corner, which thankfully Henley put wide giving MK another win and another three points taking them up to fourteen points for the season and into 6th position in the league. MK hope to take this momentum into their England Hockey Trophy game on Sunday against Lewes and then into their top of the table clash at PHC Chiswick next Saturday.