Airdrie United v Clyde

Recap

Clyde lined up minus the injured Masterton, but with skipper O’Donnell and Chris Higgins returning from suspension, Harris started at left back and Malone replaced Hunter in midfield.

The game was pretty uneventful to start off with, with Clyde looking to take the game to Airdrie but passes often went astray.

Following a Clyde move that had broken down due to a misunderstanding between Brighton and Malone, the ball was chipped forward to Airdrie striker Bryan Prunty. The former Caley Thistle man had a lot to do still, but cut inside and drilled an unstoppable drive past Cherrie to put the home side again.

Eddie Malone was unusually uncomfortable in central midfield and was almost punished when Airdrie’s McLaren robbed him off the ball, advanced and attempted an audacious chip from 25 yards. Fortunately for Clyde and Malone, the ball was wide of the target.

Clyde started to get their foot on the ball more, with Bryson again a major influence.

On 21 minutes, Clyde had their first real attempt at goal. Brighton, who had been very quiet up until that point, produced a superb back hell to set Williams away, but rather than drive the ball at goal, Williams elected to try a lob that fell meekly into the Airdrie keepers hands.

A minute later, Clyde were level, and you will struggle to see a finer individual goal all season. Tom Brighton collected the ball into feet, just inside his half, feinted to back heel the ball, leaving his marker totally bemused, and in Brighton’s wake. The on form striker then raced on, totally skinning two more defenders, then rounding the keeper before blasting the ball into the net. Even some home fans were clapping how good the goal was.

Eddie Malone deservedly found himself in the referee’s notebook after 24 minutes when he cynically hauled down Lovering, although Malone himself had been on the end of some pretty hefty fouls. The referee was to be busy this afternoon and predictably evened the count 5 minutes later when he booked Airdrie’s McPhee for persistent fouling.

Clyde were pushing forward more, and Malone saw a shot from the edge of the are go just wide, and Clyde had a reasonable shout for a penalty when Brighton managed to control a pass that was behind him, only to appear to be held back by Martin Hardie.

Airdrie then made a rare trip to the Clyde half, and McKeown unleashed a superb twenty-yard shot, that looked every inch a goal, until Cherrie produced a magnificent save to touch the ball over.

On 43 minutes Airdrie’s McKeown was shown a yellow for persistent fouling.
Just on the stroke of half time, Clyde should have increased their lead, when the hard working Williams robbed Hardie and squared the ball to the unmarked O’Donnell, however the midfielder appeared to fluff his shot and it went straight to the keeper.

The second half started the way it had ended with Clyde unlucky on this occasion not to take the lead. Eddie Malone burst superbly through midfield, played an intelligent 1-2 with Williams, only to see his shot superbly blocked by the Airdrie keeper.

Unfortunately, this was to be Clyde’s last meaningful attack at goal, as Airdrie pushed forward, and play was repeatedly stopped by the referee who managed 6 more bookings in the second half, amazingly three in three minutes for Airdrie players, who appeared intent on stopping Clyde get anywhere near their goal.

Airdrie were pushing forward with more purpose than Clyde, and produced three superb stops from Cherrie, with shots coming from McLaren and a header from Lovering. On 62 minutes, Clyde’s McKeown was harshly booked for a tackle when it appeared he clearly won the ball.

Both teams sent on all three subs, with designs on winning the game. Miller, Arbuckle and Hunter came on for McGowan, who appeared injured, Williams and Harris.

With all the bookings and substitutes, the play was broken and fragmented until the 84th minute when Clyde’s McKeown was shown a second yellow for another fairly innocuous challenge.

Clyde could have broken free a couple of times, but the chances fell to Arbuckle who could not capitalise at all on the opportunities.

The referee evened up the player count just before the final whistle as he sent off Airdrie’s McKeown for failure to retreat at a Clyde free kick.

Difficult to properly assess our performance today but one win in 5 league games is worrying, but there’s no better place to start winning than at Broadwood next week.

Cherrie ***** Produced 4 or 5 outstanding saves. Best Clyde game so far.
McGregor *** Relatively comfortable at the back, but occasional careless passing.
Malone *** Played in unfamiliar role, and looked slightly panicked with it. Silly booking.
Higgins **** Welcome return from suspension, and was solid and useful in possession.
McKeown *** Struggled slightly and lost more in the air than usual. Very harshly red carded.
Harris *** Reads the game particularly well, but needs more composure on the ball. Experience should provide that.
Bryson *** Energetic as ever and drove forward whenever he could, not everything came off for Craig today, but 10 out of 10 for effort.
O’Donnell *** Strangely quiet, and missed glorious chance to go in front.
Williams *** Worked like an absolute Trojan, but received some hefty treatment.
Brighton ***** Non existent until he set up Williams, then scored a wonder goal. 5 stars for goal alone.
McGowan *** Not as effective in a stop start game, and rarely had the chance to go forward.

Miller *** Game wasn’t played enough in his area, but never wasted possession when he got it.
Arbuckle * Had 15 minutes to impress, had chances, but didn’t take them.
Hunter * Possibly only touched the ball three times.