     |
| Milton Keynes Storm Under 18s (Division 1 South)6th February 2010 |
MK Storm are now under 18 league champions of Southern England! |
 |
| Facing a competitive Bracknell side, for whom the league title was at least a mathematical possibility, MK Storm showed just how difficult it can be finally to cross the line in a title race. MK had started the match like world champions. On the first shift of the match Connor Goode swept over the Bracknell blueline, Josh Nicklin kept the attack going behind the nets, and his neat pass to Goode was finished firmly by Jacob Heron (00:43) in front of goal. |
 |
| MK continued to dominate the match, and constantly threatened to score. After a lengthy spell in the Bracknell defensive zone, the puck looked to have been cleared, but Ross Green kept the attack moving and Josh Nicklin (12:52) swept down the boards, cut inside and shot home venomously to the near post. Shortly before the break MK stretched their lead when Tom Mboya (18:30) finished off a move that owed much to a typically muscular drive on goal by Andy Major. MK looked likely to run away with the match after the break. Although short-handed Tom Mboya drove through the centre of the Bracknell defence, and he was up-ended with the goal in his sights. Quickly to his feet, Mboya (22:32) repeated the exercise and scored confidently with his penalty shot. |
 |
| With both hands on the league trophy, and Bracknell in disarray, MK should have gone on to win the match at a canter. Instead of which they tried every means at their disposal to throw it away. A series of thoughtless penalties conceded by senior players broke up the flow of the match, and Bracknell started to compete with greater belief. Goals followed at regular intervals for the home side (26:21, 33:17 & 38:01) and MK went into the final period carrying a slender lead. It did not last as the hosts equalised early in the final period (42:10), and looked certain to complete the most extraordinary turnaround. Thankfully Jake Scriven finally hit his best form in the MK nets, pulling off a series of multiple saves to spare MK blushes. |
 |
As the match reached its conclusion, Bracknell faded, and MK looked likely to pull off a bizarre victory, but the home defence hung on, and ultimately earned themselves a well-deserved tie. |