ac milanda afc

MILANDA got their GDSML campaign off to a disappointing start when they lost to one of the promoted teams from the Second Division.

Much of the action took place in and around the Pursuers goalmouth but pressure wasn't converted into goals. Milanda's passing and final ball were poor and rarely looked like being good enough to break down a well-drilled and resolute defence. Little was created in open play and Milanda began to rely too heavily on the long throw from Craig Fawns. It's a good weapon to have in your armoury but shouldn't be the only one.

Milanda, with new boys John Gibson and Lee Colvin in the squad, started brightly enough and Brian Traynor put a shot over the bar after good play on the right by Martin Johnstone and Martin Coyle. But Pursuers came closer when a free-kick from the right produced a header that came back off the woodwork. They were unlucky again when a mistake by Fawns let them in down the left and only a super save from Chris Preston prevented Milanda going behind. Coyle let an opportunity slop away with a poor first touch before Mark Russell had a shot saved.

Milanda simply weren't working the opposition keeper hard enough and they set about trying to rectify the situation at the start of the second half. Preston had a header saved from close range and there were one or two other near misses but it was Pursuers who scored what was to prove the only goal of the game on the hour mark. A break down the right should have been checked but wasn't and the cross was bundled in from close range at the near post.

Milanda had half-an-hour to get back in the match but simply couldn't do it, despite having wave after wave of attacking play, the use of three substitutes and a change of system. The team probably didn't deserve to lose but take nothing away from Pursuers who fought hard all morning and were suitably rewarded.

Man of the match: On a day when no player could be 100 per cent happy with his contribution, Mark Russell was the pick of the bunch.