MK vs Harleston

MKHC M1s began their preseason campaign with a tough match away at Harleston Magpies. Harleston have just been promoted into the national league and so this would give the players of where they stood going into the new season.

I seem to remember the team all arrived in good time at the opposition's remote club house and after the distribution of their snazzy new kit the team settled down to listen to the wise words of their esteemed coach. The message was simple; try and pick up from where you left off at the end of last season, but defend better! And so the team headed out to the pitch eager to put Coach/Dad's words into practice.

The game began at a good pace with both sides looking to get early touches on the ball in the first quarter. The first touch of note was to go to new signing Chaz/C-Lo/C-Dogg (delete as appropriate) who taking advantage of the new rules and with his imposing height managed to overhead smash the ball out of the air. The new rules have improved the game significantly and we can only look forward to seeing more of these from our exceptionally tall defenders! The 1st quarter continued as even contest with perhaps MK edging slightly through the excellent work rate of our midfield of Tom, Ginge and Steve.

After a few brief words from Coach we began the 2nd quarter at an even higher pace and begin to gain the upper hand in the game. This came to a head when last season's top scorer Leroy picked the ball up on the left side to drill a reverse stick cross for Mikey Gilson to neatly deflect over the onrushing keepers shoulder. 1-0 MK. Soon after this Harleston removed their GK and went to 11 outfield players. MK proceeded to take full advantage of this. Firstly after a penetrating run Ali swivelled at the top of the D to feed the ball goalwards for a predatory Giac to touch into the net. 2-0 MK. And shortly after, following a flowing team move, Giac was bundled over at the back post and a stroke was awarded. Captain and talisman, Nick Anderson stepped up and confidently converted past the despairing GK. Harleston managed to get a goal back somehow, but this was a great quarter of hockey of hockey from MK.

Following the half time break MK came out for the 3rd quarter eager to increase their lead. (from this point I cannot remember the order the goals, but I'll do my best!) Harleston came out more organised in the 2nd half and their numerical advantage of outfield players told when they managed to claw another goal back. This then pushed MK to work harder and Ali managed to steal a goal back through dispossessing a Magpies defender and rolling it into the empty net. 4-2 MK. Milton Keynes then began to tire and lacked organisation, leading to the opposition managing to get a couple more back before the end of the quarter...

In the final quarter the game was again much more even until MK took the lead again through an emphatic reverse stick finish from Ali McColl. MK then proceeded to keep good possession at the back with the brothers Anderson, Ginge, Gareth and Coops trying to take the sting out of the game. Harleston then had a player green carded for a cynical foul on Eric following a nice piece of skill to eliminate him. Alas towards the end, despite MK improving in the final quarter, Harleston nicked an equalizer and the game finished 5-5.

MK can be very happy with their first game of the season. An excellent start from the side with some great performances from the new and returning players (even Coops!) and we will look to build on this going forward.

MoM - Charlie
DoD - Nick A (massive postcode fail...)