AIRDRIE UTD

St. Mirren

FIRST HALFAirdrie started in a more reserved fashion, possibly still shell shocked after last week’s second half bombardment, but soon settled down to play their noted passing game. The final ball wasn’t so good this week nor was the support play from the midfield quite as effective. The first real incident saw Airdrie’s game plan wrecked by a shocking tackle by hatchet man Potter. The Andy Millen protégé brought an end to a surging run from midfield by Bryan Prunty by deliberately upending the flying striker. A frustrated Prunty had to go off forcing Airdrie to bring on Stephen MacDougall and putting McPhee up front. Midway through the half McKeown rashly brought down Charlie Adams with a push in the back about 30 yards from goal. The midfielder got up and fired an incredible free kick past Lee Hollis for the lead.

MATCH UP John Sutton may look like his brother but that is entirely the end of any possible comparisons. McKenna, McManus and McGowan were completely untroubled by Sutton Junior and his ‘strike’ partner Mehmet. Surprisingly Stewart Kean, who always seems to score against us, was left cooling his heels on the bench. In midfield, McLaren marked Murray with McKeown picking up Charlie Adam with Barkey anchoring and trying to press up on Millen. The threesome did stick to their jobs though they occasionally got the runaround. Initially McPhee was at right wing and, like Dunn on the left, they had the job of trying to peg back, not that this ultra defensive side need and excuse, St. Mirren’s ‘wing’ back/auxiliary centre backs, Reid and van Zanten. Young MacDougall took a bit of time to settle but made some telling intrusions during the second half. Up front Twiggy was looking very good holding the ball up and linking with others. His fitness seems to be improving and it looks like Airdrie may have unearthed a potential gem. McPhee though had an ineffective and frustrating outing.

SECOND HALFIf the first half was frustrating for us the second was down right infuriating. Airdrie had plenty possession but just couldn’t get the ball in the net. Well at least legally. The visitors seemed to ride their luck and had to rely on the refereeing skills of Andy ‘invisible to officials’ Millen in times of danger. Airdrie did have the ball in the net once but it was disallowed for offside. A late penalty was awarded after a long crossfield ball in behind the St. Mirren defence was won by Dunn, forcing van Zanten to scythe him down. Martin Hardie grabbed the ball but tamely struck the spot kick. Unfortunately usual spot kick man McKeown was already off the pitch. McLaren missed the rebound. In the last couple of minutes David Dunn brought down Simon Lappin near the halfway line as both players raced back upfield with St. Mirren breaking out on the counter attack. I couldn’t see if it was deliberate as it was behind play, but what I did see was Lappin get up and boot Dunn. Lappin was immediately sent off by the referee. He did not see the incident before this, but on the word of his assistant Andy ‘I wanna be a referee’ Millen, he sent Dunn packing. Presumably the ‘incident’ was a clear goalscoring threat and of course, deliberate. Well done Mr. Millen, you ugly, rodent faced, geriatric, twat! Why does this piece of crap get away with this year in, year out?

SUMMARY. Airdrie didn’t play with the conviction that they could win this one. The injury to Prunty certainly lessened our chances of the win. I thought that we just didn’t get men forward enough in support of our front two and with St. Mirren playing so deep it was near impossible to get in behind them, though on occasion we could have done but didn’t get the final ball right. St. Mirren went top of the league and it’s hard to see why. Five at the back and a centre-half protecting them at all costs. It does help that they get away with murder. Three brutal tackles summed up their philosophy on playing football. Gus McPherson will no doubt be praising his troops (ie. Talking himself up) in the media at every opportunity. When all is said an done they looked poor going forward. Sutton and Mehmet were statuesque at best and the supporting midfielders Adam and Murray don’t support. I’d be surprised if they lose a lot of goals this season but scoring them may be more of an issue.

GOING FORWARD This result was disappointing but there’s not a whole lot to get bent out of shape about. With Docherty and Hardie getting back to fitness I can see them starting in central midfield sooner rather than later, with probably McKeown tucked in just behind the strikers. McKeown isn’t as effective out wider. We need to use his skilful passing to unlock defences. It was good to see younger guys like MacDougall and McKenna again look composed against more experienced players.