AIRDRIE UTD

Brechin

FIRST HALFDespite the eventual score-line, Airdrie didn’t exactly blow away a determined Brechin side who fought valiantly for the first 25 minutes to ensure that their winless start to the season ends soon. Stephen Robertson had to be on his toes as Britton and Ritchie used their experience to fashion some dangerous openings. Some overzealous flag waving frustrated the fans and players alike early on as did some uncomfortable forward play from Hardie as he came to terms with a striker’s role. However the match was to turn in an instance of brilliance from Brian Prunty. Prunty took a ball that was worked in from the right flank from MacDougall and with his back to goal near the edge of the penalty area. Prunty managed to turn himself a full 180 to chip the ball over Nelly to give the Glenmavis native no chance. David Dunn had a speculative long range effort near half time that would have brought the house down as he cut in from the right but the long range shot was just a few inches over.

MATCH UP Airdrie opted to revert to the 442 formation and how it worked. MacDougall was designated to get as many crosses in from the right and he had a hand in most of the goals. The young winger’s ability to dribble at, and by, defenders is breathtakingly spectacular. The Airdrieonians in the stand can’t wait to see him start his next game. Stephen McKeown was out and out anchor man in midfield with Willie McLaren a surprise choice to partner him in the boiler room. I think the idea was that Dunn would defend the left wing position but had a freedom to get on the ball to make the play.

SECOND HALFMacDouall cut in from the right and forced corner off Nelson just minutes after the break. From the corner Prunty lashed home from near the back post to make it two nil. That goal killed the game stone dead and the spirit just disappeared from Brechin. Martin Hardie got goal number 3 as a Nelson save broke off the big makeshift striker and bobbled into his goal. Hardie then got no. 4 in spectacular fashion from the game’s best move. Sub Holmes, just on for Dunn, won the ball in midfield, drove forward, played a wall pass off McLaren then squared for Hardie to turn the ball home. McLaren then got in on the scoring from a Prunty cross to the back post, then McLaren turned provider by hitting one in off Hardie minutes from the end of a really enjoyable game.

GOING FORWARD What can you say? There were some good points to take from this game despite the fact that we were playing a very fragile side. Dunn’s display on the left of midfield, although not brilliant in itself, helped bring a greater element of passing that is sometimes lacking from us. MacDougall on the right flank continues to fill all us fans with more joy than Santa Claus used to on Christmas morning. I can’t wait till Sandy sees fit to take the reins off this kid and just let him go week in, week out. Prunty again provided a goal of the month contender for the first goal and he’s slowly getting into the goalscoring groove that I knew he’d find. Next year he will fill the void left by Owen Coyle if he hasn’t already started to do so. Whatever the personnel the good thing is that we played attacking football and got the ball into the danger zone for the strikers to work with. Get them that service more often. Update on the Stats Incredible feature from last week, Airdrie are now on course to outscore last season’s side too – Stats Incredible!!