Fosters Central Scottish AFL- Division 1A Mill United AFC 0 Blantyre Celtic 0 1845 kick off @ Fairhill Park,

Hamilton Wednesday 30th April 2014

Mill United AFC

1. Chris TOBIN 2. David CARSON 3. Mitch TOBIN 4. David MCAULIFFE 5. Andrew MURRAY 6. Kevin BEATON 7. Daniel ROBERTSON 8. Malcolm CAMPBELL 9. Riccardo SCALA 10. Martin MCATEER 11. Dillan MACDONALD 12. Paul DRAGSNES 13. (Not used)

Shots Fouls for Corners for Offside

4 19 12 4 5

On Target conceded conceded Yellow cards

3 6 24 11 5 2

Goal times Penalty 1st Half duration 46.43 2nd Half duration 52.05

Mill United AFC rounded off their league campaign for season 2013/2014 with probably their most spirited performance so far and, at the same time, put a serious dent in the title aspirations of Blantyre Celtic. The game, played at Fairhill on Wednesday night, was by no means a no score bore. It had it all. The tension could be felt at the touchline as Blantyre Celtic tried everything in their power to break down the resolute United defence which never buckled under what was at times, an onslaught. However, please do not be fooled into thinking that there was only one team bringing something to the party. It takes two teams to make a football match and if one side is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the other, then that is for only one reason. And that reason is desperation. You see Mill United, who at times were under immense pressure, never wavered. They stood firm, and to a man, fought for every loose ball until there was nothing left in their bodies to give. And sometimes in this beautiful game there is a place for these types of performances, and Wednesday night was such an occasion. Blantyre Celtic kicked the match off on a pitch which was in fine condition despite the earlier downpour. The opening minutes were quite nervy as both teams fought for the upper hand in midfield. The first real chance fell to the Blantyre side when their striker was put through one on one with Chris Tobin. The ball though was played too heavily past the onrushing keeper and the chance was wasted. As the half wore on, Mill United began to push the away side onto the back foot. They were getting joy down the right flank and Daniel Robertson was looking sharp. It was down the right side that United created their first shot on goal. Robertson was sent down towards the by-line and he gathered the ball before delivering a dangerous cross which was headed clear. After a couple of missed opportunities to clear the ball by Blantyre Celtic, the ball broke to Ricardo Scala who hit a fine shot from outside the box. The Blantyre keeper saved this low to his right but let the ball loose and Martin McAteer pounced on the rebound. His shot though was saved by the keeper. It was Robertson who was next to threaten the Blantyre Celtic goal when he chased a David Carson pass down the right channel before cutting into the box and drilling a low shot at goal which was well saved. And the wide man carved another opening five minutes before the end of the half after a persistent run led to a shooting opportunity which he could only slice wide of the right post. On the stroke of halftime Chris Tobin was called into action when he tipped over a long range effort which kept the score line level. Mill United Manager Brian Murphy must have been happy with his players first half showing, particularly after the defeat at the hands of Aikenhead Thistle on Saturday. But he sent his team out for the second half in no doubt of what to expect from the Champions elect. And with the message ringing in their ears to not let themselves down after the effort they had put into the first half.

Not only was this an important match as it was the last league game of the season, but there was also an interesting backdrop of an earlier meeting between both sides where Blantyre Celtic were, as the score line would suggest, emphatic winners. And now the scene is set for next 45 minutes with two sides having very different motivations Blantyre Celtic vying for first place in the league, Mill United looking for revenge. The expected barrage on the United goal was late in coming. For the first 15 minutes of the second half both midfields battled for supremacy and to be honest, it was pretty even. You could see however that Blantyre Celtic were looking that bit more sharper than the United players and the game was now being played mainly in the home sides half. The Blantyre side did start having more attempts at goal, but to be perfectly honest, they were speculative at best, and there was now an anxiousness about their game. However, there were a few moments where the United goal was threatened. Both David McAuliffe and Mitch Tobin cleared efforts off the line with their heads and Chris Tobin made two fine saves from long range efforts. In particular an effort from a 22 yard free kick which he brilliantly saved low to his right hand post. Having looked at the match stats it would appear that shots were now raining in on the United goal, but to be honest this wasnt the case. Sure, Blantyre Celtic had the bulk of the possession and territory, but they were not creating enough clear cut chances and this, along with a Mill United side that didnt give them a minute, was frustrating them. The tension was building amongst their players and that was then spreading to their coaching staff and supporters at the side-lines. And because of this, the referee was appearing to be influenced by the constant wailing of the away entourage and lost his way on many second half decisions which was not aiding the Mill United cause. The most blatant of these being an appalling lunge on Mitch Tobin which was totally overlooked. Fortunately though, the left back avoided serious injury. There were a few occasions in the second half where United threatened the Blantyre Celtic rear-guard. However, it was the final ball or shot on goal that let the away side off the hook as they were living dangerously at times in their efforts to gain a breakthrough. As the half was drawing to a close and the last of the daylight fading, the kitchen sink was in fact produced, as the Blantyre Celtic keeper slouched forward into the United box for a free kick. But it was of no advantage to them. And after a late scare from a Blantyre free kick on the edge of the box and a resulting corner the referee blew his final whistle after seven agonising minutes of stoppage time. What was evident from this match is this. Blantyre Celtic made the age old mistake of turning up and expecting a result. They viewed Mill United as just a small obstacle in their way to league glory. What United may have lacked in skill or overall fitness, they made up

for in desire. A desire to beat their individual opponent. A desire to square things up after the last game between the sides. A desire to never give up. Eleven guys turned up on a rainy Wednesday night to play a game against a side gunning for them in order to win the league. They were all probably just finished work and came straight to the game. They might have put their boots on thinking that things might not go to plan and there could be a repeat result from the last game. But once they crossed that white line each Mill United player gave their all for each other and the club. The simple fact that nothing can be predicted with certainty and nothing can be taken for granted with Football is the reason why we love it. And for that reason, the Mill United players will be desperate for next season.