The oldest cliche in football is the old "game of two halves". This was the prime example as Iona put a deflated Tannahill side to the sword during a terrible second half showing. How different it was in the first with Tans leading 1-0 at half time and counting the chances they had to increase the lead.

The first chance came and went after five minutes. Frazer Martin was upended just inside the box, winning a penalty for Tannahill. The usually reliable Paul McAlinden nervously stepped up and smacked his kick against the kepper's legs to keep the game scoreless. Shortly after, though, Tannahill did take the lead when Brendan Watt's curling free kick hit the top of the wall and looped over the Iona keeper and into the net.

Tans had two further gilt edged chances in a first half in which, although they didn't dominate, they looked competent with Calum Muirhead looking particularly assured at the back. The first of the chances fell again to McAlinden who missed the target from eight yards after good work by Gary Burns on the left allowed Colin Forbes to provide an excellent cut back. Then, shortly after, Frazer Martin lobbed just wide when sent through on the goalkeeper.

Iona's only clear cut chance of the half came on the stroke of half time when their forward blasted over from close range.

HALF TIME 1-0

As mentioned, Tannahill didn't get started in the second half and within 10 minutes of the restart found themselves trailing. Iona equalised when a harmless looking cross was fired low in to the net, then went ahead a minute later when their midfielder ran almost unchallenged from the half way line before slotting it past Glen in the Tannahill goal.

The response from Tans never really materialised, but they did have a couple of chances. Brendan Watt was out of luck when he created a chance for himself, but his low shot flew inches wide. Calum Muirhead then beat the offside trap from a free kick but couldn't provide the finish.

Tannahill were finished off by the third goal midway through the second half which came down the Tans right, the Iona left midfielder stealing in on the channel and finishing well. The fouth came late on and was a copy of the third with the Iona player finishing at the second attempt after a good block by Craig Glen.

Tannahill should have had enough to see off their opponents, but performances like the one we saw in the second half today won't win many points in this league.

Tannahill (4-4-2)
Glen, Burns, Dunbar, Muirhead, Davidson, Watt, McAlinden,
R Martin, Morrison (M Montgomery), Forbes, F Martin (Gribben)

For photos from the match click here