ac milanda afc

Milanda’s season couldn’t have got off to a harder start. Opponents Ballieston Thistle were runners up in the first division last season and won both the GDSML Cup and the Vince McGlinchey trophy. Milanda were deprived of the services of Murray (suspended) and Scott Preston who, it was decided in the dressing room prior to the game, was in China to hone his martial art skills in readiness for the season ahead. Murray made himself useful by filming the Cup-tie from the sidelines.

In the early stages there was little to choose between the sides. Underfoot conditions were wet and slippery and both sides took time to adapt. Milanda were first to threaten when a cross-cum shot from Scott went narrowly past with Coyle trying to get on the end of it. Milanda again came close when a great run from Coyle took him past two defenders into the box. As he hit the bye line his cutback found Williamson at the front post but he couldn’t get enough on the ball to divert it into the net. It was to be the start of a frustrating afternoon for the Milanda forward.

Halfway through the half Milanda fell behind, slightly against the run of play, when a Ballieston player was allowed to advance into the Milanda half unchallenged. As he cut in from the right he drifted past two Milanda players before hitting a left foot shot that, despite Walkers getting a hand to, still ended up in the net.

Milanda rallied and a great interception from Scott allowed him to release Coyle as Milanda found themselves 2 on 1. Williamson made the angle for a Coyle pass which he duly delivered but his first time shot didn’t make the keeper work too hard and the chance was lost.

At this stage Milanda were playing well and were making Ballieston work hard for possession. McColgan in the middle of the park was finding time and space to operate and Coyle was a constant pest with his running at the Thistle defence.

Milanda were caught with a sucker punch though. A corner for Milanda was cleared to the edge of the box which Addison failed to control. A lightening break up the park saw Ballieston with a 4 on 2 advantage and a cross from the left presented an easy tap in at the back post.

It was a bit tough on Milanda after the effort they had put in during the first half. They did have three other chances to get a goal back before the half time. A lofted cross in from Scott found Williamson in space who brought the ball down on his chest but as he waited for the ball to drop a defender made a last ditch clearance. Early then had a chance after Ballieston froze expecting a throw in to be given after a long punt up the park. The referee waved play on and Williamson gathered on the right as he cut the ball back to the edge of the box Early just couldn’t get a shot away and was again denied by a fine bit of defending. The last chance of a finely balanced first half again fell to Williamson. Scott made a break into the box and his cutback found Williamson sliding in from the penalty spot. This time he got a clean strike on the ball but the Thistle sweeper managed to get himself in the way and the ball was cleared.

As the half time whistle blew Milanda were unlucky to find themselves 2 down.

The second half was a different story as Ballieston began to control the game and Milanda were reduced to long punts up the park. After an hour Milanda made two changes and brought on Reid and Duncan for Williamson and Binnie.

Ballieston made it three soon after when a Thistle forward found space in the box and calmly slotted it past Walker from 10 yards. Goal number four quickly followed when a deep cross to the back post was partially palmed away by Walker but unfortunately it fell kindly for a Ballieston player who had an easy task to roll the ball into the net.

Milanda rallied briefly with Coyle making some great runs but luck in and around the box deserted Milanda and they just couldn’t get the goal their play deserved.

Grant replaced Dunn as Milanda began to tire in the strength sapping conditions and Ballieston threatened to over-run the Milanda defence. Walker made three or four outstanding stops to deny the Ballieston fifth but he was only postponing the inevitable when the best goal of the day flew into the net after a great strike from about 25 yards.

As the game drew to a close Ballieston seemed happy enough with their morning’s work and Milanda were just happy to hear the final whistle.

Although 5-0 seems like a bit of a drubbing Milanda matched Ballieston for long periods, particularly in the first half, and it would have been an interesting game if Milanda had got the first goal. As it was, Ballieston took their chances and in the last 15 could have bagged a few more. Still a lot of positives for Milanda with good performances from Scott, McColgan, Walker and Coyle.

Man of the match – The season’s first man of the match was a very close thing with the four mentioned above all staking claims but for his unselfish running and sheer hard work this weeks award goes to Coyle.