AIRDRIE UTD

Dundee

Sandy Stewart continued with his cavalier approach in this game and dividends were quickly reaped when McPhee won a corner on the five minute mark. McLaren swung over the kick the ball was headed goalward and young Stephen MacDougall headed the ball beyond Kelvin Jack to give the Diamonds a deserved early lead.

Kevin Barkey started the match in Stephen Docherty’s position but it was obvious form the first whistle that the wee dynamo was going to try to make the job his own. With four attack minded midfielders beside him Barkey was like a buzzbomb throughout the match looking for the ball to feed his seemingly more illustrious colleagues. Surprisingly he did so with some aplomb. A late cross from the left wing for Brian McPhee was a classic example of Barkey’s all energy display.

Airdrie’s success was built on another tremendous defensive display. McKenna continues to do a fine Chris Honor impersonation beside the increasingly impressive Alan McManus, with the Mad-dog sniping, snarling and outpacing anything that dares to cross his path. Lee Hollis continues to improve though he still managed to make the Airdrieonians’ hearts flutter with a couple of kamikaze clearance attempts. His kicking is as impressive as his shot stopping.

Further forward Dunny impressed at left back in Lovering’s absence. In a more defensive role it’s surprising that he can defend so well when he actually wants to do so. Today was a very impressive display from Dunn that’s a far cry from some of his rather tepid displays in his preferred position. On the other wing MacDougall had a quieter display than we’d become used to though it must be said he did set the bar rather high in recent weeks. This tough game must have been a great experience for the younger players. In midfield McKeown was involved in a tough battle beside Barkey to keep control of the park. They dominated for the first half hour before Dundee got more of a grip. McLaren still continues to mystify. He has all the attributes and seems to enjoy being played more infield. But with Airdrie tactically changing shape a couple of times McLaren seemed a shadow of himself when back on the left wing, especially his reluctance to round his man.

And that brings us to the strikers. Prunty is a quality act that will develop into a goal machine in this league. His finish was top drawer and his whole display spells out danger. With McPhee being a constant menace and taking away much of the attention these two are developing a decent understanding. The pace is obvious. It was good to see near the end that both of them were queuing up to bend their runs straight at the two diddies in Dundee’s defence. That’s where Prunty’s goal came from in the last quarter of a hour. With possession in central midfield McPhee was the first to try running at Madaschi & Mann, but McLaren’s(?) through ball didn’t get there on time, but seconds later as possession came back to us in similar circumstances, Hardie threaded a perfect ball for Prunty to steam onto and hook beyond Jack in the style of Kenny Dalglish in the 1978 European Cup Final v. Brugge at Wembley. If that description is OTT then please blame too many celebratory Kronenburgs:)

A special word must go to the mad Airdrieonians. The noise from the boys in the red seats – not the blue seats, you’re only allowed to sit on red seats – was non stop from start to finish, even Andy Waite’s old time medely, and it must have got through to the players on the park. Funnily, the aggressive tone of the Tayside cops & stewards only gets us worked up even more. You have to ask why it’s such a health and safety issue to stand up considering the tinderbox death trap is in such a state. What health & safety are they preventing? Surely when we jump about celebrating a goal we’re in more danger than standing and singing? And £16 for a restricted view when there is a perfectly decent concrete stand lying empty next to us too? The quicker they sell the place and move into Tannadice the better.

Well done Sandy Stewart. With the emergence of Kevin Barkey and David Dunn, the impressive return of Hardie, Twiggy showing good quality from the bench, there is a competition for players and by rights, Doc and Lovering will now need to justify getting a starting place. That can only be good going forward. Next week we have Hamilton. Apart from being good to win a local derby and climbing hopefully into contention at the right end of the table, there is double importance ahead of the following week’s clash with St. Mirren. A huge crowd will be a dream for JB and the rest of the board. With the Saint’s on a good run they’ll bring a big support. We’ll need to be in a position to match them in what will be the game of the day by a mile, but only if we can beat Accies too and let people believe we are for real.