ac milanda afc

Milanda’s season kicked off with a League Cup tie against first division Argyll. Playing on a red blaes park was a nostalgic trip back in time for a few Milanda players but most, if not all players, would now prefer grass.

The game kicked off and it took both teams a while to adapt to the conditions and it was Milanda who were first to threaten when an Evans shot from the corner of the box flew narrowly over. At the other end Milanda were coping well with the Argyll threat with Dullaghan, Preston and Grant clearing up anything the midfield let pass which wasn't much.

Chances were few and far between but Milanda broke the deadlock midway through the half after a trip on Early in the box gave Coyle a chance to open the scoring. Not much arguement about the award after Early got on the end of an Evans pass and he was clearly tripped by an Argyll defender. it was obvious Coyle was going to take the kick after he ran 50 yards to collect the ball. The perfect penalty sent the keeper the wrong way and Milanda were deservedly in front.

Argyll upped the pace to try and get back in it but couldn't find the final ball when taking up good positions. They had one good opportunity after Grant committed a foul on the edge of the box for which he recieved a booking. The wall did it's job though and the free kick spun away to safety.

Milanda weathered this short spell of pressure and should have made more of loose ball at the other end. Coyle collected a wayward pass and beat his man as he moved into the box but despite two attempts he couldn't get the cross in and his final shot was pushed away for a corner.

The half ended with Milanda holding onto their slender one goal lead.

The second half saw Milanda continue to dominate without finding the killer second goal. Evans was unlucky when a Binnie pass caught him just offside as he calmly put the ball in the back of the net. Milanda made a couple of changes with O'Neill coming on for Grant and then Williamson replacing Evans.

Milanda proceeded to squander two gilt edged chances which were to return to haunt them. First up was Dullaghan who found himself one on one with the keeper after a fantastic run from his own half. Sadly the finish didn't match the move and he put his effort the wrong side of the post. Then Early was given a great chance when Coyle found him in space on the edge of the box but the ball just wouldn't come down in time and his hurried shot was scrambled away by the keeper. In between these chances Fawns gave Milanda boss McMillan a heart attack when he attempted to dribble round an in rushing Argyll forward after a back pass. Luckily he managed to throw himself on top of the ball when he looked to have gifted Argyll an equaliser.

The game headed towards its conclusion and it exploded into life with only a few minutes left. A Dullaghan challenge wasn't appreciated by the Argyll sub who decided to dish out his own punishment. Players from both sides tried to restore calm before the ref gave both players a red card. More importantly he gave Argyll a free kick. Milanda pulled everyone back into the area to defend the free kick but it still sailed into the 6 yard box without anyone attacking it. Even then it looked as if Fawns would collect but the faintest of touches by an Argyll player was enough to take it past Fawns and give Argyll an undeserved equaliser. Milanda could be accused of poor defending but it was a great delivery into the box and maybe the events preceding the free kick were enough to break concentration.

The final whistle blew a few seconds later and Milanda paid the price for not taking their chances

The result leaves the position in the table quite clear. If Milanda beat Deanpark by 2 or more goals then they go through, if it's draw then it's the consolation of the Vince McGlinchey and defeat will put us out of all the comps.

Man of the match – Despite his sending off which many thought was a bit harsh Dullaghan is this season’s first man of the match. There were a few candidates but his ability to break up play and get a foot in at the vital moment just put him out in front.