| Strathclyde Saturday Morning League:Division 1 | |
| 30 September 2006 Barlia Sports Complex |
|
| Windlaw | 3 |
| McCann, Kerr, Neeson | |
| AS Airdrie | 3 |
| Clark, Smith, Pardoe | |
| Team: Lunny, McInally, Kerr, Z.Dougall (Brennan), A.Dougall, McCann, Docherty, Baird, Tiernry (Neeson), McKenna, Carey (Thornton) | |
| Referee: Michael McDermott | |
Injuries and a fairly major team reshuffle ensured Windlaw made a massive 5 changes to the starting line-up from their last outing at Victoria Park two weeks ago. Wullie Wilson was on holiday. Injury to top goalscorer David McGinley and defender Colin Sinclair plus Shug Neeson and Wullie Thornton dropping to the bench meant starting berths for Zanda Dougall and Bruce Tierney in defence and a revamped midfield included the recalled Danny McKenna, Martin Docherty and Allan Dougall.
The changes and the two week lay-off seemed to unsettle a rather lacklustre home side in the first half and AS Airdrie’s two forwards were causing problems at times by getting in behind a rather static Windlaw defence. John Lunny however had nothing but regulation saves to make before Windlaw took the lead in 25 minutes. A free-kick floated in from McInally found makeshift striker Kevin McCann at the edge of the Airdrie box and he controlled the ball well before swivelling and striking a slightly deflected shot into the left hand corner of the Airdrie keeper’s net. The goal was slightly against the run of play and the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser before half-time but to no avail.Windlaw began the second half well and sub Shug Neeson, on for a tiring Bruce Tierney on 50 minutes, almost scored with his first touch as he rose unchallenged from an Allan Dougall corner but headed over the bar. Windlaw were now turning the screw and as they scored against the run of play, so did AS Airdrie on 63 minutes. A fine diagonal ball splitting McInally and Docherty was played towards the corner flag where an Airdrie forward reached it first and slid a fine cross across the Windlaw penalty area where his big team mate bundled past John Lunny despite pressure from Zanda Dougall. From there Airdrie took the ascendancy and it was no surprise when they went infront in 70 minutes. An angled through ball from the Airdrie right back was miscued by last man McInally under pressure and his error saw the Airdrie forward bearing down on goal with only Lunny to beat. He coolly dispatched a neat lob over the big keeper to put his side ahead. On 79 minutes, it appeared the points were wrapped up and on the way home to North Lanarkshire as Airdrie went 3-1 up. A free-kick into the Windlaw box was nodded on to an Airdrie player who was only 5 yards out and in a clear offside position. Despite Windlaw protests he slammed past Lunny from close range to put the visitors apparently out of sight. Despite this, a ragged but determined Windlaw got a lifeline within 90 seconds. A fine Allan Dougall cross deep into the Airdrie box found Chris Kerr who guided a brilliant header high past the Airdrie keeper and into the net. With minutes remaining Airdrie blew two glorious chances to seal the points as Windlaw threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser and their wastefulness proved very costly. A minute from time, a foul on Danny McKenna 20 yards out saw a direct free-kick awarded. With Airdrie complaining and disorganised, Shug Neeson put the ball down, asked the ref if he could take it quickly and Henry-style, fired a shot that the Airdrie keeper couldn’t keep out despite frantic efforts.
Verdict: Where do you start here? Ultimately whether both sides consider this a good result depends on the glass being half-full or half-empty. Airdrie should really have put a depleted, heavy-legged Windlaw side to the sword and they produced an enterprising performance. Good luck to them. Windlaw were simply awful and the players attitudes currently is disgraceful. This result has been in the post for a few weeks now. Too many players are not performing and rather than point fingers elsewhere, close self-examination is the key. Fledgling Manager Benny Carey deserves better from the players and this issue must be addressed very soon. The lack of discipline is not a sign of champions and is more indicative of players frustrated by their own shortcomings. As Windlaw now attempt to bridge the step-up in class to play their Scottish Cup tie against Steadfast next week, this performance raises far more questions than answers.
Website Man Of The Match: Chris Kerr, on a day of very poor performances, his tackling, workrate and superb headed goal ensured he rose just above the home side’s level of mediocrity.
