Airdrie Utd had new signing Neil McGowan starting at left wing back in place of the suspended Liam McVey, while new boys Paul Harvey, Peter Cherryand Alan Gow made it onto the bench. McGowan seemed only half fit but looked good on the ball and should prove to be a decent signing for Sandy Stewart. He looked uncannily like former Diamonds left back, Joe (Starsky) McAlpine.

Click here to see match photos c/o Robert Dalzell.

Airdrie started very brightly playing some impressive passing football through the midfield with my favourite whipping boy, Robert Lee Gardner, pulling the strings impressively. Doh! As usual though Airdrie were flattering to deceive a bit and apart from some powder puff finishing all our best play was from deep. Strikers Paul Ronald (for about 20 minutes), and Martin Glancy were linking well but never in the box. Glancy, or 'the salmon'(wriggles like mad, lack of affinity with nets) as he may become known, was looking very lively and had some tremendous runs, one in particular where he wriggled free in the box but tamely pulled his shot wide.

At the other end the Fifers had some chances too. Lee Dair fired a right footed shot from way out wide on the left, then moments later Graeme Brown found space and was only denied by a fantastic save from McGeown. He also managed to fire wide moments later, much to our relief. Half time nil-nil.

Airdrie were toiling and as usual it took the introduction of fresh legs to give the Diamonds some much needed vigour and purpose. Ronald was the first to go. The big man looks out of his depth at times but yet early on he had some good touches and was linking play well, but never in the opposition box. He really faded badly though and McGuire gave Airdrie far more options with his tricky, pacy runs. The surprise package though was new striker Alan Gow who came on for the hard working but misfiring Martin Glancy. Gow is a six footer, left footed dribbling machine (not the same kind as my four month old son). Like all our strikers he looks best outside the box, but he certainly gave the supporters hope with his impressive half hour. That said, Brown had the best chance of the second half but again McGeown pulled off an inspirational save to keep us in the game.

Thereafter we huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the 'Beath's house down. Docherty came close with a header but our shooting was woeful. The last point of note in the game was a shocking two footed tackle late on by Marvyn Wilson. What possesses the guy to lose control like that so often is beyond me. He is by far the best player in this poxy league, but he is making a bad habit of doing this kind of thing just about every game. I've went on long enough about the fact that he isn't a defensive player at all, but Sandy really needs to get a grip of him before he drops us in it. Marv was extremely fortunate to get off with a yellow when a straight red seemed more appropriate. Overall we looked good for long spells but will have to get the ball forward into the danger areas a lot quicker, better, and more often if we want to score goals.

Airdrie (3:5:2): McGeown, Brannigan, Stewart, Vella; Armstrong, Gardner, Wilson, Docherty, McGowan; Glancy, Ronald. Subs: McGuire for Ronald on the hour, Gow for Glancy five mins. later, and Harvey for Vella late on.

PLAYER RATINGS:

Man to the match: Mark McGeown with 42% of the vote!