AIRDRIE UNITED

First impression of the match was that our small defence would struggle against gigantic Brechin striker Chris Templeman but almost from the word go Stephen Docherty shackled him pretty well. Again the Airdrie defence of Docherty, Stewart and McGowan read the game beautifully, sometimes under pressure from Templeman who proved a real handful, but generally we were well in command. To the point where an early, searing run from McGowan carved open the visitors but McKeown was a bit flat footed on the through ball. McKeown had a couple of chances early on but both shots failed to find the target. Vareille then had the ball in the net from a McGuire cross on the right but he was deemed offside. Questionable! At this point is should be noted that the Airdrie midfield, especially wide boys Armstrong and McVey were also getting a bit of space. Eventually Vareille, and Airdrie, would get a decent break. McVey, like McGowan earlier, put together a superb long, mazy run at the Brechin defence, but he was stopped just outside the area. It looked like he'd lost possession but Jerome had been alert enough to read the defender's move and robbed him for a clear run at the keeper. This time the Frenchman rounded him to slot home his first goal for a while.

Not the best or most exciting first half ever but the team has now taken on a much better shape and organisation in recent months. Obviously work has been done on the training ground but also some personnel changes have helped. McVey coming back has been like a new signing. Defensively his pace has added a new dimension as has his natural leftness (?). Armstrong going to right back has added pace, strength, width and competence to that part of the field, Doc replacing the woeful Brannigan has eliminated the lack of pace, rotten distribution etc., that blighted big Kenny's season. Marv's return to fitness has helped us control the midfield again. Up front though it's not been so promising. Even at halftime today I'd have said that Ronald is a nightmare because he's not scoring, not holding the ball up, not contributing going forward, blah, blah, blah. But the funny thing is that he's been trying so hard and is so bad he's become a cult phenomenon!

Typically the second half belonged this big likeable daftie. We looked more comfortable against an even more desperate Brechin who had brought Homer Simpson like Roddy Grant on at half time. Ronaldohno had been yards offside when he found the net with a David McGuire cross cum shot, and Armstrong, direct from a corner, then Doc, with a header from a corner, both hit the crossbar. But Ronald did get his long awaited third goal for the Diamonds midway through the half. In all honesty it had very little to do with him as Liam McVey had done all the work down the left with another fine run and his pass across goal left Ronald with as simple a goal as he'll ever score. But how the big man celebrated!