Airdrie:

Hamilton:(442)

Airdrie started well playing some good football. The back four played tight with Boyle tucking in beside the two centre backs at every opportunity. Glancy was over on the right this week and had a few good, wriggly runs. Early on he found Jerome looking for the ball at the edge of the box and found him with a chipped cross that the Frenchman brought down well gave the Hamilton goalie Ian MacFarlane enough time to get out and block at his feet. The Frenchman would repeat that feat a couple more times during the game as MacFarlane turned in a superb display for the Accies. Jerome looked particularly lively early on, continually looking for the ball and linking play well. He and big Ronaldohno look to be developing a good understanding with the latter upping his work rate considerably since his 'resurrection'.

Alan Gow and Paul Harvey were starting again and trying to prove their worth. Harvey was his usual mix of brilliance and lacklustre. He had a superb chance first half when he had a snapshot with his left peg that had Starks Park 1995 written all over it, but the shot flashed just over MacFarlane's crossbar. He brilliantly created another chance inside the box with an audaciously smooth turn and pass but Varielle talked himself out of the opportunity.

Docherty and McGowan meanwhile were coping admirably with the considerable threat of Brian McPhee and Gareth Armstrong and the lack of chances for Hamilton says more about the competence of our new central defence than any deficiency of theirs. Their combined pace, ability to read the game and distribution skills have added a new dimension to our play. The only criticism of Airdrie at this point was possibly the fact the they looked a little bit unbalanced down the left where Paul Armstrong, faultless defensively, seemed to be struggling playing the ball constructively down that flank, and Gow in front of him was settling into a new role as a left midfielder and seemed positionally unaware at times. Although he is an exiting prospect it gets a bit frustrating watch him beat three men then run into the fourth.

I had been looking for Airdrie to make at least one half time change with Gow my favourite to be replaced by McGuire but Sandy resisted the temptation. Needless to say Gow seemed to improve as the game went on. Early in the second half Jerome was sent clean through and seemed to be held back as he tried to shoot, but the trainee ref (should the D2 refs not have a green 'L' on their backs?) looked away rather than make a decision. McGuire came on for Glancy midway through the first half and looked likely to light up the game at every opportunity. Paul Harvey though would have me cursing with about twenty minutes left as he collected a ball just outside the box and with an open goal in front of him, Ronald had flattened the goalie, but he managed to pathetically pull his feeble shot wide. The goals are only 8 yards wide and 8 foot high after all. He's been playing professionally for 18 years starting with Manchester United so maybe I'm asking a bit much when I'd expect him to at least hit the target. There wasn't anyone within five yards!! As someone who has constantly talked him up and called for him to be involved I was seriously red faced at that point.

With about five minutes left David McGuire had a terrific chance to win the game as he turned the ball goalward but he was thwarted by an amazing one handed save by the outstanding Hamilton goalie. Incredibly, despite dominating the game from start to finish, it took a goalline clearance from Neil McGowan after goalie Mark McGeown dropped a harmless cross right into the path of Brian McPhee but McGowan, IMO our best performer, read the situation well and robbed McPhee as the former Diamond pulled the trigger. The game ended on a blacknote as Alan Gow's knee buckled in a desperate challenge and he had to be helped from the field.

In summary it was a disappointment to drop two points. We dominated and created a bucket load of chances whilst never looking under serious pressure. Compared with the Brechin, Dumbarton and Stenhousemuir games though we look a far better team now. Maybe the balance of the team looked a bit off but that in itself leaves room for improvement. Where we looked a bit lacklustre at times it's possible there was half an eye on the forthcoming midweek CIS cup tie against Dundee United. Let's hope so.

Man of the Match: Neil McGowan with 54% of the vote.