By Neil Brown
November 7 2009

Cumbernauld Town 2-3 AS Airdrie

 Airdrie were again involved in an entertaining 5 goal contest at a muddy Ravenswood. After a two week lay off Airdrie had a change at the back with Ross graham absent Jamie McCall made a start as a trialist at full back, no other changes from the previous outing at EK Town. The match got off to a cagey start with both sides having to deal with the not so good surface, Airdrie took the lead after 18 minutes Ian Shaw’s fine run found Gray on the edge of the box and he squared for Kenny Pardoe to fire in a shot that was deflected away for a corner. From that kick Pardoe found his brother Neil in the six yard box to head Airdrie into the lead. The rest of the half saw Airdrie on the back foot as Town pressed fro an equaliser, Rowan produced a fantastic block from point blank range to deny the home side and a again turning a net bound shot round the post shortly after. Kenny Pardoe pulled up injured after 40 minutes and Brady took his place beside Gray up top. Cumbernauld got the goal there play deserved on the stroke of half time this time the conditions got the better of rowan as an awkward cross was spilled in the six yard box for a tap in.  Half Time 1-1. 

The second half saw Airdrie take a grip of the match and stopped Cumbernauld playing the way they had in the first, Smith and Lindsay dominated in the middle and the switch of wide men paid off as Shaw saw a lot more ball and caused Town endless problems with his running. Brady restored Airdrie’s lead on 50 minutes with a classy strike as he played a neat one two with Shaw on the edge of the box before flicking a tidy finish with the outside of his right foot past the keeper. Only a smart save from the keeper denied Shaw a goal after a superb run from his own half saw him skip past 3 tackles before firing in a shot from 8 yards. Airdrie added a third on 65 minutes McCall pushed forward and found Brady in space as he turned he got a little break of the ball and he was in on Goal, a tidy pass to Gray split the defence and Gray made no mistake with the finish. Stewart replaced Slevin at the heart of the defence to shore things up as Slevin’s troublesome week ended on a good note. Lindsay limped out after 75 minutes to be replaced by Edgar and Airdrie looked to be cruising home happy to hit on the counter as Town pushed men forward. They were handed a lifeline on 85 minutes as Stewart was adjudged to have fouled in the area, the striker seemed to stick his leg into Stewarts tackle before going down with aplomb. Rowan made a good effort but couldn’t keep it out. Town had a few set play chances but nothing too troublesome and Airdrie held out.

 A fine win with the obvious rustiness from a two week lay off showing in the first half but once into the swing of things a good team performance proved the difference in the second. I must give credit to Cumbernauld Town who looked to play good football throughout the match and there a good addition to the Premier League which is shaping up to be the tightest since our own promotion in 2005.

Some good displays from the Airdrie boys plenty contenders for MOM  Rowan with vital stops Lindsay and Smith with good Energy in midfield but this week Ian Shaw pick’s up the award as he gives us such an outlet when under pressure I’m sure his team mates will agree. 

Rowan

McCall Cooper Slevin S.Graham

Shaw Smith Lindsay N.Pardoe

K.Pardoe Gray

Brady for K.Pardoe (40)

Stewart for Slevin (65)

Edgar for Lindsay (75) 

MOM Ian Shaw