Premier Division
Milton United 0 Abingdon United 3
Monday, 30 August 2004
Not a dirty game, but a true local derby that needed three strict officials from the start and although Milton had their chances, the 353 spectators witnessed Abingdon cruising to victory in the end.
Milton attacked from the start with a skilful Ashley Fell run down the left flank, which produced the first corner that Carl Wilkins in the visitor's goal easily saved from Pete Culley's overhead kick. Milton continued to put pressure on the visitors until in the 10th minute when a 40 yard howitzer from Nathan Woodley gave the goalkeeper no chance as the ball blasted into the top of the net, but his glory was short lived because within minutes he was cautioned for a fierce tackle. The game became very scrappy and two Abingdon players received words of wisdom from the referee, first Chris Hooper and then Mathew Shelton was cautioned for tackles on Mark Orlando. From the free kick Pete Culley fired wide. Milton had two good attacks Patrick Malone made an impressive run passing four defenders but his shot was wide of the post, then Paul Davis picked up a loose ball turned his marker but his shot was well saved by Carl Wilkins. In reply, Andy Marriott beat his man and crossed to Graham Edney, but his effort grazed the bar, then a flighted free kick from Mathew Shelton was headed wide and a center from Micheas Herbert that the goalkeeper collected. The Milton goalkeeper was having an excellent first game, but he slipped when taking a goal kick and the ball went straight to Graham Edney who cut in on him, but he saved the day bravely diving at his feet and grabbing the ball. Rob Lovegrove for Milton decided to show his strength by shooting from the half way line and though it was well aimed it was not too difficult for the goalkeeper to save. In the closing minutes of the half Milton had two further strikes, Simon Kenny beat two defenders in a dazzling run but his cross was not so good, then Ian Smith put Ashley Fell in a shooting position, but he shot wide.
Half-Time 0 - 1
Milton had a disastrous start to the second half, after 5 minutes a simple clearance in front of goal was miscued straight to Graham Edney who drove the ball into the net for the second goal. Pete Culley was cautioned for Milton. Paul Davis and Garry Hartley worked well in midfield but their efforts were wasted, Micheas Herbert went close for Abingdon with a shot just wide of the post. Both teams introduced new legs, Danny Wise for Abingdon and Gary Sutton for Milton, Danny made an immediate impact with a good run and Chris Hooper shot wide when well placed. A free kick from Richard Peirson to Andy Marriott gave Micheas Herbert a fine opportunity but Jason Malone saved brilliantly. Milton replaced Ian Smith and Ashley Fell with Robert Powell and Robert Parsons. Paul Davis jigged his way through the Abingdon defence but was unable to beat Carl Wilkins, but he did not give up and repeated the effort but this time he was brought down on the edge of the area by Mathew Shelton, which earned him a caution, many thought he got off lightly, Robert Powell blazed the resulting free kick over the bar. Abingdon introduced Adam Burton and Anaclet Odihambo in place of Chris Hooper and Graham Edney. Odihambo made an instant impact with skill and speed and had to be grounded to stop his run, then from a corner he shot over the bar. Abingdon finished the game very strongly, a terrific drive from Andy Marriott and then Danny Wise but it was only the magnificent display by Jason Malone in the Milton goal that kept the score down, unfortunately, in the last minute a free kick taken by Mathew Shelton gave Andy Marriott the chance to head in off the post to record a 3-0 win for the visitor's. |
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