ac milanda afc

It was third time unlucky for Milanda as the twice postponed cup tie finally got underway.

Milanda were first to threaten when the GA keeper had to be alert to push a McColgan shot away for a corner in the first minute. Fawns was then called into action in the Milanda goal when a swift counter attack by GA left the defence exposed but fawns saved well to keep the scores level. Fawns was much the busier keeper in the early stages and had to push a shot from the edge of the box round the post. From the resultant corner he had to push a near post header over the bar.

Milanda couldn't relieve the pressure and it was no surprise when GA score, all be it a rather fortunate goal. Milanda fail to close down on the edge of the box and Fawns has the shot covered until Addison tries to deflect the ball away on the edge of the 6 yard box but only succeeds in wrong footing Fawns and gifting GA the lead.

GA continue to press home the advantage and have 5 corners i quick succession and should have doubled their lead but the GA forward can only put his chance over the bar.

Milanda slowly get into the game and a good pass from Coyle sets Evans free on the right and his pass to Bradburn is well saved by the keeper. Coyle and Johnstone then combine to give Coyle a chance but his toe poke is pushed away for a corner. New boy Kevin Greening then provides Evans with a chance but again the effort is deflected for a corner.

Just as Milanda look as if they are going to get an equaliser they sell one at the other end. A straightforward corner into the 6 yard box and the GA centre half rises unchallenged the header beyond Fawns. A poor goal to lose just when Milanda were getting back into the game.

Despite this setback Milanda come roaring back into the game. A shot from McColgan is deflected for a corner although GA protest that it didn't hit any of their players on the way out. This seems to affect their concentration for a few moments and Greening's corner is met by Early's head at the backpost to make it 2-1. A few mins later and it's all square. A Greening shot from 25 yards is spilt by the GA keeper and before he can retrieve the ball McColgan slides in to level the scores. All credit to Milanda for hauling themselves back into the game and they finish the half the better team with Greening again involved as he manages to avoid a few tackles on the edge of the box but this time his shot is held by the keeper.

Milanda start the second half on the back foot and fawns is once again left exposed but comes out the winner on the one on one and O'Neill clears the danger. Milanda fail to learn their lesson from the first half though when a free kick is given on the right touchline. As the ball is swung in again no real challenge to attack the ball is made and the ball falls at the GA's centre half's feet and he slams it into the net off the underside of the bar for his second.

This goal seems to knock the stuffing out of Milanda and they are unable to perform the comeback of the first half. They continue to search for an equaliser but rarely threaten the GA goal and GA seal the game with two late goals. The first a header from 6 yards out and then an easy tap in from a cutback. On the day the better team won but Milanda can look to defending as set pieces as a major part in their defeat. On the plus side they can take great credit coming back from 2 goals down against one of the teams that will be challenging for the league this year.

MOTM: It was always going to be a tough game against one of the league's better teams. A good shift put in by all and new boy kevin greening made an impressive debut but for keeping his team in the game the award this week goes to Fawns for a string of saves.