Bell's League Division 1

Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie,

18th March 2006

Report by Gilbert Mowat

The final Lanarkshire derby of the season was a real let-down in terms of excitement. There was an air of depression amongst the Accies fans and the players of both sides did little to lift the air of gloom in the stadium. Manager Billy Reid had made a few changes to the side that had lost out to Dundee in the Cup, with David Elebert replacing the injured John Robertson, Marvyn Wilson coming in for James McArthur and Paddy Keogh replacing Scott Tunbridge.

The first half was poor stuff, although Accies did create a couple of half chances. Shooting opportunities were few and far between, with Pat keogh skying one over the top from the edge of the area and Brown Ferguson having an effort blocked by Paul Lovering. The closest Accies came was when a corner kick was diverted towards his own goal by Alan McManus only for Kevin Barkey to clear from his own line. Airdrie United found it very hard to penetrate the Accies defence and didn't force any saves out of Dave McEwan in the Accies goal. Alex Neil was yellow carded for dissent, moments after Mark McLaughlin had been warned by the referee for a similar offence. He later tripped an Airdrie man just outside the area and but the referee kept his red card in his pocket.

The second half could only be an improvement on things and the home side nearly took the lead a couple of minutes after the break. In their best bit of football all day, a long cross by winger Willie McLaren was met by Brian McPhee. The former Accies striker dived to head towards goal but the ball struck the base of the post and rebounded to safety. Billy Reid sensed that changes were needed and surprisingly decided to make a triple substitution. Off went Paul McMullan, Marvyn Wilson and Pat Keogh to be replaced by James McArthur, Juanjo and Brian Carrigan.

Things improved for Accies and they were the better team for the bulk of the second half. However, the match was really fought out in the midfield and there was little in the way of entertainment for the shivering fans. Billy Reid nearly had cause to regret his triple change when Kevin Barkey trampled on the prone Mark McLaughlin. Barkey was rightly booked and Mark was able to continue after treatment.

The introduction of the skill of Carrigan and Juanjo was very welcome but still Accies were unable to break the deadlock. Brown Ferguson was unlucky after 70 minutes when he stretched to reach a cross at the far post but could only put the ball just over the bar with Robertson beaten. Ferguson hobbled off the park for treatment for a few minutes but was able to continue. To his great credit, he recovered well enough to be able to chase an Airdrie player for 50 yards near the end of the game.

Accies came very close to grabbing all three points when they hit the woodwork twice in the final 10 minutes. First of all, a brilliant Juanjo inswinging free kick reached Steven Thomson at the back post but his netbound header was superbly touched onto the crossbar by Robertson. Then, right in the last minute, Brian Carrigan hammered a magnificent volley that beat Robertson but thudded off the crossbar to safety.

Accies may have finished the game stronger than the home side but overall the game was a disappointing affair.

Airdrie Utd: Robertson, McKenna, Lovering, McGowan, McManus, Docherty (Dunn 87), Barkey, McKeown, Twigg (McDougall 70), McPhee (Prunty 63), McLaren. Subs Not Used: Coyle, Hollis.

Booked: Barkey.

Hamilton: McEwan, Elebert, McMullan (McArthur 59), Thomson, McLaughlin, Neil, Ferguson, Wilson (Juanjo 59), Wake, Keogh (Carrigan 59), Gilhaney. Subs Not Used: Torres, Jellema.

Booked: Neil, Wake, Thomson, Elebert.

Att: 1,326

Ref: A Freeland

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