Airdrie United Football Club
Match Reports

Clyde (1) Vs. Airdrie United (2)
Bells Scottish 1st Division
11th September 2004
Broadwood Stadium

In a windy and blustery day in Cumbernauld, 10 men Airdrie United got our season back on some sort of track, with a good win over league leaders Clyde.

Manager Sandy Stewart switched from playing a 4-4-2 system to what seemed more like a 4-3-3 attacking formation; in fact it looked like a very productive change until Mark Roberts made a stupid error in judgement early in the first half. In our two recent matches against Clyde we have finished our game with 10 men on the park, today was not to be any different. Clyde had been awarded a free kick by referee Callum Murray, Mark Robert while attempting to move the ball back to the position the referee had indicated was pushed off the ball by Eddie Malone of Clyde, instead of leaving it to the referee Mark decided to lash out with his foot. The referee had no choice but to give a straight red card and send Roberts for an early bath.

It took only 4 minutes for Clyde through Aron Wilford to take the lead and it looked like Sandy Stewarts tactics would all be for nothing. As the Airdrie supports began to think the inevitable was just around the corner some good passing play just outside the Clyde box left Airdrie United youngster Kevin Barkey free on the far post, calmly for a relatively young player he slotted the ball home for his first goal in an Airdrie United shirt on the 39th minute. Airdrie United finished the first half comfortably on top.

The second half was a revelation, either Clyde felt like doing us a favour or a new resolve has taken hold in the Airdrie United team, but we came out fighting for every ball and pressuring Clyde at every opportunity. It was from a corner that the ever present Owen Coyle was to score his forth goal of the season.
Kevin Barkey was told to take the corner by David Dunn, a great decision, Kevin swung the ball in and after a poor attempt at a clearance and with the ball bouncing inside the box Owen Coyle managed to get a foot on the ball and slid it home for our second of the game.

With 20 minutes to go and Airdrie united still in control it began to look like we would be able to hold on to the lead. Sandy took the chance to freshen up the front line and Jerome came on to replace Owen Coyle. Still Airdrie were holding on with some fine break up play from Marvyn Wilson and a defensive display to be proud of from the resolute Willie Wilson we were well in the game and only on a few occasions did it look like Clyde would break us down. On the 80th minute Stephen McKeown was replaced by Martin Hardie for his debut in a Diamond shirt.

The game finished Clyde (1) Vs. Airdrie United (2)
Attendance: - 1367
Match pictures supplied by: - Robert Dalzell
Next Game: - Home to Ross County Sat 18th September at 3:00p.m.