Ballieston Thistle 3 AC Milanda 1 (HT (1-1)

Milanda traveled to Easterhouse to meet last years first division champions and to find out how they stood up against one of the league's top teams.

It was Milanda who created the first real chance and were denied what looked like a penalty when Johnstone was felled in the box but the ref waved away the claims and Johnstone got up and delivered a cross into the box that Evans tried to bicycle kick into the net but couldn't get his effort on target.

Evans was again involved in when his tenacious work at the corner flag saw him break clear and speed into the box but his low cross was knocked away for a corner as Milanda kept the pressure on. The referee again denied Milanda when Evans was judged to be off side midway in the Thistle half after a Johnstone flick, a decision that looked harsh.

Ballieston Thistle finally managed to get a foothold in the game and after a foraging run through the middle of the Milanda defence they found themselves 3 on 1 in the Milanda penalty area but the wrong option was chosen with a pass to an offside player and Milanda could breath again.

Milanda took advantage of the let off and opened the scoring a few mins alter. A long kick out was knocked into Evans path and he finished off with an assured left foot strike that left the keeper helpless. No more than Milanda deserved as they had more than matched their opponents up to this point.

Thistle tried to pull themselves back into the game and had the bulk of possession but found it difficult to get in behind the Milanda defence. A couple of mins from half time they won a free kick 25 yards from goal and a net bound shot was touched round the post by a superb Fawns save. Unfortunately it only delayed the equaliser a few moments. The goal though was a controversial one. The corner that resulted from the free kick was hit into the danger area and reid on the line knocked it onto the post before it was cleared but Thistle claimed it had crossed the line and the referee agreed. Reid and few other milanda players were adamant that it hadn't crossed the line but the ref waved away the protests and the blew for HT a few seconds later.

Thistle started much the better in the 2nd half but the first real chance fell to Milanda when Reid's corner caused confusion in he box and another goal line clearance. A few half hearted claims were made it was over the line but this time it was clear it wasn't. Milanda made a couple of changes within a few mins of each other with Wilkie replacing Dullaghan and Coyle on for Russell.

Wilkie was involved in the action straightaway when he got a toe to a goal bound shot and send it away for a corner. fawns may have had it covered but he wasn't taking any chances. Thistle were now the dominant team and had a great chance to go ahead but their forward lashed the ball over the bar from a good position.

Milanda made a rare foray forward when great work from Coyle put him clear in the box and his cut back found Johnstone who laid it back to reid but the defender got in a good block.

At the other end a another let off for Milanda when Wilkie slips at the vital time leaving the Thistle forward clear but he lacks composure and sclaffs the ball wide. Shortly after Milanda make their last substitution when Addison replaces Walker.

Milanda then have their best period of the 2nd half and Evans has a couple of half chances in the box and then Johnstone has a go from the edge of the box but the best chance of all comes from a corner that Reid sends to the back post and a free header is sent past the post with the goal gaping. (Think it might have been Crawford). just when Milanda look like they could go on and win the game Thistle score. A free kick out on the touchline is easily cleared but it is sent back in and a Thistle player looks miles offside has an eternity to pick his spot. Although he looked offside it did appear someone was playing him on.

It was a body blow to Milanda but they kept pushing and a determined run from Addison was rewarded with a corner and Wilson's flighted ball finds the head of crawford but his header is straight at the keeper. A few mins alter another Wilson corner is glanced agonisingly passed by McGowan. With milanda pushing for an equaliser they are caught at the back but fawns makes another great save when he is left 2 on 1 to keep Milanda's hopes alive. these hopes only last a few mins when Thistle win a penalty after a Crawford challenge. Fawns is sent the wrong way and that turns out to be the final action of the match. 3-1 was a bit hard to take as Milanda matched what is one of the best teams in the league for long spells and it took a dubious goal to let them back in it but they can take heart from a gritty performance.

MOM: One of those games where every player pout in a lot of effort but none really stood out. defence again were solid and the midfield and forwards worked their socks off. I think though for his 2 outstanding saves this week Fawns can take this week's honour.