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As Airdrie 4-0 Forest

AS Airdrie 4-0 Forest

Airdrie picked up 3 more points with this seocnd home win in a row. One change from last weeks win saw Andy Clark return up front Kenny Pardoe dropped back into midfield and Ross Graham filled in at left back with Graeme Morisson missing out through work, Neil Grant also returned to the bench which was a welcome addition given the lack of numbers in recent weeks.

Airdrie started brightest and some nice play should have had us ahead early when Neil Pardoe's cross took a deflection which stopped Gray from having an easy tap in, Gray challenged the keeper for the loose ball and Forest cleared there lines but with the keeper stuggling to get back to his feet Clark hit a speculative lob which hut the top side of the crossbar and away. The lead was not long in coming though as Stewart delivered a perfect back post cross after a corner was cleared and Neil Pardoe rose to Head past the keeper with some obvious delight after last weeks miss. Stewart was seeing lots of the ball in the right back position and had several runs into the box which caused Forest all sorts of problems, After one such run Stewart got a break of the ball off the defender and drilled home form six yards for the second. No more goals this half though Gray had an excellent one on one chance which the keeper did really well with, Gray also set up kenny Pardoe but the ball took a bobble just as he was about to shoot. Forest's centre back picked up a caution and an injury after a wild kick out at Gray asthe half drew to a close.

Airdrie were determined to kill the game off  early as Forest were fighting for there first division status and would get a great lift from getting a goal back however Airdrie's solid backline was rarely troubled a few long range shots but Rowan was relatively quiet. At the other end Gray was running the channels well and got in behind on several occasions but a combination of good defending and lack of support kept Airdrie out. Forest were reduced to 10 men when the centre back picked up a second yellow for dissent. Neil Grant replaced Scott Graham for some fresh legs in the midfield and almost got his first goal but sliced his chance well wide after good set up play from Edgar. The ten men of Forest worked hard but were always up agaist it, Ross Graham came off with a slight groin strain and Iain Shaw replaced him on the left with Neil Pardoe dropping into full back. Airdrie finally wrapped the game up with 15 minutes to go and it was Neil Grant who did eventually get his first goal for the club from a similar position to his first chance he made no mistake this time going across the keeper with a more subtle strike. MacFarlane replaced Stewart for the closing stages at right back and the bench's hearts were in the mouths when Edgar played the marauding full back in but luckilly for us he took a bad touch and couldn't get a strike in on goal!! Gray had a further one on one with the keeper with the latter again coming out on top, Clark though followe dup the keepers save and squared fro Gray to tap home unchallenged inside the six yard box to complete the scoring.

A game which could have been put to bed very early however credit Forest for putting up a fighting performance and never making it easy for Airdrie. In the end a four goal victory can't be argued with and defensively we were excellent again Stewart being my pick of the bunch this week a great first half performance and was always an oulet for Rowan throughout the game, Gray worked his socks off again and deservedly got a goal at the death a few missed chances but he continues to create them and will be off with a few more match balls before the end of this season, Good work right across the midfield today Edgar again controlling things in his mate Smith's continued abscence. The games come thick and fast now and with midweek fixtures kicking in Airdrie hope to have Capaldi and Smith back fit soon to cope with the demand.

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