Best way to start the season is with a win

"Get an opening 3 points". That was the message from Manager Tim Davies, ahead of the first game of the new 16/17 season vs Holyport at the Heights.

First Half
After a bright opening passage, this challenge was put to the test, as Holyport took the lead after 5 minutes. Fabian Driffill picked the ball up 30 yards out and danced passed the challenges of 3 defenders, before firing hard and low, left footed across Griffiths in the Milton goal. 0-1.
Following a strong challenge, Mo Samasa picked up the ball down the left wing, flew forward and once in the left side of the box, pulled the ball back to Callum Stewart, who from 12 yards, fired the ball into the near left post. 1-1.
A back and forth opening 30 minutes saw both teams have chances:
Holyport saw a cross from their left evade all in the box, until at the back post where a shot from 4 yards out into what looked an open goal, was blocked by keeper Griffiths, moving across the goal well.
At the other end, a powerful free-kick on the right side of the box from from Joe Morgan was palmed onto the left post by the keeper.
In the 42nd minute, Jamie Davies latched onto a Stewart through-ball and was brought down in the box. Calmly, Davies picked himself up and side footed the penalty to his right, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-1

HT

Second Half
The second half didn't start as planned for United as a through ball to Driffill put him in one on one with Griffiths and rolled the ball into the corner. 2-2
A period of Milton pressure then occurred for the next 20 minutes, culminating in a piece of brilliance by Morgan in midfield. Demonstrating tight control in the middle of the park, evading 3 Holyport players he the executed a perfected weighted pass in front of Stewart, who calmly slid the ball under the advancing keeper. 3-2
Holyport pushed in the final 10-15 minutes looking for the opportunity to grab an equaliser - which came in the 88th minute - but wasn't capitalised on. A free-kick from the Holyport left was driven in flat and at the back post in a melee of bodies, the ball was sent back across the goal to the right side and rolled to Holyport forward. With the goal gaping, taking the shot first time, fired over from 5 yards.

With the game finishing 3-2 to the hosts, who's new squad continue to improve, this could potentially be a positive season.
The Team rose to the Manager's challenge and executed.
Onto the next.