By Neil Brown
October 2 2007

AS Airdrie 2-3 Clydebank United

Airdrie suffered there first loss of the season at home to Clydebank United. A dissapointing performance saw the home side create very few chances and paid the price.

No changes from last week's cup win and the return of 4 players gave Airdrie plenty options on the bench. Airdrie got off to a good stat without playing anywhere near as well as they can as neil Pardoes head flick from a kenny pardoe free kick found it's way in to the top corner for a 1-0 lead. Clydebank hit back within 10 minutes and had the ball over the line with a man coming in at the back post to get on the end of a cross which wasn't dealt with by the Airdrie defence. The visitors had lots of the ball after this and seemed to be first to every loose ball and the game became a bit of a midfield battle, although Neil Pardoe could have had his second after being sent through the high offside trap with an excellent run from his own half, the keeper made up his mind for him as he came rushing 25 yards out his goal but as Pardoe hooked the ball away from the keeper he made it difficult to get the right angle to hit into the empty net and the danger was mopped up.

Second half began much the same a midfield scrap and it was Clydebank who were to take the initative when poor defending allowed them in twice in the space of 10 minutes and cool finishes helped them to a 3-1 lead. Airdrie had a full 25 mins to turn things around and Smith replaced the injured K.Pardoe, Clark replaced capaldi up front and Grant replaced S.Graham on the right wing.Despite the changes Airdrie struggled to create many chances but as we entered the last 10 minutes  Airdrie tried desperately to get something from the game and began to find some passing and Neil Grant had the ball in the net as he broke the Clydebank offside line and tucked the ball under the keeper, the ref however blew for offside. Clydebank continued with the offside trap which is always a danger at this level as Airdrie continued to probe grant was again sent through from deep and this time the ref agreed and he squared for Gray to tap in from close range. 7 minutes left and an unlikely point seemed to be there for the taking but Clydebank had ione last chance to put the game to bed as Airdrie pushed Stewart up to a forward position this left gaps and Clydebank's no 10 was clean through but Rowan thwarted him with an excellent block throwing himself at the strikers feet and blocking the shot. Airdrie got that one last chane from a long throw, a source of so many goals, the first ball was knocked onto the back post where grant was unmarked but his header from 4 yards went straight into the greatful keeper's hands. The draw would have been a bit harsh on Clydebank and a fair result in the end. Airdrie must pick themselves up now but there's still a lot to look forward to and we must focus on the positives. MOM went to Andy Edgar for dragging the team through a difficult game when a few players had off days and as a unit we didn't perform as well as we can.

Onwards and upwards as the saying go's.

Rowan

Milne Cooper Stewart

S.Graham Edgar K.Pardoe R.Graham N.Pardoe

Gray Caplaldi

Smith for K.Pardoe (60)

Clark for Capaldi (65)

Grant for S.Graham (65)

Khorasani

Murray