By Gordon Thomson
March 13 2004
Airdrie United held on for a draw against league leaders Raith Rovers at, the soon to change ownership, Excelsior Stadium. Antonio Calderon's team missed the promptings of the Spanish genius in their midfield as Airdrie's player manager played and shored up their defence.
Airdrie United had woeful injury problems with Marvyn Wilson still out along with Alan Gow, Neil McGowan, Liam McVey, Jimmy Boyle and Lee Gardner. The captain Stephen Docherty of course was suspended after last week's nightmare. That resulted in another round of changes to the personnel including a German trialist midfielder turning out for us as he tries to impress Kilmarnock to sign him. A little short term relief for Sandy to ease his injury crisis made possible by the strange transfer laws of FIFA. Paul Harvey was recalled and that resulted in MVP Paul Armstrong playing left wing back this week. Raith were without Calderon, Carrigan and their Argentine defender Patino. AIRDRIE
RAITH
The first half was competitive without throwing up too many goalscoring opportunities. Raith were probably the least impressive of our recent opponents and Airdrie's makeshift team had a chance to settle in. The experienced defensive unit of Brannigan, Stewart and Vella played reasonably well although Brannigan almost sold the jerseys by passing straight to Karl Hawley when under no immediate pressure. Thankfully Hawley couldn't get his shot on target. The German midfielder was making a lot of decent passes in the midfield and looked like he wanted on the ball at any opportunity. Sandy would have taken greatest pleasure from his frontline as Stevie McKeown turned in an accomplished display. We've always had a hard time from Dennis and Ellis but McKeown kept them occupied all day. He had the ball in the net in a goalmouth scramble from a corner but the linesman flagged for offside. McKeown got a few decent shots on target and led the line well all afternoon and thankfully his fitness wasn't a problem as many of us feared. He got good support from David McGuire and the German midfielder. Vareille was looking interested and was involved in some good build up play but he was missing that spark that creates and scores in the last third.
Raith too had the ball in the net as Paquito made a great counter attack as Airdrie were caught sleeping when possession was lost. His excellent pass to feed the ever dangerous Hawley was only stopped by the linesmans flag as Smith turned in his centre. HE WAS A GOOD HALF YARD ONSIDE. A lucky escape for Airdrie too. I've criticised the refereeing all season but at least today's ref was consistent. The main standside linesman was consistent too as he continually flagged offside for just about every move. Can't win them all?
The second half was equally competitive but Airdrie had a few lucky escapes. Incredibly Hampshire found Hawley in the Airdrie box and his shot hit the far post, bounced back to deflect off Armstrong, hit the near post and rolled to safety. Maybe our luck was in? McKeown got on the end of a decent cut back from Jerome but his finish was well saved by Ojeda. Hawley had another chance to bury us but McGeown did really well to save with his feet when he looked beaten. Airdrie's last chance came when McGuire took on Paquito as he headed for the byeline just inside the box and looked to by scythed by the Spaniard. A corner was awarded and a share of the points was the obvious outcome.
| McGeown | Another point he's saved us with a magnificent save from Hawley | 7/10 |
| Brannigan | A few nightmare moments but he threw himself into some last gasp tackles to keep us in it. | 6/10 |
| Stewart | A steady game considering his fitness problems. | 6/10 |
| Vella | Steady game and he had a vital clearance late on. He too seemed to be struggling to the point he came out to warm up/run off a knock at half time too. | 6/10 |
| Willie Wilson | He did improve slightly on last week but still an obvious weakness. | 4/10 |
| Harvey | A couple of decent touches here and there but he gave away possession and loose passes all day. | 4/10 |
| The German | Sorry I didn't get his name but he had a fairly constructive game. He didn't seem to interested in defending but he had a decent game. | 6/10 |
| Armstrong | Immense down the left defensively and he covered both the midfield and defence too. Offered little in attack as he shored up the heart of the team from his left wing berth. Blackadder was rarely in the game. | 9/10 |
| Vareille | He really looked in the mood but failed to be involved in the goalmouth action. | 6/10 |
| McKeown | Looked most likely to score in his first start for three years. He held the ball up well, had a few efforts on target, linked play well especially combining with McGuire, and fought like a tiger. | 9/10 |
| McGuire | He ran at Raith at every opportunity and his play caused them problems all day. Did well not to let a couple of rough challenges from his mate Brady stop him. | 8/10 |
| sub Ronald | Came on late on for Vareille but too late to get involved. | 1/10 |
Man of the Match: German trialist Oliver Risser with 22% of the votes.