AIRDRIE UTD

I'd missed out on the midweek win at Forfar and it seems that Dunn in particular had grabbed his game in centre midfield with both hands and so it proved again today. With the back four looking settled with Willie Wilson and Kenny Black looking infinitely more comfortable as regular full backs, tucking in when needed behind Scott Wilson and Neil MacGowan, our midfield had a much better platform to express themselves. A key feature all afternoon were Marvin's bursts from midfield and Dunn's ability to link play almost effortlessly. OK, Ronaldohno struggled a bit but he still managed to get an assist at the second goal and filled the gaps when Marv and Dunn burst forward. Up front Roberts played behind Glancy and Vareille and the understanding and skill of those three was obvious all afternoon even though Roberts and Vareille were again rather sluggish. It didn't take Airdrie long to take a lead as it happened. Glancy took a neat pass from midfield around 25 yards out and instantly threaded a sublime pass into the path of the onrushing Dunn who slotted neatly past the Son's keeper. One - nil and barely five minutes had passed.

It could have been a cricket score if Jerome had his shooting boots on. Shortly after Glancy again turned provider skillfully squaring for Vareille about 16 yards out and all alone, but the big Frenchman could only find the goalie. From the rebound he curled a shot wide when that too looked score-able. Jerome managed to complete his hat-trick of missed chances before Airdrie increased their lead further shortly thereafter. This time the unlikely combination of Ronald, with a neat head flick, to Glancy, with a superbly rifled finish, put Airdrie two up, only midway through the first half. Dunn had a scorching shot from 20-odd yards out rattle the foot of the post before the first half drew to a close.

The second half was dour by comparison as Dumbarton roared back after the break with lightning quick Obidile on the right wing against Kenny Black. But as I weekly wait for the inevitable collapse as old father time takes it's toll, KB again excelled. With Sandy out, 'skipper' Doc and 'vice-capitan' McManus unreliable fitness wise and both out today, we needed leaders on the pitch, and KB and Neil McGowan both provide leadership without the need for a title or armband. No team ever won a title with 11 sheep and these two guys could prove vital this season with such a ferocious attitude. Dumbarton huffed and puffed second half as Airdrie displayed a lack of urgency, relying on stout defending and counter attacks. A change seemed inevitable and Gowser replaced the toiling Vareille midway through the half to hand Airdrie the ascendancy again. A brief cameo from Gowser and Dunn cheered the crowd right up as this skillful pair linked brilliantly. Gowser looked to have lost the ball in midfield but battled hard to get a foot to the ball and resolutely managed to drag out possession several times before Dunn repeated the trick. Real foot on the ball combined with strength and skill. Can we look forward to this every week? Over to you SS. Airdrie had a penalty with about ten minutes left as Gowser's right leg was howked away as he steadied to shoot. Mark Roberts stepped up to the plate but after the ref made him re-position the ball, always an off puting experience, his tamely hit penalty was well saved. The only other main highlight was the appearance of a French-Senegalese trialist (if rumour is to be believed - others included he played for PSG, he's an athlete not a footballer, he is gay and he is a lez-b-yin - so you know it's better to wait for confirmation...) who got quarter of an hour at Ronaldohno's expense. He was a bit starved of possession but was always looking for the ball and didn't do too badly in his short spell.