By Neil Brown
May 16 2007

AS Airdrie 3-1 Hogganfield

 

Airdrie went into the first of a double header with Hogganfield with a much-depleted squad. Craig Lewis returned after more than a year out as a trialist while Assistant gaffer MacFarlane started up front, despite the lack of first team regulars Airdrie were still able to send out a competitive side.

Rowan

S.Graham Stewart Burton Lewis

N.Pardoe Edgar Clark Khorasani

MacFarlane Capaldi

 

 

Airdrie started the better of the two sides and MacFarlane looked as if he had being playing up front all season linking well with Capaldi. Edgar was providing the passes from midfield and managed to set up both strikers, MacFarlane clipped an effort from 18 yards, which the keeper had to Stretch to make safe, and Capaldi had a one on one, which clipped the post with his effort. In reply Hogganfield cracked the bar from one of there counter attacks. Airdrie kept the pressure on and took the lead from the spot after Clark was pushed in the back at a set piece. Khorasani stepped up to fire the ball high into the net for a 1-0 lead. Hogganfield got more into the game and from a free kick Rowan blocked the goal bound effort however the ball fell for an onrushing Hogganfield player but again Rowan threw himself at point blank range to keep the visitors out. The last ten minutes of the half saw Hogganfield on top but they couldn’t break down the Airdrie defense.

 

The second half began much like the first with Airdrie having plenty of the ball but not creating too many chances while Hogganfield tried hard to get possession and make good use of it. Lewis was replaced by Morrison on the hour mark and almost immediately Hogganfield equalized as Airdrie tried to play the ball out from the back a slack ball was picked up by Hogganfield and as they swept forward the ball was fired across the goal and they had a man at the back post to slot the ball away to make it 1-1. Airdrie dusted themselves down and took the game to the visitors and should have been back in front when Neil Pardoe blasted over from 3 yards following a set piece. That was forgotten soon after when Airdrie retook the lead as the Midfield broke forward the ball found it’s way to Khorasani on the left and as he moved into the area cut inside his man where Edgar took over and rifled a drive low into the keepers right hand corner. Hogganfield reacted by switching to 3 at the back and throwing an extra man forward but still they couldn’t break down the Airdrie rearguard. With little under 10 minutes left Airdrie sealed the win after a stramash in the box involving Capaldi, The Keeper, MacFarlane and a defender the Airdrie assistant tucked the ball home from 2 yards to claim his first goal of the season. Brown replaced Khorasani straight after and Airdrie saw out the last 7-8 minutes with little trouble.

 

A fine performance and a good 3 points in the quest for second spot, good displays all round and Airdrie now travel to Cumbernauld for Saturday’s return match in confident mood, with three fixtures left it would be nice to finish off the season by maintaining out good run since the defeat to Blochairn back in March.

Subs

Morrison for Lewis (60)

Brown for Khorasani (82)