Clyde v Airdrie United

Recap

With Malone suspended, and Craig Bryson not available, Andy Dick made a rare start in midfield for the visit of Airdrie United. The game was largely uneventful. For some reason, the fluid passing game that has entertained the Clyde fans the season was not on show, and the team looked over anxious and unusually uneasy. However the visiting team, for all their endeavour were not posing any problems, and Clyde were looking infinitely more dangerous when going forward.

On 20 minutes, Clyde and in particular Alex Williams should have capitalised on a poor back pass, and with Brighton taking up a promising position, the crucial pass didn’t materialise and the opportunity was lost.

Three minutes later, Clyde took the lead, a long free kick was played forward by Higgins, and the ball found its way through to Mikey McGowan, who showed terrific composure in taking a couple of touches away from blocking defenders to slot the ball home for his second goal of the season.

Sadly the goal did not act as any sort of catalyst for either of the teams, as Airdrie only managed a couple of weak shots at goal, and Clyde only threatened once with a magnificent curling effort from O’Donnell 2 minutes before the break.

A half time rollicking would not have been out of place for a Clyde team lacking composure and really having an off day, yet still in the lead. Unfortunately it was Airdrie who responded positively to the break by bringing on another attacker in Willie McLaren for McDougall. They were immediately in the ascendancy and threatened the goal straight away.

On 50 minutes, Airdrie should have equalised when a sustained period of pressure saw the ball land kindly to Stephen Docherty 6 yards out, but he somehow screwed his shot wide when it looked much easier to score. 5 minutes later the same player hit the post after a misunderstanding between Cherrie and his defenders. Sensing that the team needed a shake-up Graham Roberts brought young Bradley on for the ineffectual Andy Dick. The youngster looked bright and lively, but could do nothing a couple of minutes later, when a long high cross saw Cherrie rooted to his goaline, and forced him in to making a reflex save from Lovering’s 6 yard header.

Roberts then introduced Arbuckle for the tiring Williams. Clyde enjoyed some possession at the right end of the park, and a dangerous inswinging cross was just too strong for Tom Brighton at the back post who did well to meet the header, but couldn’t direct it goalwards. To their credit Airdrie responded well to Clyde’s missed chance and were desperately unlucky not to equalise when the influential Docherty saw a cracking 20-yard volley came off the underside of the bar and bounce out, with Cherrie rooted to the spot.

Clyde’s passing was still erratic at best, constantly handing cheap possession to Airdrie who were looking to get the ball forward as quickly as possible but gradually following the introduction of Joe Miller Clyde started to at least look a little more solid.

Airdrie missed one more opportunity when a melee in the box resulted in a well positioned Robert Harris clearing off the line with seconds to go.

The full time whistle was met with delight at achieving another three points and undoubtedly with relief as coming away with nothing from this game would not have been harsh.

This was perhaps the luck that deserted us against St Mirren, but a reaction is definitely needed against Hamilton next week and we will have to do it without Neil McGregor who starts his suspension.

Cherrie *** Didn’t have much to do in 1st half, but looked shaky and nervous and wasn’t communicating well with his defenders.
McGregor *** Excelled in defence but was unusually careless with his distribution.
Dick ** Needs to do much much more if he wants to be considered for a regular berth.
Higgins **** Solid and reliable. Broke forward a couple of times and looked assured.
McKeown *** Like Higgins was excellent in defence, but like McGregor was wasteful in possession.
Masterton *** Retains possession well, and works hard but lacks a killer pass at the moment.
Harris *** Priceless goal line clearance and can be fairly happy with his efforts.
O’Donnell *** Unusually wasteful in possession, is the armband a burden?
Williams ** Not a sniff at a chance, hesitant with one opportunity but received next to no decent service
Brighton *** Seems to do his best work away from goal, but needs to be found more when he does take up good positions
McGowan ***** MOM by a country mile today, skilful, solid defensively and got the all important goal.

Bradley *** Energetic and skilful display. Some more 1st team action could benefit both himself and team.
Arbuckle ** Had 30 minutes to shine, and apart from one skilful run, didn’t take the chance.
Miller ** 15 minutes, where he retained possession well and even managed to beat himself once, managed to take sting out of the game in parts.