Eagles finished their pre season preparation with a disappointing result against a Spartan Division 2 side. There were defensive mistakes and fortunately MK College wasted a number of good goal scoring opportunities.
Eagles were first to test the opposition keeper when after 10 minutes a low cross from the right side was pulled back into a shooting position, but the home keeper blocked the close range low shot with his legs. As the ball rebounded to just outside the penalty area a follow up shot was wide of goal.
MK College should have taken the lead after 17 minutes with a break down the left side and a clear run on goal, but the low shot from inside the penalty area was well wide of goal. A rapid move down the centre of the field gave another shooting chance minutes later but again the low shot was wide of goal.MK College were creating the best chances and went ahead after 36 minutes. Eagles conceded a free kick a yard outside the penalty area, and the kick was well directed round the defensive wall and into the far corner of the net. Within a few minutes Eagles equalised when they gained their own direct free kick just outside the MK penalty area. The keeper at full stretch managed to push the ball away from the bottom corner of the net but the ball only fell to Charlie Austin, who drove it low into the far corner of the net.
Just before half time Eagles nearly went behind again when keeper Sonny May dithered with the ball on the edge his penalty area and tried a short pass to a defender, which was intercepted by an MK forward. Luckily his low shot towards an open goal passed wide. They had another chance following a defensive error after 45 minutes when a poor back pass found an MK forward, but his shot from a narrow angle was caught by the keeper.
Eagles did respond after 48 minutes with a long ball down the right side and a cut inside, but the low shot from inside the penalty area was just wide of the far post.
In the second half most of the goal action came in the las part of the game. Shots went wide of goal or were straight at replacement keeper Adam Seymour before the Eagles defence was again exposed giving a clear run on goal, but as Seymour advanced out of goal to try and block the shot it rolled wide of goal. MK College were then awarded a penalty after Seymour brought down an MK forward who was clear on goal. As the last defender he was lucky not to see red card. The resulting penalty was fiercely struck but hit the inside of the cross bar before rebounding back into play.
In the final minutes Eagles nearly got the equaliser when a long throw from the left touchline deep into the home penalty area was headed goalwards, beating the keeper but hitting the far post before being cleared upfield. Then a long ball down the centre put an Eagles forward clear on goal inside the penalty area, but the keeper blocked the shot.
Play swung to the other end and in the final minute Eagles conceded another direct free kick on the edge of their penalty area in a central position. Just as earlier the kick was curled round the defensive wall into goal giving Seymour no chance of saving and securing victory for the home side.
