The race for the North Bucks Premier League title has been hotting up recently. A three-horse race between current leaders Stewkley, MK United and Great Horwood. Before the start of play Stewkley held a three point lead over MK and were a further three clear of Great Horwood. All three had played 17 of their 22 league games. Both MK and Great Horwood were in midweek action, with Stewkley having a rest. A win for MK, against mid-table AFC Carpathians would see them climb above Stewkley on goal difference. Great Horwood were away at bottom side Newport Pagnell Athletic, also looking to reduce the deficit at the top.
Having been at Stewkley for their home encounter with Twyford United 10 days ago (Three Points Closer), I decided to head for Milton Keynes and take in the MK United versus AFC Carpathians game. Back in late January, MK had already travelled to Brooklands and returned with a resounding 6-0 defeat of the Wolves thanks to two goals from Dom Lawless and one each from Sean Barker, Nathan Chapman, Daniel Silver and Luke Little. However, The Wolves had won three of their last four league games scoring 18 goals and conceding 13. So, no lack of entertainment in those games. United had not lost a league game since a 2-1 defeat at Stewkley way back in October. They too had been on a recent scoring spree in the league, scoring 16 and conceding 3 in their last three games. They had, however, lost an Interdivisional Trophy semi-final at home to Intermediate Division side Silverstone 10 days ago.
Arriving at Worrelle Avenue 20 minutes before kick-off, the weather was not looking too good. The rain was just beginning and the sky was already beginning to darken. I bumped into match referee Joe Major who, very kindly, returned to the changing room to let me photograph the team sheets. Thank you Joe. Much appreciated. We chatted about the game on the way over to the pitch. He was very keen to kick-off on time, if not sooner. With the light fading, it was going to be a race against time to get the match completed, especially as, with 10 minutes to kick-off, the away team were still awaiting the arrival of a couple of players.
Having been at Stewkley for their home encounter with Twyford United 10 days ago (Three Points Closer), I decided to head for Milton Keynes and take in the MK United versus AFC Carpathians game. Back in late January, MK had already travelled to Brooklands and returned with a resounding 6-0 defeat of the Wolves thanks to two goals from Dom Lawless and one each from Sean Barker, Nathan Chapman, Daniel Silver and Luke Little. However, The Wolves had won three of their last four league games scoring 18 goals and conceding 13. So, no lack of entertainment in those games. United had not lost a league game since a 2-1 defeat at Stewkley way back in October. They too had been on a recent scoring spree in the league, scoring 16 and conceding 3 in their last three games. They had, however, lost an Interdivisional Trophy semi-final at home to Intermediate Division side Silverstone 10 days ago.
Arriving at Worrelle Avenue 20 minutes before kick-off, the weather was not looking too good. The rain was just beginning and the sky was already beginning to darken. I bumped into match referee Joe Major who, very kindly, returned to the changing room to let me photograph the team sheets. Thank you Joe. Much appreciated. We chatted about the game on the way over to the pitch. He was very keen to kick-off on time, if not sooner. With the light fading, it was going to be a race against time to get the match completed, especially as, with 10 minutes to kick-off, the away team were still awaiting the arrival of a couple of players.
Early United pressure However, we did kick-off on time. In fact, one minute early by my watch. The rain, by now, was coming down hard and I had my doubts that a full 90-minutes would be possible.
Despite an early half-chance for James Kpolley, which was put well over. MK began to settle into the game and pressed Wolves backwards. Ten minutes in, Luke Little had a sight of goal from a narrow angle, driving into the side netting. Then, two minutes later, a left-wing cross from the lively Sean Barker was met at the far post by Dom Lawless, who was unlucky to see his strike come back off Dumitru Voicu's crossbar. Shane Lothian then had another half-chance, sending his effort into the same side-netting that Little hit earlier.
It was pretty much one-way traffic at this point. United probing away, looking for the opening, Wolves sitting fairly deep and defending solidly, but posing no real threat at the other end. When they did break, they found the offside flag raise don a couple of occasions, much to the ire of Kpolley. To be fair, I was in line with a couple of the decisions and it was very difficult to say if they were on or off. At this level, with assistant's provided by the clubs, and 50/50 decision is going to go in favour of the assistant's team. It happened on both sides today, as it does in the majority of games. It's just part of the game.
However, if Kpolley was riled by the decisions, he as soon smiling. On 27 minutes, out of the blue, Carpathians took the lead with their first strike on target. MK were their own worst enemy, losing possession deep inside their own half. Wolves needed no second invitation, feeding the ball inside to Claudio Mitu who drove it unerringly low past Dercacz's left hand. 0-1
The goal prompted a response from United, who went up the other end and created an opening for Lawless who hit the target with his header only for Voicu to make a good save. Then, with 9 minutes remaining in the half, MK were stunned again. Nathan Chapman got caught under a long ball down the Wolves left, only managing to head the ball into the air. Illovan won the heading duel, nodding the ball down for James Kpolley, who outmuscled Joe Sames before striking the ball low past Derkacz for 0-2. Two shots on target, two goals for Carpathians.
United tried to respond before the break, but Wolves shut up shop and went into half-time somehow two goals to the good.
HT MK United 0 AFC Carpathians 2. One of the strangest halves of football I've ever seen. MK dominated play for the entire half, had numerous half-chances, but didn't score. They took their eye off the ball twice and were punished clinically on both occasions. You have to admire the finishing of the Carpathian strikers. Two chances. Two goals.
Despite an early half-chance for James Kpolley, which was put well over. MK began to settle into the game and pressed Wolves backwards. Ten minutes in, Luke Little had a sight of goal from a narrow angle, driving into the side netting. Then, two minutes later, a left-wing cross from the lively Sean Barker was met at the far post by Dom Lawless, who was unlucky to see his strike come back off Dumitru Voicu's crossbar. Shane Lothian then had another half-chance, sending his effort into the same side-netting that Little hit earlier.
It was pretty much one-way traffic at this point. United probing away, looking for the opening, Wolves sitting fairly deep and defending solidly, but posing no real threat at the other end. When they did break, they found the offside flag raise don a couple of occasions, much to the ire of Kpolley. To be fair, I was in line with a couple of the decisions and it was very difficult to say if they were on or off. At this level, with assistant's provided by the clubs, and 50/50 decision is going to go in favour of the assistant's team. It happened on both sides today, as it does in the majority of games. It's just part of the game.
However, if Kpolley was riled by the decisions, he as soon smiling. On 27 minutes, out of the blue, Carpathians took the lead with their first strike on target. MK were their own worst enemy, losing possession deep inside their own half. Wolves needed no second invitation, feeding the ball inside to Claudio Mitu who drove it unerringly low past Dercacz's left hand. 0-1
The goal prompted a response from United, who went up the other end and created an opening for Lawless who hit the target with his header only for Voicu to make a good save. Then, with 9 minutes remaining in the half, MK were stunned again. Nathan Chapman got caught under a long ball down the Wolves left, only managing to head the ball into the air. Illovan won the heading duel, nodding the ball down for James Kpolley, who outmuscled Joe Sames before striking the ball low past Derkacz for 0-2. Two shots on target, two goals for Carpathians.
United tried to respond before the break, but Wolves shut up shop and went into half-time somehow two goals to the good.
HT MK United 0 AFC Carpathians 2. One of the strangest halves of football I've ever seen. MK dominated play for the entire half, had numerous half-chances, but didn't score. They took their eye off the ball twice and were punished clinically on both occasions. You have to admire the finishing of the Carpathian strikers. Two chances. Two goals.
Wolves on rare first half foray Thankfully the rain had stopped during the first half and, although we had a few more sprinklings, the light seemed better than it had at kick-off. It was certainly brighter than the mood in the home camp. They were now kicking down the slight slope in the second half, but had a lot to do if they wanted to rescue the game. Remember, they needed to win if they wanted to leapfrog Stewkley.
With four minutes of the second half on the clock, Carpathians almost did it again when Mitu was left unmarked inside the box. Luckily for United, Mike Derkacz was alert enough to pull off a good save and keep his team in the hunt. They responded by visibly stepping up the pace. Luke Little dragged a 51st minute shot wide, but the move was encouraging for the home tram and, four minutes later, they got a goal back. After something of a scramble inside the 18-yard box, Dom Lawless was fed the ball on the right hand side before sending a low effort into the opposite corner. 1-2. Surely, that was the start of the turnaround? MK were dominating the ball and it felt like only a matter of time until they equalised.
That looked even more likely when, on the hour, Claudio Mitu was sent to the sin-bin for getting too vociferous with his complaints to the referee after a free-kick award. This game, however, was not obeying any rules and, sure enough, they went out of the window again on 63 minutes. Voicu launched the ball long out to the left wing, Ilovan cushioned the ball first time into the path of James Kpolley some 30 yards out. Derkacz, caught out by the speed of the attack, was out of position, allowing Kpolley to fire in from distance. 1-3.
So, as quickly as they had reduced the deficit, MK found themselves two behind again. However, they are near the top for a reason, and they showed their resolve quickly. Only two minutes later, they won a throw-in on the left, some 25 yards out. Captain Joe Sames launched the ball into the box where Nathan Chapman got in front of his marker to send a looping header, backwards, over Voicu into the far corner. 2-3
It was really game on now. Only a goal in it and the visitors still down to ten. United took complete advantage of the numbers just three minutes later. Jordan Spruce, out on the right, delivered a peach of a cross which found Cole Rawson, unmarked at the back. He brought the ball under control and slipped it under the advancing Voicu for 3-3.
With four minutes of the second half on the clock, Carpathians almost did it again when Mitu was left unmarked inside the box. Luckily for United, Mike Derkacz was alert enough to pull off a good save and keep his team in the hunt. They responded by visibly stepping up the pace. Luke Little dragged a 51st minute shot wide, but the move was encouraging for the home tram and, four minutes later, they got a goal back. After something of a scramble inside the 18-yard box, Dom Lawless was fed the ball on the right hand side before sending a low effort into the opposite corner. 1-2. Surely, that was the start of the turnaround? MK were dominating the ball and it felt like only a matter of time until they equalised.
That looked even more likely when, on the hour, Claudio Mitu was sent to the sin-bin for getting too vociferous with his complaints to the referee after a free-kick award. This game, however, was not obeying any rules and, sure enough, they went out of the window again on 63 minutes. Voicu launched the ball long out to the left wing, Ilovan cushioned the ball first time into the path of James Kpolley some 30 yards out. Derkacz, caught out by the speed of the attack, was out of position, allowing Kpolley to fire in from distance. 1-3.
So, as quickly as they had reduced the deficit, MK found themselves two behind again. However, they are near the top for a reason, and they showed their resolve quickly. Only two minutes later, they won a throw-in on the left, some 25 yards out. Captain Joe Sames launched the ball into the box where Nathan Chapman got in front of his marker to send a looping header, backwards, over Voicu into the far corner. 2-3
It was really game on now. Only a goal in it and the visitors still down to ten. United took complete advantage of the numbers just three minutes later. Jordan Spruce, out on the right, delivered a peach of a cross which found Cole Rawson, unmarked at the back. He brought the ball under control and slipped it under the advancing Voicu for 3-3.
MK pushing for a winner Carpathians were now back to full strength, but under constant pressure from United, who sensed a winner. They had claims for a penalty on 70 minutes when full-back Nate Dimes looked to have been bundled over inside the box. Nothing doing as far as the referee was concerned. It was one of those challenges that could have gone either way. The players were shoulder to shoulder and the referee saw it as a fair coming together.
Despite Unite pressing forward at every opportunity they could easily have lost the game in the final five minutes. A rare Wolves break saw the ball sent across goal from the left flank. Wolves captain Shoniwa Perseus met it on the stretch at the far post, but couldn't keep the effort down. That only left just enough time for United substitute Reece Amoroso to get sin-binned in stoppage time, before Referee Major blew to end the game. Miraculously, given the weather and light at kick-off, we had managed to play a full 90 minutes plus a little added time.
FT MK United 3 AFC Carpathians 3. A fantastic game for a neutral to watch. Thank you to both teams for putting on a great evening of entertainment in tough conditions. MK's failure to win hands an advantage to Stewkley in the title chase. It's now out of MK's hands, although the teams face each other on May 6th
At the weekend MK play host to Wing Village in the semi-final of the Premier Division Challenge Trophy. United beat Wing 5-1 in the home league encounter back in late August. Meanwhile, AFC Carpathians are at home to Willen in a league encounter. The Wolves won 5-4 at Willen just a couple of weeks ago.
The title race is likely to still have some twists and turns yet.
MK United: 1.Derkacz, 19.Chapman , 2.Dimes, 15.Spruce, 16.Sames(c), 17.Ainsley, 10.Little, 11.Parker, 3.Barker, 14.Lawless, 12.Lothian. Subs: 9.Rawson, 7.Amoroso, 18.Daubney, 20.Bletchley, 4.Crossley
AFC Carpathians(squad): 1.Voicu, 4.Choudry, 5.Perseus(c), 6.Betelie, 9.Ilova, 10.Wright, 14.Malik, 15.Gheorghe, 8.Oifoh, 20.Bivol, 21.Petrea, 27.Mitu, 17.Kpolley, 30.Popa, 7.Cuna, 29.Alexandru
Despite Unite pressing forward at every opportunity they could easily have lost the game in the final five minutes. A rare Wolves break saw the ball sent across goal from the left flank. Wolves captain Shoniwa Perseus met it on the stretch at the far post, but couldn't keep the effort down. That only left just enough time for United substitute Reece Amoroso to get sin-binned in stoppage time, before Referee Major blew to end the game. Miraculously, given the weather and light at kick-off, we had managed to play a full 90 minutes plus a little added time.
FT MK United 3 AFC Carpathians 3. A fantastic game for a neutral to watch. Thank you to both teams for putting on a great evening of entertainment in tough conditions. MK's failure to win hands an advantage to Stewkley in the title chase. It's now out of MK's hands, although the teams face each other on May 6th
At the weekend MK play host to Wing Village in the semi-final of the Premier Division Challenge Trophy. United beat Wing 5-1 in the home league encounter back in late August. Meanwhile, AFC Carpathians are at home to Willen in a league encounter. The Wolves won 5-4 at Willen just a couple of weeks ago.
The title race is likely to still have some twists and turns yet.
MK United: 1.Derkacz, 19.Chapman , 2.Dimes, 15.Spruce, 16.Sames(c), 17.Ainsley, 10.Little, 11.Parker, 3.Barker, 14.Lawless, 12.Lothian. Subs: 9.Rawson, 7.Amoroso, 18.Daubney, 20.Bletchley, 4.Crossley
AFC Carpathians(squad): 1.Voicu, 4.Choudry, 5.Perseus(c), 6.Betelie, 9.Ilova, 10.Wright, 14.Malik, 15.Gheorghe, 8.Oifoh, 20.Bivol, 21.Petrea, 27.Mitu, 17.Kpolley, 30.Popa, 7.Cuna, 29.Alexandru
MK Village Pavilion glowing in the distance
The Ground
Modern day Milton Keynes is getting bigger but, back in the 19th century, it was just a village and the area that is now known as Middleton was once Milton Keynes Village. This is where MK call home (or at least one of their homes). Milton Keynes Pavilion sits on an open area used for both football and cricket, opposite Milton Keynes Village Hall. The pavilion houses the changing areas for players and official and also has a good-sized bar area. There's a patio out front, with tables and chairs, overlooking the cricket pitch. MK's main pitch is the furthest of three pitches on the opposite side of the car parks from the pavilion. There's no spectator cover apart from some trees behind the left-hand goals (which is where I stood during the worst of the rain). The pitch slopes slightly down from the Worrelle Avenue end.
Ground Number: 447
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Modern day Milton Keynes is getting bigger but, back in the 19th century, it was just a village and the area that is now known as Middleton was once Milton Keynes Village. This is where MK call home (or at least one of their homes). Milton Keynes Pavilion sits on an open area used for both football and cricket, opposite Milton Keynes Village Hall. The pavilion houses the changing areas for players and official and also has a good-sized bar area. There's a patio out front, with tables and chairs, overlooking the cricket pitch. MK's main pitch is the furthest of three pitches on the opposite side of the car parks from the pavilion. There's no spectator cover apart from some trees behind the left-hand goals (which is where I stood during the worst of the rain). The pitch slopes slightly down from the Worrelle Avenue end.
Ground Number: 447
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
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