Our First Team kicked off against MK Royals who apply their trade in the North Bucks Intermediate Division, from the first minute the gameplan was identified with the home team setting up in a 5-4-1 formation with a very isolated striker and the visitors missing a few key players through injury. Stewkley applied the pressure early on but had to be very patient in finding an opener against the MK Royals defence and midfield applying a very low block to try and frustrate the visiting team in this cup tie. Stewkley centre halves Niall and Sam seemed to have most possession of the ball in the first half with the home side allowing them time to play in the first two thirds of the pitch, N Wagner in particular allowed the license to drive forward with the ball into the final third of the pitch on multiple occasions.

After constant waves of pressure from the visitors, Stewkley finally found a way to break the deadlock with some good football between defence and midfield when Stewkley youngster Alex Cristofoli found himself in a bit of space out on the right touchline and delivered a sensational ball into the box, which found in-form striker Tom Carter in a few yards of space who guided his free header into the corner from about 8 yards making the score 1-0 just before the half-hour mark. The pressure continued to build and Stewkley winger, Tom Faulkner unleashed a strike from distance which was narrowly tipped over the crossbar by the MK Royals keeper, so close to opening his account for the season. A pattern soon emerged when just after 30 minute in, Stewkley left back Rory Scrivener picked up a loose ball just over 20 yards from goal, shifted it out of his feet and released a left footed strike which bent past the outstretched goalkeeper into the side netting, doubling our lead. Half-time was edging closer and Stewkley kept pushing to extend their lead before the break, which came just a few minutes from the referee's whistle, when Tom Faulkner continued his constant involvement in Stewkley's first half pressure and whipped a corner into the box, which could only be turned into their own goal by an MK Royals defender.

Half-Time: MK Royals 0-3 Stewkley First Team

With manager Max Budgen enjoying the Egyptian sun mid-season, it was Nick Howard taking control of the match and subsequent half-time team talk. The message was simple, be patient and keep doing what you're doing; it was an extremely controlling and dominant first half from the visitors and with a 3-0 lead at the break, more gaps in the opposition's shape was expected.

Heading into the second half, the first substitution came 10 minutes into the half, when starting holding midfielder Callum Bailey was unable to continue and replaced by James Atkinson, who quickly made an impact a few minutes later, losing his marker and slamming a header into the back of the net from Scrivener's in-swinging corner. The home team started pushing forward themselves, which caused a couple of scares for the visiting team but nothing to write home about. A few more changes entered the pitch with Cristofoli replaced by Tom McKenna and opposite winger, Faulkner replaced by another Stewkley academy graduate Paolo Gray, who's impact was immediate, injecting some directness and pace into the MK Royals backline, who struggled to cope. It was Stewkley's match winner from last week, Jamie Hardings, who popped up with Stewkley's 5th goal, arriving late into the box to convincingly slam home a loose ball inside the box. Shortly after he was replaced by Ben Howard after a tireless performance, along with midfield partner Luke Alligan, who had a very tidy game keeping things ticking and applying constant pressure on the opposition's midfield and defence, he was replaced by Kieran Roadnight. It was then Roadnight who scored Stewkley's 6th and final goal of the afternoon, some superb play from Paolo who picked up the ball on the right hand corner of the box, beat his man inside and wrapped his left foot around the ball causing the Stewkley bench to start their celebrations, only for the ball to cannon back off the far post and fall to Roadnight who tidily got the ball under control and finished calmly.

The final 10 minutes provided a few more chances for the visitors but the incoming rain made things a but more difficult and allowed these chances to slip away, which could have furthered the lead but at this point, the result was secured and focus was switched to ensure we came away with a clean sheet.

Full-Time: MK Royals 0-6 Stewkley First Team
Scorers: Carter (26'), Scrivener (33'), Own Goal (42'), Atkinson (59'), Hardings (63'), K Roadnight (78')
Player of the Match: Sam Budgen

WHAT'S NEXT

This week brings a free weekend for the home time to rest and recover, ready for a league clash away to Hanslope on Saturday 5th October.