AS Airdrie 2-2 Shawbridge

 AS Airdrie V Shawbridge

2/5/2009

Ally Gray's late half volley ensured Airdrie took a deserved point form this game. Birthday weekenders,Holidays,Work and Injury saw Airdrie with 11 fit players for this clash.Four changes in all from last weeks fine win Andy Slevin and Matt Brown turned out in the back four beside Neil Pardoe and Gordon Cooper,for the injured duo of Burton & Scott, Ross Graham stepped in on the left to replace Capaldi and Brady replaced kenny Pardoe up front.

Airdie took the lead early on when Lindsay's excellent cross from a free kick was met in trademark fashion by Cooper who headed back across the keeper into the net. Shawbridge were level midway through the first half when Smith was judged to have handled, The ball did appear to strike the skipper's arm but with a little assistance from a shove in the back when defending the corner. Shaws stuck the penalty away twice after the first was chopped for encroachment.

The second half was much more open as the game spread, both teams felt a win was within there grasp. Shawbridge took the lead with around 18 minutes to go as a well placed corner was met right in the centre of goal and the header beat Rowan. Airdrie rallied and great play from Shaw who had wandered over to the left and his cross cum shot brought panic in the away defence the ball broke kindly for Gray who hammered the bouncing ball in off the post. Both teams had a chance to nick it in the dying minutes with balls cleared off both lines.

A fair result and a decent game given the conditions, keeps our wee run going as we look to finish the season as high as we possibly can. A good defensive pairing in Slevin and Cooper who complemeted each others style well, Brown out of position at full back had a few hairy moments but did well overall, The workrate of the front two was good and the midfield gave the usual 100% effort but my pick of the bunch today was neil pardoe at left back, kept the dangerous Scally on a tight leish, didn't get forward as much today but a real good game to follow on from last week.

Airdri travell to Blochairn on tuesday and that too will be a tough game both sides will want to finish the season well  and it should make for an entertaining match.

Team    

Rowan

M.Brown Slevin Cooper N.Pardoe

Shaw Smith Lindsay R.Graham

Gray Brady

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.