Milton United v Newent Town

Firstly on behalf of the management team and players, I would like to start by offering my deepest condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Today and during the week, the minutes silences have been observed impeccably by all in attendance.

After our first defeat away at Pershore Town, we set the players the challenge to put together another run of good results, which started with a fantastic home win in the local derby vs Abingdon United and two wins in two different cup competitions against Berks County and Cheltenham Saracens. So heading back into league action against Newent Town, we felt the team were back on track and in a really good place to pick up all 3 points.

Although we were without Daniel West and Kieran Cooper, we welcomed back Josh Grant and Conor Harris into the side, for what was a vital league game against a good side.

I felt we started the game very well and from the first whistle, we gained control of the game quickly and dominated the ball. We managed to get really good success from Harry Thomas playing in a slightly unnatural position on the right side, getting beyond the Newent fullback on near enough every occasion. I thought Harry was very well supported by Beano, who offered a lively threat going forward and created many issues down Newent’s left side.

The message to the players was to be patient in possession and I thought we thoroughly deserved our first goal after the amount of pressure we had put on Newent. A fantastic pass from Mikey McKirnan to find Freddie Kennedy, who then was able to play a pass in behind the Newent back line for Louis Joyce to finish. It wasn’t long until we deservedly doubled our lead with a brilliant passing and moving goal down the right side. Some good combination play between Luke McCormack, Conor Harris and Beano, who then found Harry Thomas in some space to run into the penalty box, supported by a run from deep from Conor Harris to finish off nicely in the bottom corner. His first goal of the season!

After being in total control, I was disappointed with the manner of the goal we conceded before half time after having so much control for around 40minutes. If anything I thought based on the chances we had, we should’ve had the game dead and buried.

Credit to Newent, they came out in the second half the better side and made the game scrappy. However I thought our players rose to the task and defended really well to defend the lead we had. I don’t remember Timmy having to make a save during the second half, which is a great testament to the lads that started and the lads that came on and done their jobs.

The only negative about the day is Mikey getting sent off right at the end of the game. Although we as a team need to learn to manage the final minutes and kill the game, I can’t help but raise my concern about the standard of refereeing. Although the tackle was late, never was it a tackle that endangered the safety of the opposition player, as the referee had explained to me at the end of the game. I’m bitterly disappointed for Mike, who now faces another ban after recently coming back from a suspension 3 games ago. He will be missed going into the next few weeks.

We now look forward to an important week with a tough game on Tuesday vs Stratford FC and then Reading City at home, in the FA Vase on Saturday 24th. We are on a great run of form, which gives us great confidence going into both these games. I look forward to seeing everyone getting behind the boys down at the Heights this week.

Up the Milton!

Tatty