AS Airdrie 1-1 Woodhall Thistle

By Neil Brown
November 3 2007

A penalty kick from Kenny pardoe in the last 10 minutes earned Airdrie a replay in this 3rd round tie.

Airdrie got off to a terrible start against there Lanarkshire FA opponents conceeding a goal after only 4 minutes but slowly worked there way back into the game through Smith and Edgar's hard work in the midfield. Capaldi and Gray were causing the away side problems as well and it was not long after that Airdrie should have been back on level terms. Smith's energetic run in to the Woodhall box was halted by a late tackle and the referee awarded the home side a penalty. Stewart stepped up after his succesful kick last week however the away keeper guessed right and saved to his left hand side. Airdrie had plenty of the ball but no real clear cut chances fell there way, Neil Pardoe had a half chance with a header from the crossball but couldn't trouble the keeper. The half ended with Airdrie on the front foot with Woodhalll looking dangerous on the counter attack.

The second half saw Airdrie forced into an early change as Murray's shoulder injury picked up in the first half became too much and Milne stepped into the back three. Airdrie continued to have ball but not work a clear chance so Kenny pardoe was introduced to the action replacing Neil Pardoe to try an inject some guile into the attacking play. Airdrie got there deserved equaliser 10 minutes from time as Capaldi turned his marker inside the area before being hauled down for Airdrie's second spot kick, With kenny Pardoe on the field the spot kick duties returned to the regular taker and he made no mistake from 12 yards. Airdrie sensed a victory and went all out for a winner Neil Grant put in some excellent crosses but nobody could find a finish, Kenny Pardoe also worked an opening hitting the byeline before cutting the ball back but again the away defence cleared the danger. he game shoul;d have been wrapped up when capaldi broke free and after turning his man in the area squared for the oncoming midfield but Woodhall got bodies in the way to get a block in, K.Pardoe dragged an effort just wide and a couple of late corners were well dealt with by the keeper.

So the teams have to do it all again next week at Holytown and Airdrie must take confidence from today's performance and stand a great chance of making the 4th round for a second consecutive year.

MOM: Stuart Smith - Simply outstanding from the captain and controlled the midfield abley assisted by Edgar and Graham.

Rowan

Murray Cooper Stewart

N.Pardoe Edgar R.Graham Smith Grant

Gray Capaldi

Subs

Milne for Murray (50)

K.Pardoe for N.Pardoe (60)

Burton (unused)

Johnstone (unused)