The Stomp - AS Airdrie 5-4 Greenhills

AS Airdrie 5-4 Greenhills

With most clubs competing in the national cup this week Airdrie & Greenhills had both decided to concentrate on the league this season and served up a nine goal cracker. Airdrie made 2 changes from the last outing Capaldi & Scott, missing on the day, were replaced by Slevin & R.Graham.

Greenhills took an early lead when O'Hanlon was left completely unmarked 6 yards from goal and planted a header past Rowan. midway through the half Airdrie got back on terms, from Ross graham's long throw Cooper got a flick on and Neil Pardoe had made the gamble and headed home from close range. Just before the break Airdrie went 2-1 up again a long throw was met by Cooper, this time the big man got plenty on it and found the top corner to give airdrie a half time advantage.

Airdrie came flying out the blocks in the second half and were playing good stuff and were rewarded after a spell of pressure kenny pardoe found a yard at the edge of the box and curled a fantastic finish into the top corner. Things got even better soon after as Cooper's through ball was brilliantly controlled by kenny Pardoe who left the last man on his backside before giving the keeper the same treatment and rolled the ball into the empty net. Airdrie were forced into a change with Shaw limping out of the game and Leishman coming on in his place. Greenhills pulled a goal back when O'hanlon was again afforded too much space and planted a header past Rowan from a similar distance. Airdrie were then forced into another change as Slevin came off with a back injury sustained in an awkward landing. the versatile Clark went to centre half with Cooper. greenhils were reduced to 10 men at this point as a Smith tackle gave away a free kick deep in the Greehills half, the defender took exception and motioned towards smith with his head the ref was left with no option but to show the Red card. Kenny Pardoe was replaced by Jim Brady at this point, However Airdrie were rocked by yet another gift as an aimless ball was left for each other to deal with Greenhills didn't hesitate in picking up the loose ball and O'Hanlon lifted the ball over Rowan and found the back of the net to make it 4-3. Gray had a brilliant chance to kill off the comeback as he broke free and lobbed the keeper only for the ball to drift agonisingly past the post. If that should have killed Greenhils off the next chance must have had them thinking it was going to be there day after all Gray and Brady found themselves 2 on 1 and the former squared the ball across goal Brady only had to find the back of the net but the keeper somehow scrambled across to block and Brady screwed the rebound wide. Airdrie were made to pay for there missed chances as good work down the left let greenhills in behind the Airdrie defence and a back post ball was cut out by Smith who could only watch in horror as the ball nestled in Rowans bottom corner. There was to be no settling for a point however as Airdrie piled forward in the dying minutes. greenhils failed to deal with a set piece and Scott Lindsay swung a boot at the loose ball and it squeezed in off the back post for an injury time winner.

An unbeleivable game and credit to greenhills for clawing there way back from what looked like a done and dusted situaton, for Airdrie some sloppy defending almost cost us but overall aside froma 20 minute spaell where greenhills pressed really hard they probably shaded the game in terms of play and chances made. If it's going to be kevin keegan football we must make sure we keep making chances. league cup knockout gets underway next week and a visit from EK Accies who are going well in there own division, we must be wary and stop gifting goals.

Man of the Match: Andy Slevin, won everything and looked to be a good foil for Cooper at the back.

Rowan

S.Graham Cooper Slevin R.Graham

Shaw Smith Lindsay N.Pardoe

K.Pardoe Gray

Leishman for Shaw (55)

Clark for Slevin (65)

Brady for K.Pardoe (70)

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