By N.Brown
April 28 2010

St Marys 1-2 AS Airdrie

Airdrie ran out winners in a tense match at Cambuslang a keenly fought contest ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for Airdrie. Andy Clark captained the side on his 100^th appearance for the club.

 Early chances were created and from Clark’s long throw Cooper flicked the ball on and Scott Lindsay met it on the half volley 12 yards out but the keeper reacted well and parried the ball away. For St Marys Rowan had to produce a similar stop as he turned away a snapshot from Tait. Airdrie took the lead on 20 minutes, Neil Pardoe’s Corner was met with a diving header 8 yards out by Lindsay.  Clark had a chance to grab a quick second soon after as good work from Capaldi set him up for a strike from the edge of the box but he was just off target. 

The second half was minutes old when Airdrie had a huge let off as a defensive error allowed St Marys winger in on goal but he blazed over as Rowan closed him down. Airdrie had a great chance to get that second goal when Gray sprung a high offside line and ran through on goal, the keeper managed to force Gray wide with a fingertip touch as the striker looked to round him, Gray lost his bearings from here and sclaffed a shot just past the post. Airdrie did get the second from another Neil Pardoe corner, Cooper rose at the back post for a text book headed finish. Brady replaced M.Brown in midfield as St Marys pushed a defender up front and went short at the back. This move paid off for St Marys as a long ball wasn’t properly cleared and the defender bulldozed his way through and got a shot of which Rowan could only get a slight glove to and the ball rolled over the line just before Pardoe could get back and clear. St Marys continued to press but left huge gaps at the back that Airdrie should have exploited, Firstly Gray was halted after a run into the box by a last ditch challenge as was Lindsay not long after, the Airdrie midfielder was also halted when he broke clear the ref bringing play back for a free kick on the halfway line where an advantage would have been more beneficial. Clark had the best chance of all as Rowan launched a huge kick downfield Clark was bearing down on goal but he didn’t get the power or connection on his header and a relieved keeper collected the ball. The story of Airdrie’s season almost unfolded here again as we moved into to the last minute St Marys were awarded a penalty as Tait went to ground under Capaldi’s challenge, Three times Airdrie have been denied victory by a last minute goal this season however Rowan produced a fantastic stop diving low to his right to turn Tait’s penalty kick round the post. Airdrie saw out stoppage time to claim a vital win in the race for a top half finish. 

Overall delighted with the win a hard earned win at that too, which shows the fine line in this division between teams. The task could have been made easier had we taken our chances but could also have been harder but for the early second half let off.

Rowan

Graham Cooper Edgar N.Pardoe

M.Brown Smith Lindsay Capaldi

Clark Gray

Brady for M.Brown (65)

McFarlane

N.Brown