AC Milanda 4 Invac 1 (HT (2-1)

A much easier morning than Milanda would have anticipated pre-match as they won the Vince McGlinchey Trophy in style. The pitch at McKenna Park was in perfect condition as Milanda welcomed back Preston and Early who missed the midweek game though injury.

It's always important to start a Cup final well and Milanda made their intentions clear as early as the first minute. A cross from the left saw Johnstone take a fresh air swing before it fell to Reid who saw the keeper force his effort out for a corner. Exactly the positive start Milanda were looking for and it set the tone for the first half. Invac made their first foray up the park on 3 mins when a half chance presented itself in the box but the effort was blazed over. This was to be one of the few chances Invac would create in the whole 90 mins.

In 7mins Reid had a similar chance to his first minute effort but the ball wouldn't come down quickly enough and the keeper once again saves his shot. Ross Early is then unlucky when he takes advantage of a mix up in the Invac box but his lob is just too high and hits the wrong side of the bar. Milanda are taking the game to Invac and the pressure finally pays off. A run by Martin Johnstone ends with a cutback to Murray but a defender gets in to clear before it reaches its intended target and goes for a corner. Murray whips in the resultant corner and Johnstone meets the ball to head home at the near post. No more than Milanda deserved for their excellent start.

Invac try to get themselves into the game but find the Milanda defence a tough one to crack. A corner to the Milanda back post causes some concern but McGowan gets in a great block to clear. A few moments later Johnstone goes down injured after colliding with team mate McGowan but after treatment he is able to continue. Milanda then go on another sustained bout of pressure on the Invac goal with 4 consecutive corners before a McGowan volley is picked up by the Invac keeper to relieve the pressure.

McGowan takes out the Invac forward and Scott Preston (brave man)

Milanda are soon attacking though and superb tackle from Evans breaks up an Invac counter attack and he sets up Johnstone but the linesman puts up his flag for offside. Johnstone then has a chance from a long clearance by Fawns but he's unable to get full contact on it and the ball rolls past. It's then Evans turn to go down after taking a sore one in the face but he also continues after treatment.

The traffic is still one way and a free kick from Reid finds Early on the edge of the box but he can't get any real power behind his header and the keeper gathers. The second goal is not long in arriving though. A clearance from Reid is completely missed by an Invac defender and Johnstone anticipates the mistake and picks up the ball on the edge of the box. He still has a lot of work to do but he twists and turns and then places a left foot shot into the corner of the net and Milanda are 2 up.

Johnstone on his way to goal number 2

A few mins later a late challenge by Reid sees the first yellow card of what has been a sporting contest. As half time approaches Milanda look for the killer 3rd goal and Johnstone is given a chance to complete a first half hat trick when the keeper drops a corner but his overhead shot is just too high as the Invac keeper looks on helpless.

Another long clearance gives Coyle a chance to pressure the Invac defence and the defender has no option but to put the ball out for a corner but the keeper easily picks out the cross.

As half time approaches Milanda lose concentration for a split second and it's enough to let Invac back into the game. The defence for the first time fail to clear a ball on the edge of the box and a few ricochets give the Invac forward a chance. A last ditch tackle looks to have saved the day but the ref judges it to be a foul and points to the spot. It seems a harsh decision but the referee has no doubt and Fawns has no chance as Invac get an unlikely lifeline.

There is one further chance for Johnstone at the other end when the ball falls kindly for him at the apex of the box but his first time shot is always rising and that's the final action of the first half. A half that should really have seen Milanda out of sight.

Half time AC Milanda 2 Invac 1

Invac take heart from their goal and start the 2nd half much the better side and put Milanda under pressure or the first time in the match but the Milanda defence cope with what is thrown at them and reduce Invac to long range efforts that do little to trouble Fawns in the Milanda goal.

Milanda finally get themselves back into the game when Johnstone lays the ball back into Early's path but he can't keep his shot down. Good work by Coyle gives Evans a chance but although he keeps his shot down it doesn't trouble the keeper.

Coyle prays for another Milanda goal but Evans doesn't answer his prayers

Evans does have a more positive influence a few mins later when Milanda restore their two goal lead. A corner from Murray is cleared out but only as far as Evans who returns the ball into the box and a touch from Early lands kindly for Coyle who calmly chests down and chips the advancing keeper. You can almost see the fight disappear from the Invac team as they see the cup slipping away.

Thanks to Scott Preston's father in law who took the following shots of Coyle's goal. Needed a wide angled lense to get all of Coyle in. These are done in real time.

Wilson tries a speculative effort from 30 yards that the keeper gets across to hold. Johnstone then goes down with cramp but is able to carry on. Milanda are happy to contain Invac and let them do all the running at this stage of the game feeling the game is over as a real contest. Milanda do force a few corners that come to nothing. Invac make substitutions but they make little difference to the game and it heads to its inevitable conclusion.

With 10 mins left Invac are finally put out of their misery. Coyle picks up a loose ball in the Invac half and heads towards the box where Johnstone picks it up and he cooly slots the ball under the Invac keeper for his hat trick and to seal the cup victory for Milanda.

McMillan the Milanda boss makes 2 changes with Williamson and Scott coming on for Coyle and Wilson. Invac make a spirited attempt to get on the score sheet but Milanda hold firm with Wilkie replacing O'Neill in the dying moments.

The final whistle sees sporting handshakes all round and Coyle presented with his first trophy as Milanda captain.

MOTM: No failures on the park today and as good a team performance as we've had all season but scoring a hat trick in a cup final is special and the award has to go to Martin Johnstone for three well taken goals.

Player ratings

Craig Fawns - Had a much quieter morning than I'm sure he expected. A safe pair of hands when needed and had no chance with the penalty. Hope he doesn't drop the rings next week 7/10

Dave O'Neill - Formed the right hand side of Milanda's solid rearguard. Had one fresh air moment in the 2nd half but other than that was tenacious in the tackle and let little past him 7/10

Scott Preston - With his partner McGowan formed a wall that Invac couldn't penetrate. Was unlucky to give the penalty away but solid in the air and on the ground 8/10

Jim McGowan - Didn't get on the scoresheet this week and always seemed to appear at the right time to break up any Invac threat. One great block in first half and an overall solid display from the Shadow 8/10

Andy Wilson - Despite not having got over the midweek result he once again used his cultured left foot to initiate many Milanda attacks. Didn't get forward as much as he likes but had one shot that was well held and free kick that just went the wrong side of the post. 7/10

Mark Reid - Found himself a bit isolated and didn't see enough of the ball but when he did get it he was dangerous. Had a couple of early chances that didn't quite fall for him. Carried out his defensive duties well his clearance led to Johnstone's 2nd 7/10

Gerry Evans - Outstanding first half and some great tackles and tracking back. Would have been the man of the match if not for Johnstone's hat trick. Second half was a little quieter but superb work rate 9/10

Ross Early - Not 100% fit after an ankle injury sustained last week but still won his fair share of midfield battles but wasn't as dangerous in the final 3rd as he we've come to expect. 7/10

Paul Murray - Quietly effective on the left. Sent in pinpoint corner for opening goal. Long throw was somewhat tamed with the size of the pitch but was always a danger breaking on the left and at corners. Linked up well with the forwards. 7/10

Martin Coyle - Had a frustrating first half with a lot of nearly moments. Enjoyed the 2nd half much more and was calmness personified when taking his goal. A major part in the final goal as well and can be pleased with his captain's contribution. Hopefully the first of many trophies he'll collect for Milanda. 7/10

Martin Johnstone - What can you say when your centre forward scores 3 goals in a cup final. Tireless running, always available for a pass, ran himself into the ground and then some. 9/10

Subs

Andy Scott, John Wilkie, Kevin Williamson - Game was all but over when the subs came on but they did their bit for the short time they were on.

Alan McMillan - The boss is now making a nice habit of getting Milanda to cup finals and also winning the majority of them. Got his team and tactics spot on and he's got another trophy for the cabinet. Didn't invoke the Donnachie ruling on Coyle and Johnstone which is just as well.