By Neil Brown
August 27 2007

AS Airdrie 4-1 Tynecastle

As Airdrie porgressed to the third round of the league cup with a fine 4-1 win. Two Goals for Andy Clark set Airdrie on there way, Ally Gray adding a double of his own with a goal in each half.

Rowan

Murray Cooper Stewart

N.Pardoe Smith K.Pardoe Edgar R.Graham

Gray Clark

Airdrie elected to go with a back three in this match to give more support to the front two and it worked well with the big back three rarely troubled through a first half in which Airdrie dominated possesion. Gray was first to take advantage with a clear run on goal after springing the offside trap, Gray rounded the keeper but had taken it slightly wide and his cutback was cleared by the Tynecastle defence. The opener was not long in coming though as Clark got his head to a crossball which found the top corner despite a man defending the post. Clark quickly made it 2-0 with a superb free kick into the same corner he had earlier found with his head. The managment encouraged a bit of solidity for the closing stages of the half which they got and more, Good pressing forced Tynecastle back and as centre back and keeper decided whoose ball it was Gray nipped into steal the ball and from a tight angle curled the ball into the empty net for a 3-0 half time lead.

No changes at half time for either side and to be honest the half started very quietly with Airdrie content to sit in and hit on the break. Murray came off with a slight strain to be replaced by Scott Graham and a switch back to 4-4-2 to contain the extra man Tynecastle had pushed forward. It was to be Airdrie though who found the net for a fourth time as the ball broke for Gray after Kenny Pardoe's shot was stopped, the ball spun high in the air and Gray rose like a midget on stilts to hair flick the ball over the line. Airdrie made two more changes to see out the match with Grant replacing N.Pardoe and Burton on for R.Graham. Just as it looked like a clean sheet for the impessive defence Tynecastle got a consolation as good play down the left led to a ball landing in the middle, Stewart did clear the danger however the ball stuck Cooper and landed nicely for Tynecastle to tap the ball home for a final score of 4-1.

Food for though for the upcoming League game on saturday and we feel we now have plenty options before and during games. Good displays all round Stewart solid at the back and Kenny Pardoe on his 100th club appearance had a fine evening and Clark with two superb goals.