Wycombe Vets Out but not Down
Bucks Cup vs Milton Keynes
On a cold but crisp Sunday afternoon Wycombe vets headed for Milton Keynes with a depleted squad a following an injury the previous day to key central defender Pat Cross. This was always going to a tough venture with a number of Wycombe's 'younger' vets unavailable and a large and skilful MK squad waiting. The early phase of the match saw the Wycombe defence tested as MK attacked with some slick fast moving hockey, however the defensive line of Presley, Haines and Ritchie, assisted by a willing midfield held out and on occasions were able to allow the midfield and forwards to penetrate the MK 'D'. However constant pressure led to an inevitable goal after a quick break from within the MK half. Shortly after Steve Smyth took a ball directly on his foot from close range and for a while it looked like the visitors would have to play out with only nine - however Smyth recovered and returned some minutes later.
Despite some excellent goalkeeping from Paul Reeman and more determined Wycombe defence MK scored another two goals before the half time whistle.
The second half proved to be much more even both in terms of possession and opportunities. Andy Burroughs and Steve Smyth found more space in midfield and were able to generate more constructive moves through Colin James, David Paul and forwards Kevin O'Linn and Russell Leather. Wycombe's defence seemed more confident and were able to stifle a number of MK attacks and short corners. Opportunities presented themselves to the Wycombe forwards and were unlucky not to have put at least one goal away before a well worked move by MK allowed their fourth of the match. More Wycombe pressure followed and MK were restrained to their half eventually conceding a last minute goal from Steve Smyth to even out the half.