Clydebank Thistle 2-4 AS Airdrie

By Neil Brown
February 16 2008

Airdrie returned to winning ways and held on to there slim title hopes with a deserved Victory on the road. Airdrie went into the match with almost a full complemenmt of players, Captain Stuart Smith missed out through work commitments however Stewart, Murray,N.Pardoe & Morrison all returned to give the Diamonds plenty options.

The management kept faith with the same line up which lost to Blochairn the previous week with the exeption of Smith, Stewart taking his place in the starting Eleven Ross Graham pushed into midfield to cover for Smith.

Rowan

Stewart Cooper Burton

S.Graham Edgar R.Graham Grant

K.Pardoe

Gray Capaldi

Airdrie took the game to there opponents straight form kick off with a sweeping move down the right. a positive start was rewarded when the Thistle keeper flapped at a corner the ball broke and Cooper impovised by kneeing the ball forward for Gray to flick a header into the net. A further goal was required as Clydebank threatened form the high ball and unusually the Airdire defence didn't deal with the ariel stuff as well as they normally do. No clear cut chances fell for either side and the half ended 0-1 to Airdrie.

Clydebank got back into the game at the start of the second half when a long thorw in wasn't dealt with and the clydebank player stole a march on Burton and leapt to nod in an equaliser at the back post. Airdrie made changes after 55 mins with N.Pardoe and Morrison replacing Grant & S.Graham. Within minutes the move paid dividends as Morrisons surging run down the left into the box led to a goal, Morrisons driven cross apperaerd to have been stabbed home by fellow sub N.Pardoe but it go's down as an OG as the defender tried to clear. Clydebank rallied briefly but Airdrie took controll of the game when Gray fired in his secon, after his initial shot was blocked the striker fired in a left foot drive to effectively seal the game. Murray replaced Burton in the back three for the last 20 minutes. Gray had a chance to get the hat trick as he rounded the keeper before a great block form the Clydebank #5 prevented a goal. Gray was not to be denied though and he completed the perfect hat-trick when he rounded the keeper again before slotting home with his right. Airdrie got a little sloppy in the closing stages and the sub full back was allowed to carry the ball a long way he got lucky with a one two and the ball broke kindly for him to get a shot away which looped up in front of Rowan and the clydebank forward nipped in to prod it home.

All in all a fine response to last week's dissapointment and a lot of food for thought as we approach next weeks cup semi final, a game we look forward too and with all players showing a bit of form should be a cracking game. MOM today must be Ally Gray not the most gracefull hat tricks but a left right header combo must be applauded.

Subs

Morrison for Grant (55)

N.Pardoe for S.Graham (55)

Murray for Burton (70)