AS Airdrie 5-1 Kelvinbank Star

By N.Brown
February 24 2008

Airdrie reached the final of the league cup after a superb performance at Glenconner. One change from last weeks league win over Clydebank Thistle saw Captain Stuart Smith replace Neil Grant.

Playing against a strong wind in the first half Airdrie had to rely on there passing game and on such a good surface this paid off well with several moves breaching the Star defence, Kenny Pardoe rattled the side netting and a short time later a similar move ended with Pardoe having his shot saved but Capaldi was on hand to pick up the scraps and put Airdrie in front. Rowan was relatively quiet in the Airdrie goal a few long range efforts never looked like troubling the Airdrie keeper. Kelvinbank did level the tie when a clearance assisted by the gusting winds was brought down by the Star #9 who had loads of room as the Airdrie defence stood off a neat pass to his strike partner saw him hit a perfectly placed shot inside Rowans right hand post.

The second half was one way traffic and in all honesty it was only a matter of time before the second goal came. Capaldi and Edgar wasted good chances early on in the half and a bit of frustration was creeping in (well it was on the bench!!) Neil Pardoe was introduced after 65 minutes to increase attacking options down the right and almost immediately had a chance to score but was marshalled away from the goal. Minutes later Airdrie took the lead with Kenny Pardoe’s in swinging corner being met by Neil Pardoe who got something on the ball to force it over the line. Airdrie relaxed after this and continued to pass the ball well and a third goal came when Cooper picked up the ball 30 yards out and drove a superb shot into the top corner leaving the keeper absolutely no chance. Kenny Pardoe got on the score sheet when another in swinging corner deceived the keeper and went straight into the net. Murray and Grant replaced K.Pardoe and Burton and reverted to a 4-4-2 with the job done. There was still time though for Gray to round of the scoring after rounding the keeper and a defender or two he finally hit his 19^th of the season.

A great first half performance followed by an even better second with every man contributing to the team effort. Several players really upped there game and a difficult choice for MOM but I’m going to plump for Gary Capaldi who held the ball up well and was involved in most of Airdrie’s good play.

Rowan

Stewart Cooper Burton

S.Graham Smith K.Pardoe Edgar R.Graham

Gray Capaldi

Subs

N.Pardoe for S.Graham (65)

Murray for Burton (80)

Grant for K.Pardoe(80)

Clark (unused)