Banbury 1st XI 2 Milton Keynes 1st XI 2

Milton Keynes went into their second game of the season with an away local derby to Banbury, who had demolished West Hampstead 6-0 in their first league game. Confidence was however high in the squad after our excellent home win again Hampstead and Westminster 2nd XI the previous week.

Banbury started the game well and created several early chances with Alex White marshalling his back 4 well as the tropical October rain started to get heavier! At the other end of the pitch the forward line started to really make their presence known on the Banbury defensive unit. As the first half progressed MK started to assert continued pressure on Banbury, keeping possession and moving the ball around the pitch efficiently and deliberately. This eventually paid off with a strong baseline dribble that led to an easy tap in on the far post for Liam Foster. Milton Keynes doubled their lead shortly after with a low drag flick from Tom Murtagh cannoning into the keepers left bad and into the backboard 2-0. Milton Keynes continued to play some of there best hockey and were unlucky to not go in further in front.

The talk at halftime revolved around more of the same and ensuring we were both ruthless and clinical in front of goal.

The second half began in the same fashion with MK continuing to carve out chances, the turning point however came minutes into the second half where MK scored their third goal….or at least they thought they did! Murtagh drove into the D, with his dragged pass deflecting in off either a Banbury or MK stick. After some deliberation from Messrs Duffy and Horne the goal was disallowed. This gave Banbury momentum they needed. Although the chances kept coming for MK they just weren’t able to find the finishing touch, leading to frustration, which ramped up collective team pressure. Banbury sensed an opportunity.

Having taken the ball on the base line Cooper drove out of defence, however faffed (the best way to describe it!) on that ball and got tackled, the Banbury attacker still had a lot of work to do however finished neatly from the baseline with a crafty lob over the onrushing White. Banbury sensed blood in the water and started to take control of the game winning another short. The short was closed down well by Adrian Talbot, however, took some severe top spin beating both White and Foster on the post (we’ll blame the rain for that one!). With the momentum well and truly with Banbury they began to play some strong and direct hockey – a proper local derby with the points up for the taking! Milton Keynes rode this pressure and were still able to create a host of chances – hitting both posts with one shot and clearing our attacking short off the Banbury line, additional credit must go to the Banbury GK who was excellent throughout.

A well fought local derby, left Milton Keynes rueing what could have been. This however has been an overwhelmingly positive start to the league for MK, leaving them excited for what is to come!

MOM – Matthew Wilson
DOD – Ian Cooper