Clyde lost their unbeaten away record, which stretched back to last March as well as their excellent run of clean sheets and the leadership of division one, after a 3-1 defeat in Airdrie last weekend. The referee's performance marred the fact that Airdrie United were simply the better team and deserved their second victory of the season over Clyde.
Clyde made one change from the side which drew in Paisley the previous week, with Aaron Conway replacing Mark Gilhaney up front:
Halliwell
Mensing S.Wilson Potter Bollan
Bryson Gibson Sheridan Malone
Harty Conway
Airdrie United started with both of their bright young talents, Alan Gow and Willie McLaren. Stephen McKeown missed out but Owen Coyle took his usual place up front:
Hollis
Docherty McManus McGowan Lovering
Roberts M.Wilson Hardie McLaren
Coyle Gow
Airdrie started brightly and within ten minutes, they had created three good shooting opportunities, all of which were fired high and wide. Clyde were pushing too far up the pitch but this almost led to the opener, when Conway eluded McGowan, only to be called back for high feet. Predictably however, Airdrie scored the opener. A deep cross was left by Gary Bollan, Mark Roberts headed it back across goal and that man Coyle stooped low to head home.
It was no surprise that Airdrie then scored the second soon after, with Clyde's defence still playing too high. Following two seperate "high boot" incidents which Dougie McDonald missed, Owen Coyle crossed for Roberts to head home past Halliwell, who could have done better.
Clyde immediately introduced Gilhaney for Bollan and switched to a 343 formation. This led to a more comfortable defensive display with Airdrie sitting back a bit and Scott Wilson's header went just past. At the other end, Clyde were grateful for Darren Sheridan's goal-line clearance after a header from a corner. The referee missed a blatant handball by Docherty, as Harty ran through behind him on goal. As Clyde fans were left wondering what colour of card would be shown, imagine our shock when the referee didn't even blow for a freekick. As halftime came, both Sheridan and Eddie Malone picked up bookings.
In the second half, Clyde began to play more urgently and were denied a penalty when Gilhaney was caught in the box. The young striker then skied over the opportuinity after losing his balance. With Clyde pressing so far up the pitch it was inevitable that Airdrie would threaten and substitute Jerome Vareille's fizzing effort was superbly stopped by Halliwell. Clyde then introduced the pace of Alex Walker and the power of Aron Wilford and both made an impact. Wilford had two decent efforts on goal within five minutes of coming on and Walker gave some running power in midfield.
The next goal was always going to be crucial and unfortunately it came for Airdrie. Coyle picked up the ball deep, launched a ball over the top for Alan Gow and the impressive striker wasn't going to miss when one-on-one with the 'keeper.
Clyde were left ruing Gilhaney's miss, but did get some pride back when Walker cracked home a good effort from the edge of the box. Despite further pressure and a good shout for a penalty being turned down, when Wilford was held back in the box, Clyde failed to get another goal and Airdrie deservedly won the match.
Overall, the Diamonds were probably the best side Clyde have faced this season. In Gow and Coyle, they have a deadly front pairing and Marvin Wilson is an excellent grafter in the middle. They should be much higher in the table than they are.
Clyde meanwhile struggled without a target man. When Wilford came on, they looked twice the team. Pass marks go to Wilford, Walker and my Man of the Match Craig Bryson who dealt very well with McLaren. Simply, a bad day at the office.