Road trip to Milton Keynes: Black shirts, white shirts, which shirts?

Long away trip means planning ahead. All lifts were sorted, those going direct and those road tripping from St Crispins. Everyone arrived on time at the pitch ahead of the game. All good right? Wrong - the skipper got ahead of himself earlier in the week and instructed everyone to bring BLACK shirts, completely forgetting he'd sent an email to MK saying they'd play in WHITE. Not only that, was adamant he said white in the email...again wrong! Not looking good for the skipper - luckily we had ample bibs and so 5 mins in as Bear struggled to see who he's supposed to pass to and who to mark. South Berks went to the kit bag and were in in fluorescent green for the remainder of the game.

Onto the match. South Berks were off to a rocky start within the first few seconds, ball out wider to Alberto going to thread the needle but MK were quick to close the gap. Midfield and defense soaked up the pressure, and countered themselves. Camped in the MK half for the next 5 mins until an MK break caught the high press off guard. A ball over the top bounced perfectly to the high MK forward who slipped it passed Thomas's left foot. 0-1, 5 minutes later South Berks found themselves 2 down in similar fashion, caught by a break. 0-2.

South Berks finding themselves down kept pressing forward and after a couple of unsuccessful short corners, a interesting injection wide of the top stopped by Mike, with loads of time, drag flicks to an awaiting Chris D on the back post. 1-2. A few more chances went awry, Shaggy trying to repeat his worldy from the last season and maintain his streak ended up using his foot instead of the stick, something we have seen before.
Will (or Richie) drove in across the baseline, huge swing by the MK player in the D preventing an obvious shot on goal...long corner awarded?SB players confused. Keeping the pressure up, Thomas E, Bear and new addition Will T dominating in midfield lots of possession and opportunities but unfortunately nothing came of it and the half ended 2-1.

Team talk was simple - we are all over them, just need to get the outcomes, keep the high press and force the play wide. Let's get some goals!

Second half started much like the end of the first, South Berks with all the position, lots of linking up play in the midfield pushing the balls into the forwards. Richie having one of note, excellently saved by the MK keeper. Playing balanced out after the first 10 with both sides starting to show signs of a lack of subs (or too much time in the car). MK realised that and went for an aerial over the top again, this time Mike spotted the play and tracked back (shock) and leaped taking the touch away from the awaiting attacker. Ball dropped loose in the D, Mike again quick to pounce but unable to clear, an MK forward grabbed it and squeeze the ball home beating the outstretched Thomas N. 1-3.

South Berks fired up once again. Thomas E leading the charge forward, winning a short corner from a quick break and skilful dribble. Thomas E, opted against stopping but choose the short to left play, firing the ball to the back post, short corner re-awarded. This time Ryan steps up to drag flick, blasting through the keepers leg. 2-3 South Berks back in the game.

Shortly after long corner on the MK 25, Bear to Ryan, Ryan fires it to the back post, like one from the Tuesday session, this time the timing was off an there was no to tap it home. The move works, back to training for this one!

Few minutes later saw a side-line in the South Berks 25, both MK clearly not 5m, tackled Chris D drove in and scored...South Berks questioning what just happened - clear infringement but alas nothing. 2-4. 2 mins later another short corner (#10 I think). This time Thomas forced to stop, did it perfectly, drag flick low and right - keeper stands on it, lifts the foot and Chris D taps home for his second. 3-4.

There wasn't to be a come back this time as the game ends 4-3 to Milton Keynes. Long way to go to not get any points, although could have been worse, the game after us was cancelled due to heavy rain within the first 5 mins leaving the pitch flooded.

Final Score 4-3: Scorers, Chris D x2, Ryan K (first goal)
MoM: Chris D great running and good goals (mention to Thomas E for endless running)
DoD: Mike for the black/white shirt debacle (mention to Ollie R passing to a player tying his shoes or DoD voting antics).