By Neil Brown
September 20 2010

AS Airdrie 2-0 ICC

Airdrie hosted first division champions ICC on saturday and recorded a hard fought win. Ross Graham deputised in Goal for the absent Rowan, Neil Pardoe returned to Left back having played most of the season in midfield & Scot Graham came in for the injured Cooper in the only other change from last weeks away win. McCall was fit enough to take a place on the bench along with Edgar and Stewart made up the numbers as a trialist.

A very even first half with hardly a sight on goal for either team, Defences were on top and midfields battled for possesion. Gray and Adams worked hard to put pressure on the visitor's defence but were still unable to test the keeper Gray with an early shot dragged wisde the only real chance of note.

Half Time 1-0

The second half proved to be even more competitive than the first good solid challenges being made on both sides but again no clear cut chances. the match was around an hour old when ICC got the first real chance of the game, Airdrie tried to play out from the back but were caught out and ICC pounced on the loose ball and Ross Graham saw a shot fly inches past his left hand post. Airdrie got there noses in front soon after as Graham's goal kick found Capldi on the right flank just inside the ICC half, a great first touch and turn allowed Capaldi to find Smith who played a first time ball down the channel for Gray, Gray beat the defender to the ball and from the goal line cut the ball back for Adams but it went behind the front man and the defender however Jim Brady had gambled in off the left flank and was left 6 yards out to slam home the opener. This opened the game out as ICC pushed forward and allowed Airdrie to hit on the counter. ICC could not break down Airdrie's defence and aside from a couple of punches clear Graham was relatively untroubled. Late in the game ICC were awarded a free kick on the edge on the home box and piled forward leaving 2 on 2 at the back, a poor kick was charged down by the wall and Smith chased the loose ball and got to it first before thumping a ball up the left for the forwards to chase, Gray raced on to the bouncing ball with a marker in close attendance ICC thought they had cleaned up as the covering defender nipped in front of Gray and tried to head back to the keeper but Adams was lurking and nuipped in ahed of the keeper who could only bring him down. Scott Lindsay stepped up to seal the points for Airdrie with a n 11th goal of the season.

Full Time 2-0

A good 3 points for Airdrie keeps an unbeaten start to the season going, with Player of the year Shaw due back from injury next week and Morrison well on the road to recovery things are looking good going into the bust spell and Airdrie will be looking to make it 3 wins from 3 as the Visit DTI on saturday before the nationals kick in.

A good all round performance with the defence excellent throughout and the front two working hard, the midfield however for me won us the game with both wingers contributing to the vital opener but both goals came from smith passes an unusual statement to say the least but his drive and energy get the team through games like this so the cpatain gets my choice for MOM you can have your vot on the club poll.

R.Graham

S.Graham Burton Slevin N.Pardoe

Capldi Smith Lindsay Brady

Gray Adams

McCall for Brady (70)

Edgar

Stewart