By Neil Brown
September 29 2007

Kirkintilloch Ams 1-3 AS Airdrie

Two goals from Gary Capaldi and one from Neil Pardoe saw Airdrie Progress to the third round of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

Airdrie travelled the short distance to Queenzieburn with a 13 man squad to take on Stirling & District side Kirkintilloch.Clark,Smith,Grant all missing through holidays. Burton and Murray also missing meant a place on the bench for Brown beside Khorasani.

Rowan

Milne Cooper Stewart

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

Capaldi Gray

Khorasani for S.Graham (75)

Brown for Capaldi (85)

Airdrie kicked off against the wind in the first half and the ball seemed to spend a lot of time in the air, which was meat and drink for Cooper & Stewart througout a first half where the hosts rarely threatened, Airdrie on the other hand were looking dangerous on the counter and took the lead midway through the first half when a poor clearance from the keeper fell to K.Pardoe who's first time effort on goal was looking short however Capaldi was quick to get to the ball and stab it home from 6 yards. Airdrie should have stretched there lead when Capaldi broke down the right but his cut back was behind Grays run and the chance petered out. Airdrie could have added that second goal just before half time when K.Pardoe found space in the box and a well struck effort was saved by the keeper.

The second half was more of the same in the early stages with lots of long high balls into the Airdrie half but Stewart mopped up most of the balls and sent Airdire forward. After a series of good possesion Airdrie got the breakthrough second goal when Neil Pardoe arrived to meeta  back post cross and  headed an effort goalbound  despite the kirkintilloch players best efforts he could only knock the ball over the line. The home side made a few changes to try to get back into the game but Airdrie were well in control and have learned how to close games out from a winning position. By now Airdrie were playing some quick counter attacking football and from one such move Capaldi netted his second when he latched on to a ball over the top which he coolly brought under control and slipped under the keepr who could only help it into the net. Airdrie threw Khorasani on for S.Graham with 15 mins to go and the winger had a chance to score a 4th but the ball broke away from him as he headed in on goal. Rowan who had been dominant with crossballs all day was denied a clean sheet for the second week running when Khorasani turned a a ball into his own net from close range after Kirkie broke down Airdrie's right. Brown replaced Capaldi with 5 minutes to go and Airdrie saw out the game on the front foot.

A well deserved win although the ball spent too much time in the air for Airdrie's usuall style of play however with so many players missing it was credit to the team for still winning the game comfatably and we look forward to another adventure in the third round. this cup is all abvout testing ourselves against different levels of opposition and hopefully learning from that and taking it in to our own league form.

MOM A.Stewart