Honey badger kicks off in London

Another sunny day shined down on London. Riding on the dismay of two losses, Milton Keynes were determined to get points on the board.

The day started well, Players going direct were on time. The players meeting at Woughton were on time except for one! Myles Locke was not only late for the meet time, he wasn't even awake by then! To add insult to injury he quickly became the most underprepared player on the team. Late for meet, No item of the week for post match and attire, not even an away top (which he only discovered in London). Thankfully Ian Cooper was on hand to provide (literally) the shirt off his back. A dead certain for Dick of the Day one would imagine...

Off pitch antics over, including a casual jog through Battersea Park, and the team had one thing echoing by through their heads: "get points on the board" and "let's get this season underway!".

The first half started how everyone would have expected, dominating their half. Milton  Keynes, were penetrating the D and they were penetrating it hard! Chance after chance had arisen...but nothing came!

It then took one luck break, one luck counter for Wayfarers to take advantage to earn a short corner. After a well experienced defensive squad of Jamie Dodd and Andrew Pettefer lined up in the goal to run 1 and 2 respectively, nothing could go wrong. But an unfortunate foot from Andrew allowed the play to continue, Wayfarers broke the threshold.

But Milton Keynes are not a team to just roll over, they're a team that push back! And push back we did...break after break, including an unfortunate miss from Eric Watkins after a fantastic drive from Mikey Gilson down the right wing intertwining between the defence.

But then, a short corner went in Milton Keynes favour. After practising multiple routines which would (hopefully) cover all bases, Steven Ruse demonstrated the no-fear attitude that is required for attaching short corners with a decisive, devastating deflection in the goal.

Half time: 1 - 1

The half time team the talk went well "They are getting annoyed" Luke Stone explains "don't lower to their standards, rose to ours" Tom Murtagh says with passion in his voice. Everyone set off with these words echoing in through, except for one.

5 minutes into the second half and a free was earned in the opposition's 25 and with Wayfarers on the back foot, we wanted to take the ball early. London on the other hand had other ideas in their minds. Some say a Gamesmanship attitude is acceptable in such a heated, competitive game, Ben Northedge disagreed and his actions earned him a yellow card.

But the free bit, when taken efficiently, turn into short corners, which could turn into goals. And goals they did, a drag out to Myles and his secret weapon was a sure sign of a goal! 2-1

But the lead didn't last, a lucky break from Wayfarers resulted in a goal. 2-2

With adrenaline pumping through Wayfarers blood, they're press kept coming. Short corners came, short corners were saved with an Olympic performance from Alex White.

But unfortunately, with ten minutes to spare Milton Keynes had found themselves on the back foot. 3-2 down with time running out. But still coaches words whispered in and out of our consciousness "get points on the board"

So, with five minutes to spare we had a short corner earned by Grant Webster outside the D and why try and reinvent the wheel? Up steps Myles Locke with Fraser McColl on the back post! 3-3

Finally, the time wasn't up and Ali McColl had sound advice for the team. Play smart, don't let this draw turn into a loss! And he couldn't be more right! Some luck breaks from London combined with fine saves from Alex made for some unfortunate viewing.

 Notable mentions:

1) Nick Anderson's incredible pick on the line.
2) Ian Cooper hitting himself in the head with the hockey ball.
3) Nick Anderson (Dr. Nick) fine stitch work on Ian Cooper.