ac milanda afc

AC Milanda 6 Club Sporting 3 - Netherpollok

It wasn't pretty but after a very poor first half Milanda finally saw off the challenge of Club Sporting to take all 3 points. The day started a bit bizarrely after the game was initially called off but a quiet word with the groundsman from Brain Dunn saw the game back on again. I think he gave him an invite to his birthday party. Thanks to the advent of mobile phones three players were recalled after they had left when the game was first called off. The game finally kicked off at 10.30 on a pitch that was perfectly playable.

Milanda were straight on the attack and were one up inside 2 mins. Williamson was first to a long ball out of defence and his knock back found Addison on the edge of the box. Addison took the pass in his stride and hit a ferocious shot that was palmed away by the CS keeper for a corner. This was to be the first of many outstanding saves from the CS keeper. A short corner kick between Reid and Coyle caught the CS defence sleeping and Coyle's inch perfect cross was headed home by Duncan. The perfect start for Milanda but it was a false dawn and the rest of the first half was poor even by Milanda's recent standards.

CS were level soon after when an innocuous cross from the right looked to be heading out but surprised everybody by coming back off the post. The ball fell straight to an unmarked CS forward. Soutar attempted to block the shot but only succeeded in helping the ball into the roof of the net. Milanda tried to regain control of the game but failed to find any co-hesion and moves were breaking down all over the park. Few chances were made and on the occasion Milanda did get into dangerous positions there was little support coming from midfield or passes were just going astray. Milanda's best chance of the first half fell to Williamson who tried to lob the CS keeper after a mix-up in the CS defence had left their keeper off his line but the resultant lob drifted harmlessly past the left hand post.

Worse was to come for Milanda when CS took the lead with the softest goal of the game. A free kick from the halfway line was launched into the Milanda box and with the Milanda defence standing still and failing to attack the ball two CS players were left to fight each other for the final touch that left Preston no chance in the Milanda goal. It was a bad goal to lose but probably one CS deserved. The score stayed that way until half time when Milanda boss McMillan delivered a deserved bollocking for such an inept first half performance. Not one player could have been happy with his first half display.

McMillan's half time rant had the desired effect as Milanda started the second half like they did the first with a goal after 2 mins. A long throw from Fawns was delivered into the CS six yard box and Addison touched it past the CS keeper for his first goal of the season. Milanda then continued the format of the first half by gifting a third goal to CS. A corner from the left fell to Soutar who tried to pass the ball out of defence but was intercepted on the edge of the box as Milanda tried to counter attack. The inevitable happened and Milanda were once again chasing the game.

This time though Milanda rolled up the sleeves and began to play a bit of football. Coyle and Callender were getting more into the game and beginning to go past CS players and putting them under pressure. It was from one of these runs that saw Coyle fouled on the edge of the box and a perfectly struck free kick from Fawns found the top corner.

This time Milanda were determined not to let the game slip and Reid put Milanda in front for the second time after the move of the game. A superb cross field pass from Callender left Coyle one on one with the CS full back. A quick change of pace saw him hit the byeline and his cross was left by Williamson at the front post for Reid who took a touch before calmly picking his spot. Milanda were now looking to kill off the CS challenge and Coyle was unlucky when he took a pass from Williamson into the box but left himself a difficult angle and his shot went wide.

Milanda used the first of their subs with Grant coming off to be replaced by Mackenzie. At this stage CS were still in the game and put Milanda under intense pressure but Soutar and Duncan were keeping CS at bay. Two 'controversial' decisions though had CS feeling aggrieved. The first was an offside decision after a deflected cross was put away by the CS forward, despite claims it had come off a Milanda player the CS forward was still in an offside position when the ball was played and it looked to be the correct decision. The second incident was harder to call. A cross from the right caught a Milanda player's hand in the box but the referee deemed it unintentional. Penalties have been given for less but Milanda on this occasion were happy to accept the decision. With the game still in the balance Milanda brought on Scott Preston for his first action of the season.

Soon after Milanda finally sealed the points. Williamson was first to react when a Fawns throw into the CS box wasn't cleared and after a touch took him past a defender he found the top right hand corner with a shot from 16 yds. The goal finally killed off the spirited CS challenge and the victory was complete when Preston marked his return with a headed goal from another Fawns throw. Wilson was Milanda's third and final substitution near the end and soon after the ref brought the game to an end.

Over the 90 mins Milanda just about deserved victory although Club Sporting made a game of it and they were a better team than their league position suggests. There was a vast improvement in the second half from Milanda which wouldn't have been difficult given how poor they were in the first. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why Milanda are struggling but there does appers to be a lack of mobility, understanding, concentration and fitness in the team. Understanding comes with games but fitness and mobility is down to each individual and few of us can claim to be as fit as we should be. Milanda are capable of playing some good football like the 4th goal proved but more effort on the part of everybody is needed.

Man of the Match - After the first half there wasn't going to be an award this week but the second half saw it re-instated. Even then there weren't many real contenders. Coyle, Callender and Fawns looked sharper in the second half and were possibles but this week despite the defence losing a couple of dodgy goals the award is going to Martin Duncan on his first start of the season. Mainly because he took the best goal kicks. Well, that and he scored and generally looked composed at the back.