ac milanda afc

Milanda finished the season on a high by beating champions Club Athletic in a very tight and hard fought affair. Despite the game having no bearing on league placings it was played with a competitive edge. Both teams wanted to finish the season with a victory.

It was a day for defences who kept genuine chances down to a minimum. CA were first to threaten when beating the offside trap but their number 9 despite having plenty of time couldn't beat Walker who saved well. It was the start of a bad afternoon for the CA number 9 who missed 5 real goal scoring opportunities.

There was little goalmouth activity at either end. Milanda's only real chance of the half came when Reid hit the side netting with a shot that he would have hoped to at least get on target.

Milanda were forced into a substitution with 25 mins on the clock when Scott had to come off injured and Williamson replaced him. This move saw Reid dropping back into midfield and Williamson joining Fawns upfront. There was little change in the play however and the half ended goalless.

Milanda started the better in the 2nd half and were unlucky not to go ahead when a superb 25 yard volley from McColgan that came back off the bar with the goalkeeper completely beaten. This initiated a spell of concerted Milanda pressure. Williamson had a header well saved by the CA keeper after a pinpoint free kick by Fawns.

At the other end Walker was kept busy as CA created chances but again their no 9 couldn't finish. Walker then sustained an injury after bravely coming out to clear a through ball and colliding with the CA forward. After treatment he carried on for a short while but was eventually forced to admit defeat with Fawns taking over in goals and Addison coming on. Milanda then lost Preston when a late tackle, that the ref never saw, that finished his game prematurely and Mackenzie, making a rare appearance replaced him.

Both teams weren't content to settle for a draw and a double Williamson header was cleared off the line twice before being cleared. CA at the other end were still wasting chances when they beat the offside trap again only for their forward to put past the post when a cut back looked a better option.

Milanda finally broke the deadlock with 10 mins remaining. A throw in from the left was headed on by Dullaghan and helped on by the head of Williamson to Early. His header was on target but looked a safe catch for the keeper but he let the ball slip through his hands and into the net and give Milanda the lead. CA tried frantically to salvage a draw but Milanda stood firm and held out for victory.

A draw would probably have been a fair result but the result meant Milanda were unbeaten against the champions and should have had the double over them after leading 3-0 and 4-3 with a minute to go in the first game of the season.

MAN OF THE MATCH - Solid performances all round in a hard and tight game. Early again was solid in Milanda midfield and Coyle made some trademark runs down the wing. In defence Milanda stood firm against a lively CA forward line and last line of defence was Walker who gets the final MOTM award for some crucial saves and for taking one for the team when coming out of his box for a clearance that got him an injury for his troubles.