The day started in a solemn mood. Prior to kick off there was a well-supported minutes applause from players/coaches and supporters alike for local footballer Luca Campanaro aged 14 from Aylesbury.

Luca passed away following a collision against an opposing player. He was airlifted from the pitch and passed away in hospital days later. Our thoughts were with the family and friends.

Onto the game, in the opening exchanges the weather played havoc for both passing teams, a 40 mph swirling wind, freezing rain and dipping temperatures meant the game wasn’t going to be one for the purists. The first quarter passed by with not much incident with the ball being mainly contested in midfield.

The second quarter started brightly for the away team, a long-range pass from Danyaal Younus in the 21st minute found Ryan Thomas on the wing who picked out the run of Viliam Radic with a sweeping across field pass, the top marksman coolly despatched it past the MK Dons keeper 0-1.

The lead however lasted hardly a minute as Wayne Cort was judged harshly for holding an MK Dons striker back in the penalty area when both players insisted on swapping shirts before full time. The resulting spot kick was tucked away neatly past Netherton United’s debutant keeper Elliott Gale. 1-1.

The game was now ebbing and flowing with neither team on top and the weather dictating the high number of misplaced passes from both JPL teams. On the 34th minute the impressive Ryan Thomas once again showed his trickery skipping through tackles to find Viliam Radic who bamboozled two MK Don defenders before shooting past the approaching keeper with his trusted left peg.

Half Time 1-2

MK Dons started the 3rd quarter quicker, the game by in large being played in the Netherton United half. The Netherton defence stood firm with a tour de force of a performance by Wayne Cort and Harvey Henderson ably aided by Elliott Gale, coming to the rescue with some stunning saves to keep Netherton in the lead.

The midfield was also being severely tested. It was a backs to the wall type of performance from Bob Horne and Finlay Henderson whose natural attacking games were being suppressed by the MK Dons outfit.

Whatever combination of midfielders the Netherton United gaffer Simon Roberts tried the Dons were able to dominate. However, against the run of play in the 52nd minute Netherton found themselves in the opposition half which resulted in a corner.

Viliam Radic put himself forward for the corner and hit the ball sweetly, his left foot in-swinger evading the Milton Keynes keeper and the resulting bounce of the ball hitting Hashim Hussain who bundled it into the back of the net 1-3.

This however did not slow down the attacking prowess of the MK Dons side whose domination finally was rewarded in the 56th minute with a deserved goal making it 2-3 going into the final quarter.

The 4th Quarter was a more even affair with both sides playing good combinations knowing the next goal would be important. Crucially for MK Dons in the 68th minute their speedy winger lead the Netherton defence a merry dance before a defensive error was leapt on by the same winger who smashed the ball past the Netherton keeper. 3-3.

The match became frenetic and very open with both teams not settling for a point. The game was being heavily contested in midfield with the ball bouncing around, in between Euan Hattersley and skipper Danyaal Younus who hit a defence splitting pass for the onrushing Lukas Vaickelionis who calmly passed it into the net at the second time of asking. Netherton United had won it in the 79th minute of the scheduled 80 minutes.

This pulsating game ended with applause for both sets of players. Netherton United had come top of the JPL Midlands East Division and knew in 2019 they would be competing in the JPL Elite League. Well done and to our opponents MK Dons who looked to be heading to the Elite league too after securing 2nd place.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to coach supremo Simon Roberts, Netherton United, The players/families and Supporters.

Full Time 3-4

Team – Harvey Henderson, Louis Catt, Wayne Cort, Ryan Thomas, Euan Hattersley, Hashim Hussain (1), Lukas Vaickelionis (1), Danyaal Younus, Bob Horne, Viliam Radic (2), Berzan Gokmen, Finlay Henderson, Samuel Oakley, Jakub Nowicki, Elliott Gale.

MOTM

Gold Ryan Thomas
Silver Wayne Cort
Bronze Viliam Radic