ac milanda afc

MILANDA brought the curtain down on 2009-2010 with their best performance of the season … and then, after an agonising wait, found out it had been enough to keep them in the First Division of the GDSML. With Bishopton Athletic already relegated, it was Milanda or AFC Columba to fill the other relegation spot. The Coatbridge side went into their game with Glasgow Athletic at Ashfield Juniors’ ground a point ahead of Milanda, so the advantage was with them. Basically, Milanda had to better Columba’s result on the day and they did that by continuing their excellent record against Garnethill while their drop-zone rivals were losing 2-1 – after being a goal up on Glasgow Athletic going into the final 15 minutes.

Milanda could only win their game and hope for the best and they got off to the perfect start when captain Martin Coyle scored a seventh-minute penalty after a Paul Moray cross had been handled in the box.Garnethill were raging at the award but referee James Carberry had been perfectly positioned to see the incident and would not be swayed.

Eleven minutes later, it was 2-0. A free-kick from the left by the trialist striker was held up by Coyle and laid off for Colin Kelly who, with his back to goal, beat the keeper with a fantastic overhead kick. Other good chances were missed, notably by the trialist and Paul Ross, but Milanda had Gerry Evans to thank for holding the two-goal advantage until the break when he made a spectacular clearance on the line to deny Garnethill.

Two minutes into the second period, Kevin Grehan sent the trialist through the middle and he left two defenders trailing before rounding the keeper and finishing in style to give Milanda a 3-0 lead. It was a goal very much appreciated by the spectators, who included former Milanda stalwarts Mark Reid and webmaster Kevin Williamson.

Grehan was the supplier again as Kelly’s pace took him clear of a now frustrated Garnethill defence to place the ball away from the keeper for number 4. On the hour mark, the score became 5-0 when the trialist set up Mark Russell for a close-range finish.

It was a case of job done and Milanda took the chance to get three subs on, including veteran Scott Grant who was delighted to mark his final game for the club with a victory.

Having switched off a little, Milanda allowed Garnethill to score a consolation goal but all in all it was a highly satisfying morning for Milanda, especially when the Columba result came through.

MOTM: Some superb performances in all departments, Skipper Martin Coyle worked his socks off and again handled the responsibility of taking a crucial penalty, his trialist partner up front showed pace and power and scored a contender for goal of the season, while attacking midfielder Colin Kelly scored an outstanding double. Keeper Craig Fawns was solid as were the back four, with Paul Moray also contributing greatly in an attacking sense. But it was the engine room of the team that was vital to victory and while Kevin Grehan had a terrific match he was just overshadowed by his central midfield colleague Mark Russell who scored a goal and gave one of his best ever performances in a Milanda jersey to win the man of the match award.