AIRDRIE UTD

St. Mirren

Though the team had a more familiar look about it, it was obvious from early on that Willie McLaren was not 100% match fit yet and that better things may have to wait another day as the Paisley men set out their stall with some ferocious tackling and pressing play throughout their side. Airdrie’s front two of McKeown and Coyle were sadly isolated by their midfield for most of the first half. Owen Coyle played in McLaren a couple of times early on with their trademark combinations but a lack of sharpness blunted that threat. Martin Hardie though looks like a cult legend in the making. The big midfielder looks to be even more statuesque than Evan Balfour was, maybe a little less aggressive, but more football orientated. Saints took the lead after around quarter of an hour as McGinty got in behind the right hand side of our defence and squirmed a shot past McGeown and the helpless McGowan who seems to be incapable of using his right foot. Another sloppy goal for Sandy Stewart to get hot under the collar about!

St. Mirren didn’t play much in the way of good football. Their main thrust was long balls for big Mixu and McGinty to chase after. Reilly was really just a move breaker in midfield whilst Millen, McGowne and Broadfoot (3 bad fouls – unpunished) seemed well on top of Coyle and McKeown. Airdrie didn’t really get going in the first half. Coyle was not doing well holding up play, whislt good kids like McKeown and Barkey weren’t quite getting to grips with the game. Way too much possession squandered and as a result our less than impressive defence were under too much strain. McManus and Christie were always up against it whilst McGowan looked very uncomfortable at left back. Marvyn Wilson and Martin Hardie were having a rare old time in the midfield, both guys looking like a real team in there. Despite a few corners, neither side created anything much in the first half.

Airdrie started to up the tempo after the break with Barkey and McKeown growing increasingly influential. Stephen Docherty had a good ten minute spell where he too looked a not bad player. The first real chance fell to McLaren. The wee man ghosted into the box, danced by Millen, but could only poke his shot inches past the post. Docherty had a good drive from the right tipped over. Hardie was tripped chasing an over-hit Docherty cross out of the penalty area. The ref gave the foul to Airdrie but incredibly pointed to the edge of the area rather than allow the penalty! Coyle won a free kick just out side the ‘D’ but chaos took over. The ref refused to the move back the wall any more than around 7 yards and a furious Coyle was booked for protesting too vigorously. Incredibly the ref would rather move the ball back than the wall!!! That was to be Coyle’s last contribution after another miserable performance from him. The sparkle has been gone lately as the team’s had to adjust to Gow and McLaren’s absence.

Mark Roberts, hate figure at times due to his sloppy displays of late and recent early bath, came on for the living legend but things were looking up for him this week. With McKeown getting into the game the twin stikers dragged Airdrie back into it. Firstly Roberts signalled his arrival by creating space to thunder a low left footed shot that Hinchliffe had to desperately scramble clear. Docherty was presented with a lot of space on the right to cross the ball to the onrushing strikers who were making tracks in the box, but the sadly hit the first defenders. David Dunn had another chance in the last couple of minutes but he was quickly closed down before getting a shot in. The ball was squeezed out for a corner but the blatant homer of a ref gave a bye kick to relieve the late pressure on his team. But Barkey and Roberts had other ideas. With the very last few seconds on the clock, Barkey made space on the right and beautifully picked out Roberts on the edge of the six-yard box. Roberts didn’t need asked twice what to do, and fair bulleted the header home.

A much better display from the Airdrieonians but there is still a lot more to come. Defensively McGowan looks like an accident waiting to happen at left back. He’d be my first choice at sweeper but on the left he’s absolutely rank. McManus and Christie kept Mixu as quiet as anyone has this season but still had their moments. Young Barkey lost a lot of the ball in midfield. A shame because I think he looks like he will be a decent player. I’d persevere with him as his hard work made the goal. He works so hard too. Marv and Hardie looked good together, though with a run of games together they’ll surely get better. McLaren looked a good bit short of match-fitness but you can already see what he threatens to bring. A few weeks to go for him yet but importantly he played the full 90mins. McKeown took a while to get going up front but finished strongly. Coyle on the other hand was way off the pace again. He’s too lightweight for the kind of role he’s being asked to play.