ac milanda afc

A morning to remember for Milanda after a superb team performance means they will face Deanpark (1-0 winners against Gilmorehill) in the final of the John Rae Trophy. This appears to be becoming a welcome habit for Milanda as this will the 3rd time in four years Milanda have reached the final. On paper the semi final looked a hard task as Glasgow Islay won the 2nd division last season and demolished Milanda 6-1 on their way to the title. Currently holding their own in the first division Milanda started this tie as the underdogs.

All the early pressure came from Milanda and they looked a determined side as they played against a strong wind in the first 45. Although seeing a lot of the ball not many chances were being created. Williamson was caught marginally offside after intercepting a Fawns shot. Fawns hit a shot over the bar from a Williamson lay off but clear cut chances were thin on the ground.

Then against the run of play Islay took the lead. A high ball out of defence got caught in the wind and the Milanda defence hesitated before attacking the ball. This allowed the Islay forwards to take advantage and despite some last ditch defending an Islay forward broke clear and gave Walker no chance in the Milanda goal. It was scarcely deserved as it was Islay's first real attack but it counted nonetheless and Milanda were now facing an uphill battle.

Milanda came storming back and Coyle was unlucky with a shot while Crawford made himself a nuisance at corners and throw ins. Williamson had good claims for a penalty when he was fouled on the edge of the box but as he tried to keep his feet the chance was lost. Eventually the Milanda pressure paid off and long throw into the box bounced up perfectly for Early to poke home. It was a deserved equaliser and Milanda pressed for a 2nd before half time but despite keeping Islay pressed back they were unable to add to their one goal.

The second half was mostly a list of Milanda attacks with only the occasionally foray up the park by Islay who looked unable to get a hold of the game and give their forwards some service. Long punts up the park were easy meat for Preston and Crawford and anything that got past them was dealt with by Walker. At the other end Milanda were again finding it hard to breakthrough. Coyle had a great run and shot saved by the keeper. Then a corner from Murray came back off the post when it looked as if it was going to go straight out. The constant pressure was surely going to see a Milanda goal and when it did it was a little fortunate. A corner into the box found Crawford who lashed a shot goalwards. It looked to be heading safely to the keeper but an Islay defender tried to clear but only succeeded in deflecting it past his keeper and Milanda had one foot in the final.

This sparked a bit of life into Islay as they realised their final chance was slipping away. For the first time in the game they put some real pressure on the Milanda defence but the workrate across the whole Milanda side limited them to hopeful crosses into the box that caused little problem.

Milanda needed a third to make sure and were denied a stonewall penalty to give them this chance. Some fancy footwork from Coyle on the left saw him beat two men and he was chopped to the ground. A clear penalty but the ref waved play on to Coyle's disgust. It only delayed the inevitable though and the killer goal arrived from the right foot of Coyle. A clearance from defence had Islay claiming offside but the ref was having none of it. A defender got back to challenge Coyle but he slipped past him and as the Islay keeper advanced Coyle hit a low shot from outside the box under his body and into the net. There was still 10 mins left on the clock but Islay were a beaten side and Milanda ran down the clock in complete control. The final whistle arrived and Milanda were in the final. Sporting handshakes were offered all round and credit has to go to Islay who took defeat well and wished us luck in the final.

Probably Milanda's best team display of the season against a good side who were worthy winners of the league last season. Attitude, workrate and encouragement were first class and if we carry that forward in the league and the final who knows what can happen.

MOTM - No man of the match this week. There were many great individual performances but this was an all round team effort and deserves to be recognised as such.