Inter-Division: Milton Keynes 6 – 4 Spencer 4’s
Milton Keynes snapped their recent losing streak beating Spencer 4’s from London, 6-4. You may be thinking a game against a club’s 4th team should be a walk in the park, but Spencer is the biggest lacrosse club in the South (possibly the country?). Their 4th team are cruising to promotion up from East Div 3 and will easily hold their own against East Div 2 opposition next season.
The visitors started strongest, jumping to a 1-3 lead at half-time. MK dug deep in the second half and unlike many previous games, played their best lacrosse as the game wore on. Aaron Day levelled the scores at 4-4 with a breakaway goal from defence wielding the defensive long stick leaving Spencer players in his wake. Last week he decided to pass when he should of shot. This week once he had sight of goal there was only one thing on his mind… ballooning the back of the net with the ball. The game was all tied.
Corey Jamieson then pulled MK ahead thanks to being first to react to a loose ball in front of goal. He flicked it in hockey style and the ball crossed the plain of the goal just before he landed inside the goalie’s crease. The referee took a couple of seconds to make the right call and signalled the goal. MK were ahead.
Now followed about 5 minutes of consistent Spencer pressure. The MK defence held firm showing the hard work in training is now paying off. Spencer were limited to a few low percentage shots that either missed or goalie Jack easily saved. With two minutes left in the game, MK had the ball back in attack. Spencer needed a turnover. In recent games MK’s turnover count has been a problem. Today the passing and ball retention was much improved and MK players moved the ball with much more assurance. As Spencer went chasing, MK worked the ball to captain Jack Gambrill who was in space but with an acute angle for a shot. A quick fake high followed by a low shot found the gap between the goalie’s legs and MK now had a 2 goal lead.
With 90 seconds left on the game clock, Tom Carter won yet another face-off (he was brilliant at face-off today), and MK’s most experienced players on the field today, Giles Cuddy and Chris Webborn played keep-ball to see out the game.
Game Stats
6:4 (1:2, 1:3, 3:4, 6:4)
MK Goals:
#88 Jack Gambrill x 2
#10 Toby Jeffries
#32 Giles Cuddy
#3 Aaron Day
#69 Corey Jamieson
MK Man-to-the-Match: Goalie Jack
MK D-of-the-Day: Corey Jamieson