Barnes Garner’s quick reactions gave the home side a 36th-minute lead before Bonner responded with an equaliser in similar fashion seconds later. Cabou Wikes then regained the hosts’ lead just before the break as they succumbed us to our first defeat of the season.

Josh Law and Wayne Scott made a plethora of changes from our 3-1 victory over Bedworth United last week as Declan Dunn, James Tague and Wayde Hines were all absent as Mackenzie Rooney missed out through injury. Jordan Haywood, Nathanial Peters, Aaron Wainana and Kieran Duncan were named as their replacements.

An early mix up between Peters and Gianni Musson nearly allowed Barnes Garner in on goal but his shot was ultimately blocked before Jordan Douglas lashed over from an angle after three minutes.
Moments later, Douglas really should have made home dominance count when he rounded Musson only to drag wide with the goal gaping. He then wasted another fine chance with eleven minutes played but the ‘keeper did well to thwart as the hosts began quickly.

Our first chance on goal came after 15 minutes when Sam Newell, on the scoresheet last time out, fired wide from range after good build-up play by Bonner and Jacob Taylor down the left.
The two combined again midway through the first half but some hesitancy from talisman Taylor allowed Luka Lodder to make a last-ditch block before the danger was eventually cleared as we grew into an entertaining affair.

Rory Harrison was then denied by a fabulous save from James McKauise before Musson’s miss control allowed Garner to capitalise and slide Milton Keynes in front minutes before the break.

The lead did not last, however, as less than a minute later, and in a carbon copy to the opener, Wainana’s tame effort was inadvertently spilt by McKauise and Bonner was first to react to slam home the equaliser.

The home side reacted well and regained the lead two minutes before half time when the ball span kindly in the air for Wikes, who nodded home unmarked at the far post.

An open game turned feisty early in the second half as a two-teamed fracas saw George Sharman cautioned for his reaction to being inexplicably upended by Ethan Dowse and Jack Erikson was reprimanded for a rash tackle on Bonner seconds later.

Newell then stung the hands of McKauise with a fierce strike after an hour before Bonner mistimed an acrobatic attempt on the edge of the area. With 15 minutes remaining, Newell then rattled the outside of the post via a deflection with a stranded McKauise a bystander as we sought a leveller.

Some extended pressure late on yielded little opportunities for either side as Bonner’s goal proved in vain as we failed to build on last weekend’s win.

STARTING XI: Gianni Musson, George Sharman (Issa Geye 71’), Jordan Heywood, Kiran Duncan, Nathaniel Peters, Callum Frogson (c), Rory Harrison, Sam Newell, Jacob Taylor (Arnold Zimmaestro 68’), Jericho Bonner, Aaron Wainana (Louis Nicholson 58’)

Up Next: Under 19s vs Lutterworth
FA Youth Cup
Thursday 24 September