ac milanda afc

This week's match report is brought to you by Tweety Pie. "I tawt I taw a pass back"

Milanda had a fairly comfortable morning as they took their place in the 2nd round draw of the GDSML Cup.

Early exchanges were fairly even in the opening quarter of the game with a lack of clear cut chances from both sides. Milanda first threatened when a Johnstone run along the byeline was cut back to Evans but his shot was defelcted out for a corner. Then Johnstone was involved again as McColgan sent him on his way but a defender mananged to get in a last ditch tackle to put it out for a throw. At the other end Glenavon failed to test Fawns as he watched a couple of efforts harmlessly fly over the bar.

Johnstone was again given a half chance after slack defending but he failed to connect properly and his left foot effort was easily cleared. He was again involved in the next move after chasing a long ball and his cut back gave Early a chance but again the Glenavon defence were up to the task and blocked his goal bound shot. The resultant corner saw both Johnstone and Grant have efforts blocked in the 6 yard box.

Milanda sprung the offside trap when McColgan fed a pass through for Johnstone but he couldn't shake off the attentions of the defender. Fawns finally was called into action in the Milanda goal when Glenavon got their first shots on target but neither caused any real worry. A loose ball by Walker in the Milanda half provided Glenavon with their next chance and the shot from outisde the box was only a few inches over the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken when the Glenavon keeper decided to come for a ball on the edge of the box but found himself in no mans land. The ball broke left to Russell who took it into the box before crossing for Evans who had an easy tap in from 8 yards. This led to a sustained period of Milanda pressure. First Walker was sent clear by Johnstone but his intended return pass was just cut out by the keeper. Walker was then left red faced when a wayward shot by McColgan landed at his feet 10 yards out and to the left of the goal but despite being unmarked he hurried his shot and it ended up going out for a shy. The Johnstone/Walker combination set up Evans for a chance but again the defenders got a block in.

Glenavon couldn't postpone goal no 2 for long. Quick footwork by Early on the dge of the box allowed him time to slip a pass through to Russell who ran along the 18 yard line and shook off a tackle before finshing with a low right foot shot into the corner. It was all Milanda as half timne approached and the Glenvon keeper was happy to see Evans put an effort over the bar after he could only palm a cross away. The half time whistle blew and Milanda are much the better side in the first half.

The 2nd half continues where first left off. McColgan watches as his shot is only inches over the bar. Walker then gets a break when he is clearly offside but the ref waves play on but the Glenavon keeper finally decides to come out and block and as Walker stabs the loose ball to Johnstone the ref decides that he is offside. Walker then watches as the keeper pushes his shot over the bar from 14 yards.

Glenavon then squander their best chance of the game when their forward turns the ball past the post from 8 yards when unmarked. Milanda then make a double substitution when McColgan and Grant are replaced by Scott and O'Neill. Glenavon then pass up on another great opportunity when Fawns gets his right foot to a net bound effort as Milanda start to lose concentration.

Milanda make the game safe a few mins later when the subs combine to allow Johnstone to make it 3. O'Neill hits a back post cross from the right that falls for Scott who knocks it back to Johnstone who is unmarked on the edge of the 6 yard box and he guides it with his left foot into the net.

As the game enters the closing stages Milanda hit the post and an Evans snapshot goes over the bar but the result is not in doubt. A Glenavon player takes his frustration out on Binnie at a Glenavon free kick and is lucky the ref doesn't see his kick off the ball. As things calm down the ref brings the game to a close and Milanda are worthy winners.

Special mention to Evil Knieval on the motorbike. We had a quick chat and it was unanimous. You're a fud.

MOTM: It was all change for Milanda this week as they made five changes from the team that faced Ferguslie. Grant making only his 2nd start of the season had a good game in defence before coming off and Crawford was solid at the heart of the defence but it was the return of Early to the midfield that amde the most impact. He brought much needed bite and dig into the midfield and can always be relied on to give his forwards support and he takes this week's award. Special mantion to martin Johnstone who worked his socks off up front.