ac milanda afc

INDIVIDUAL mistakes again cost AC Milanda full points when they could only draw with title-chasing new boys Garnethill Rovers at Huntly Playing Fields, Giffnock. As in the previous week's draw with Andrew Watt, Milanda had more of the play and scored excellent goals but continued the free gift policy at the back.

Garnethill are an excellent young side and were a bit unlucky not to get a draw at least with Milanda in the GDSML Cup but this time they were always behind and really should have been second best once more. Milanda were never behind in the match and opened the scoring after just three minutes. A Mark Walker corner from the right was headed down by Martin Coyle for Martin Johnstone to fire home from close range.

Garnethill levelled midway through the half when Davie Crawford allowed himself to be robbed of possession and a cutback from the right was fired into the corner of the net. Milanda's second goal saw Walker play Coyle down the right and his low cross was controlled by Ross Early and despatched into the corner of the net in clinical style.

The home side levelled when their No.9 wasn't closed down outside the box and allowed to hit a low shot that took a slight deflection as it zipped low past Craig Fawns.

All square at the break and Milanda had to play up the slope in the second period. However, it didn't appear to be a problem and when Early rose highest to head home another Walker corner at the back post it was advantage to the visitors for the third time.

Garnethill squared matters when one of their substitutes, who was heading away from goal, made sure he connected with defender Hugh Dullaghan and won a penalty. It looked an awkward challenge to those on the sidelines and, crucially, the referee but perhaps the attacker made the most of the situation. Fawns was beaten from the spot and Milanda had to start all over again. However, they battled hard to make it 4-3 when Garnethill failed to clear a corner and Coyle hit a post before Early pounced to fire in the loose ball. Milanda retained the advantage until minutes from time when a needlessly conceded corner wasn't cleared properly and one of the home players blasted the ball into the net from close range. It was a draw that felt like a defeat because the fourth goal was conceded so late in the match and such a pity that a brilliant all-round team effort had not been properly rewarded.

MOTM: There were some excellent individual performances once again. Mark Walker provided good width on the right and contributed to three of the goals, Martin Coyle never stopped working and creating space for others and Martin Johnstone gave the Garnethill defence headaches every time he got the ball, However, goals win matches and a superbly taken hat-trick wins the man of the match accolade for tireless midfielder Ross Early.