ac milanda afc

Milanda fought to the 90th minute but came up against a very good Ballieston side that showed why they are the Division A champions and so far unbeaten in the league.

Milanda started the gme better and should have taken the lead after 5 mins when Bradburn picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box. His shot wasn't the best but it was enough to take it past the keeper who was happy to see the ball come back off the post. The Milanda defence were given plenty to think about but coped with the pressure well giving Thistle little real sight of goal. That was until a goal out of nothing. A ball into the box looked an easy pick up for Fawns but he failed to scoop it up and an alert Thistle forward toepoked it ito the net. It was an undeserved blow to Milanda and they were lucky not to be 2 down a min later when the ref judged a Thistle player to be offside when the ball was knocked along the 6 yard line. The goal had given Thistle an extra spring in their step and they started to show why they were so far ahead in the league. Quick one twos, passing into space and supporting each meant Milanda players were having to work extra hard all over the pitch. Fawns was left to push a shot from 12 yards over the bar after a quick attack and stepover let in a runner from midfield.

Milanda survived ths run of sustained pressure and began to search for a way back into the game. Adduison had a shot from the edge of the box that he didn't quite catch right then Coyle broke free on the left but was quickly closed down before he could get into the danger zone. Then brabburn had Milanda's best chance of the half after aball from the left left him with only the keeper to beat but he rushed his shot and the ball sailed over the bar.

Milanda were to pay for that miss as Thislte drove up the pitch and Crawford was guilty of hauling aThistle player back in the box. A poorly struck penalty was saved by Fawns but before anyone could react the player who missed the panlty redeemed himself by hitting it high into the net.

It had been a hard first half for milanda but they had stuck to their task and competed well. The start of the 2nd half though was all Thistle. Three great chances were scorned in the opening 10 mins to make it 3 before a Walker shot from outside the box was milanda's first real reply. John Clifford came onto replace bradburn with Evans moving upfront. he was only on a few misn when a swift Thistle counter attack ended in goal number 3.

Milanda did get some hope when penlaty number two was awarded afer an O'neill shot hit the arm of a Thislte defender. Grehan once again cooly dispatched from 12 yards. Grant then came onto replace Addison. milanda's hopes of a comeback were soon over when it was 4-1 on 72 mins. They were briefly re-ignited when Evans rounded the goal keeper and scored from a tight angle to make it 4-2 but were quickly snuffed out when Thistle's 5th hit the net on 80 mins.

Milanda did have couple of good chances to cut the deficit with Evans and Coyle both presented with opportunities but one was aved by the keeper and the other cleared off the line.

No real complaints from Milanda about the result. Thistle are a very good side but if Milanda play the same way in the final 3 games there is no reason why they can't finish the season with 3 wins.

MOTM: Great effort from the whole team when it would have been easy to give up the ghost but they stuck to their task well. Some solid defending at the back, lots of closing down in the midfield and thankless running upfront but for the 2nd game running Grehan wins the MOTM award for keeping possession and trying to create something for the forwards on an evening whee time and space was minimal.