ac milanda afc

With Columba's 3-1 defeat of Parklife on Tuesday Milanda only needed a draw to progress to the Vince McGlinchey Shield and a chance to defend the trophy they won last season. In an entertaining game Milanda made life difficult for themsleves until a last minute winner finally decided the game and ensured Milanda took 2nd place behind Columba.

It was all Milanda in the early part of the game with the best chance falling to Walker who was unable to direct his header on target after a sweeping Milanda move. The game livened up with 3 goals in 5 mins. Milanda made the breakthrough after a Coyle run down the right resulted in a cross across the 6 yard box but had no takers. Johnstone kept the ball in play and sent in a cross from the left which Walker could only get a touch on but it fell kindly for Williamson and his re-directed header caught the Parklife keeper wrong footed to put Milanda in front. A few mins later and it was 2-0. Milanda used their aerial power at a throw in and Williamson's knock on finally landed at Evans who still had a lot of work to do but he got enough contact on the ball to take it out of the reach of the Parklife keeper down at his left hand post.

With Parklife hardly venturing near the Milanda box and Fawns having little to do it seemed Milanda had taken a grip on the game but with their first real effort on goal Parklife got themselves back into the game with a shot from the edge of the box that Fawns failed to hold. Parklife came more into the game and looked for an equaliser but it was Milanda who had the best chances. A header from Preston was brilliantly tipped over the bar and the same player was denied again by the keeper when he pushed away another goal bound header. Bradburn also had a chance when he found some space on the edge of the box but couldn't get the ball under control and was quickly closed down. Milanda finished the half the better side but couldn't extend their lead.

The 2nd half started with another 3 goal blast. Parklife got an equaliser after some sloppy Milanda defending but Milanda's response was immediate. Evans notched his 2nd and Milanda's 3rd when Russell and Johnstone combined on the left and Johnstone's cross into the box found Evans unmarked 8 yards out and he buried his header into the top corner. A few moments later and Milanda were 2 in front. Russell collected the ball on the edge of the box and his left foot shot was touched onto the post by the keeper but Johnstone was lurking and smashed the ball into the empty net. At this point it should have been game over but Milanda never do it the easy way. Russell had a chance to put the game beyond Parklife but his shot was blocked by the Parklife keeper and his long kick out caught out the Milanda defence and from having a great chance to make it 5-2 it was suddenly 4-3 and Parklife sensed they had a chance and upped their game. They had had Milanda on the back foot and made this period of play count when they once again got back on level terms. Williamson could only get a slight touch on a Parklife clearance but it was enough to wrong foot his defence and it fell kindly to a Parklife forward who had clear run on goal and he took his chance.

With the game now finely balanced it was impossible to predict. Milanda's defence had to be vigilant and Addison, Wilkie and Preston were getting in their blocks in important areas. At the other end Milanda continued to squander chances with the Parklife keeper having a great game both making important saves and at one point coming out of 3 challenges on the edge of his box with the ball. Milanda should however have taken at least one of the chances that fell to Walker and Russell amongst others.

As the game entered the last 5 mins Parklife threw everything into attack as they knew they had to win the game. With time running out they broke down the left and Fawns was left one on one but he closed down the angle well and got a foot to the shot and it was cleared away as McMillan on the sidelines watched through his hands. With so many players pushed forward Parklife were always going to be vulnerable at the back and a counter attack found Milanda 5 on 3 and Coyle peeled off left and was in acres of space when he finally received a pass. As he stepped inside a desperate challenge he hit his shot low and hard into the bottom left hand corner and Milanda had finally secured second spot. Parklife tried to pick themselves up but they knew it was all over and the ref's whistle brought to an end an exciting cup tie that Parklife can take a lot of credit from as they pushed Milanda all the way to the final whistle. Milanda know they will have to play better once the league campaign starts but it was a victory that should have been more comfortable and we will have to take more of the chances that come our way.

MOTM: It was mixed performance all over the pitch and was a typical hot and cold Milanda performance. there were some great moves particularly in the first half and more should have been made of the openings. At the back there were some worrying moments and a lack of concentration led to a couple of the Parklife goals but generally the defence coped well as Parklife players ran past the midfield which left the defence exposed but for the most part they coped well and Adda, despite a great fresh air shot in the 2nd half, was just ahead of his defensive colleagues and takes this week's award.