Goal In Each Half Sees Mildenhall Go Through - Peterborough Northern Star vs. Mildenhall Town

Peterborough restart the game

It was FA Cup weekend again and this weekend I met my dad half way between London and Scunthorpe for the Preliminary Round tie between Peterborough Northern Star of the United Counties League and Mildenhall Town of the Eastern Counties League. The home side's name comes from two brickworks which were involved in the founding of the football club. Both sides had identical league records going in to the tie. They both had won two and drawn two so far this season. In the previous round, Northern Star had beaten another Eastern Counties side in the form of Team Bury while the visitors had also beaten Gorleston another Eastern Counties side in the Extra Preliminary Round.

Kick off at The Mick George Arena

Mildenhall have an early free kick in a decent position but it is easily headed away by the Northern Star defence. From Northern Star's first cross in to the box, the ball is almost luckily deflected in to the net. Another Mildenhall ball in to the area is only half cleared and the resulting effort is lashed in off the post to give the visitors an early lead. Northern Star then begin a good period of possession with a long range effort which goes just wide. The Northern Star number nine is able to jinx his way through the Mildenhall defence but once he gets enough space for a shot it goes high and wide. Northern Star are almost made to pay for that miss as the keeper has to make a good save from a dipping effort from just outside the area. The home side then almost catch a break as a deflection results in the forward baring down on goal but the keeper makes a good save with his feet. The final half chance of the half is a brilliant corner Northern Star which unfortunately eludes everyone at the back post.      

A first half Northern Star corner is watched by the Mildenhall defence

Northern Star go on the attack immediately after half time and the winger is able to get to the byline. His cross is spilt by the keeper, who's defence is on hand to clear the danger. Mildenhall's first chance comes following a pass in to the area, the ball is laid back but the shot is put well over. Mildenhall put the defence under further pressure and a great defensive header prevents the creation of a clear cut chance. Northern Star then get to the byline for a second time and for the second time the forward is unable to find anyone. Mildenhall then win a penalty as the forward is taken down. The ball is smashed to the right to put the away side two up. Northern Star then have no chance but to go on the attack. The first chance comes from a free kick and the Mildenhall centre back has to make a last ditch header. The home side create a couple of half chances but Mildenhall see out the game to go through.

Northern Star hunt for a late goal

Trains depart to Peterborough from Kings Cross and you have two options. The quicker, more expensive East Coast trains take around forty minutes while the slower First Capital Connect trains take close to an hour and twenty minutes. The ground is over two miles from the station. The number 5 bus departs from the bus station to very close to the ground every ten minutes and the journey also takes ten minutes. The clubhouse at the ground is large and very friendly. They also have Sky Sports for the early kick off. We didn't see any pubs near the ground but there are two very good pubs next door to the bus station. The first one is The Wortley Almshouses which is a Sam Smith's pub. The other one is The Brewery Tap which is the main pub of Oakham Ales. I can strongly recommend the Scarlet Macaw.

Mildenhall celebrate going one up