By F.Burton
December 12 2005

Shawbridge 2 - 0 Airdrie

Did actually write a match report on Saturday but my computer crashed just as I posted it and I lost the lot!

It was a pretty un-inspiring game on Saturday with neither keeper really troubled throughout. Airdrie fielded the same team who had beaten Greenhills the week before with the exeption of Edgar replacing the working Capoo on the left.

Our opponents started the first half very well and had a lot of pressure and dominated possesion especially in the first 20 minutes which there full backs getting forward and supporting the play although our back 3 rarely looked troubled and coped very well. Airdrie`s first chance fell to Ally who had twisted and turned the centre half to create a bit of space but his shot flew wide left from about 20 yards. Clarky also had an effort from 25 yards but failed to connect properly and it also went wide. Airdrie`s best chance came from a Hendrie corner which Clarky bulleted a header goalbound before it hit a Shawbridge player on the back of the head and went out for another corner. The player had not even been facing the play and was tracking Scotty across the six yard box when it hit him. This pretty much summed up our luck on the day and a few minutes later Shawbridge took the lead when Gordy had looked to have the situation under control but as he was about to clear the striker slide tackled him and the ball somehow crept into the net! Half-time 1-0 down.

At the start of the second half Edgar switched back into the middle with Hendrie going out wide on the left and this seemed to give the team much more balance. Hendrie went on to have an excellent second half with some great runs out wide always giving an option for the rest of the team. 10 minutes into the second half Airdrie made there only available substitute with Johnstone being replaced by trialist Stuart Aitken. Unfortunately the red mist had decended on Marc who had just got away with an off the ball incident while waiting for a corner to be taken and then had an arguement with Hendrie over who was marking who. With the midfielder already on a yellow card (even quicker than mine at Shettleston I think!) the decision was taken to preserve our 11 v 11 status. Not an easy game for Aitken to be thrown into with the team struggling and him not even knowing anyones name but he fought well. Shawbridge went on to score a second when an offside player was allowed to walk but up the field into an onside position without anyone picking him up, he then received the pass and was clear through on goal, Johnny saved his first time effort but could only parry it out to an onrushing Shawbridge player who easily passed it into the empty net. Airdrie had the majority of the play in the second half and did create a few chances with the best being a header from Hendrie and an indirect free kick which Hendrie rattled into the net claiming he hadn`t heard the referee. A women then hung out her flat window a few hundred yards away and shouted "Bloddy hell Ross, even I heard him and av got 3 screaming kids watching the telly full bung!".

Overall I would say that Shawbridge just about shaded the game and deserved there victory. There just seemed something missing from our performance, I`m not sure what it was coz the effort was there but we just seemed to miss a spark from somewhere. Maybe if Clarky`s header had gone in then it would have set us off but it just didn`t happen on Saturday. The biggest disappointment (other than the turnout) was that we never worked what looked like a very poor goalkeeper.

Not sure if we have a game next weekend but if we do then we should have Capoo, Stevie and Buckles back which will at least give the gaffer options!