By Neil Brown
March 30 2010

Blochairn Star 2-1 AS Airdrie

Airdrie lost out in the semi final of the League Cup for a second time at Barlia on saturday. A late penalty from Scott Lindsay not enough to overturn Blochairns two goal lead.

A cagey first 30 minutes where Blochairn had most of the possesion but ony a few half chances to show for it, For Airdrie a good strike early on from Lindsay there best effort. Gerry Hughes was first to really test Rowan after Airdrie gave up possesion he broke through and Rowan pulled off a great stop to deny the striker, 2 minutes later possesion was again gifted to Blochairn and in a carbon copy move Murray this time broke through and found the bottom corner with his strike. it was 2-0 soon after when Murray had a speculative shot from the edge of the area the ball hit Scott Graham on the side of the head before swirling over Rowan and in off the post.

Second half for the first 20 minutes was much the same as the first half Blochairn with plenty possesion but little clear cut chances. Airdrie began to pick up as the chase for a route back into the game ebbed away. Gray replaced K.Pardoe, Robertson for Edgar and Brady for Clark in the last 20 minutes. Gray robbed Campbell on the goal line and fired a cross over that Shaw was inches away from, Shaw was then hauled down by the keeper when he beat him to a loose ball in the penalty area, Scott Lindsay dispatched the kick.campbell was then sent off as the assistant spotted an infringement. With time running out Brady jinked his way past a tackle in the box before the keeper closed down his angle parrying his shot away for a corner. From the corner Cooper threw himself at the ball and saw his header hit the post and away to safety. During this period of pressure Blochairn had a chance to wrap the game up when the sreplacement striker was clean through but he blasted over the bar.

Too little too late another 5 minutes may have seen Airdrie get the draw but over the peace Blochairn edged it. Not keeping possesion against teams good on the ball like Blochairn is always going to put you up against it. Airdrie can also curse the weather, 3 games in 3 months was not ideal perperation for a big tie such as this but we all have to face these problems during a season. back to league business now as we look to gather as many points for a top half finish, there is also a third round tie V SCYP in the coming weeks which is an oppertunity to get this one out the sytem and dream of a cup final again.

MOM: Andy Edgar

Rowan

Edgar Graham Cooper Slevin

Shaw Smith K.pardoe Lindsay N.Pardoe

Clark

Gray for K.Pardoe (70)

Robertson for Edgar (75)

Brady for Clark (80)

Hetherington