Having been delayed by various meetings, I needed to stay fairly local this Tuesday, so the 25 mile, 40 minute, trip over to Milton Keynes looked to be my best bet. My chosen game was a Spartan South Midlands Division Two clash between Milton Keynes College and Padbury Village. A new location for me and a new team, MK College. However, I have seen Padbury play before, both home and away. A big away at Silverstone (Racers Routed) in November 2023 and a home defeat to Burghfield (Fielders Are No Village Idiots) the following month.
Both teams had seen mixed starts to the season. Before the game MK sat in 13th spot having taken six points from their opening five games. However, they had beaten high-flying Sarratt 5-2 in their last outing. Padbury started the evening four places higher with ten points from eight games. They had lost their last two league games, 3-1 at home to Sarratt and a narrow 2-1 defeat at leaders Bovingdon.
Last season, Padbury's first in the division since promotion from the North Bucks League, MK did the double over the Villagers, winning 2-0 at home and 3-0 away.
Massive thanks to match officials Ron James, Claudiu Ionut Oaie and Giany Pop for sharing the team sheets and having a chat before kick-off.
Both teams had seen mixed starts to the season. Before the game MK sat in 13th spot having taken six points from their opening five games. However, they had beaten high-flying Sarratt 5-2 in their last outing. Padbury started the evening four places higher with ten points from eight games. They had lost their last two league games, 3-1 at home to Sarratt and a narrow 2-1 defeat at leaders Bovingdon.
Last season, Padbury's first in the division since promotion from the North Bucks League, MK did the double over the Villagers, winning 2-0 at home and 3-0 away.
Massive thanks to match officials Ron James, Claudiu Ionut Oaie and Giany Pop for sharing the team sheets and having a chat before kick-off.
Finlay Penniston-Walker about to save a spot kick After an initial couple of minutes of probing, it was the home side who settled into the game quickest, quickly getting their passing game going. This earned them a corner on the right side, as early as the fourth minute. The ball was delivered into the centre of the penalty area where Sebastian Vilamizar rose above everyone to power a header past Ryan Lightfoot. 1-0
The home side continued to play their passing game leaving Padbury chasing shadows for much of the opening 15 minutes. There was a also a let-off for the visitors when Lighfoot raced off his line to meet a through ball, mis-timed it and took more of the player than the ball. The ball ran loose but somehow two home players managed to put the ball wide of an open goal. As it happened the flag had gone up anyway, but it was a glaring miss. Lightfoot picked up yellow for his efforts but, more significantly also picked up an injury. He did stay on the pitch long enough to make an excellent block from Oliver Lane after yet another through ball had spliced the Village defence. However, after going down again after that block, he was soon replaced in goal by Henry Richmond.
Having not troubled the home goal at all, it was something of a surprise in the 28th minute when Padbury were awarded a penalty. A rare raid into the home half saw Bone go down on the right-hand edge of the box. It looked to be a harsh decision with very little contact from the defender. However, after consultation with the assistant, who was much closer to the action, the referee still pointed to the spot. Up stepped Brad Morris, but Finlay Penniston-Walker went the right way, making a very good save. Still 1-0.
Ten minutes before the break Vilamizar could and probably should have made it two when he headed over from close range. However, three minutes later the home side did increase their lead. Some lovely interplay took them from one end to the other before the final cutting pass found Tom MacDonald who was unerring with his finish, low past Redmond's right hand. 2-0
Oddly, Padbury then had their most productive few minutes of the game so far. A minute before the break a sweeping cross from the left found Morris running in at the back post but he could only volley straight at Penniston-Walker. A minute later Dale Butler worked the home keeper even harder, driving one in from 25 yards that had Penniston-Walker at full stretch to turn it around the post.
HT Milton Keynes College 2 Padbury Village 0. MK firmly controlled the half playing some lovely football in the process. Their passing, pace and movement caused all sorts of problems for Padbury, and they maybe should have been further ahead at the break. Padbury can take some solace in their marked improvement towards the end of the half.
The home side continued to play their passing game leaving Padbury chasing shadows for much of the opening 15 minutes. There was a also a let-off for the visitors when Lighfoot raced off his line to meet a through ball, mis-timed it and took more of the player than the ball. The ball ran loose but somehow two home players managed to put the ball wide of an open goal. As it happened the flag had gone up anyway, but it was a glaring miss. Lightfoot picked up yellow for his efforts but, more significantly also picked up an injury. He did stay on the pitch long enough to make an excellent block from Oliver Lane after yet another through ball had spliced the Village defence. However, after going down again after that block, he was soon replaced in goal by Henry Richmond.
Having not troubled the home goal at all, it was something of a surprise in the 28th minute when Padbury were awarded a penalty. A rare raid into the home half saw Bone go down on the right-hand edge of the box. It looked to be a harsh decision with very little contact from the defender. However, after consultation with the assistant, who was much closer to the action, the referee still pointed to the spot. Up stepped Brad Morris, but Finlay Penniston-Walker went the right way, making a very good save. Still 1-0.
Ten minutes before the break Vilamizar could and probably should have made it two when he headed over from close range. However, three minutes later the home side did increase their lead. Some lovely interplay took them from one end to the other before the final cutting pass found Tom MacDonald who was unerring with his finish, low past Redmond's right hand. 2-0
Oddly, Padbury then had their most productive few minutes of the game so far. A minute before the break a sweeping cross from the left found Morris running in at the back post but he could only volley straight at Penniston-Walker. A minute later Dale Butler worked the home keeper even harder, driving one in from 25 yards that had Penniston-Walker at full stretch to turn it around the post.
HT Milton Keynes College 2 Padbury Village 0. MK firmly controlled the half playing some lovely football in the process. Their passing, pace and movement caused all sorts of problems for Padbury, and they maybe should have been further ahead at the break. Padbury can take some solace in their marked improvement towards the end of the half.
MK close again The improvement shown by the visitors in the final throes of the first half, unfortunately for them, did not continue in the second. In fact, it's fair to say that the second half was pretty much played inside the Padbury half. try as they might, they could not stem the incessant flow of MK attacks.
Nine minutes into the second period yet another blistering break from MK effectively sealed the game. Ethan Blake made the burst down the left before delivering a fist-time cross that laid the goal on a plate for Max McKenna-Mannall at the far post. 3-0
Just past the hour it was almost four when Tristan Hargreaves flighted over a ball with the outside of his foot which was met by Ryan Hawkins, who was unlucky to see his header crash off the bar and over. Another three minutes later, however, Padbury were breached again when Tom MacDonald put through an inch-perfect ball through the heart of the Village defence for Dylan Sutton to tuck away calmly. 4-0
The pressure on the Village goal was now becoming relentless. With the game already won, the College team were really enjoying themselves and on 71 minutes, they went even further ahead. Substitute Callum Shoult-Mead, who'd only been on the pitch a matter of a minute, or two found the ball at his feet on the right-hand edge of the box. He steadied himself before drilling it low past Raymond. 5-0
The final whistle could not come quickly enough for Padbury now but, despite a great goal line clearance from Tom Doncaster on 81 minutes, they conceded again a minute later. Tom MacDonald was the latest home striker to find himself through on goal. From a fairly tight angle his strike beat Raymond but cannoned back off the foot of the post. It fell to Sam MacDonald who then saw his effort blocked before the loose ball was rattled home by Tom MacDonald. 6-0.
MK were still not quite done. With six minutes remaining they once again cut through the visitor's, like a knife through butter. The ball was fed to another substitute, Colby Thorne, on the left, who guided the ball across the face of goal and into the far corner. 7-0
That was it. Referee Ron James drew a close to proceedings much to the relief of the visitors.
FT Milton Keynes College 7 Padbury Village 0. As comprehensive a victory as you are likely to see. Padbury commented on social media that it was their worst performance in three years. Granted, they had an off night undoubtedly. However, you have to give credit to MK College, who were absolutely brilliant all night. Man for man, across the entire pitch, they were better, quicker, sharper and stronger. Their style of play is a joy to watch, but I do wonder if they will be able to reproduce it on a wet, boggy Tuesday evening in February. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, both sides are back on the horse, and away from home, on Saturday. MK travel to Caddington, who currently sit in fifth spot. MK will be looking to take a point on the road for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Padbury are at Aston Clinton, two places and two points behind then having played three games fewer.
Milton Keynes College: 1.Penniston-Walker, 2.Lane, 3. Rowley, 4.Hargreaves(c), 5.Vilamizar, 6.Hawkins, 7.Blake, 8. McKenna-Mannall, 10.Morrison, 11.Sutton, 14.T.MacDonald. Subs: 9.Norman, 12.Shoult-Mead, 15.Thorne, 18.S.MacDonald, 20.Stevenson
Padbury Village: 1.Lightfoot, 2.Doncaster, 3.Brigginshaw, 4.Hickey, 5.Bone, 6. Boanoh, 7.Carr, 8.Heritage(c), 9.Morris, 10.Butler, 11.Oppong. Subs: 14.Richmond, 16.Stigar, 17.Tavener, 18.Marshall, 19.Hart
Nine minutes into the second period yet another blistering break from MK effectively sealed the game. Ethan Blake made the burst down the left before delivering a fist-time cross that laid the goal on a plate for Max McKenna-Mannall at the far post. 3-0
Just past the hour it was almost four when Tristan Hargreaves flighted over a ball with the outside of his foot which was met by Ryan Hawkins, who was unlucky to see his header crash off the bar and over. Another three minutes later, however, Padbury were breached again when Tom MacDonald put through an inch-perfect ball through the heart of the Village defence for Dylan Sutton to tuck away calmly. 4-0
The pressure on the Village goal was now becoming relentless. With the game already won, the College team were really enjoying themselves and on 71 minutes, they went even further ahead. Substitute Callum Shoult-Mead, who'd only been on the pitch a matter of a minute, or two found the ball at his feet on the right-hand edge of the box. He steadied himself before drilling it low past Raymond. 5-0
The final whistle could not come quickly enough for Padbury now but, despite a great goal line clearance from Tom Doncaster on 81 minutes, they conceded again a minute later. Tom MacDonald was the latest home striker to find himself through on goal. From a fairly tight angle his strike beat Raymond but cannoned back off the foot of the post. It fell to Sam MacDonald who then saw his effort blocked before the loose ball was rattled home by Tom MacDonald. 6-0.
MK were still not quite done. With six minutes remaining they once again cut through the visitor's, like a knife through butter. The ball was fed to another substitute, Colby Thorne, on the left, who guided the ball across the face of goal and into the far corner. 7-0
That was it. Referee Ron James drew a close to proceedings much to the relief of the visitors.
FT Milton Keynes College 7 Padbury Village 0. As comprehensive a victory as you are likely to see. Padbury commented on social media that it was their worst performance in three years. Granted, they had an off night undoubtedly. However, you have to give credit to MK College, who were absolutely brilliant all night. Man for man, across the entire pitch, they were better, quicker, sharper and stronger. Their style of play is a joy to watch, but I do wonder if they will be able to reproduce it on a wet, boggy Tuesday evening in February. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, both sides are back on the horse, and away from home, on Saturday. MK travel to Caddington, who currently sit in fifth spot. MK will be looking to take a point on the road for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Padbury are at Aston Clinton, two places and two points behind then having played three games fewer.
Milton Keynes College: 1.Penniston-Walker, 2.Lane, 3. Rowley, 4.Hargreaves(c), 5.Vilamizar, 6.Hawkins, 7.Blake, 8. McKenna-Mannall, 10.Morrison, 11.Sutton, 14.T.MacDonald. Subs: 9.Norman, 12.Shoult-Mead, 15.Thorne, 18.S.MacDonald, 20.Stevenson
Padbury Village: 1.Lightfoot, 2.Doncaster, 3.Brigginshaw, 4.Hickey, 5.Bone, 6. Boanoh, 7.Carr, 8.Heritage(c), 9.Morris, 10.Butler, 11.Oppong. Subs: 14.Richmond, 16.Stigar, 17.Tavener, 18.Marshall, 19.Hart
Sports Central
The Ground
Sports Central is a community sports hub in the centre of Milton Keynes, practically next door to the central railway station. There's a small car park on site that gets filed up quite quickly. You can park at the Aldi next door, but that is limited to 2 hours, so you'd need to time it well. There's also a multi-story car park almost opposite. The hub itself comprises of a main all-weather pitch and several small pitches, all enclosed by mesh cages. There is also a central building that houses the changing facilities as well as the bar and snack bar. The clubhouse is clean and well-maintained and the pitch, being artificial, is also flat and in good condition. The only gripe is the limited viewing for spectators. No-one is allowed inside so you either have to peer through the mesh or congregate around a small gap that fits around five people at a time. Many people walked around the outside and viewed the game from behind the mesh on the opposite side of the ground.
Ground Number: 459
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Sports Central is a community sports hub in the centre of Milton Keynes, practically next door to the central railway station. There's a small car park on site that gets filed up quite quickly. You can park at the Aldi next door, but that is limited to 2 hours, so you'd need to time it well. There's also a multi-story car park almost opposite. The hub itself comprises of a main all-weather pitch and several small pitches, all enclosed by mesh cages. There is also a central building that houses the changing facilities as well as the bar and snack bar. The clubhouse is clean and well-maintained and the pitch, being artificial, is also flat and in good condition. The only gripe is the limited viewing for spectators. No-one is allowed inside so you either have to peer through the mesh or congregate around a small gap that fits around five people at a time. Many people walked around the outside and viewed the game from behind the mesh on the opposite side of the ground.
Ground Number: 459
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Watching from behind bars for that authentic "back to the 80s" feel
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