Stenny 1 v. Airdrie 5 - Aloha 2006/7
Good to be back
By 201820
July 16 2006
Airdrie got 2006/7 off to a flying start in their first pre-season friendly at Ochilview thanks to goals from Holmes (2), MacDougall, Prunty and McPhee. The Diamonds looked very, very, special on this showing.
Airdrie had new boys, Jimmy Pierre - from the Ivory Coast and Garry Teirney - formerly Hearts, in the side at the expense of the newly departed Alan McManus. Kevin Christie and Paul Lovering, both reportedly back on trial looking for new deals, were missing from the 16. AIRDRIE UTD
What a day for a game? 26 degrees Celsius is no weather to be playing football but it is a good way to work up a thirst for us fans;) The adverse weather took no immediate effects on this young and daring Airdrie side lovingly assembled by Sandy Stewart. Sandy's goal machine purred with quality on their first outing of the new season. There's nothing new about the front 6 of this side. Stephen MacDougall dances on the verge of a major breakthrough this season. He's tantalised us last season with his prodigous wing talent but faded out from the spring onwards. After recharging his batteries he looks stronger, wiser and more of a goal threat. Graeme Holmes is absolutely bursting to grab Walter Smith's attention at this rate. OK, he was only playing against Stenhousemuir but his kid is absolutely brimming with class. Passing, probing, goals, and an attention to his responsibilities, boy this guy is impressive. Watch this space.
McKeown was the least conspicuous of the front six, but he tidily kept the other 5 going from his deeper position. He didn't impress much but you noticed when he wasn't there, the mark of a good player. McLaren was looking lively in the first half but had melted in the heat, like many others during the second period. Prunty looked razor sharp. He hit the post in the first five minutes and threatened with an array of his arsenal, including a goal, during an impressive season's debut.
And that brings me to Gary Twigg. Last season was his first real go at it for a few years. He didn't do too badly last year, but already he looks sharper. He won a lot of the ball in the air and held up play well. He looked sharp and of course he possesses a wicked left foot. He's not exactly in the same class as Fernandez or Calderon but his left peg is worthy of our attention and, injury free, he looks to me like he could be a major contributor this year, I'm guessing at worst 12 goals, maybe 15. I rate the boy, and he showed enough in the first 45 to suggest a major improvement this season.
The defence is another question altogether. I always though Sandy Stewart would coach a tight defence but functional forward line. How wrong am I? New boy Teirney looks a good fit in central defence to partner McKenna, another player who is looks like making a major breakthrough this season. Teirney brings more height to the middle of defence than McGowan but less experience. The young tandem looked extremely comfortable for that first half hour before Teirney went off with what looked like minor niggle before being replaced (equally comfortably) by Taylor.
Ivorian full back trialist Pierre is a mixed bag. He's a good height, typical African Stylie, player but today didn't 100% convince. I'd rather hear Sandy's verdict before commenting further. I thought he wasted a few passing opportunities but then he settled down and looked comfortable. I absolutely loved the wee bit at the end when wee Joe 'Starsky' McAlpine was ferociously tackled by Pierre and the big African roared in his face. Wee Joe's face was a picture. After that I thought that Pierre might just have enough. We'll no doubt see.