Airdrie fail to grasp nettle as Jags nick the points

Aug 13 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

PLAUDITS and pats on the back for the performance – but Airdrie were left pointless because of the result.

The New Broomfield faithful will be hoping this isn’t a sign of things to come.

For the second successive week, the opposition were full of praise for the Diamonds’ display, acknowledging that they aren’t going to be the First Division’s whipping boys.

But on Saturday night, it was a lot easier for Partick to dish out the compliments as they headed back to the west end of Glasgow three points better off.

Damon Gray’s crisp 74th minute winner was the key difference between the teams. Incredibly, it was a goal that came on the back of an Airdrie corner at the other end of the pitch.

Four Jags swarmed forward as part of a counter-attacking move that Arsenal or Manchester United would have been proud of. Just two home defenders were left manning the barricades.

They didn’t stand a chance as Paul Paton played an angled ball to on-loan Hibs hitman Gray who cut inside Marc Smyth and drilled a low shot into the net past keeper Stephen Robertson at his near post.

“I felt they showed more desire to put the ball in our net than we did trying to keep it out,” was Airdrie boss Kenny Black’s verdict on the Jags’ crucial winning goal.

“Ultimately, we had the chance to score a goal from a corner then 20 seconds later we are picking the ball out of our net.

“I thought we were the better team in the first half but not in the second. I was quite happy with the effort and we played some decent stuff – it can be cruel game.”

Indeed it can, but the season remains in its infancy and just now Black can afford to concentrate on the positives rather than dwell on the negatives.

The workrate was excellent and his team caused the visitors problems. At times, the football was easy on the eye and there were some good individual performances.

However, one aspect of the Diamonds’ play that needs work is the pace of forays forward. On too many occasions the midfield failed to move the ball quickly enough, wanting two and three touches when one would have done.

Kevin McDonald and Stephen McKenna were guilty more than most but wing duo Joe Cardle and Steven McDougall could also have been more effective when they were in possession.

Full-back Matt Hazley knew where the Diamonds’ gameplan had fallen down but is confident the club have enough in the locker to avoid any relegation trouble.

“We needed to score when we were on top,” the Northern Irishman said. “I thought we deserved something from the game but we always felt they would get a chance.

“I am settling into the left-back role at the moment and it is going to take time but we have good players here and we have played well in these opening games.”

The gaffer handed a start to Simon Lynch and he showed how important a figure he could be once he reaches full fitness. The ex-Celtic striker held the ball up well, has a nice touch and a good eye for a pass.

He was at the heart of Airdrie’s best chance in the 11th minute. The 26-year-old laid off Hazley’s high ball forward into the path of Paul Di Giacomo who cracked a low shot off the post.

Lynch then teed up McDougall who blazed over when he should have at least hit the target. The Jags had been restricted to long-range efforts that were easily dealt with by Robertson in the opening 45 minutes.

The Diamonds created another opportunity shortly after the interval. Cardle cut inside and watched as his drive was beaten out by Jonathan Tuffey, Lynch’s headed rebound flew just over the bar.

Black’s troops survived a scare in the 63rd minute when a back-post cross caused chaos with Bobby Donnelly guiding a Gray effort to safety although he appeared to know little about his key intervention.

But the young central defender was one of several Airdrie stars chasing shadows as Ian McCall’s men raced clear in the closing stages to net the goal that sealed the points.

It was a strike that came at such a crucial point in the match – a real heartbreaker for the Diamonds who will feel the old saying of hard work equals reward doesn’t ring true all of the time.

Advertiser man of the match: Simon Lynch. Link-up play and lay-offs for team-mates were impressive. An encouraging display.

Moment of the match: Damon Gray’s 74th minute winner proved decisive.

Airdrie: Robertson, Smyth, Donnelly, Nixon, Hazley, McDougall (Noble 77), McDonald (McLaughlin 79), McKenna, Cardle (Maguire 87), Lynch, Di Giacomo. Subs not used: Smith, Hollis(gk).

Partick: Tuffey, Storey, Robertson, Maxwell, Paton, Rowson, Harkins, Twaddle, Chaplain (McKeown 45), Donnelly (McKinlay 84), Gray. Subs not used: McStay, Kinniburgh, Hinchcliffe(gk).

Referee: Willie Collum.

Attendance: 2165