04/05 Season
Milton Keynes vs Guildford International
Date: 16-Oct-04
Score: 3-1 (25-20 16-25 25-19 25-19)

Milton Keynes vs Brentwood Estonians
Date: 17-Oct-04
Score: 3-1 (21-25 25-12 25-14 25-18)

Back in winning ways…

It turned out to be a top weekend for Milton Keynes in National League Division 2. In a double-header weekend, not only did the team notch up two victories, but they ended the weekend 2nd in the league.

The weekend's matches started with Guildford International, who had previously been unbeaten. The warm-up showed the potential power of the Guildford attack, who obviously outgunned the home team. The game plan was to serve tough and put Guildford on the defensive. The tactics worked as Milton Keynes took the first set 25-20 in an impressive start to the match.

The Guildford coach was determined to keep changing his side, which worked to Milton Keynes advantage. Despite a brief comeback from Guildford, who took the second set 16-25, Milton Keynes pushed on to take the next two sets with relative ease. Matt Almond was the outstanding player for Milton Keynes with consistent passing and string hitting. There was more great performances from Kev Smith in the backcourt and Dave Goddard at the net.

After a great victory on Saturday, Sunday saw Brentwood Estonians visiting Woughton. Brentwood hadn't won a game this season so far, and as they entered the sports hall with only 6 players, it was looking unlikely that they could upset the Milton Keynes team, who were still on a high from the day before.

However, Milton Keynes were soon put well and truly in their place, as Brentwood took an early lead in the match, taking the first set 21-25. It was a lacklustre start, but the knock back spurred the lads on, and from that point forward a defeat was never on the cards.

The second set was won 25-12 with some great volleyball from the home team. Tim Daun, despite a knee injury, came on and took control of the net, blocking out very impressively. Kev Smith was inspirational in the backcourt, as ever, and Scott Robson's setting was beginning to show the quality of years past. It was downhill from this point, and with Andreas Whitley's awesome blocking, Milton Keynes romped home 25-14 and 25-18, to take the match 3-1.

After the match, we learnt that this match was only the 3rd match ever for one of the Brentwood players. Hats off to him, as he played really well and you would never have realised that he was a beginner. It's great to see a youngster coming through.

Next match: Saturday 23rd October @ 15:30 vs Compass Leicester (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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