Airdrie 2 V 3 Ross County

By Chris Mac
February 19 2006

Some games you go in to with hopes, for today's match against Ross County I hope we were not in for a thrashing by one of the form teams in the League. In the last six away games Ross County have only lost one game.

Bells First Division
Match report for Saturday, 18th February 2006

Airdrie

V

Ross County

Sandy Stewart

2 v 3

Last Result
2 - 2
0 - 1

Gardner Spiers

The opening line for Airdrie was going to be a bit of a mystery, Paul Lovering was almost ruled out on Friday night as he had been suffering from a virus and there was no news on Neil McGowan after the never re-appeared for the second half against Dundee on Tuesdays night. So it was a surprise to see Lovering listed on the bench, Fraser Coyle replacing him and Neil McGowan sitting in his usual position in the centre of defence.

Airdrie began the game quickly and with in minutes forced Ross County's Garden to make a save from point blank range. Ross County would open the scoring first as they broke up field.  A cross ball caught Frazer Coyle wrong footed and as he tried to head the ball back to Robertson he was bundled of the ball. Higgins squared the ball to Winters and the score  line was 0 -1 Ross County with only four minutes on the clock.

Would this turn in to the rout every one expected?

Stephen McDougall looked like he had other ideas when he turned County's Zadi inside out, as he ran in to the box he struck a sweet shot that left Garden standing. Unfortunately his shot rattled the cross bar. For long periods of this game Airdrie were in control of this match and on thirty three minutes we got our reward as Brian McPhee rose above the crowd and headed home.

Ross County were not finished there however and just before the end of the half Sean Higgins made it  1- 2. Cowie drove a wicked pass from the half way line into the path of the onrushing McKinlay on the right wing, once again Frazer Coyle had the chance to clear but totally fluffed the chance. McKinlay picked out Higgins as he ran in to the box and scored easily.

Coyle never re-appeared for the second half and Paul Lovering replaced him.

Again Airdrie pressurised Ross County and came close to scoring. But it would be Ross County who with only their third shot on goal would extend the lead. Once again McKinley found Cowie this time in the box, his initial header dropped back to his feet and he slotted home from eight yards out.

Brian Prunty would score our second and the final goal, Brian McPhee received a short corner and lobbed the ball in to the Box, Prunty was on hand to header the ball in to the back of the net. We pushed on after that and held County back but we could not find the opening needed to hold on to a point.

Match Preview by Chris Mac

Referee: ALAN FREELAND

Airdrie  Line Up

Robertson
Docherty, McKenna, McGowan, Coyle
McDougall,  McKeown, Holmes, McLaren
 McPhee. Prunty,


 Ross County Line up

Garden,
MacDonald, , Lauchlan, Webb, Djebl Zadi
McCulloch, Winters, Higgins, Rankin
Cowie, McKinlay


Games: 14 Yellow Cards: 47 Red Cards: 2

Ref Review Alan Freeland

This Season Games: 20 Yellow Cards: 70 Red Cards: 2
Last Season Games: 36 Yellow Cards: 105 Red Cards: 9

Not a bad game from Freeland but the home fans will of course question the two decisions that saw Brian Prunty taken down in the Penalty box.

8/10

 

Man of the Match

Robertson Only really had a chance at Ross County's second goal.
McKenna Solid as a central defender but lacked invention when asked to go forward
McGowan Again seems to be back to some of his best didn't put a foot wrong.
Docherty Just seems to be lacking in communication and a difference in style and play when compared to the regulars in the squad.
Coyle Two mistakes cost us two goals/
Holmes Really beginning to like the combination of Holmes and McKeown if we can keep them together and Holmes gains a little strength I would be very happy.
McKeown Once again a man of the match display for me.
McLaren Needs to concentrate, some very good play was wasted by some thoughtless crossing and poor passing. Just repeating from last week.
McDougall Not as invisible in this game as he was against Dundee if he had scored in the first half it could have been a different result.
Prunty Worked his socks of again just no luck in front of goal for Brian or Airdrie in general
McPhee What can you say he's up he's down fights for everything and gives you 100% every game
Lovering for Coyle 45 mins If he was fit I'm sure he would have started didn't put a foot wrong when he came on.
Twigg for McPhee 67 mins Was unlucky to be pulled up for a hand ball that came of his shoulder that could have been a decent chance.
Barkey for McDougal 90 mins No chance to get involved

 


Prediction

With our defensive problems I'm not very sure about this one,  and think for the first time in a long time I will have to predict an Airdrie loss, damn that hurts. 1 - 2 Ross County

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