ac milanda afc

Milanda’s started this year’s league campaign like last year with a trip to Bearsden to meet Allander. Allander seem to have become Milanda’s bogey team after surviving a 2 nd half onslaught last season they managed to hang onto all 3 pts and later in the season again putting up a great defensive display at Netherpollok to secure a point. On Saturday they once again frustrated Milanda although on a positive note we’re now 1 pt better off than this stage last season.

Milanda started the game the more positive of the two teams and used the pace of Sime to try and get the Allander defence turning. Despite having most of the early pressure they found it hard to break the Allander defence down and only had a few long range efforts to show for their toil.

As happens so often to Milanda they lost a goal against the run of play. An Allander forward picked up a break from defence and his direct running took him past two defenders and a clear run on goal. O’Neill managed to halt his progress but unfortunately used illegal means and a penalty was awarded and Milanda didn’t have much complaint about the decision. The resultant penalty was calmly slotted into the right hand corner sending Walker the wrong way. Milanda were soon level after Sime picked up a long kick out from Walker and he drilled a low left foot shot past the Allander keeper. Milanda continued to keep the pressure on but couldn’t convert the pressure into goals. A succession of corners and throw ins failed to give them the breakthrough before half time.

The half time team talk concentrated on keeping it tight and not letting Dougie, Allander’s most dangerous player, too much space so within 45 secs of the restart Dougie had scored after Allander attacked down the left from the kick off and a cross into the box found him unmarked and he finished from 8 yards. A bit of a disaster for Milanda and worse was to follow as Allander increased their lead. Milanda were caught on the counter attack but managed to get bodies back to defend against the cross into the box. When it did arrive O’Neill attempted to steer the ball out for a corner but instead thumped it off the Milanda post and as everyone stood still it landed nicely for an Allander player to make it 3-1.

Milanda made a change when Sime, who had earlier injured a knee, was replaced by Fawns who joined Coyle upfront. Allander began to sit much deeper believing they could hold onto their lead. This allowed Milanda to see much more of the ball and they pushed Allander further and further back. Coyle began to see much more of the ball and chances started to come Milanda’s way. The goal when it did arrive was a little fortunate but testament to Coyle’s determination when he slid into block a defenders clearance and the ball caught out the Allander keeper as it found the left hand corner. Allander were now finding it hard to get out of their half although they still looked dangerous on the counter attack. Milanda continued to press for the equaliser and won numerous corners and throw ins that were launched into the box but Allander thwarted almost every attack until they finally succumbed to the pressure.

Yet another corner from Coyle was played into the box but was knocked up into the air. Williamson and an Allander defender both fought for the ball and it eventually found its way back to Coyle and his cross was turned into the box via a combination of Dunn and an Allander defender but we’ll give to Dunn.

Having drawn level Milanda still had 15 mins to take all 3 points. The keeper tipped a shot from McColgan over the bar and he made an almost identical save from Scott a few mins later. Try as they might Milanda just couldn’t find the winner and Allander yet again defended bravely and resolutely to hang onto a point.

A promising start to the league although disappointing not to get all 3pts but can be pleased with the fightback from 3-1 down particularly as the way we lost the goals could have seen the heads go down.

Man of the match – Some hard shifts carried out all over the park. Andy Scott worked hard down the left and O’Neill behind him put in a solid display but this week’s MOTM award goes to Scott Preston. Despite his lack of match practice Scott Preston put in a commanding display and didn’t even get booked.