SEMLA League: Camden Capybaras 11 – 3 Milton Keynes

Opening game of the new season and it was a shock to all those in MK green to play again on a full sized pitch, opposed to small 8-a-side pitches that we’d become used to during pre-season with tournaments in Bath and London. Our last full-field game was the friendly vs City of Stoke back in August. If there’s one thing playing on a full-size pitch always highlights it’s any lack of fitness. We were out of gas by the 4th quarter and let Camden run away with it at the death.

Camden had plenty of shots in the 1st quarter but didn’t trouble Pat Land in goal all bar one shot that found the back of the net. When the ball was up the other end, MK moved the ball around nicely but didn’t really threaten the Camden goal. The MK attack was a bit makeshift today with only one recognised attack player, Jack Gambrill. Club coach Rob Gooch is not that mobile these days so whilst he has safe(ish) stick skills, he’s not going to dodge and run pass a defender. Middie Toby Jeffries played most of the game in the lefty attack position. He gave more of a dodging threat but needs to work on his finishing.

During the middle phase of the game, Camden started to find their rhythm and the corners of the MK goal. Only Tom Carter kept MK in the game with two goals from top centre, making the three quarter score 6-2 to the home team.

The fourth quarter was a blow-out as MK faded, fast, and Camden capitalised on every MK unforced error. A man-up goal from Gooch gave a glimmer of hope but 3 quick goals from Camden gave them a 9-3 lead. Two more Camden goals in the final two minutes put in the knife and gave it a little twist.

Camden, playing in their first ever competitive SEMLA season, look competitive with strong squad numbers and plenty of youthful energy. We look forward to the return fixture up in MK and expect to give them a much closer game.

Game Stats
11:3 (1:0, 4:1, 6:2, 11:3)
MK Man-to-the-Match: Tom Carter
MK D-of-the-Day: Rob Gooch

MK Scorers
#54 Tom Carter x 2
#9 Rob Gooch