Just like Robert the Bruce some 700 years before him, Duncan Robertson took his troops to Bannockburn in the hope of defeating a powerful and proven opponent. There was to be no repeat performance on this particular field of battle, however, as the foot soldiers from Aberfeldy were outgunned by a strong Milton amateur side - regular combatants in the latter stages of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

Much like the Bruce’s army, though, this Breadalbane side were not overawed by the occasion and gave as good as they got over a competitive 90 minutes. A slightly re-jigged formation set out to contain the home side with a five-man midfield, in the hope that the mobility of da Silva and Carr could support Gavin Price, who took on a combative defence single handedly.

Initial skirmishes had proved inconclusive until, in 20 minutes, it looked as if Breadlabane would give their hosts a bloody nose. A shove on Price in the box won a penalty that was contested by the home defence at some length – resulting in two bookings. Perhaps the delay preyed on the mind of the normally lethal Lee Veitch, but the big skipper hit an uncharacteristically weak penalty that the keeper guessed right and saved comfortably.

As so often happens in football, from being on the verge of taking the lead, Breadalbane almost immediately found themselves trailing. Perhaps influenced by the earlier controversy, the referee awarded a soft penalty at the other end. This time it was the Milton skipper, ex-pro Gregor McKechnie, who stepped up to take the kick, but this time the penalty was buried in the corner and the home side were a goal up.

A few minutes later they doubled their lead. The pace of the Milton front two had proved a constant threat and one raking pass from the full back proved enough to undo the Breadalbane defence. The explosive Milton number 11 was put clear and he rounded Menzies to finish well.

Breadalbane stuck to their task, though, and pushed hard to get a goal back before the break. The home defence proved a solid unit, however, and right on half time the game was effectively over. Another ball beyond the Breadalbane defence saw Cromb outstripped by the Milton front man, who finished with a deft chip over Menzies.

To their credit, Breadalbane refused to buckle in the second half. Even when Milton grabbed a fourth goal through McKechnie – who appeared suspiciously offside following a gravity defying Menzies save – Breadalbane continued to compete. Carr was an increasing source of menace on the left flank, while da Silva proved a thorn in the side of the Milton defence. A great run and cut back from the diminutive striker almost set McBride up for a deserved consolation, but his effort was blocked by the feet of the Milton keeper.

A four goal defeat, then, and a deserved win for the home side, but there was certainly no shame in the performance of a Breadalbane side who matched their opponents for long periods of the game, but lacked the pace and cutting edge that their experienced rivals had to offer.

Breadalbane:
Menzies, I Robertson, McAdam, Thomas (MacDougall), Cromb, D da Silva, McBride (Macaskill), Veitch, Klatschak (Jacobs), Carr, G Price

Subs (not used): C Price, M da Silva