04/05 Season
Milton Keynes vs Birmingham
Date: 25-Sep-04
Score: 2-3 (25-16 23-25 23-25 25-16 10-15)

Back down to earth with a bump…

Birmingham have long since been MKVC's bogey team, and this match proved to be no difference to previous years. It was a nasty match with Birmingham hell bent on upsetting the MKVC's rhythm by fair means or foul. Surprisingly, there were no cards dished out by the referee, who might have had a better chance of controlling the game had there been some cautions.

Despite the aggro, MKVC took charge of the match in the first set, with some great middle attacks from Andreas Whitley and Ant Moffat. The set was taken convincingly 25-16 with little fight from the visitors. However, the following sets were to be a different story.

Birmingham set their stall out in the second set, turning up the back chat (from players and spectators!!!) with no response from the referees. This tactic combined with some poor refereeing decisions unnerved the MKVC team, and their concentration slipped. Sets 2 and 3 went the way of the visitors, as Birmingham fought back to 1-2 leaders.

The fourth set was a difference story again as MKVC came out aggressive and determined not to lose. Kevin Smith dominated the backcourt, as he has become known to do, and Matt Almond was strong front court again. Setter Scott Robson tried his best to keep the opposition block guessing by spreading the set through all channels. The fight proved successful as MKVC took the set 25-16, setting up the second five set match in two weeks.

However, Birmingham had a great start to the fifth set, and it proved too much for MKVC to turn around, despite best efforts at the death. Birmingham ended up taking the set 10-15, for a 2-3 match win.

All in all, it was a good performance from MKVC, playing good volleyball despite all the nasty banter from the opposition. Other teams in Division 2 be warned, that playing Birmingham will be a nasty affair!

Next match:
Saturday 16th October @ 15:30 vs Guildford (Woughton Centre, MK)
Sunday 17th October @ 15:30 vs Essex (Woughton Centre, MK)

Team: Matt Almond, Simon Barton, Colin Brown, Tim Daun, Dave Goddard, Andreas Whitley, Ant Moffat, Scott Robson, Kevin Smith

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