So we begun the season with a game against a side that many touted as potential dangermen in our division, Comet MK reserves. We went into the game missing several key players and in fact we were missing almost a complete team. We even called upon the services of 1st team manager Anthony Lands to come and bolster our midfield and provide much needed energy and know how to a team completely without natural Central Midfielders. He was partnered with his brother, our skipper Jamie Lands who volunteered to play in the unfamiliar role.
We started brightly and looked to pass the ball well on the deck, clearly listening to what has been asked of us throughout a long and hard preseason. Though the visiting team looked quite strong at this point we felt confident that we were a match for them and played with positivity and poise as the game opened up. Shortly into the 1st half the first piece of bad luck struck us when Lewis Lawson became the victim of a short warm up, pulling up injured with a pulled muscle and having to be withdrawn to be replaced by Aaron Wardle. Not long after we'd settled from this setback did the next piece of bad luck strike with Anthony Yates falling awkwardly after a good strong challenge, resulting in the remaining starting full back having to be withdrawn to be replaced by James Smith, with Chris Martin dropping into the now vacant full back position. It later transpired that Anthony Yates had actually broken his wrist in the challenge meaning that he becomes a player that we'll miss for the start of the league season at least.
As the game progressed throughout the 1st half a very even seeming contest was tipped when a penalty was awarded to us and Jamie Lands stepped up and shot low and hard into the bottom corner out of the keepers reach. 1 nil to Stantonbury. This is how it remained until half time.
At half time the manager emphasised the need to keep doing as we had throughout the 1st half but placed emphasis on the need to work hard and to want the win as it was there to be achieved if only we wanted it more. He reiterated a few key points from his earlier team talk in the changing rooms and sent the lads out again with renewed belief and positivity.
The 2nd half was a very different and difficult half of football in which the referee's tendancy to keep stopping play frustrated some and made for a very bitty game. This said after about 10 mins of play had developed in which the play seemed very close again, the referee pointed to the spot after Daniel Stone was adjudged to have fouled the opposing striker. 1 all was the score.
Not long after this Sean Yates was awarded what appeared to be a very soft penalty after minimal contact in the opposition penalty area. Jamie Lands happily stroking his 2nd penalty of the game away to restore the lead that had previously been held.
Quite quickly after this the lead was extended not just once but twice with a superb strike from distance by Jamie Lands to complete his hat trick from the unfamiliar role that he was in topping a superb display from our skipper and then Sean Yates with a cross come shot that confused the keeper who tried to track the excellent movement from the ever lively and positively spritely Colin Winn who done everything but score today, in another superb display from him. Sean getting a goal right at the start of the season bodes well and the manner of his performance with non stop energy and hunger to get on the ball certainly shone through today. So this means that competition for those forward positions looks healthier than ever before with others waiting in the wings ready to grab their chance also including James Smith who came on early in the game and showed some good touches while doing the simple things well.
Though no reflection on the substitution, shortly after the impressive young Nick Sidwell was replaced by Darren Ollard, the game became finely balanced after a mix up between Daniel Stone and Aaron Wardle allowed Comet to get a goal back and then a low hard shot through a crowd and into the bottom corner meant that the game was now going to the wire. However in the dying seconds keeper Daniel Stone leapt to save us with a superb double save from close range and Jamie Lands also adding his 2nd or 3rd goal line clearance into the mix meant that all 3 points on the opening day of the season were ours.
After the final whistle the manager announced that the man of the match had to go to the excellent Jamie Lands for his hard work throughout and also for starting the season with a trio of goals. Special mention was also made to Anthony Lands who was indeed as billed our special guest for the evening and who's energy and talent made the lives of all around him so much easier and allowed us to play football with a natural outlet. Special mention was also made of Colin Winn, Chris Martin and Joe Slinn who all had excellent games also. We roll on to the next game and hope to continue what we've started but with the key players returning to strengthen us even more. Certainly a good season ahead as we suspected!!
