Milton hit 5 in the wind

In conditions that made playing beautiful football a challenge, Milton United ran out 5-0 winners in what was their best result of the season.

All at the Heights knew it would be a game of two halves, with an incredibly strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and the winners would be those who dealt with the conditions the best.

With the wind at their backs first half Milton started brightly, creating chances but unable to capitalise. Good goalkeeping and wasteful finishing saw a slightly frustrating first 20 minutes for the home side, with Hodgkins, Dalton, Forster seeing their opportunities go begging.

Wokingham started coming into the match and should have been one up following an attack where 3 men beat the offside trap. It lead lead to a 3 vs 1 opportunity with Craig Griffiths in goal. For some reason, instead of shooting, they tried to pass the ball square of the keeper and managed to find themselves offside and the golden chance was wasted.

Kicking into the wind, counter attacking football from Wokingham was causing Milton an issue and they found themselves with some good opportunities including a shot from close range forcing a strong save from Griffiths in goal, following a deflection off Jon Stott.

These opportunities jolted Milton into life and forced them to create a few more opportunities, including a corner that was close to going straight in, assisted by the wind.
Then the breakthrough as Nial Hodgkins scored on the stroke of half time. A fine cross from Taylor Janes on the left wing, landed on the head of Hodgkins who guided the ball inside the left post.

Just in case the wind wasn't enough, a cold rain greeted the players in the second half and after some early Wokingham possession, Milton broke down the left, played a beautifully slipped through ball toward the penalty spot for Tom Austin arriving from the right wing, and with the outside of the right foot, guided it passed the advancing goalkeeper.

Wokingham who were pressing more and more, creating some opportunities albeit nothing too clear cut, were hit with the hammer blow when Milton scored again. Another break away and cross from the left side of the pitch saw the ball travel to the back making its way to the feet of Tom Austin. One touch control followed by a well hit shot on goal forced a valiant attempt to block by the Wokingham centre half - luck was on Milton's side though as the deflected ball went into the ground and floated over the keeper. 3-0.

Wokingham were using the wind well, and as expected were spending much time in Milton's half. As such the continued to create opportunities - the two best chances came in the form of a midfield strike from the edge of the box following a lay off by the centre forward, and a free kick from outside the box. Both efforts striking the bar.

Milton continued to counter attack, creating numerous chances with Josh Beech breaking through a couple of times and saw both his one on ones saved well by the Wokingham keeper.

Milton's fourth came from the right. Beech won the ball centrally just outside the Milton box, turned the the right and played a ball through ball for the substitute Piscopo. Toeing the ball passed the left back, tore from the halfway line and with the most composed of finishes, rolled the ball inside the right post for the Italian's first goal for the club.

Milton and Piscopo added the fifth and final goal in the last few minutes. In a passage of play where almost ever maroon and blue player touched the ball, Milton saw an attack down the right result in an over hit cross. Forster retrieved and recycled. The passing passage around the edge of the box saw the ball finally work its way to Piscopo and although his initial shot was saved well, the rebound was struck on goal from a tight angle to the right, hitting the defender as it crossed the line.

It was a very good performance by Milton, particularly in the second half, to overcome this Wokingham side and the conditions.
The first time in a long time that United have managed both, back to back wins and back to back clean sheets.