ac milanda afc

 
Another hard luck story as Milanda lost a late goal and the points to stay stuck at the foot of the First Division table. A draw would have been the fairest result but you can't argue with the statistics - Glasgow Athletic took two of their chances and Milanda just one of theirs. There was also a decent penalty claim rejected by referee Gordon Hay but when you have to rely on decisions from match officials you know you're in trouble. The bottom line is Milanda are propping up the division because results haven't been good enough but the effort has been much better in the last three games and continued hard work could yet see the team turn the corner.

They certainly started this game well enough. With the wind at their backs, Milanda pushed Glasgow Athletic hard and trialist Paul Newman was just off target with a shot from Kevin Grehan's pass. Grehan rthen had a drive deflected off target and Martin Johnstone almost scored at the near post from a Newman corner. Colin Kelly's pace was giving the visiting side problems and one good run ended with a shot that the keeper pushed round the post.

More enterprising play by Kelly provided an opening for Johnstone whose shot was deflected on to a post. Johnstone could have scored from a Craig Fawns kick-out that had eluded the Athletic defence but, not knowing he had time to turn, rushed his attempt on goal and did not produce the power needed to trouble their keeper.

Athletic were dangerous on the break and Fawns produced a terrific save after one of their strikers had somehow popped up behind the defence with time to pick his spot in the net. Milanda took advantage of that escape and went ahead with a long-range shot by Grehan that took a deflection and looped over the helpless keeper.

Athletic used the wind advantage to swarm forward after the break and hit the woodwork before equalising with a slick move that cut the Milanda defence open far too easily. Milanda were still getting into the Athletic box regularly without really troubling the keeper. Johnstone screamed for a penalty when he was taken down on the byeline but referee Hay clearly thought he had gone down too easily and waved play on.

Milanda seemed to be coping with the Athletic pressure but with three minutes left failed to defend a long throw and one of their forwards fastened on to the loose ball and knocked it past Fawns.

Scott Preston headed a long throw from Newman over the bar in the dying seconds and that was as close as Milanda came to taking something from the match.

MOTM: The whole team worked hard but John Clifford stood out for his cool and assured play at the back.