Accies 1 Airdrie United 1: 17 September 2005

Bell's League Division 1

New Douglas Park, Hamilton, 17 September 2005

Report by Gilbert Mowat

Accies showed their battling qualities to fight back from behind to earn a richly deserved point against Airdrie United. With the Accies injury crisis easing, manager Billy Reid was able to field what would probably be very close to his preferred lineup, with Ian Harty the only notable absentee.

From the start of the game it was clear that Airdrie manager Sandy Stewart had made good use of his midweek spying mission on Accies in the Dundee match. He would have seen the extent to which Alex Neil and Brian Carrigan ran that game and planned his tactics accordingly. Consequently, Accies found it very difficult to get going and they only really threatened the Airdrie goal when these guys were able to break free from their markers. It was no coincidence that Accies best two opportunities, which came within seconds of each other, were created by Brian Carrigan. First of all, he got the ball in a good position on the right wing and fired in a superb cross that was headed against the foot of the post by Graeme Jones. After the ball was booted clear for a corner, Carrots' corner kick was headed goalwards by Mark McLaughlin, only for an Airdrie player to illustrate the importance of having a man at the post as he headed clear under the crossbar.

Airdrie United had hit the woodwork earlier, when one of their defenders smacked the ball off the bar after 12 minutes. The bulk of the first half play took place in the Accies half, with the midfield and defence not being given time to settle on the ball. Possession was given away a few times and it was no real surprise when the visitors took the lead after 31 minutes. This time it was a ball down the left channel that was won by McLaren and he outpaced the Accies defence before firing the ball between Dave McEwan's legs. The goal had been coming and the only good news for Accies was that they managed to prevent any further goals before the break. This was largely due to Dave McEwan, who made two superb saves when a goal looked likely.

Despite the apparent control of the game by the visitors, it was encouraging that many supporters still applauded Accies off the pitch at half time. Billy Reid made his first change after just a few minutes of the second half, when he replaced Scott Tunbridge with Pat Keogh. There was no doubt now that Accies were going to make a big physical push to get back into the game. Accies were in almost total control for long spells of the second half and the Airdrie United defence were finding it very hard to cope with Pat Keogh and in particular Graeme Jones. The two guys were immense and their flicks from crossballs gave the Airdrie players all kinds of problems.

As Accies grew in confidence, the Airdrie goal began to take on a charmed life. First of all, Brian Carrigan hit a great 20 yard free kick (awarded for a foul by Brian McPhee) that thumped back off the right hand post. The ball broke clear and a shot came in that was well saved by Lee Hollis before another shot was deflected to safety. It felt like a goal was coming and it arrived after 65 minutes. Graeme Jones sent in a dangerous cross from the right that Paddy Keogh flung himself at. The ball came back off the goalkeeper but fell nicely to Scott MacKenzie, who fired home from close range. It was no more that Accies deserved.

The game was there to be won now but Accies were just unable to get that vital winner. Several times, Jones or Keogh headed the ball into the danger area but there was no-one there to apply the finishing touch. If only Ian Harty was fit he would have had a great time! Accies nearly grabbed another goal when a left footed cross by Brian Carrigan deceived Hollis but hit the crossbar. There was the occasional flurry by the visitors but, apart from a Brian McPhee header that went wide, they didn't threaten much.

It wouldn't have been a Lanarkshire derby without the referee taking some disciplinary action, so Marvyn Wilson and an Airdrie player received yellow cards for routine fouls. Near the end there was a big shout for a penalty after Graeme Jones appeared to be held down in the penalty area, but referee Stuart Dougal wasn't interested.

So if it wasn't a classic game for the football purists, it was enthralling from start to end. A draw was probably the right result given the dominance of one half by both teams. Best for Accies were Marvyn Wilson and Alex Neil in midfield, plus Brian Carrigan and Graeme Jones up front. The sponsor gave the award to Mark McLaughlin.

Hamilton: McEwan, Robertson, Thomson, McLaughlin, Fleming, Carrigan, Neil, Wilson, MacKenzie, Jones, Tunbridge (Keogh 49). Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Hodge, Gonzalez, Jellema.

Booked: Wilson. Goal: MacKenzie 63.

Airdrie Utd: Hollis, McKenna, McGowan, McManus, Dunn, McPhee (Hardie 71), McKeown, Barkey, McLaren, Prunty, Twigg (McDougall 80). Subs Not Used: Coyle, Robertson.

Goal: McLaren 31.

Att: 2,229

Ref: Stuart Dougal

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