Saturday 21st September KO 11AM at Marsh Drive Sports Ground

Our return to Milton Keynes was played on a slightly warm day with a solid pitch.

Kick off 11:00
The game had begun with a high tempo straight after the referee blew his whistle with MK Royals U14s Yellows looking to get in front early on.
A shot on goal from the right hand side was met comfortably by Baillie with good hands. After this, another opportunity followed where our goalkeeper was forced to dive low to his left to stop the opposition from starting strong. Home side are testing the goalkeeper early on.

Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
Despite the excellent saves from the first few minutes, the opposition found themselves in the lead in the 5th minute after a pace race between Snelgrove and the forward with the player crossing the ball into an empty box with a striker meeting the low ball into the back post to give the black and white an early issue. It was the earliest goal the black and white had conceded so far this season.

Offside: Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
A minute later, the black and white put the ball into the back off the MK Royals U14 Yellows goal after a brilliant seeking pass from Cafe met Mitchell who dribbled well and passed the ball beyond the goalkeeper towards the bottom left. However, the goal didn't stand as it was confirmed to be offside. A good reply from Halse United U14s and a good and classy finish from a player who usually plays in defence.

Chance: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
In the 10th minute, an unfortunate injury had occurred for a MK Royal U14 Yellow player who was applauded off due to his bravery of making way towards the edge of the pitch. A promising and hopeful Halse United U14s looked to control the game with multiple shots and possession based football to win back momentum. After some technical dribbling from our central attacking midfielder Cafe, a home side player fouled him and a free kick was awarded in a good position. However, the looping set piece from Mcdonald was unfortunately tipped over by the keeper. Another chance for the away side to get on level terms.

Challenge: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
In the 21st minute, MK Royals U14 Yellows thought they had a chance to double their lead after a smash hit from the defensive line was seen from a running forward who looked to get a touch and a shot on goal but some defensive excellence from Stokes denied the chance as he got to the ball by using his strength and balance.

Chances: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
4 minutes later after the brilliant challenge, Mitchell had a chance to equalise with an outside of the boot effort which was saved to the keepers left hand side and was parried out for a corner. In the 30th minute down the other end, an opportunity arose for MK Royals U14 Yellows with a powerful and high shot which looked to be nestling in the roof of the net was saved with a firm hand from Baillie.

Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 1 Halse United U14s
A minute before the halfway point, Halse United U14s had a corner after the ball went out from a touch from an opposition player. A special delivery sent by Ayres was received from Mcdonald who guided his header past everyone in the box and into the back of the net to equalise for the black and white. A smart set piece similar to the leveller against Brackley Athletic U14s and another goal contribution for Ayres in the league. It is also the first time we have scored away this season.

Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
In the first minute of additional time of the first half, some tricky and close control from Cafe in the box was tackled heavily in the box by a defender late on with the referee pointing to the spot rightfully so. Mcdonald took the ball after the decision was announced, placed it on the spot and clinically placed the ball into the bottom left past the goalkeeper to give the black and white a deserved lead and the goal scorer a brace.

Chance: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
It was clear after the away side got into the lead that MK Royals U14 Yellows needed a goal of their own and almost found a way in after a free kick from the left hand side was swinged into the box was met by an opposing players head but was fortunately just wide of the post. A let off late on with what seemed to be the last kick of the half.

Half Time: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
And it was the last touch of the half as right after the chance the referee finally blew the whistle. A good and promising first half from Halse United U14s and the first time we are ahead at the break this season. Despite many chances from the opposition, we have replied well and defended brilliantly from our midfield and defence and also had some chances ourself. Mcdonalds brace is what has seperated both sides at the first interval. Another 35 minutes to play.

Start of Second Half: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
And the second half has kicked off. A quad triple change is in order for the away side with Snelgrove, Lovelock, Monk and Ayres coming on after some incredible hard work offensively and defensively from all of them. The replacements of the four are Elmer, Greasby, Parker and John.

Defending: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
In the 43rd minute, another chance was on for the opposition with a forward running through on goal again. Luckily our solid and brave centre back Masson timed his slide tackle, an action he is exceptionally good at, to perfection to limit the opportunity. 4 minutes later, another opportunity similar to earlier took place with a running battle towards the ball. Despite the pressure he had faced, the duel was won by our other defender Stokes. Momentum and balls through progressing for MK Royals U14 Yellows.

Sub: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
With 20 to go, Halse United U14s made our 5th substitution of the game was needed after our tricky and attacking player Cafe gave the bench a signal to come off. The player coming back onto the pitch was our playmaker and assister of the first goal Ayres.

Chance: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
Seconds after the change, a threaded long ball from the midfield was brought down by the MK Royals U14 Yellows left back. A chasing Mitchell challenged for the ball high up the pitch, won the ball and took a shot which went wide. Brilliant defensive work from the original centre back who has played well in a different position in todays match.

Saves: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
In the 50th and 58th minute, the opposition racked up the pressure with being in a repeated 1v1 decision on two occasions. However for both chances, our developing and confident keeper Baillie stood his ground and saved both opportunities to deny the home side the equaliser.

Sub: MK Royals U14 Yellows 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
In the 59th minute, an unfortunate injury occurred for the black and white with Masson looking to be in some discomfort. After his brilliant performance and his fearlessness today he was applauded off the field and was instantly replaced with our other defender on the bench Snelgrove. We all wish Louis Masson a speedy recovery and hope he gets better soon!

Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 2 - 2 Halse United U14s
With 5 minutes left to go, the momentum and chances from MK Royal U14 Yellows was rewarded with an equalising goal after some tidy footwork from the forward who then cut inside of the holding defence of Halse United U14s and shot hard and low to give the home side hope to get something from this game. Still a long while left to play.

Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 3 - 2 Halse United U14s
In the last minute of normal time, a ball whipped into the box was headed away brilliantly by sub Snelgrove. However to everyone's disbelief and dismay, the referee had incredibly pointed to the spot after it was deemed the player who had run into the defender was fouled. Despite the appeals on the pitch from the team, the referee did not change his mind and the shocking decision remained. The MK Royals U14 Yellows player took the ball, placed it on the ground, and from 12 yards slotted into the bottom right hand corner to give the home side an unexpected last minute goal.

Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 4 - 2 Halse United U14s
In the 5th minute of stoppage time, the home side doubled their advantage to put the game into bed after cutting inside and passing the ball underneath the goalkeeper into the bottom right hand corner to settle matters and pretty much give MK Royal U14 Yellows the 3 points.

Goal: MK Royals U14 Yellows 5 - 2 Halse United U14s
In the 80th minute, yes, 10 minutes of stoppage time which seems to be much longer than what is needed, the opposition put the nail in the coffin against a distraught and tired Halse United U14s team as they found themselves through on goal on the left hand side and finished near post to increase the advantage to 3 in the last kick of the game.

Full Time: MK Royals U14 Yellows 5 - 2 Halse United U14s
And that was that! An unfortunate result where the score-line was much more harsh and doesn't match the performance of Halse United U14s. A lot of footballing lessons and improvements to be learnt and dealt with today with one of them being that we need to be stronger and just continue the game even after a questionable and incorrect decision from an official. The away side played well defensively throughout the game and we got some goals away from home too after the brace from Mcdonald. There were many more positives despite the defeat with one of them being we kept the lead for the duration of the match and a brilliant response and comeback late in the first half to put us in the lead. Todays POTM has been awarded to Riley Stokes for a second game in the row after another incredible performance from the versatile player who featured as a defender today. He was calm and composed in high pressure areas against the speedy forward line of MK Royal U14 Yellows which featured some last ditch tackles and challenges. Unlucky performance from the black and white today against a good side who won the league unbeaten last season. Lots to work on and on to the next one!

What's Up Next?
Halse United U14s return to Syresham for a home fixture against a tricky Willen U14 Warriors to once again get some points on the table. The match will be played on the 28th Saturday September.

Goals: George Mcdonald X 2
Assist: Harry Ayres
Player Of The Match: Riley Stokes