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Tynecastle 1-1 AS Airdrie

Tynecastle 1-1 AS Airdrie

Airdrie put on a good performance to pick up a point at Lochend High School against Tynecastle, Three injuries and an absentee from Saturdays cup win left Airdrie toiling with MacFarlane coming into the starting line up, Shaw and Brown were joined on the bench by Trialist Davie Campbell. Stewart, Ross Graham and captain Smith all nursing knocks and Burton through other commitments missed out.

Rowan

S.Graham Cooper Clark MacFarlane

N.Pardoe Edgar K.Pardoe Grant

Gray Capaldi

 

The game started and maintained a good pace about it throughout the whole 90 minutes, Clark and Cooper looked solid at the heart of the Airdrie defence, Tynecastle’s back four kept Gray and Capaldi quiet in the early stages and Edgar and Stevenson resumed there midfield tussle. Airdrie took the lead early in the first half when Kenny Pardoe’s long free kick into the box evaded the home defence with Capaldi looking to get on the end of it, however the ball took a bounce and missed out everyone and the ball crept in at the back post. Airdrie suffered a further blow when Clark had to leave the field due to work commitments, Campbell replaced him and the pack required shuffling again but these guys have become accustomed tom covering all over the park in recent week’s. Campbell’s first action was a mistimed tackle which he escaped with just a lecture from the ref, Airdrie’s next move was well executed and a nice triangle worked an opening down the left which Tynecastle did well to clear, next up Campbell showed a bit of class with a cracking through ball for Gray but again he was closed down by staunch defending both corners were well dealt with as Cooper was lurking at the back post.

 

In to the second half and Tynecastle started strongly backed by a large Blochairn contingent eager to claim the league title as soon as possible, However they found Rowan on top form and the keeper’s handling and kicking was just about perfect throughout the match. Airdrie were happy to play on the counter and Gray was picking up plenty of ball in space, mostly he was well closed down but on a few occasions a chance was created, Gray cut inside and fired a weak shot however Capaldi was alert enough to get to the ball before the keeper and his quick turn and shot came off the keeper and Campbell was on hand but his side footed effort went agonizingly high and a great chance to take a 2 goal lead was gone. Airdrie were to rue that chance as Tynecastle’s persistence paid off when a seemingly hopeful ball in caught Neil Pardoe on his heels and the midfield runner crept in behind to slide a shot in off the post to make it 1-1. Airdrie weren’t done yet though and kept up the counter attacking football and that looked to have paid off with 10 minutes to go as a spell of pressure led to a cross from the right and Capaldi made a superb connection to send a header net bound but Tynecastle’s keeper pulled off a top drawer save to claw it away for a corner, Airdrie threw on Shaw for K.Pardoe and went 3-4-3. Edgar had one final chance but blazed over from 20 yards. Tynecastle had a late chance also as Airdrie pushed forward a long ball out put Airdrie under pressure and MacFarlane’s 37 year old legs stretched out to deny the striker getting in on goal.

 

Full time and a 1-1 draw was just about right between the sides, this of course extinguished any faint hopes Airdrie had of winning the league, although it was a big ask to get the required points on the table in a short space of time something which the league will have to look at remedying for future seasons. Airdrie now face a third game in 4 days but are determined to finish the league as high up as possible, the priorities now are to Reach the Tommy Marshall final and pick up the Eight points required to finish second which will mark more progress for the club. MOM Andy Edgar

Campbell for Clark (25)

Shaw for K.Pardoe (80)

Brown (Unused)

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