Airdrie (2) v Arbroath (1) - 20/9/03

By Gordon Thomson
September 29 2003

Sandy Stewart needed three points against relegated Arbroath to boost Airdrie's unimpressive league points tally. The ten man, extra time, cup exploits took it's toll and Clyde are around the corner on Tuesday. Could we take three points and leave enough in the tank?

Airdrie dropped Scott Wilson to the bench to make way for the boss, Sandy Stewart. Vareille was missing up front, so Gowser started after a few matches on the bench. Most significantly though was the return to the starting line up of skipper Steve Docherty at the expense of asst. boss, Kenny Black. Doc played right back with Willie Wilson switching flanks, to the left. For Arbroath, they included impressive goalie Mark Peat (from Aberdeen), and the summer's most controversial player, not Beckham, Paul Browne, infamous for his controversial hoax call to former Diamond, Eddie Forrest.

AIRDRIE UTD

McGeown
McManus, Stewart, McGowan
Docherty, M.Wilson, Dunn, W.Wilson
Roberts
Glancy & Gow.

Check out Bob Dalzell's photo gallery of the game. Remember his photos are copyright controlled.

Airdrie started the game, as one would expect, the more sleek outfit. Arbroath, like most teams in this league, played a strict 442 formation relying on height and strength. Airdrie cut around the visitors with some deft play, with attackers like Glancy, Gow, Roberts and Dunn to the fore. The biggest problem was a lack of a cutting edge. Immediately it looked like Docherty could provide an instant addition of quality in the right wingback position. Willie Wilson tried down the left though he had a fairly quiet game. I'm not sure if I'd prefer him of Kenny Black but a seven year age gap probably give Willie the advantage. In midfield David Dunn again was the real driving force behind our best attacks. At the back it was noticeable that Scott Wilson was missing. In the end the more experienced trio survived as winners but poor passing, a sloppy goal, and some downright disturbingly careless play could have cost them dearly against a sharper outfit.

The Arbroath goal was dubiously offside looking but wasn't helped by McManus's poor Tony Adams impersonation. Arbroath's Cargill running onto the through ball to beat McGeown as another attacker was walking back. Questionable, but an example of playing to the whistle. Airdrie had the lions share of the play, and Gow, Dunn, Roberts and Glancy all had long range efforts that failed to really trouble Peat. Roberts did have a penalty shout when Peat brushed him aside near the touchline but the ref walked away. No booking for diving though maybe explains the refs conviction? Arbroath went close to turning the knife when they broke upfield and rattled the bar with McGeown beaten all ends up.

Airdrie started the second half like a house on fire. Two minutes were on the clock when Gow and Roberts combined to give Dunn a shooting opportunity from 20 yards out. Dunn made space and hit a crisp left footer the trickled past the Arbroath goalie. Less then five minutes later Glancy beat his marker all ends up out on the left and sailed a delicious cross into the box for Docherty to head home a delightful flying header, reminiscint of his 'first ever' goal in last season's debut. After that Airdrie really took the foot off the gas, an obvious ploy with Tuesday's cup game coming up.
McGeown Very suspect at his distribution today. 6/10
McManus Terrible display today. Looked heavy legged when on the ball, his distribution needs worked on immediately. 3/10
Stewart Looked less than 100% fit but played well enough without reaching anywhere near his best 6/10
McGowan Commanding as ever. 7/10
Docherty Injected some quality on the right flank. Good goal and some good forceful play. 7/10
Marvyn Wilson His worst performance for several weeks. One second half spell he gave away possession half a dozen times in a row. Needed to play the simple ball at times.... 6/10
Dunn Fine goal and another lungbursting box to box display. Our best player. 8/10
W.Wilson Stuck on the left again but had a very quiet game. 5/10
Roberts Same story every week, still not clicking. He does look like a quality player but on 50% effort, or at least that's how it looks. 5/10
Glancy Another impressive game. Worryingly for him though, he's not getting into the box enough. But he is great entertainment when on the ball and provided Doc well for the goal. 7/10
Gow Played well at times but he ran out of steam way to early for such a young guy. Stamina needs improving. 6/10
s. Singbo (75mins for Gow) Looks really useful on the right of midfield. n/a
Ronald(80mins for Glancy) plugged a gap for ten minutes, never had a chance to get into game. n/a

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