Clarkston 1-1 AS Airdrie

By C.MacFarlane
March 26 2006

CLARKSTON 1 AS AIRDRIE 1 (Clarkston won 5-4 pens)


Airdrie crashed out of their second cup to lower league opposition at Espieside. Ross Graham penalty miss in the shootout was the only failure and so for the second time in 4 weeks Airdrie fall at the first hurdle in a cup competition.

2 changes from last week saw Gray restored upfront in place of the injured Clark and walker returning in place of Pardoe.

The game had little incident for the first 25minutes.both sides created next to nothing and was pretty uninspiring. Airdrie struggled to get out of 3rd gear and Clarkston weren’t any better, However the game came alive when Clarkston went in front after 30minutes.a long ball was dealt with but walker headed the ball straight to a Clarkston player who’s pass saw their striker at least 5yards offside but the ref allowed play to advance and as the ball was cut back Andy McKee held of the Airdrie challenge to finish in the bottom corner. This seemed to give Airdrie the boot up the backside because they dominated the last 15 minutes with their best spell of the entire game. A change to 3-5-2 saw Airdrie with plenty of the ball and only a great save from the keeper kept Edgar from making it 1-1.another couple of chances came and went and then from a breakaway Clarkston should have scored a second, however right on half time a free kick from the right was headered into the bottom corner by that man cooper. Half time 1-1.

One change at half time saw Johnston on for Hendrie to add a little more dig to the midfield.

The second half saw much the same dull play from both sides for the first 10minutes until Johnston rashly challenged the number 16 in the box and conceded a penalty. However Rowan saved Wright’s penalty with a comfortable save and Ross Graham cleared the rebound. However Airdrie couldn’t push on from this near miss and the second half was a pretty poor affair with Airdrie’s chances falling to Atkin and Gray who fired just wide from a corner. Clarkston had a couple of half chances themselves but rarely looked like bothering Rowan and the game tamely came to a finish with a 1-1 scoreline.

on to penalties and after Edgar and Shanks scored the first penalties for both sides Graham saw his effort well saved by the keeper Atkin, Gray and K Pardoe scored with theirs but Clarkston went 5/5 and Davie Wright, who missed in regulation, scored the winning penalty when his effort was saved by Rowan but the ball wickedly spun over the line

the result was probably what Clarkston deserved because Airdrie got what they deserved after a disappointing 90 minutes. We wish Clarkston all the best in the competition. For Airdrie the Jekyll and Hyde performances continue. team

Rowan

Hedrie
Cooper
Drummond
Burton

K.Pardoe
Edgar
R.Graham
Walker

Gray
Atkin

Johnston – Hendrie (45)
N.Pardoe – Burton (65)
Graham – Walker (80)
Trench ( Unused)