AC Milanda 1 AFC Columba 1 (HT (1-0)

A Milanda squad featuring two trialists in the starting line-up and another on the bench began life back in Division A with a home draw against Columba. Milanda were not at their strongest due to injuries and work commitments but the same could be said of the opposition and in the end a draw was probably about right. Although Milanda had at least their fair share of the play over 90 minutes, Columba probably made more clear-cut chances and might have taken all three points if their forwards had been sharper. The disappointing aspect from Milanda's viewpoint is that, having taken the lead, they then gifted Columba their equaliser.

With former Patrick Thistle player John Wilkie and young Stephen Flynn playing as trialists in the back four, it would have been understandable had Milanda taken time to settle. In fact, they were at their best in the first half-hour of the game and it was no real surprise when they went ahead after 23 minutes.

Paul Murray was the creator with a good run on the left and his cutback was foced home from close range by Gerry Evans. The Columba keeper then produced a good save to deny Evans a second before Ross Early headed a Paul Duncan corner over the bar. Martin Coyle wasted another opportunity when he tried to set up Murray but succeeded only in passing the ball behind his team-mate who had made a lung-bursting run to get into position.

With Columba having missed two or three good openings of their own, Milanda reached the break with their lead intact.

The visitors had their own player by the name of Martin Coyle, a flying machine who caused problems every time he ran at the Milanda defence, and he was the one who levelled the match. A kicked clearance by the Columba keeper caught the Milanda defence sleeping and when Craig Fawns came off his line Coyle was too quick for him. The No.12 reached the ball first and fired in a well-taken goal.There were chances at both ends before full-time but the finishing didn't match some of the build-up play. Alan Duncan, Paul's brother, replaced Coyle and worked hard but the best of the opportunities fell to Scott Preston who just failed to connect when he dived to try to head home at the back post.

Not one of Milanda's best performances but considering the fact that key men were missing and one or two of those on the field were carrying knocks, a draw was acceptable

MOM: John Wilkie was impressive at right-back on his debut and Murray was back to something like his true form, especially in the first half. Fawns also did well in goal and it was unfortunate that his only mistake led to their goal. However, Gerry Evans takes the man of the match accolade for his hard work and the fact that he notched the point-winning goal.