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AS Airdrie 2-1 NC United

AS Airdrie 2-1 NC United

AIRDRIE'S AMAZING SEASON CONTINUED WITH A HARD FOUGHT SEMI FINAL WIN AT HAMILTON PALACE.

There 4th game in a week saw Airdrie really struggle, Ross Graham started despite a groin strain and a half fit Stewart took a place on the bench, Gray missed out to a holiday although he would have been 40-60 in any case as he picked up a hamstring injury during the week. Smith also remained sidelined due to a leg knock picked up in last weeks Final.

Rowan

Burton Cooper Clark S.Graham

N.Pardoe Grant Edgar R.Graham

Capaldi K.Pardoe

NC United can count themselves unlucky as they had lots of the ball for long spells in this match, However Airdire's season has been built on dogged defending and it was that quality that saw them through this encounter. United twice hit the post in the early stages firstly from a free kick which Rowan misjudged and then a scramble at the back post saw the ball again rebound off the post. Airdrie took a good 20 minutes to settle in to the game and Edgar and Grant began to link up the play between back and front. Airdri took the lead soon after kenny Pardoe took a free kick short to Ross Graham who's driven shot took a deflection and flew into the top corner. Airdrie held out the rest of the half with Clark dominant in the middle of defence.

The second half was mostly United as they pushed an extra man into midfield however again Clark and Cooper dealt with every high ball Graham and Burton stopped the wide men from getting any joy down the flanks. Airdrie broke on occasion with Capaldi's good hold up play a welcome outlet for the back four. Airdrie scored a second 20 minutes in to the half as Kenny Pardoes quick feet saw him hauled to the ground inside the box. Pardoe dusted himself down and struck the pen straight and true for a 2-0 lead. The striker almost sealed the game with a third soon after, running from his own half chasing a long ball the keeper was caught in no mans land, the chip was on but pardoe side stepped the keeper and slotted the ball between the two covering defenders, the bench began to celebrate but that popst which had been our saviour in the opening minutes denied Pardoe a wonderful solo goal. Shaw replaced Ross Graham who had given his all with 15 minutes to play. Rowan kept Airdrie's lead intact with a brilliant save diving low to his left to touch the ball round the post. United pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining, from a corner Airdrie failed to properly clear and a long range effort was diverted over Rowan. United poured forward in search of the equaliser but Airdrie held firm. Stewart replaced the tiring K.Pardoe up front for the last 6 minutes and Airdire's path to the final was seasled when they saw off United's last chance from a corner kick.

A second final of the season for the Diamonds and hopefully the injuries clear up in time to give the management more options but you cant fault a single player,, some playing every minute of the last four games they've shown tremendous heart over the last few weeks and fully deserve to be where they are.

MOM Andy Clark, Outstanding again today

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