Bell's League Division 1
Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, 2 October 2004
Airdrie United 0
Hamilton Accies 2
McLaughlin 70
Tunbridge 90
Report by Gilbert Mowat
I'm not sure exactly how many times Accies have played at Airdrie United's fine stadium - but on their seven or eight visits there the story has mostly been one of hard luck or domination by the home side. On Saturday they recorded their first ever victory at the ground to leapfrog their hosts into 8th position in the table. However, although the result was very sweet for the Accies management, players and fans, it masks the truth of the game - that the better side lost. With Accies having suffered defeat under similar circumstances a few times already this season, there will be no sympathies for the home team and Accies go into the two week break with a major boost to their confidence.
As I went into the ground at quarter to three it was very interesting to see Accies manager Allan Maitland over at the touchline telling the travelling fans about his lineup and tactics for the game - not something you see very often. The teamsheet revealed a debut for young winger Robert Halliday and the very welcome return of Mark McLaughlin in the heart of the defence. That meant that Pat Keogh was in midfield beside Aussie Iain Fyfe. Stevie Convery, Ryan Blackadder, Robert Walker and Chris Aitken were on the bench.
Wearing their luminous yellow kit on a drab day, Accies had the best of the opening 15 minutes and were really getting stuck in. However, the home team took control of matters after that spell and the Accies midfield really struggled. We did have a couple of chances, the best of them coming to Mark Corcoran, who sprinted down the left wing before firing in a shot that Mark McGeown did well to hold. However, the plain truth is that Airdrie had enough chances to kill Accies off in the first half but were denied by a great display by Dave McEwan in goal. A few minutes before half time, he produced a terrific save to tip a netbound Martin Hardie shot over the bar and then produced an even better save minutes later from young Willie McLaren. The wee guy had got free from Ricky Waddell for once and thumped in a blistering drive that Dave managed to deflect over the top. McEwan also had to rush out to save at McLaren's feet and was pretty courageous. Accies were probably quite happy to be level at half time.
Airdrie picked up where they left off after the break with Owen Coyle missing a sitter in front of goal from a pass by Stephen Docherty. Shortly afterwards the Accies defence were caught napping when they stood and watched an Airdrie player throw the ball to Coyle in an unmarked position. He could only tamely lob the ball over the bar - that must have been the sign that it wasn't (for once) going to be a good day for Coyle against Accies.
Accies had a great chance to open the scoring and it ended in frustration for Pat Keogh once again. The big guy arrived with a reputation for being great in the air and he won't get many better chances than the one he got midway through the second half. Ricky Waddell provided a superb cross to Pat, who was completely unmarked only about 10 yards out. Sadly his header went well over the bar with McGeown a very relieved goalkeeper.
At this stage, Allan Maitland made his first change replacing Robert Halliday with Stevie Convery. Halliday hadn't been able to contribute very much. But at least he got his debut out of the way and will have benefited from the experience. It was great to see Stevie back in action and he should be an important player for Accies this season.
Just when it seemed that it was going to be yet another frustrating Saturday, Accies opened the scoring through the very impressive Mark McLaughlin. Mark challenged for a Mark Corcoran corner from the left and the ball broke kindly to him 15 yards out and he lashed it past McGeown. CELEBRATION TIME! We didn't really deserve to be ahead but who cares? This was at Airdrie!
The goal gave the Accies players a real lift and even though they had already been giving their all, they seemed to increase their efforts even more. The Airdrie attacks became more frantic but the Accies defence coped very well. Mark Roberts came on for Owen Coyle and Jerome Vareille replaced McKeown. Dave McEwan was still the busier goalie although he was mostly fielding crosses rather than making saves. I think we all knew it was going to be our day when he stretched out a leg to save a close range effort by Kevin Barkey.
It seemed almost inevitable that Accies would get another and they did just that with almost the last kick of the ball. Stevie Convery made a useful run down the right wing and looked up to see Scott Tunbridge was with him on the left side of the area. He fired over a great cross, which Scott controlled before thumping it into the net for 2-0. Fantastic stuff and the cheers of the travelling fans were almost drowned out by the clatter of seats as the Airdrie fans made a mass exodus.
At full time, there were lengthy cheers and applause from the Accies fans and it was great to see that the players appreciated it. They worked very hard and deserved their slice of good fortune. It was about time we did it to someone else!
So if it wasn't the best Accies performance ever it was one that will be remembered with great affection for a long time to come. Best in the yellow were Dave McEwan, who was outstanding, plus the central defensive pairing of Steven Thomson and Mark McLaughlin. These three were all superb. I was a wee bit disappointed with some performances, but it was a fine team effort at a very dangerous ground.
Accies now get a fortnight off before the visit of all conquering Falkirk. Let's hope that this victory was the start of a run of decent form at last.
Airdrie Utd: McGeown, Docherty, McGowan, McManus, Christie, Hardie (Dunn 87), Barkey, Marvyn Wilson, Coyle (Roberts 76), McKeown (Vareille 83), McLaren. Subs Not Used: Lovering, Hollis.
Hamilton: McEwan, Tunbridge, Hodge, Thomson, McLaughlin, Fyfe (Blackadder 87), Halliday (Convery 58), Waddell, Keogh, McPhee, Corcoran. Subs Not Used: Walker, Aitken, Jellema.
Goals: McLaughlin 70, Tunbridge 90.
Att: 1,900
Ref: D McDonald
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