Alloa (1) v. Airdrie (4) - 11/10/03
By Gordon Thomson
October 11 2003
With the rest of the domestic campaign on hold due to the international game, Airdrie travelled to Alloa to play the fixture originally scheduled for the Challenge Cup weekend, and an inspired change it turned out to be against the stingless Wasps.
Airdrie went into the match without last weeks midfield of Singbo (playing for Benin) and Dunn (suspended). Thankfully Marvyn Wilson had recuperated enough from his ankle knock to take his place in midfield beside Docherty, with Scott Wilson returning to the defence. Up front Jerome Vareille replaced Martin Glancy whose form had seemed to dip last week. AIRDRIE UTD
Airdrie took a good half hour to finally wear down Alloa in this one but once they were breached their resistance crumbled. Docherty was first to threaten early on then Jerome missed the first of his traditional hat-trick of 'easy' misses when a lovely through ball from Roberts sent he Frenchman clear before he took too long trying to round the goalie. Minutes later though it didn't matter as Doc effortlessly finished from about 12 yards when the entire forward line dithered with a cross from the right. Soon after Willie Wilson swept a beauty of a cross over from the right and Mark Roberts elegantly rose to head home for number two. Just a minute before the break Alan Gow poked home in the box for number three but seconds later Ross Hamilton did the same for Alloa to make it 3-1 at the interval.
Airdrie had a really good shape to the team with Scott Wilson in defence. The added height, pace and distribution skills was a feature throughout the game but McGowan playing LWB for the first time in a while wasn't out to make that position his own. Though he gave 100% defensively he wasn't much of a feature in attack. Willie Wilson tried his best down the right and got a few crosses in and got a good assist with Roberts goal. Marv and Doc held the midfield with ease but up front was the difference. Though Glancy has been a success in recent weeks, the return of Vareille today gave us a new dimension. He adds some power, pace and holds things up well down the right. OK, he misses too many chances but he puts the opposition right under the cosh with his dominance. Roberts looked a better player this week and Gow was again on top form. It was more like a three up in attack this week and Gow's ability to drop off was causing the bumble bees all sorts of problems. Again he lost the ball a lot but he just keeps nipping away and looks a real prospect.
The second half was a calm affair and both teams had a spell of pressure but it was easy street when Vareille tucked an easy chance away mid way through. Glancy and Dosser came on for Vareille and Roberts with about 20 mins left whilst Ronaldo got the last ten in midfield to wrap up the match. A good result on a perfect Autumn day.
| McGeown | Pretty much untroubled. From my vantage point it was interesting listening to his dialogue with the gaffer. | 6/10 |
| McManus | Defended pretty solidly, but one instance of his awful passing had me cussing him again. Otherwise unruffled. | 6/10 |
| Stewart | Made it look easy though he managed to get himself booked. | 6/10 |
| S. Wilson | Solid and creative. Had a lovely cameo late on when he rounded an attacker then made a long inch perfect pass to Glancy. | 7/10 |
| McGowan | Growled and scowled his way through the game as usual. Didn't attack much but defended with vigour. | 6/10 |
| Marvyn Wilson | In complete control in midfield. Was surprised to see him fit but we were the better for him. | 7/10 |
| Docherty | Good goal and a good all round display. | 7/10 |
| W.Wilson | Got the assist and performed capably and with commitment throughout. Swears a lot when he doesn't get passed to! | 6/10 |
| Roberts | Looked better. Recently a lot hasn't come off for him. Definitely a confidence problem lately but hopefully he gets a lift from this display. | 7/10 |
| Vareille | Worked well throughout. Missed a few, scored one and generally tormented the solid Scott Walker in their defence. | 7/10 |
| Gow | A highly charged display and my own star man. He worked hard, was always looking for the ball, linked well with Roberts and Vareille, tried to beat men and get towards goa. It's becoming no surprise when he scores now as he looks like he wants it. | 8/10 |
| s. Glancy (c.70mins for Varielle) | Looked a bit refreshed again after a dour struggle for him last week. | n/a |
| McKeown(c70mins for Roberts) | Bright 20 minutes. | n/a |
| Ronald(c80mins for Marvyn Wilson) | Quality stop gap display from Ronaldo. Won and passed the ball well. | n/a |