91102

By Gordon Thomson
November 3 2004

Bottom of the league Dumbarton took the points at New Broomfield with a battling win thanks to wasted chances and a red card for Airdrie skipper Stephen Docherty. Sandy Stewart again incurred the wrath of an anxious home support as his team underachieved against a bottom of the league side.

Airdrie's starting lineup had a familiar look to it with the X1 who took the lead at Cowdenbeath last week starting the match. Sandy Stewart's hamstring kept him sidelined along with Marvyn Wilson, Lee Gardner and Jimmy Boyle. Dumbarton had Tom Brown missing from their ranks.

Airdrie started the game poorly, conceding possession to a hungry and well organised Dumbarton side. The Sons played a 442 formation with left winger Dillon enjoying plenty possession thanks to fiesty midfield play from Robertson and Lynes. The experienced Neil Duffy had their defence superbly marshalled and the front pairing of Flannery and McCutcheon had our defence on their toes. It took Airdrie a while to get going in this one as the ball was treated like the preverbial hot potato. Our skilful players like McGuire and Gow were again outstanding but lacked the support of their fellow strikers. Vareille in particular was having another regrettable display. Twice in the first half he had clear chances to give us the lead particularly after a fantastic defence splitting pass from Gow sent him clear with loads of time to steady himself and shoot but he barely made the goalie work for the save as he telegraphed his feeble effort.

With Vareille squandering chances galore for Airdrie only desperate defending saved Airdrie. A fine move from left winger Dillon found Flannery in the box and his piledriven, goalbound shot was only stopped by the back of his own strike partners back. Another long range chip from right back Dickie forced McGeown to scramble back to tip over his own bar. Airdrie suffered a real blow earlier in the half when Neil McGowan had to go off injured. His replacement was Liam McVey who back after a two month absence. McVey is probably more attack minded and added a little bit more of an outlet on the left side of midfield for us. Unfortunately we didn't have anything down our right. The biggest criticism I'd have of our play today is that we are basically playing without wings. The midfield is being bypassed due to the lack of quality down the flanks, most notably the right. That's not to criticise the hardworking Paul Armstrong and the raw talent of Alan Gow. Both of these boys played their hearts out and were our best performers by a mile.

After the break Airdrie were still struggling especially up front where the hapless duo of Vareille and Ronald simply weren't holding the ball up. It was obvious again the the human tank, Stevie McKeown, was needed. With McGuire and Gow gamely trying to get us back into it, despite being hacked to pieces by the increasingly rough Dumbarton tackling, it was obvious that they needed a better outlet on the frontline. Eventually Ronald made way for McKeown but before 'Dosser' could make any serious impact his captain, Stephen Docherty, sold the game by needlessly hacking down Paddy Flannery inside our own penalty box. As Doc had already been booked he was rightly expelled from the field. A few hardy souls in the centre stand stood to clap the skipper from the field, the announcer wasn't in the mood to play 'these boots...' when it's our man, while others around cursed his stupidity. Flannery slotted the penalty home with ease.

Typically Airdrie finished stronger despite our numerical handicap (Doc sent off and Willie woeful at right back). Gow in particular stood out like a ray of sunshine on this miserable day. McGuire fizzled out of the game after a while. I'd have a guess that he collected so many bruised today that he's probably a similar colour to tinkywinky in the morning. If only he had a wee drop more commitment like his dad he'd be a spectacular player. McKeown did play better up front than either of the starting strikers in the last twenty odd minutes but ran out of time.

Airdrie (343):

McGeown Brannigan Docherty Vella Wilson(W) Armstrong Gow McGowan Vareille Ronald McGuire

Dumbarton:Grindlay, Dickie, Brittain, Robertson, Duffy, Collins, Crilly, Lynes, Flannery, McCutcheon, Dillon.

McGeown Looked a bit flat 5/10

Brannigan Poor distribution, exposed pace wise too, but has some well timed tackles at vital times. 5/10

Docherty Had played well in the first half as sweeper, IMO his best position, but incurred a stupid booking and then an even more stupid foul minutes later to concede the penalty and his own departure. Essentially he sold the game. 0/10

Vella His least impressive game since coming back in recently but still our best defender. 5/10

Willie Wilson Willie Woeful. He had another stinker. I'd go into it deeper but for the fact I know very little about him but needless to say I think he's maybe a bit out of his league. 1/10

Armstrong Again held the midfield together with his tenacity and drive. If it wasn't for him in midfield we'd have lost a handful again. 8/10

Gow Again he was outstanding in midfield. He has more skill than most players can dream of but he also displayed workrate and aggression too. 8/10

McGowan Went off really early 2/10

Vareille Shocking finishing and irrelevant link up play. He needs a kick up the derriere. 3/10

Ronald 10/10 for effort 0/10 for ability. Still on course for 2 goals this season. 5/10

McGuire Started off well but fizzled out after too many fouls on him. He does have heart when he's in the mood but his head went down during this one. 6/10

sub: McVey Replace McGowan early on and added a bit of impetus down the left. Too often hit the first man but his drive was an improvement. 5/10

sub McKeown Improved things again. Looking fitter thankfully. 6/10

sub Glancy tried hard to turn the game but had too little time. 4/10

Not a great day for Sandy Stewart. His team was outfought, literally at times, and his treadbare squad is creaking at the seams. He can't be deaf and will probably be aware of the calls for his head. Personally I think he needs time and patience but he must improve it meanwhile. Another man in central midfield today instead of one of the strikers would have been helpful at times and finding a rightback would definitely be top priority for him (I'd say try Glancy there). Not a good day for him and Airdrie fall to 8th place, eight points off second place.

Man of the Match: Simon Vella with 35% of the votes.

McGeown	Looked a bit flat	5/10
Brannigan	Poor distribution, exposed pace wise too, but has some well timed tackles at vital times.	5/10
Docherty	Had played well in the first half as sweeper, IMO his best position, but incurred a stupid booking and then an even more stupid foul minutes later to concede the penalty and his own departure. Essentially he sold the game.	0/10
Vella	His least impressive game since coming back in recently but still our best defender.	5/10
Willie Wilson	Willie Woeful. He had another stinker. I'd go into it deeper but for the fact I know very little about him but needless to say I think he's maybe a bit out of his league.	1/10
Armstrong	Again held the midfield together with his tenacity and drive. If it wasn't for him in midfield we'd have lost a handful again.	8/10
Gow	Again he was outstanding in midfield. He has more skill than most players can dream of but he also displayed workrate and aggression too.	8/10
McGowan	Went off really early	2/10
Vareille	Shocking finishing and irrelevant link up play. He needs a kick up the derriere.	3/10
Ronald	10/10 for effort 0/10 for ability. Still on course for 2 goals this season.	5/10
McGuire	Started off well but fizzled out after too many fouls on him. He does have heart when he's in the mood but his head went down during this one.	6/10
sub: McVey	Replace McGowan early on and added a bit of impetus down the left. Too often hit the first man but his drive was an improvement.	5/10
sub McKeown	Improved things again. Looking fitter thankfully.	6/10
sub Glancy	tried hard to turn the game but had too little time.	4/10