AS Airdrie 0-0 Tynecastle (2-4 Pens)

By Neil Brown
April 30 2007

AS AIRDRIE 0 TYNECASTLE 0 (TYNECASTLE WIN 4-2 PENS) airdrie,s chance of any silverware ended at airdrie sports centre as they lost on penalties to the men from easterhouse.after missing their first one tynecastle scored their next four as smith and r graham missed for airdrie. due to injury and work airdrie made two changes to the side that drew with shawbridge.in came r graham and a edgar for kaz and morrison.after beating the tynecastle side 12 days ago the home team went into the match with confidance but still expected a hard game the first half saw the away team on top and they looked like they wanted it more as airdrie struggled to break down the away defence and cope with a strong wind that spoiled the game.chances were rarely seen.capaldi had a half chance and gray had a shot saved easily by the keeper then capaldi missed the best chance after 30 minutes when put in after good work by edgar and kenny but he hit his shot by the post.the away team came close on a couple of occasions and had the best chance when rowan fumbled an effort from 18 yards and the ball broke clear but rowan showed brave goalkeeping to dive at the striker,s feet and save the second attempt.then a ball over the top saw the forward clear and as he was challenged the ball broke to the supporting player but his effort went over the bar.half time goalless and little between the sides no changes at half time as airdrie looked to take advantage of the strong wind the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both teams struggling to create many chances.airdrie had a couple with first edgar firing wide then kenny having a similar effort miss the same post by inches.tynecastle created few chances in the second half but their defence remained solid and the airdrie strikers were well marshalled for the best part.with 20 to go the away keeper pulled off the save of the game when edgar rifled in a left footed shot that was heading toward the bottom corner but the keeper dived to his right and touched the ball by the post.airdrie made their first change with kaz on for parry but the game looked like ending in a draw and little was created in the last 10-15 minutes.full time 0-0 so to penalties and kaz and edgar scored airdrie,s first two but smith and r graham missed their,s and tynecastle scored their last four to win 4-2 overall both teams didn,t play their best.the game had few chances and both keepers had little to deal with.whether it was the wind,the occasion or just bad play is for others to decide.for airdrie a disappointing ending as they lost another shootout.we wish tynecastle all the best for their semi final.for airdrie the last 6 league games will give the management a chance to maybe try some things for next year team j rowan,a stewart g cooper s graham r graham,a edgar k pardoe s smith n pardoe,a gray g capaldi d khorasani for n pardoe(75),unused macfarlane, hendrie