Sometimes the fixture computer throws up an absolute peach. Saturday was a prime example. It was Non-League Day and, in the Spartan South Midlands Division Two, it was top versus second, as Sarratt took on MK College. Perfect!
Sarratt started the day five points clear of their opponents, both having played the same number of games and having six left to play including today. There are a couple of others in the mix too. Bovingdon, two behind MK with three in hand of the top two and, one place further back, Pitstone & Ivinghoe United. Two more points behind but also with three in hand. These two were also going head to head this Saturday. Both teams also have to play Sarratt once more, Bovingdon at home, Pitstone away. All in all, it makes for a very interesting and exciting end to the season, but a win for Sarratt would definitely put them in a very strong position.
Earlier in the season Sarratt lost 5-2 at Sport Central MK, and MK College do hold a much better goal difference than the leaders as well as boasting the league's leading scorer, Thomas McDonald with 21 in 27 games.
Despite it being a clash between the top two, recent form had not been brilliant for either side. Sarratt had lost two and drawn one of their last four, MK had won two and lost two in the same period.
It was good to meet Sarratt chairman Tom Shurville before the game. Many thanks for sharing the team sheet with me. Very much appreciated.
Sarratt started the day five points clear of their opponents, both having played the same number of games and having six left to play including today. There are a couple of others in the mix too. Bovingdon, two behind MK with three in hand of the top two and, one place further back, Pitstone & Ivinghoe United. Two more points behind but also with three in hand. These two were also going head to head this Saturday. Both teams also have to play Sarratt once more, Bovingdon at home, Pitstone away. All in all, it makes for a very interesting and exciting end to the season, but a win for Sarratt would definitely put them in a very strong position.
Earlier in the season Sarratt lost 5-2 at Sport Central MK, and MK College do hold a much better goal difference than the leaders as well as boasting the league's leading scorer, Thomas McDonald with 21 in 27 games.
Despite it being a clash between the top two, recent form had not been brilliant for either side. Sarratt had lost two and drawn one of their last four, MK had won two and lost two in the same period.
It was good to meet Sarratt chairman Tom Shurville before the game. Many thanks for sharing the team sheet with me. Very much appreciated.
Sarratt pushing for an opener With Sarratt, in yellow and black, playing down the slight incline in the first half, the game got under way in bright sunshine and it was the home side who generated the first meaningful attack when, after 4 minutes, Will Cloake won the ball in midfield and drove forward. He pulled his shot wide of the far post, but it was a warning shot for the visitors. They responded in kind when a long cross-field ball just evaded the defence and was controlled well by Harry Norman. Unfortunately for MK, he couldn't find a finish to match the initial chest trap.
In a lively start, MK goalkeeper Finlay Penniston-Walker was then called upon to make a brilliant save from Roman Piran's volley, and we still hadn't played a full 10 minutes yet.
Sarratt were beginning to take more control of proceedings at this point and when Ebou Joof spun sharply inside the 6-yard box, Penniston-Walker was once again called upon to make a good block. However, despite the home side keeping the ball inside the MK half for longer periods, they couldn't find a way to break down the visitor's defence.
Just past the half-hour MK top scorer Thomas Macdonald let fly from 20 yards out, sending the ball spiralling over the bar, but it was a sign the MK were beginning to find their feet. This became even more apparent in the 35th minute when Ryan Hawkins, up from the back, beat home keeper Oliver Abrahams to a flighted free-kick, and was a little unlucky to see his glancing header drop just wide. That was closest MK had come so far but three minutes later they probably should have been a goal down. A long throw from the Sarratt right was allowed to bounce across the penalty area, falling for Charlie Kindell at the back post, but the striker couldn't keep his close range effort down.
Back at the other end, Hawkins rose above everyone to plant a header well wide and there was just enough time for Sarratt to have a big shout for a penalty when a defender slid in the block. However, the referee was having none of it.
HT Sarratt 0 MK College 0. Sarratt edged the game in terms of possession and created the clearest opportunities, However, as the half progressed, MK began to pose more of a threat. All to play for in the second half.
In a lively start, MK goalkeeper Finlay Penniston-Walker was then called upon to make a brilliant save from Roman Piran's volley, and we still hadn't played a full 10 minutes yet.
Sarratt were beginning to take more control of proceedings at this point and when Ebou Joof spun sharply inside the 6-yard box, Penniston-Walker was once again called upon to make a good block. However, despite the home side keeping the ball inside the MK half for longer periods, they couldn't find a way to break down the visitor's defence.
Just past the half-hour MK top scorer Thomas Macdonald let fly from 20 yards out, sending the ball spiralling over the bar, but it was a sign the MK were beginning to find their feet. This became even more apparent in the 35th minute when Ryan Hawkins, up from the back, beat home keeper Oliver Abrahams to a flighted free-kick, and was a little unlucky to see his glancing header drop just wide. That was closest MK had come so far but three minutes later they probably should have been a goal down. A long throw from the Sarratt right was allowed to bounce across the penalty area, falling for Charlie Kindell at the back post, but the striker couldn't keep his close range effort down.
Back at the other end, Hawkins rose above everyone to plant a header well wide and there was just enough time for Sarratt to have a big shout for a penalty when a defender slid in the block. However, the referee was having none of it.
HT Sarratt 0 MK College 0. Sarratt edged the game in terms of possession and created the clearest opportunities, However, as the half progressed, MK began to pose more of a threat. All to play for in the second half.
Penniston-Walker saves from Piran As in the first half, there was an early opportunity for MK's Harry Norman but this time his effort went high and wide of the Sarratt goal. Maybe that early threat sparked the home side into action because, with only two minutes on the second-half clock, they broke the deadlock. Will Cloake was the creator and the finisher. The winger broke up the left and when his attempted cross was blocked straight back into his path, he cut inside and drilled the ball under Penniston-Walker. 1-0
Ten minutes in Roman Piran must have thought he'd made it two when he sent a vicious volley goalward, only for Penniston-Walker to produce an acrobatic save to tip the ball over. Goal scorer Cloake then went on a mazy runup the left, showing some great footwork to open up a small space. However, this time, slightly off balance he couldn't find the target.
A one goal lead can always be precarious and that almost proved to be the case with 15 minutes remaining. Sarratt had keeper Abrahams to thank after Hudson Maslyn hit the target. That however, was the closest the visitors were to come and, seven minutes from time, Sarratt doubled their advantage. Piran delayed taking a free-kick issue instructions to striker Ebou Joof. he then promptly delivered the ball across the face of goal for Joof to slot home. If that was a training ground move, it was executed perfectly. 2-0
The icing on the Sarratt cake was applied two minutes into added time when MK gifted the ball to Joof in the centre of the penalty area. The striker gleefully smashed in the third. 3-0
FT Sarratt 3 MK College 0. A big, and possibly crucial, three points for Sarratt who now lead the table by seven points. Bovingdon climb to second place, but have three games in hand on the leaders. MK College drop to third, a further point adrift of Bovingdon.
Next up for Sarratt is a trip to 8th placed MK Irish Reserves on Tuesday evening, before a crunch game at Bovingdon next Saturday. Bovingdon won 3-2 at Sarratt in late December. A repeat of that score would put the ball firmly back in their favour. MK College will try to get their push back on track as they take on bottom side Codicote at home on Saturday. However they'll want to avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture, which they lost 3-2.
Sarratt: 1.Abrhamas, 2.Bishop, 3.White, 4.Evans(c), 5.Hogan, 6.Beckford, 7.Piran, 8.Swan, 9.Kindell, 10.Joof, 11.Cloake. Sus: 12.Malloy, 14.Wellington, 16.Baker, 18.Maynard, 17.Shurville
MK College: 1.Penniston-Walker, 2.Lane, 3.Rowley, 4.Hargreaves(c), 6.Hawkins, 8.McKenna-Mannall, 9.Norman, 14.T.Macdonald, 15.Thorne, 17.Maslyn, 20.Stevenson. Subs: Searle, Bossman-Aggrey, S.Macdonald, Shoult-Mead
Ten minutes in Roman Piran must have thought he'd made it two when he sent a vicious volley goalward, only for Penniston-Walker to produce an acrobatic save to tip the ball over. Goal scorer Cloake then went on a mazy runup the left, showing some great footwork to open up a small space. However, this time, slightly off balance he couldn't find the target.
A one goal lead can always be precarious and that almost proved to be the case with 15 minutes remaining. Sarratt had keeper Abrahams to thank after Hudson Maslyn hit the target. That however, was the closest the visitors were to come and, seven minutes from time, Sarratt doubled their advantage. Piran delayed taking a free-kick issue instructions to striker Ebou Joof. he then promptly delivered the ball across the face of goal for Joof to slot home. If that was a training ground move, it was executed perfectly. 2-0
The icing on the Sarratt cake was applied two minutes into added time when MK gifted the ball to Joof in the centre of the penalty area. The striker gleefully smashed in the third. 3-0
FT Sarratt 3 MK College 0. A big, and possibly crucial, three points for Sarratt who now lead the table by seven points. Bovingdon climb to second place, but have three games in hand on the leaders. MK College drop to third, a further point adrift of Bovingdon.
Next up for Sarratt is a trip to 8th placed MK Irish Reserves on Tuesday evening, before a crunch game at Bovingdon next Saturday. Bovingdon won 3-2 at Sarratt in late December. A repeat of that score would put the ball firmly back in their favour. MK College will try to get their push back on track as they take on bottom side Codicote at home on Saturday. However they'll want to avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture, which they lost 3-2.
Sarratt: 1.Abrhamas, 2.Bishop, 3.White, 4.Evans(c), 5.Hogan, 6.Beckford, 7.Piran, 8.Swan, 9.Kindell, 10.Joof, 11.Cloake. Sus: 12.Malloy, 14.Wellington, 16.Baker, 18.Maynard, 17.Shurville
MK College: 1.Penniston-Walker, 2.Lane, 3.Rowley, 4.Hargreaves(c), 6.Hawkins, 8.McKenna-Mannall, 9.Norman, 14.T.Macdonald, 15.Thorne, 17.Maslyn, 20.Stevenson. Subs: Searle, Bossman-Aggrey, S.Macdonald, Shoult-Mead
The Ground
Sarratt play at the King George V Playing Fields on the south-eastern edge of the village. There's a decent sized car park and the possibility of parking in the streets around the ground. Upon entering the ground the first thing you notice is that this is a real gem. The pitch is completely surrounded by white plastic fencing with advertising hoardings running down the far side, which is also where the dugouts are situated. Behind that side of the ground there are further small sided pitches and, in the corner, a children's playground. On the near side, as you enter, is the clubhouse and changing facilities for players and officials. The roof from the clubhouse protrudes to create a covered standing area. There are also a couple of benches along this side of the ground. At the far end the goals are backed by large trees, giving a very rural feel. The overall feel of the ground is akin to the village, clean, tidy and well-kept.
Ground Number: 482
Att: 74
Entrance:
Programme:
Sarratt play at the King George V Playing Fields on the south-eastern edge of the village. There's a decent sized car park and the possibility of parking in the streets around the ground. Upon entering the ground the first thing you notice is that this is a real gem. The pitch is completely surrounded by white plastic fencing with advertising hoardings running down the far side, which is also where the dugouts are situated. Behind that side of the ground there are further small sided pitches and, in the corner, a children's playground. On the near side, as you enter, is the clubhouse and changing facilities for players and officials. The roof from the clubhouse protrudes to create a covered standing area. There are also a couple of benches along this side of the ground. At the far end the goals are backed by large trees, giving a very rural feel. The overall feel of the ground is akin to the village, clean, tidy and well-kept.
Ground Number: 482
Att: 74
Entrance:
Programme:
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