ac milanda afc

Always a tough game against Glasgow Athletic and this clash was no different with both sides contributing to one of the best games of the season with some great play from both teams. A draw was a fair result in the end although both sides had chances to win it late on.

Milanda swept into a 2 goal lead in just 7 mins. The first came from a long throw that Athletic failed to deal with and Crawford took advantage of the hesitancy and from 12 yards out he slammed a low right foot shot passed the keeper. Athletic had a great chance to respond immediately as a free header in the 6 yard box was squandered when sent over the bar.

They were to pay for that miss a couple of mins later when Milanda went two in front. Coyle worked hard to win Milanda a corner on the right and Grehan's cross was met by the head of Crawford. His attempt was blocked but hung in the air perfectly for Walker to hook a right foot shot past a static keeper. A fine finish that took the wind out of Athletic for the next 10 minutes but it wasn't long before they started to get into the game again. Another free header in the 6 yard box was fortunately directed straight at Fawns who gathered easily. Sadly Milanda hadn't learned their lesson and another free header a few mins later looped over Fawns to reduce the deficit.

This was the start of concerted Athletic pressure and Milanda had a huge let off when an attempted headed clearance by Walker came back off the post and safely into the arms of Fawns. Athletic continued to press but the Milanda defence held firm and in one of Milanda's few forays up the park Scott was seen challenging the keeper for a cross then for the first time in his career was caught offside.

As half time approached Athletic continued to search for the equaliser and had another great chance just before the break when a one on one saw Fawns save with his feet and then collect the rebound that was shot straight back at him.

Milanda reached the break with their lead intact and during the break Duncan replaced Scott.

The restart saw Fawns immediately back in action when he has to be sharp to save from his own player at the near post.

Milanda tried to get themselves back into the game and Coyle won a free kick on the left. Grehan's delivery into the box was headed back across goal by Crawford and although Johnstone was first to it he could'nt get enough power behind his header to direct it past the keeper.

On 57 mins it was all square. Athletic beat the offside trap but the ball drifted wide allowing Milanda to get back in numbers but they failed to pick up the runner from midfield and he arrived late to get on the end of a cutback giving Fawns no chance in the Milanda goal.

Both sides wanted victory and Evans went on a slalom run avoiding challenges from all sides but couldn't release the ball in time. Athletic were doing a lot of good work but like Milanda couldn't deliver the final pass. Milanda felt hard done by on 77 mins when a questionable offside decision halted Evans run in on goal. On this occasion the ref got it wrong as the right back was slow to come out but he was on the opposite side to Evans so the decision was understandable.

It was Evans who almost won the points for Milanda when he collected a knock on from Coyle and his shot brought out a great save from the keeper. The ball landed back at Evans feet who by this time was on the ground. He somehow managed to get enough lift on the ball to get his 2nd attempt over the keeper but by this time help had arrived and a defender popped up on the line to clear. The Athletic keeper was again the hero a few mins later making up for his howler in the last game against Milanda. Milanda won a free kick on the edge of the box and a Coyle thunderbolt looked to be heading in before the keeper got down to his right to turn it away for a corner.

With only a couple of mins left on the clock it was Fawns's turn to be the hero when Athletic managed to finally get in behind the Milanda defence and from 6 yards put the Athletic player only had to pick his spot but he elected to blast it and from point blank range Fawns saved with his knees.

The last few minutes were tense moments for both sides as each side looked to snatch the points but in the end a draw was a fair result in one of the best games of the season. A game both sets of players should take great credit for. Either team could have won it in the last 15 mins but the draw keeps both teams in the mix for the title.

MOTM - Very hard to choose this week. A superb effort against a very good side. Fawns pulled of some vital stops especially the one in the last few mins. The defence held firm particularly during the onslaught after the first Athletic goal. Midfield pushed themselves to help out the defence and provide support to the front two who in turn ran themselves into the ground on a day where clear cut chances were at a premium. The winner though and by a whisker is Dave Crawford for not only getting a goal and being involved in the other but for some vital blocks, particularly one in the 2nd half that looked net bound until his intervention. An all round great team performance though.

Glasgow Athletic's match report here