By Neil Brown
October 20 2007

Erskine Bridge 2-3 AS Airdrie

Airdrie progressed to the 3rd round of the regional cup competition for the first time thanks to a hard working performance.

A tough physical game was played out on a bumpy tight pitch which the home side were obviously used to, playing a 4-5-1 formation they continually sent long balls to the lone striker who gave Airdrie's back 3 a hard time for the entire first half.

Things could have been different as kenny Pardoe had a chance in the 2nd minute to put Airdrie ahead but was slow to react to a loose ball with an empty net just a few yards away. Instead it was Erskine Bridge who took the lead. From a harmless shot the ball took a wicked deflection off Stewart and crept past Rowan in the Airdrie goal after only 5 mins. Further misery was inflicted on Airdrie as the number 9 held off the challenges and stroked the ball home after 12 mins to take a 2-0 lead. Airdrie were making life hard for themselves with stray passes and dissent creeping into there game. There was also challenges flying in from all angles which upset any cohesion Airdrie could build. kenny Pardoe made up for his earlier miss when he collected a deep cross in the area turned his man and fired a shotpast the keeper into the corner.

Second half Airdrie came out and showed what there all about and completely domintaed the half. Stewart outstanding at the back was by now on top of the Erskine striker and this gave the home side no out ball. Smith and Edgar won the midfield battle and Airdrie began to create chances. Fifteen minutes in and the game was level, Neil Pardoe got a break of the ball and got in behind the Erskine defence to poke the ball home from 6 yards. It was all Airdrie by now and there looked like only one winner. The challenges continued to come in however Airdrie gave as good as they got whichn was pleasing too see. With extra time looming Airdrie won the tie when Andy Clark rose at the back post to power home a header from Neil pardoe's cross. Airdrie saw out the last 5 minutes Grant replacing N.Pardoe and S.Graham replacing R.Graham to eat up the time.

A scrappy game and in all honesty one I didn't really enjoy but credit to the lads who dug deep and pulled off a win in trying circumstanaces and probably the main thing to take from today was a lesson in togetherness which shone through the entire second half. A tough call on todays MOM but for me Smith just edged out Stewart but only just two commanding performances in key area's was vital for Airdrie's victory.