AFC Columba 3 AC Milanda 0 (HT (3-0)

MILANDA produced their poorest performance of the season and paid the price with a heavy defeat.
This has never been a particularly happy hunting ground for the team but they should have been glad to be playing at all after another week of horrendous weather.
The pitch was in better than expected condition but the troublesome wind made life difficult for both sets of players.

Columba adapted much better and had the points wrapped up by half-time thanks to some good play on their part allied to abysmal defending by Milanda.
Their first goal saw John Wilkie and Jim McGowan leave a simple clearance to each other, allowing ex-Milanda player Mark Walker to nip and shoot past Craig Fawns.
Columba's second came from a long ball down the left and a cross into the middle that was converted far too easily by one of the home forwards.

A mistake by McGowan then forced him to bring down a Columba attacker for the penalty that produced their third goal. The young defender reacted badly to the award and gave his opponent some verbals. Fortunately for him, experienced referee Mike Caldwell took his frustration into account and showed just a yellow card.

Milanda had only two real chances in the first half, one from a poor passback and the other after the Columba keeper had pushed out an Andy Wilson free-kick, but both times Martin Johnstone failed to hit the target.

Milanda had more of the play in the second half thanks to the wind at their backs but Columba were still a threat on the break and could easily have added to their lead.
McGowan was thrown forward to make a front three in the hope that his height might trouble the Coatbridge side but their defence and keeper stood firm and never really looked like losing a goal.

Substitute Andy Scott fired a shot not too far off target and Johnstone missed with a header at the back post and that was about it in terms of attempts on goal.

It was the first time this season Milanda had failed to score and everyone, not just the attacking players, must share the blame. The attitude was wrong, the passing was worse and the team basically got what it deserved.

MOM: There wasn't one.