ac milanda afc

Milanda kept up their good work in the league after a tough physical encounter with Renfrew Town saw Milanda emerge muddy and bruised but with all 3 pts.

Chances were few and far between in this game as defences mostly came out on top. The midfield was where this game was won and lost. The game started as it meant to go on with a few meaty challenges and this was a common occurance over the next 90 mins. There was little of note in the first 10 mins until the first chance arrived and it fell to Renfrew. A corner from the left was knocked to the back of the six yard box and the Renfrew player had a free header but luckily for Milanda his header went over the bar when he should have done better. This was the warning Milanda needed and they began to take control of the midfield with Early, Coyle and Murray all taking turns to cause the Renfrew midfield and defence problems. It was from an Early interception that Milanda broke the deadlock when his forward pass found Murray and his first time ball into Reid's path was hit with the outside of his right boot and gave the Renfrew keeper no chance.

Renfrew tried to get back into the game but found Milanda's back three more than up to the task with 'cortisone' Crawford not having to worry about the sun this week. Neither team were making any real chances and hopeful long punts were running out of play or being collected by the goalkeepers. Dunn, sporting the new Milanda croptop, almost made it two for Milanda when his header from a corner bounced past the left hand post. The best chance of the first half fell to Reid who found himself all alone 16 yards out but screwed his shot wide but Milanda still ended the half one up thanks to his earlier strike.

Second half was more of the same, uncompromising tackles and a few niggles between players began to surface. Coyle in particualr was singled out for a hard time and a number of fouls went unpunished. Reid was provided with one of the few chances of the second half when sent clear and he found himself one on one with the keeper. He chose to try and lob him but his attempt wasn't high enough and the keeper had an easy catch. Milanda made a change with Williamson replacing Dunn upfront and he was involved in the move that made the points safe for Milanda.

A long ball down the left saw Coyle slip his marker and as the keeper rushed out to tackle him he knocked the ball inside to Williamson who, after a great shout by Reid, flicked it into his path at the backpost and he buried the chance to give Milanda a deserved 2 goal cushion. Soon after Coyle was repleced by Grant and Murray by Scott as Milanda played out time. Renfrew tried to get something back but couldn't break down a dogged Milanda defence and their moaning at the ref, Milanda and fellow players increased 10-fold. As it was the final whistle saw Milanda take all 3 pts and leapfrog Renfrew in the league.

Man of the match: A great all round team effort. Every ball was fought for and excellent support all over the park for team-mates. One man though was head and shoulders above the rest and that was Ross Early who gave a solid and committed performance that saw him putting in last ditch tackles, breaking up attacks and providing some midfield grit.