AIRDRIE UTD

Partick

It was obvious from the first whistle that, despite only one change, this was a totally different Airdrie from the mess that finished the Hamilton game. With Hardie and McLaren looking totally refreshed and finally match-fit, Airdrie took the early initiative by playing the best football, with McLaren to the fore. Thistle were a bit of a mess. They looked like a team that was short of confidence, solid enough in the centre of defence with Madaschi looking every bit the Olympic contestant but dodgy on the wings and a confusing midfield made up of beefy defender Bowie and athletic, but unsophisticated, Panther looking a little lost. They did however have a lot of height in their side (obvious threat from corners) and the sublimely skilled Juan Ramon Escales up front beside the gigantic though ineffective One.

Airdrie had the best of the early play with McLaren using his pace on a few occasions to breach the Thistle back line. On one occasion he made the bye-line with ease but he had to wait too long for support and Coyle couldn’t do much with the feed. Thistle did pose a few problems early on but Airdrie’s pressure paid off in the twentieth minute from the most unexpected source, none other than the totally un-prolific, Marvellous Marvyn Wilson! Marv got the ball in Archie Gemmill territory, weaved into the box and thrashed a terrific left foot shot past Arthur, his first goal in almost two years. Almost twenty minutes later Airdrie doubled the lead when a 20 yard curling effort from Martin Hardie came off the post and fell at the feet of the luckiest old poacher in the business, Owen Coyle, who made no mistake with his gift.

Till that point in the game, Airdrie were all over Partick like they were our bitches. McGeown was looking good, Christie and McGowan were working well, Lovering was himself, thankfully, Docherty was doing well, Barkey was keeping Fleming quiet, Marv and Hardie were controlling the midfield with ease, McLaren was flirting with the crowd – drawing more coos than John Lambie’s pigeon collection – and McKeown and Coyle were playing like players who knew Gow was back on the bench. “Haw Sandy” couldn’t be heard, and presumably the manager’s job was safe again. Dalziel-Piero even managed to out Ceefax Ceefax, by getting Woosh’s autograph on his T-Shirt. But that comfort zone was wrecked by a shocking challenge by Hardie that left Dowie on a stretcher. Hardie mis-timed a tackle and went over the ball – studs up – catching Dowie very firmly. In all honesty, Hardie should have walked. Instead he played injured, got the caution, and played on. That incident fired up Thistle’s players more than any team-talk from ‘perma-tan’ and ‘the ghoul’ who may both have been in line for their jotters after this result. Madaschi powerfully headed home from a corner on the stroke of half-time. It was obvious though that Hardie was a marked man, the villan of the peace for the Maryhillians.

The second half was barely under way when Partick’s indiscipline cost them dearly. Grant Murray was guilty of a deliberate attempt to avenge his team-mate Murray by flying into a horrible two-footed assault (you can’t call it a tackle as the ball was not on his agenda) on Hardie that sparked a mass brawl with at least twenty players involved, Kevin Christie showing some great pace to be at the front of the queue. Murray was shown as straight red, as was Wilkinson who pushed the referee during the ugly melee. Maybe Wilkinson was just sick of being filleted by McLaren and took advantage of the situation by martyring himself? Whatever, Partick were down to nine men for the remainder of the match but with a definite chip on the shoulder. As we know ourselves, numerical superiority in a game is not a guaranteed win, so it was with some relief that McLaren made space to put us 3-1 up shortly afterwards. To their credit, Thistle narrowed the gap thanks to the skill of Ramon and the nervousness of the Airdrie side who were starting to treat the ball like a hot potato. McKeown and McLaren were replaced by Gow and Roberts (Gow going on the left wing), and Airdrie started to re-assert themselves, the quality of Gow immediately shining through. Ramon twice tried long range efforts that had McGeown struggling to tip over the bar, but Coyle made sure of the points by finishing off a fine flowing move that heavily featured the twinkle-toed Gowser at his best.

Can Airdrie now take this form forward? I’d love to say yes, and on the display of the first 40 minutes it’s a possibility. We were in total command early though we looked a little shaken by a spirited fightback. Maybe a bit of confidence will start surging through the team after that. McLaren, Hardie (when he behaves) and eventually Gow, are all making a difference, but special mention must go to Christie and McGowan who looked impeccable in central defence today. And what about Marv’s goal. Set the video now!