ac milanda afc

Milanda gained some revenge for their defeat two weeks ago in the WM Drummond Cup in a tough encounter with the serial moaners of AFC Columba. No decision too trivial to moan about and general banter more suited to the playground which is a shame as Columba when they concentrate on the game play some neat football.

On this occasion Milanda won the physical battle which then allowed them to play the better football. Milanda once again started well and were the dominant team and it looked like only a matter of time before they scored but like last week the opposition scored with their first real attack. Fawns was caught in no man's land after coming out for a ball he didn't get and a breakdown in communication with his defenders. All that was needed from Columba was an accurate lob towards the unguarded net which was delivered hitting the underside of the bar on the way in and once again Milanda had to do it the hard way. They didn't take long to get back on level terms though. Johnstone harried the Columba left back and relieved him of the ball. As Johnstone advanced into the box he got a couple of lucky breaks before a well placed left foot shot leveled the game. Milanda were in front within a few minutes when a Coyle flick beat the offside trap and this allowed Williamson to break clear on goal. The Columba keeper couldn't decide whether to come out or stay on his line and this allowed Williamson time to cut the ball back for Russell who took a touch before stabbing the ball home.

Milanda continued to dominate and forced a number of corners but couldn't make them count. Bradburn was unlucky when Russell perfectly picked out his run into the box but although he beat the keeper to the ball his touch pushed the ball round the wrong side of the post. Milanda's central midfield were scrapping for everything with Traynor and Coyle winning most of their battles while Evans was quietly effective at nullifying Columba's most dangerous player but as half time approached Columba equalised against the run of play. A simple goal it was too. A long ball over the top completely exposed the Milanda defence and Fawns could do nothing to stop a well struck finish.

The 2nd half was a much closer affair but Milanda secured the points with a quick fire double. First up was Preston who was unlucky with two headers last week but was not to be denied this week as he bulleted home a header from a Russell corner which the keeper never saw until it came back out the net. The points were secured after some great work by Coyle on the right. A Bradburn pass set him free down the right wing and he hit a tantalising cross into the box with the outside of right boot it hung in the air long enough for Early's head to force it over the line at the left hand post.

Columba tried to get back into the game but found the Milanda defence resolute and they created few real chances. They did get the ball in the net but the referee correctly blew for offside. Williamson was given a red face when Grumpy the Columba sweeper megged him on the halfway line but that failed to make him Happy and Grumpy followed it up with a cowardly elbow off the ball but like his free kicks it was off target. Coyle was also a victim of an elbow off the ball as Columba began to show their frustration. Milanda were forced to make changes when Wilkie was replaced by Early with Traynor moving back into defence, Russell then had to go off after a clash on the edge of the box to be replaced by Binnie. Johnstone then picked up an injury and O'Neill was Milanda's final substitution. It wasn't an ideal time for Bradburn to get injured and Milanda were down to ten while he limped off to get treatment. He eventually returned to the action but was limping heavily. Milanda saw the game out and started their league campaign with a win that was thoroughly deserved.

MOTM: A much more consistent performance from Milanda overall but still too many misplaced passes and lapses in concentration that puts the team under unnecessary pressure but an improvement on last week. Some solid performances in the midfield where the game was won and lost. Again it was another world class display from Addsion at the back that gets him his 2nd MOTM award in a row.

Coyle hears the news

MOTM: Ok I'm really going to give it to Brian Traynor better known as Breezer for a solid display in midfield and then coping well when moved back into defence when Wilkie was replaced. There were a few contenders including Coyle but there was no way he was getting it .