Stenny (0) v. Airdrie (1) - 27/12/03

AIRDRIE UTD

Where else can this report start out other than our first minute goal? For the second week in a row we got off to a flyer and again it was Paul Ronald who played a major role. Mark Roberts flung over a corner from the left, big Ronaldo outjumped everyone to flick the ball goalward and it looked like Alan Gow's left peg deflected the ball home despite the stadium announcer giving it Stevie McKeown. Credit though must go to big Ronaldo. Airdrie had other half chances in the first half to extend the lead but without really stretching McCulloch, the best chance falling to Coyle but he only managed to hit the side netting.

In fairness though it must be added that our inability to score again was as much down to Stenny's battling qualities as much as our finishing. Their back four have all been around the block a few times, especially central defenders McQuilter and Gaughan, and their tigerish midfield we know all about. Marvyn Wilson was having a bit of a running battle as ever with Jamie McKenzie. Airdrie have looked a different outfit lately. Sandy has had to ditch his preferred formation, 343, due to several circumstances. Injuries to defenders, failure of wingbacks to perform, and and abundance of strikers. He's now adopted a 424 formation with Roberts, Coyle and Gow playing well up the park with McKeown in the hole. Against Stenny though McKeown had to drop into midfield to match up with Stenny's three. Defensively Airdrie looked sound. McManus is now playing out of his skin. After a less than impressive first three months, he's now settled into a commanding attitude ably backed up by his silky smooth gaffer. Docherty and McGowan look more comfortable as orthodox full backs with Docherty the most likely to overlap with McGowan tucking in. As a whole this is keeping the defence tight but allowing either Roberts or Gow to create the width up front rather than the overworked 'wingbacks'. Our main weakness seemed to be in midfield. Marvyn only played the first half but didn't have the game by the scruff. Ronaldo is in there for his presence at set pieces, and he certainly made an impact in both goalmouths. Problem is there's no one in our midfield who can comfortably take the ball and build something. Dunn came on in the second half for Marv and would seem to be the one who could do that, but he didn't really get into the game that well, though he did start pinging a few decent passes about.

Airdrie had a few chances to extend the lead after the break. Sandy Stewart released Roberts with an exquisite pass but Roberts was clawed back with a last gasp tackle. Roberts had another good chance but shot tamely at McCulloch when really he should have buried the chance without thinking. Right at the death Stenny had their best chance when sub Scott Murphy blasted a long range effort that McGeown had to brilliantly palm away.