Match Report - By Steven Mew

Meaningless end of season matches between two clubs with nothing to play for tend be either very drab affairs, or thoroughly entertaining ones and thankfully it was the latter as City ended a disappointing campaign in a positive way.

City travelled to New Broomfield yesterday to play an Airdrie side who have an impressive home record, scoring the most goals at home in the league by far. However their away form is not so impressive and it is because of this that Airdrie have never been anywhere other than mid-table all season.

This was Michael O’Neill’s last match to assess the squad before rebuilding for the 2nd division next term. Gary Bollan was the only injury worry due to a knock while Danny Grainger was suspended. The manager opted to put out a fringe squad so he could check out some of the players who have not been given regular starts such as youngsters Chris Geddes and Scott Devlin, with the latter making a massive impact. Second choice goalkeeper John Hillcoat was also given a start. Airdrie meanwhile were without the injured Paul Lovering.

Airdrie took the game to City in the opening stages with Willie McLaren’s long range shot acrobatically tipped over the bar by John Hillcoat in the City goal after only a few minutes played.

The pace of Airdrie’s frontline and in particular Willie McLaren, were causing problems for the City rearguard and McLaren set up both Gary Twigg and Bryan Prunty who both had shots just wide of the post.

Airdrie’s missed opportunities came back to haunt them just after the half hour mark when City took the lead against the run of play. A mix-up in the diamond’s defence allowed Scott Devlin to bring the ball down before striking a low shot into the far corner from inside the box.

Just as City looked to go in at the break 1-0 up, Airdrie equalised in stoppage time. John Hillcoat made a great save from a Stuart Taylor header but Bryan Prunty was on hand to pounce on the loose ball at the back post to net his 15th goal of the season. His delight was evident as he aimed to finish as the top scorer in the division.

Chris Templeman came on for the hard working Chris Geddes at half time and just a couple of minutes into the second half City were back into the lead once again thanks to some dreadful defending. Chris Templeman hooked the ball forward into the penalty area and a mix-up between goalkeeper Stephen Robertson and Allan McManus left Devlin with a simple tap in.

Barely two minutes later Airdrie equalised for a second time. Sandy Stewart introduced Brian McPhee on for Gary Twigg and the substitution immediately paid off. A great cross from the left hand side was met by a great header which was blocked well by Hillcoat, but with ‘Hilly’ stranded in his goal-net McPhee swivelled and lifted the ball high into the net.

City then went on to play their best football of the match and came close to taking the lead again when Scott Devlin was played through but he delayed on the shot and eventually the ball was cleared to safety. What a story that would have been if Devlin, a youngster acquired from the junior leagues in January, netted a hat-trick.

City did take the lead for the third time though once again courtesy of another awful error by Airdrie goalkeeper Stephen Robertson. Robertson dallied on the ball at the edge of the box and as he was put under pressure his clearance went straight to Kevin Byers, who struck an audacious lob from 45 yards which dipped into the empty net. That will have no doubt increased his chances of a contract for next season.

City were denied their 2nd victory away from home all season when Neil McGowan pounced to head the equaliser for Airdrie after 78 minutes. McGowan was certainly a happy man as that was his 1st goal for Airdrie in over 140 appearances for the club! Now he just needs to work on his celebration which went a little pear-shaped.

It’s just a shame City left some of their best performances at the end of the season when it no longer mattered, but it bodes well for next season with Michael O’Neill and Gareth Evans at the helm.

This ended a bitterly disappointing season for the club but always look on the bright side…four local derbies against Forfar next season and Arbroath could also come up from the 3rd division via the play-offs.

I look forward to reporting on the games in the second division next season and lets hope we can return back to our rightful place!

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Clyde 1 Stranraer 1

Share of the spoils at Broadwood.

Hamilton Academical 0 Ross County 0

Typical end of season match at New Douglas Park.

Queen of the South 1 Dundee 3

Impressive victory for Dundee down in Dumfries.

St Mirren 0 St Johnstone 1

St Johnstone spoil the Buddies championship party.