Heads are still being scratched after Saturday’s game against Allander and how Milanda only claimed a single point. Milanda made enough chances to win 2 games and had Allander under almost constant pressure but a combination of poor finishing and a resolute Allander defence denied Milanda all three points.
Milanda started the game well and pressed the Allander back four from the first whistle. Coyle again worked the wings well and won a couple of early corners on the right that Allander defended well. Murray and Wilson were combining well down the left and sent in some dangerous crosses that Milanda's forward failed to make the most of. Allander were showing little in attack and found it hard to keep possession in the Milanda half with only the odd breakaway to take the pressure of their defence.
Reid almost put Milanda ahead when getting in behind the Allander defence before seeing his shot just go the wrong side of the Allander left hand post. A goal seemed inevitable as Milanda kept the pressure up but when the goal did come it was completely against the run of play. A long ball into the Milanda half looked an easy take for Early in the Milanda defence. As he tried to bring the ball under control he was pressed by an Allander forward who looked to foul Early as he took possession of the ball. With Early the last man this left the Allander forward one on one with Fawns who was Milanda's third keeper in three weeks. Despite Fawns best attempts the Allander forward finished calmly and Milanda could hardly believe they were one down. Milanda felt a sense of injustice about the goal and continued to take the game to Allander. A low cross from Wilson was bravely cut out by the Allander keeper who made a number of important stops throughout the game.
Soutar had to leave the field after a clash left him with a cut eye but he was soon back on to continue to help Milanda in it's pursuit of an equaliser.
The Allander defence held firm though and despite another few corners and some great crosses from Wilson and Reid Milanda still found themselves behind at HT.
The second half was more of the same with Milanda now almost permanently camped in the Allander half. Fawns in the Milanda goal was a virtual spectator and rarely has a Milanda keeper had so little to do. Luck just wasn't on Milanda's side and as a shot from Wilson from 20 yards hit the right hand post and rolled along the 6 yard box with a Milanda player unable to take advantage.
Chances were coming thick and fast and Preston was unlucky with a header from a corner that just went over the bar. Next up was soutar who found himself one on one with the keeper but his first touch saw the ball run away from him and the Allander keeper gratefully collected the ball. Next up ws Reid who found himself in an almost identical position to Soutar but managed to get a shot off which the keeper blocked before the ball was knocked to safety.
Although Milanda had all the play there was a danger that Allander could take advantage of Milanda pushing men forward with a swift counter attack and so it transpired.
Another Allander clearance found their goalscorer in space and one on one with Fawns. Again like the first goal he took his time but this time Fawns was up to the task and got down well to keep Milanda in the game. This move did give Alllander some heart and a few moments later a move on the right saw Allander advance menacingly ino the box but the final cross was poor and Milanda breathed again.
At the other end things were becoming a bit frantic as Milanda tried to salvage something from the game as time became their enemy. A header from Reid was caught on the line by the keeper and a shot from the edge of the box was well blocked.
With 5 mins left on the clock Milanda did finally breakthrough. A cross into the Allander box found its way to Reid who hit it back across goal and into the far left hand corner. No more than Milanda deserved for their pressure and left them time to complete the comeback and take all three points.
Coyle had a chance from the edge of the box but couldn't keep his shot down and as the game headed towards the final whistle Murray was sent clear and was one on one with the goal keeper but for the third time in the match the chance was lost when Murray's first touch let him down and the keeper bravely got down at his feet to deny Milanda victory. This was the last real action of the match and Allander held on to leave Netherpollok with a point
Just one of those days for Milanda. Couldn't fault the effort and endeavour the team showed but we never took our many chances and luck deserted us in front of goal. Allander deserve a lot of credit for their backs against the wall display and stout defending and when the defence was breached their keeper made a number of important saves. Scott Preston commented that it was not unlike the way Milanda has played in the past when in the first division and been up against it. A frustrating morning all round and not a result that helps our cause.
Website man of the match - A lot of hard work and effort and a fair bit of skill but without the rewards unfortunately. Wilson and Murray combined well down the left with Soutar and Addison doing a similar job down the right. Was a close call this week but Murray, despite his last minute miss, is this week's man of the match.