Real Milan 2 Britwell United 3

An unstoppable 20yd curler 4 minutes from time,by forward Sean Brennan, handed United all three points just when the match seemed destined to end in a draw. The match was played in a cup-tie atmosphere but it was Britwell who had the better of the opening exchanges with both Dean James and Andrew shooting narrowly wide. Gradually Real Milan found there rhythm, and Karim Usmani began to dominate the midfield with Scott Lawrie and Louis Martin carving out some fine openings down the right which the United defense cleared with some excellent last ditch defending. Harley McAuley had a clear opening but it fell on his weaker left side and he fired over.
The opening goal came when the Referee, who had an excellent game, spotted an infrigement on the edge of the Milan area. From the resultant free kick United midfielder Kyle Hazel stole in unmarked, to plant a neat header past the outstretched hands of Anthony MacCarroll to put the Reds one up. Despite Real's further pressure, with Ashley Kang and Renaldo going close and a 30yd rocket from Lawrie, which the Britwell 'keeper comfortably caught, Milan couldn't get on level terms. It nearly got worse for Milan, when a near post volley from James was brilliantly tipped over the bar by MacCarroll.
At half time, the Real Coach's expressed to the players, the need to keep calm and the chances will come. Kang was pulled back into midfield and Daryll Storey was moved up front. In the absence of Real's 17 goal top scorer Josh Lake, there was concern where the goals would come from. Within 8 minutes of the second half, the equalizer came...... from an unlikely source. Danny O'Sullivan out for nearly 2 months with an achilles problem, replaced the tiring Kang, and within 30 seconds had carved out an opening. He steadied himself and then fired a beauty into the right hand corner to bring Milan level and back into the match.
The excitement and tension continued to build, with crunching but fair tackles from both sides, and more near misses. Eight minutes after the equaliser it was United who went back in front. An innocuous through ball caused hesitancy in the Real defence, and Sean Brennan took full advantage to rifle a low well struck right foot shot into the left hand corner to make it 2-1.
Real kept there heads up and went searching for an second equalizer. McAuley was very unlucky to be substituted, as he was playing well, but Tom Emery was desperate to get on and make an impact. And within 5 minutes he had. With the ball bobbling around outside the United area, Emery won an important header and it fell kindly to Martin. His cross cum shot, was only half cleared, and Storey pounced to fire home from close range to bring Milan level for a second time.
Both teams at this point, probably would have settled for a point. A draw being about the right result. But from one last Britwell attack, which Real failed to clear, the ball went straight to the unmarked Brennan on the edge of the area. With one swing of his right foot he bent the ball high into the right hand corner, to break Milans hearts and give Britwell all the points.
For Real Milan, Karim Usmani was excellent especially in the first half, Ricky Wheeler was a giant in defence making some great tackles and intelligent passes. Ronaldo played his heart out and never gave up. Jack Evans was voted the Man Of The Match. He timed his tackles well, intecepted well and won all his ariel battles.
The match was probably one of the best games of the season, and all 22 players deserve great credit for their efforts.