Subs:
-
12) Twigg(74)
13) Marshall(77)
14) Coyle
15) Dunn
(80)
15) Marshall
16) Robertson
|
Bookings:
- McDougal, McPhee |
|
In
a game that a lot of fans thought could either end in success
or utter failure Sandy Stewart and Airdrie United picked today
to shine and bring a smile to the Airdrie United Support.
Some hairy moments on the left hand side during the first half
were the only complaints but other than that for the first time
this season the youngsters in the Diamond shirt were about to
sparkle.
The game started in a familiar style, Airdrie United passing the
ball around but unable to put the St Johnstone defence under much
pressure. Both teams looked comfortable battling away in mid-field
but neither could find the killing touch, until 25 minutes in
to the first half St Johnstone new signing Jason Scotland fired
home from out side the penalty box. One of those goals, that when
you hit the ball you know exactly where it's going. Lee Hollis
had no chance although he did make a brave attempt at saving the
shot. The first reaction is "oh no here we go again".
Twenty three minutes gone and it looked like Airdrie would crumble.
But today was to be the day of the new signings. Brian McPhee
led the line as we charged in to the St Johnstone penalty box,
as Brian took a last touch of the ball St Johnstone keeper Paston
came sliding in. Although he did hit the ball with his hands his
studs were also showing and referee Allan had no choice but to
award Airdrie United a penalty. |
Stephen
McKeown takes the penalty.
Prunty celebrates his first goal
Twigg
gets his first goal.
|
Last
week Brian McPhee stepped up to take the penalty this week service
resumed as Stephen McKeown returned to his duties as the Airdrie
United penalty taker and once again burst the back of the net
to give us an equalising goal. Two minutes since St Johnstone
scored and we were back on an equal footing.
Airdrie United were in control once again, heading towards half
time and probably the highlight of the half was when Brian Prunty
hit a sweet twenty five yard shot that rattled of the St Johnstone
cross bar. Beating the 6ft 5 inch New Zealand goal keeper would
have been amazing and Prunty almost did it.
Stephen McDougal was booked late in the first half for what
referee Crawford Allan considered a dive in the St Johnstone
penalty box.
Airdrie United finished the first half on top and looking like
they could score again, which in it's self was a massive step
forward from what has been served up in the first few games
of the season.
|
| The
second half was fantastic, we put St Johnstone under pressure
at every opportunity, Willie McLaren's pace on the left and Stephen
McDougal's skill on the right hand side caused St Johnstone problems.
Stephen McKeown led the mid-field battling chasing passing finding
players with every single pass. In defence we held Jason Scotland
out side the penalty box and that killed St Johnstone attacks.
Sixteen minutes in to the first half and Willie McLaren had another
corner to take, his cross found Alan McManus who knocked the ball
down to Brian Prunty, St Johnstone Keeper Paston, chose to go
to Brian's right fortunately for us Brian spun left and slammed
the ball in to the St Johnstone net. For the first time in season
2005-2006 Airdrie United were in the lead. A lead that would soon
be extended!
Stephen Docherty chose this moment to charge at the St Johnstone
defence picking up the ball well outside the St Johnstone penalty
box it was like the charge of the light brigade, he went by one
St Johnstone defender then another and another until it looked
like he had ran out of space. He then cleverly stopped the ball
just in play as Brian Prunty who had kept up with the attack fired
the ball in to the St Johnstone penalty area, Gary Twigg, who
had replaced Brian McPhee, was on hand to header the ball in to
the back of the net and take a very comfortable 3-1 lead.
It wasn't even a case of us holding on until the end, we kept
on pushing forward, eventually Campbell of St Johnstone was sent
of for his second book able offence and then the only piece of
bad news from the game. Willie McLaren went down holding his calf
after an innocuous tackle. He was eventually stretcher of and
we await word on his injury.
The game eventually ran out of time and Airdrie United left the
park 3-1 winners.
|
Referee:
-
C Allan |
| The
game ended Airdrie United 3 V 1 St Johnstone |
Photographs
Supplied by Robert
Dalzell |
The Airdrie
United Man of the Match was: - Stephen McKeown |
Sponsors
Man of the Match: - |
Attendance:
- 1522 |
| Tonight
50/50 number was: - 32811 Winner won £147 and was
claimed by Arthur Main |
