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Christmas view from the Heights
Tim Davies23 Dec 2023 - 13:55
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Message from the chairman
On behalf of everyone at Milton United FC, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Harefield United and their supporters. It seems an age since I put some words together for our last home match on the 25th of November and having no league fixtures on both the 2nd and 16th of December, football has been a little sparce for our lads. Looking at Harefield’s fixtures it’s been a similar story from them, having only played once this month when they secured a 3-0 win away at Hilltop last Saturday. When the teams met at the beginning of September, we came away with a 3-0 win, however if the home side had taken any of their chances in the first half, the scoreline would have looked a lot different. If I’m honest, the result flattered us on the day and did not reflect the overall game.
As mentioned above, our last game was at the end of November when we faced the ‘Cityzens’ from Reading City! An end-to-end game, with both teams playing attractive football and it was Milton that went in one nil up at half-time from a well worked Harry Thomas goal. Whether the referee’s tea was cold at half-time, or he didn’t like the biscuits, but how he managed the 2nd half was in complete contrast to the first! Two yellows, two sin-bins in close succession, the manager sent to the stands and a dubious penalty all against Milton! Also, two yellows for Reading and the game halted for an excessive period, due to a comment from a spectator. Irrespective of playing nearly ten minutes with 9 men, the boys in Claret and Blue dug in and when Tyler Webb scored the goal of the season so far in 83rd minute, we eventually ran out 3-2 victors. Even though it has already been postponed twice, we are looking forward to playing Reading City again soon, this time in the Combined Counties Premier League Cup, down at the Rivermoor Stadium. Date TBC.
In my last programme notes I mentioned our forthcoming Senior Cup fixture against Aylesbury United and how a Step Four scalp could be there for the taking. Well, for those of us that were at The Heights on the 28th of November, after the fixture had been reversed on request of Aylesbury, they would have witnessed the performance of the season. To say Milton ‘went for the jugular’ would be an understatement. Although the final score was 6-1, it could have been a lot worse for ‘The Ducks’. The icing on the cake came two days later when we were picked out for an away tie at Maidenhead. This will be the first time Milton United FC have faced a Step one club in its history and is one the players, coaches, management and club are really looking forward to. Keep an eye out on our socials, as the date is yet TBC.
Our last game was two weeks ago when we travelled to Rayners Lane to meet the current league leaders. The aim was to improve on our opening day fixture, when a poor 1st half performance saw us concede three goals and even though we competed well in the 2nd half, the scoreline remained the same. I was unable to attend this time around, however from the feedback I’ve received, I missed a very competitive match. Rayners Lane took the lead, courtesy of a strike from outside the box and dominated for long spells during the first half. Milton however had a strong shout for a penalty turned down, which could have seen us go in at the break all even. Yes, I’ve seen the VEO and let’s say no more ☹. The lads came out after the break and dominated the first twenty minutes but missed chances and then the sucker punch of a goal on the break, left us with an uphill task. Milton continued to carry the game to the home side, only for Rayners to score their third in time added on, leaving a scoreline not deserving of our lad’s performance.
So, lets hope for an entertaining game today on what it going to prove a challenging surface and apologies to our visitors, fingers crossed we return to winning ways and maintain our push for a place in the play-offs.
As ever, a big thank you to all our Club and Team Sponsors, our Volunteers, and today’s supporters. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
All the best and enjoy the game.
UP THE MILTONIANS
Gareth Woodward
Chairman Milton United FC
As mentioned above, our last game was at the end of November when we faced the ‘Cityzens’ from Reading City! An end-to-end game, with both teams playing attractive football and it was Milton that went in one nil up at half-time from a well worked Harry Thomas goal. Whether the referee’s tea was cold at half-time, or he didn’t like the biscuits, but how he managed the 2nd half was in complete contrast to the first! Two yellows, two sin-bins in close succession, the manager sent to the stands and a dubious penalty all against Milton! Also, two yellows for Reading and the game halted for an excessive period, due to a comment from a spectator. Irrespective of playing nearly ten minutes with 9 men, the boys in Claret and Blue dug in and when Tyler Webb scored the goal of the season so far in 83rd minute, we eventually ran out 3-2 victors. Even though it has already been postponed twice, we are looking forward to playing Reading City again soon, this time in the Combined Counties Premier League Cup, down at the Rivermoor Stadium. Date TBC.
In my last programme notes I mentioned our forthcoming Senior Cup fixture against Aylesbury United and how a Step Four scalp could be there for the taking. Well, for those of us that were at The Heights on the 28th of November, after the fixture had been reversed on request of Aylesbury, they would have witnessed the performance of the season. To say Milton ‘went for the jugular’ would be an understatement. Although the final score was 6-1, it could have been a lot worse for ‘The Ducks’. The icing on the cake came two days later when we were picked out for an away tie at Maidenhead. This will be the first time Milton United FC have faced a Step one club in its history and is one the players, coaches, management and club are really looking forward to. Keep an eye out on our socials, as the date is yet TBC.
Our last game was two weeks ago when we travelled to Rayners Lane to meet the current league leaders. The aim was to improve on our opening day fixture, when a poor 1st half performance saw us concede three goals and even though we competed well in the 2nd half, the scoreline remained the same. I was unable to attend this time around, however from the feedback I’ve received, I missed a very competitive match. Rayners Lane took the lead, courtesy of a strike from outside the box and dominated for long spells during the first half. Milton however had a strong shout for a penalty turned down, which could have seen us go in at the break all even. Yes, I’ve seen the VEO and let’s say no more ☹. The lads came out after the break and dominated the first twenty minutes but missed chances and then the sucker punch of a goal on the break, left us with an uphill task. Milton continued to carry the game to the home side, only for Rayners to score their third in time added on, leaving a scoreline not deserving of our lad’s performance.
So, lets hope for an entertaining game today on what it going to prove a challenging surface and apologies to our visitors, fingers crossed we return to winning ways and maintain our push for a place in the play-offs.
As ever, a big thank you to all our Club and Team Sponsors, our Volunteers, and today’s supporters. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
All the best and enjoy the game.
UP THE MILTONIANS
Gareth Woodward
Chairman Milton United FC
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