Damage in the Box!: Hellenic League

After a great time in Oxford visting some of the many fantastic GBG entries, (including a pub called the The Turf where it is alleged Bill Clinton, whilst a student, "did not inhale" whilst smoking illegal substances) the main event of the day was an Hellenic League Division One East clash. That's living the life!!

Milton United were taking on visitors, from near High Wycombe, Penn & Tylers Green at their Milton Heights ground. Milton is a small village about 3 miles south of Abingdon and likewise 3 miles west of Didcot. In fact you can see Didcot's Power Station looming in the distance behind the stand.

The football ground is pretty basic with a small covered stand and a portakabin serving as a clubhouse. The bowling club is at the back of ground and there signs about warning football supporters not to park in their car park!

Based on previous experiences, my expections of a good game are pretty low when the Hellenic is involved (Saturday's FA Cup game at Thame being a case in point) but tonight, i'm happy to say, I was very surprised as both teams served up an entertaining end-to-end match.

Milton United were two goals to the good inside the first 20 minutes when Joe Parker gave them the lead after 13 minutes before Drew Fowler doubled their advantage from the penalty spot (pictured right).

However the scoreline could've been much different if Penn & Tylers could actually of hit the target. They wasted enough chances to win a dozen games, nevermind tonights.

To compound their misery they gifted the homesters a third goal just after the break when a defensive blunder allowed Fowler to bag his second of the game.

Even at three down the visitors still created and they did have enough efforts to at least draw level. The did get one back, finally, after 77 minutes when Chris Hurst scored but Milton were able to see out the game.

Plenty of others 'hoppers' at the game tonight and all in all a pleasant evening spent in pleasant company.

Monday 13th August 2012
Hellenic League Division One East
Milton United 3-1 Penn & Tylers Green
Attendance: 68

The road to Wembley began once again for many clubs, just weeks after Chelsea turned over the unmentionables in the final. I don't care what anyone says, for me this is still THE cup competition.

Anyhow, there was only one match in the draw that made any sense today and that was the all Hellenic League affair between Thame United and Newbury (my mate lives locally and we are heading into London to see Blur at Hyde Park on Sunday).

Normally I would prefer to see teams from differing leagues playing against each other but for reasons mentioned that wasn't an option today.

Thame have been back in the town since December 2010, playing at the purpose built Meadow View Park. This was some 15 years after their eviction from their old Windmill Road, which was subsequently built upon. Inbetween they had groundshared at Aylesbury and AFC Wallingford.

For a cup tie, the game was quite a lacklustre affair with real chances at an absolute premium.

Thame nontheless progressed through to the next round of the cup courtesy of a solitary strike from Ellis Hercules after 18 minutes. The ball fell kindly to him in the penalty area and he has the simple task of prodding the ball home (pictured left).

Newbury never really threatened until the dying embers of the game, when they did crash an effort against the bar but overall there can be no complaints about the result.

Thame will now travel to North Leigh in the next round, whilst I travelled, post match, just up the road to The Cross Keys, arguably the best real ale pub in the town!!