Queens Park 3 Vs. 2 Airdrie
By Stomp Admin
August 5 2012
Last weekend brought enjoyment as we beat Hamilton in the Ramsdens Cup; however I still saw problems with the display and as we whimpered out of the Scottish Communities Cup those problems were even more evident.Airdrie lost 3-2 in extra time against Queen Park at Firhill and all credit to them they were stronger, faster, passed the ball better and were all in all a wanted it more!
There is a simple rule in football “if you have the ball the opposition can’t score” well once again that was to come and haunt us on Saturday, there were glimpses that we could actually pass a ball but they were few and far between. The first half was pretty even, both teams had half chances Paul Di-Giacomo coming closest for the Diamonds and from Queens Park first corner James Brough sent a bullet header just over the cross bar. Maybe that was the warning…..!
After the restart it looked as though all would end well, Airdrie went in to the lead after Willing McLaren sent a ball from the right hand side to the far post, Nathan Blockey took a gamble and headed in to the back of the net.
Queens got back in to the game on the hour mark, a corner wasn’t dealt with and the scramble fell to Brough who hit home to level the score.
Alan Cook on his debut gave Airdrie the lead once again, John Boyle laid off a return pass to the Cook after the youngster dribbled by a few Queens Players. He slotted home to make it 2-1.
Airdrie could have and should have finished the game, Boyle and Donnelly both had chances but poor decision making let Queens Park back in to the match.
Whether it the pessimist in Airdrie fans but most of us saw Queen Park’s equaliser coming, again from a corner the ball wasn’t cleared from outside the penalty box Lawrence Shankland volley home to take the game in to extra time.
In extra time Airdrie ran out of ideas, players looked tired and it didn’t take long for Queens to take the lead, Brough got the double when once again the ball wasn’t cleared from a corner.
There were a couple of half chances for both teams towards the end of the game, but it was over the minutes Queens Park got their second goal.
It’s Horrible watching a 3rd division team hold on to the ball better than yours.
It’s Horrible to watch a 3rd division team look stronger and fitter than yours.
It’s Horrible watching as your team lose three goals from corners.
It’s Horrible watching our team run out of ideas as the 3rd division team grow stronger in extra time and our team wilts in the sun.
It’s Horrible watching your teams manager slump in to the dugout after our team loses the lead for the 2nd time.
Prediction League
For prediction league purposes the match ended 2-2. The top four of those challenging for Cammy MacDonald’s top looks like this.
Prediction League Standings 05 Aug 2012 | ||||||||||
Pos | User Name | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | |
2 | Bulldog Eleven | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 | |
3 | diamond01 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 | |
6 | AGD | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 | |
7 | Airdrie On Tour 2012 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 1 | |
On to the first league game of the season and our first home game Airdrie Vs. Dumbarton.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:08:05:14:21:18 by Chris Mac.
Arthur - looked good for most of the game, but reluctant to come for cross balls. The reason for this became evident when he dropped the ball for Queen's 3rd goal. (He also fumbled a cross earlier in the game but got away with it.)
Hart - looked fairly solid & composed on the ball, but offers little going forward.
Warren - the next Wullie Wilson? That may be a tad harsh, but he looks a bit limited.
MacDonald - decent game, but when he went up front for the second half of ET, he looked like a defender trying to play as a striker ... and that's exactly what it was. Not his fault.
Lilley - reasonable, but badly caught in possession at one point, which almost led to a goal.
Lynch - charged around a lot, getting increasingly frustrated with the way things were going, but didn't contribute enough himself.
Blockley - arguably our Man of the Match, despite some poor passes. Good run & finish for his goal. And some vital clearances. Puts in a power of work.
McLaren - struggled to make an impression in a 1st half starved of the ball, but showed his class in the 2nd. Great cross for Blockley's goal & other crosses that the strikers should have finished. Guilty of missing a great chance.
Griffin - looks a bit lightweight, but played well enough. If he can also play left back, I'd rather have him there than Warren.
Boyle - a lot of effort, but had a bit of a nightmare for a forward. Should have had a hat-trick, but didn't even manage one. His over hit passes to others was also woeful. If he continues playing like that, he can go back to the Juniors.
DiGiacomo - creative & linked well with McLaren, but needs more support. Struggled to make much of the aimless high balls played in his general direction.
Cook - looked good. Took his goal well & went on some dangerous runs, a bit like MacDougall. Our only chance at creating something in ET. I'd start with him on the left wing in the next game, with Griffin at left back.
Donnelly - linked well with Cook for the 2nd goal, but not much else apart from a shot near the end of ET. However he should have started the game in Boyle's place - I think he would have finished one of his chances. He needs creative players around him.
Gilchrist - brought on to waste time, but it backfired on Jimmy Boyle as Queens equalised & we had to suffer him for the whole of ET. No offence to the youngster, but he has a lot to learn. Looked out of his depth.
That's it for the players - a mixed bag, but ultimately not good enough to beat a 3rd division team. I really think Jimmy Boyle must shoulder a lot of the blame for this defeat. Cook for Griffin wasn't a bad sub, but Donnelly for DiGiacomo? How John Boyle stayed on the park, I've no idea. And Gilchrist for McLaren - atrocious decision. Lets take our 2 most creative players off (DiGiacomo & McLaren) when the game's not won. I know he'd probably argue that those 2 players were tiring, but who is he bringing on? Donnelly, fair enough, but Gilchrist?! Why are we loaning out players like Lamie, Keast & Morton (none of them all that great, I know), if it means all we have left in reserve are inexperienced youngsters? People may not like Keast, but he's preferable to Gilchrist & he's the only experienced right-sided winger we have left!
The team's crying out for a tall striker to take some of the attention away from Donnelly & DiGiacomo & we really need someone creative in midfield, now Stevenson & Owens have left. I know Owens under performed last season, but honestly I'd have him back in a heartbeat just to give us someone who can pass the ball in the middle of the park.
Not at the game, so maybe unfair of me to comment further, but I hope we are in better shape come Saturday! <>
Quote:MaxSpender
Boyle - a lot of effort, but had a bit of a nightmare for a forward. Should have had a hat-trick, but didn't even manage one. His over hit passes to others was also woeful. If he continues playing like that, he can go back to the Juniors.
Donnelly - linked well with Cook for the 2nd goal, but not much else apart from a shot near the end of ET. However he should have started the game in Boyle's place - I think he would have finished one of his chances. He needs creative players around him.
Having watched the highlights on Diamonds TV, I'll admit I made a mistake thinking it was Donnelly who set up Cook's goal. It was John Boyle & I may have been a bit hard on him, but he should still have scored.