Clyde v Airdrie United

Recap

Graeme Jones’ debut goal was enough to secure a vital win for his new club. Jones, who just met his team mates prior to the match, popped up with a late strike to give Clyde their first win in the league over near neighbours Airdrie United.

The big striker confessed to being nowhere near match sharpness, but after his first match in the white of Clyde, ""Jonah"" could well terrorise opposing defences for the rest of the season once match fitness is attained.

In atrocious conditions, both sides did there best to serve up an entertaining encounter on New Year’s Day and indeed the weather probably helped cause a few errors and missed tackles.

Clyde began in a 3-5-2 formation with Wilson remaining on the subs’ bench. It was the visitors who threatened first but Mensing got in ahead of Coyle as he threatened to pull the trigger. Coyle has been the main man for United in the games between the two sides this season but both he and Gow were tightly marked by the Clyde back three.

Mark Roberts was next to try his luck but his header sailed over the cross bar with Halliwell having his effort well covered.

Three minutes later, Simon Mensing went even closer when his header skimmed the crossbar on its way over. Coyle and Hardie then threatened to give Airdrie United a lead but were out of luck then at the other end, McGeown was called on to make a superb clock to deny Malone the opening goal after his initial blunder.

McGeown then took two attempts again to foil Malone as the midfielder looked to open the scoring. Willie Young then booked Malone and Lovering for a couple of tackles and he left the home fans bemused as he seemed to indicate that Malone’s booking was for persistent fouling despite it being the youngster’s first indiscretion.

As the half drew to a close, Harty was left with only the keeper to beat but he shot straight at the keeper. All through the first half, the striker had linked well with his new strike partner and it looks like Ian will benefit from a fully fit Graeme Jones as he has clearly struggled this season with a different partner every week.

Early in the second half Bryson was taken off and replaced with Gilhaney, clearly showing up the frailties of the squad now that Alex Walker has returned to Ibrox as midfield players appear to be at a premium now at Broadwood.

The second half was all United as they created chance after chance but both Coyle and Gow had clearly forgotten their shooting boots as a combination of poor finishing and last ditch defending kept the score blank. The best chance fell to Coyle but his pile driver from the edge of the box was met by Gary Bollan on the edge of the six yard box with Halliwell floundering.

As the game progressed, it looked like both teams were going to have to settle for a point as Malone again found Mark McGeown equal to his shot. Then up stepped the debutant as he took advantage of a poor clearance to hammer home the winner from fully 25 yards after initial good work by Gilhaney.

Once again Clyde showed that they can very effectively keep it tight and, playing to their strengths, can hit on the break. When you have as good a goalkeeper as Halliwell and a strong defence it is always good business to play to your strengths and Billy Reid has had Clyde doing this all season.