Clyde v Airdrie United

Recap

Clyde earned their third victory this season over Airdrie United in a hard fought match that was certainly influenced by Ref Kenny Clark’s decision to send off Kevin Barkey for a professional foul on Eddie Malone in the 28th minute.

The match started evenly with play switching from end to end in an entertaining fashion however Airdrie were up against it after 28 minutes, when Kevin Barkey was sent off for bundling down Eddie Malone in the penalty box.

The incident happened after a lung bursting run by Malone, which brought Clyde fans from the 90s remembering Davy Thompson. (For the uninitiated Thompson was a winger whose trademark mazy runs from the halfway line created many a goal in Clyde’s time at Douglas Park.)

Malone deserves credit though for his transformation this season. Malone was always a committed member of the team but now he has added guile to his tenacity creating goals instead of just stopping them.

Paul McHale scored from the resulting penalty and Clyde took the ascendancy as Airdrie regrouped. Crucially the home side gained a vital second goal prior to the interval Stevie Masterton whipped in a corner and Romauld Bouadji added the second when he glanced a header into the net past keeper Lee Hollis.

Its been claimed that this is the 18th goal from a set piece this season and as newly installed SPL Champions Celtic have previously found if the delivery is right then Clyde’s corner kick routines are impossible to stop.

Sadly the second half was a disappointing spectacle though praise should be given to Airdrie United who pressed Clyde hard and created several chances but again carelessness in defence cost the Diamonds dearly. Kevin MacDonald was the provider this time and his corner kick was cleverly headed by Alex Williams, the ball was parried on the line but Tom Brighton stabbed the third home after 79 minutes.

Airdrie’s hard work was finally rewarded when Bryan Prunty ran on to a loose ball and fired a late consolation goal into the net. It was the goal of the day but all to no avail.

All in all this match was no classic but an important three points nonetheless as Clyde chase 4th spot and try to end the season positively.