DS Street League 3 AC Milanda 7 (HT (2-2)

MILANDA made it six points out of six but victory was more difficult to achieve than the scoreline suggests. A much-improved DS Street League were 2-0 ahead inside the first half and were threatening to run riot with their pace and movement. However, the more experienced Milanda men dug in and mounted a comeback that ultimately left their opponents dispirited.

Milanda struggled to cope in the early stages as the DS No.9 in particular led the back three a merry dance. They scored two good goals and would have had more but for poor finishing. Finishing is Martin Johnstone’s speciality, however, and a double from him restored parity by half-time.

Gerry Evans was the supplier for the first and Paul Murray set up the second, although Milanda’s top scorer of last season still had work to do on both occasions before slotting the ball home.

At that point most of the Milanda squad and certainly the manager would probably have settled for a point but in a reversal of fortunes in the second half the DS lads seemed to run out of steam and had to take a back seat as their net bulged five times.

Substitute Mark Reid, who had gone on for his season’s debut in the first half after the unfortunate Mark Walker broke a bone in his foot, made it 3-2 just after the break. Ross Early put him through the middle with a perfect pass and as the keeper ran out the merest of touches took the ball past him and into the goal. Johnstone made it 4-2 after a Reid corner had been headed on by Martin Coyle, Early made it 5-2 and then Reid fired in the sixth following a Craig Fawns throw

No.7 was a gift from the DS defenders who were caught out by a high ball through the middle, allowing Johnstone to run through and shoot home. DS pulled one back near the end after a sloppy passback by Fawns but the game was pretty much over by this stage.

So, a good night’s work in the end but DS must take some of the credit for contributing to an entertaining game and they should have a good season if they can pace themselves better and perhaps add a couple of more experienced players.
Milanda again looked sharp from middle to front and might have scored more.
One miss by Davie “Underpants” Crawford from right on the goal line was particularly memorable, although the sun/floodlights may have got in his eyes. The defence did well also after a shaky start.

MOM: Martin Johnstone. Another master class in goalscoring.