Airdrie 1 vs 0 Threave 14/1/03
By Gordon Thomson
December 8 2004
Last night's (14th Jan) Scottish Cup tie, Airdrie United's first ever in the competition was not exactly a goalfest one may have expected. Indeed the galeforce winds ruined the game as a spectacle and served only to justify any calls for summer football to be the norm...
Airdrie United had a bit of an odd looking team sent out to take care of the non league opponents in black and white stripes. Marvyn Wilson was suspended and notably absent too was central defender Simon Vella. After weeks of rumour, mostly in the local tabloids, news that Kenny Brannigan may be playing his last game before quitting to become Queens Park's new boss distressed the Airdrie faithful. Well one of them anyway eh Ceefax? Airdrie
Airdrie made heavy weather, if you pardon the pun, of the game visitors. Sure we could have been three up before Gowser struck on 18 minutes but woeful finishing from Jerome Vareille, not unusual these days, helped create some tension amongst the crowd. Especially as our creaky defence and spongy midfield made the visitors look dangerous on a couple of occasions. Some timely interventions (Armstrong) and poor finishing saved the day. One particularly good move involving a Gardner pass to Varielle should have seen the Frenchie put us one up before a long ball from Armstrong split the Threave defence for Gow to breach the offside trap to put us one up. The rest of the first half was turgid to say the least.
The half time banter was mainly about how rotten we looked and it was suggested that we would be better bringing on McGuire to run at them. Sandy must have overheard us and made the switch at half time with Brannigan being hooked. Much as the Airdrie fans haven't taken to him, I'm sure he'd have got a rapturous applause from the fans for his short time here if he'd have been properly substituted during the game. We're not that bad after all? McGuire brought the game to life in the second half with his purposeful runs but in general and his ablility to bring others into the attack. Gowser looked good playing in the 'hole' in the second half and created some chances for himself and others including a delicious long range pass to send Jerome racing yards clear of the Threave defence. Incredibly he managed to look like he was running backward! Oh well, there's always St. Johnstone in 10 days time.
| McGeown | Can't remember him having a save to make | 6/10 |
| Brannigan | Usual stuff. Good luck to him in his new job. | 2/10 |
| Stewart | Never troubled... much. | 5/10 |
| McGowan | Usual angry man type display | 6/10 |
| W.Wilson | Good first half and winning over his critics mainly through attitude and workrate. Not so effective in the second | 5/10 |
| Gow | Not bad second half. Looked like Fabrice Fernandez earlier on the right wing. More promising. Just one thing though Gowser. SHOOT! | 7/10 |
| Gardner | Lived up to his nickname. Alright in possession but a bit weak when having to get it back. | 5/10 |
| Docherty | Ringrusty to say the least. At least he's got that out of his system. Will be all the better for the run out come Saturday. Hopefully. | 3/10 |
| Armstrong | Powerful display on the left despite the fact he seems to have two right feet. | 6/10 |
| McKeown | Quiet by his own standards. Rarely involved. | 4/10 |
| Vareille | He has good pace and a great touch. He can hold up play at times and link up well. Looks more comfortable on the right of a front three. Oh and his finishing is ****! Stick a couple away on Saturday please Jerome if only to shut up my brother who despises you. Please. | 4/10 |
| s. McGuire | Replaced Brannigan and played wide left in an awkward looking 442. Got the ball and ran with it at every opportunity. Links well with the younger players ie. Gow, McKeown and Armstrong. | 7/10 |
| s. Ronaldohno | God loves a trier. | 1/10 for the effort. |