Halliwell
Mensing S.Wilson Potter Malone
Gilhaney Walker Gibson Bryson
Wilford Harty
Airdrie's were without 12 players, including Stephen Docherty, who collapsed at home before the game. They included ex-Clyde player David Dunn and fielded Chris McGroarty as a trialist, a bit ironic considering their protests at a contracted player playing for Clyde in a cuptie last month.
McGowan
W.Wilson McManus Christie McGroarty
Barkey Wilson Dunn
Roberts Coyle McKeown
Airdrie started off the better team, with the help of an extremely strong wind at their backs. A Dunn freekick was blocked by the wall, before Mark Roberts' low cross just missed several attackers. Then the match changed in Clyde's favour, when Roberts' kicked out at Eddie Malone, who had pushed the Airdrie player for kicking the ball away, after a freekick was awarded to Clyde. Roberts became the third player, in consecutive games against Clyde, to be given a straight red card for Airdrie United and Malone was booked.
Clyde upped the pace and took the lead after a neat move. Gilhaney ran half of the length of the pitch before clipping a nice cross into Aron Wilford, who nodded over the goalkeeper to give Clyde the lead.
At this stage, a second goal would have given Clyde an easy three points but Gilhaney's effort was well saved by the 'keeper and Bryson missed the easy rebound. Ian Harty then saw his chip tipped over the bar. However, as is always the danger when playing 10-men, Clyde took their foot off the pedal and the away side levelled. A fierce drive from McKeown bounced off of Bryn Halliwell's chest and Kevin Barkey had an easy task to slot home from 7 yards.
After the break, Clyde continued to create the better chances. Ian Harty lobbed just over the bar and a Malone corner hit the bar with the 'keeper beaten. Then, with Clyde looking likely to score, our midfield began to give possession away easily and a slack pass led to a corner for Airdrie. The corner was poorly defended and eventually came to Owen Coyle, who slotted home in typically deadly fashion from 3 yards.
After Gilhaney had nearly picked out substitute Gary Arbuckle, Craig Bryson scraped the bar with a long range drive. However it just wasn't to be for Clyde and Airdrie successfully wasted time late on to earn an outstanding result.
Clyde were simply not good enough. Only Malone and Gilhaney seemed up for the game, the latter winning my Man of the Match award. The midfield lacked bite without Sheridan and Scott Wilson looked very shaky at the back. However, it has still be an excellent start for Clyde and with players like Balmer, Bollan, Sheridan and newboy Marsiglia still to come into the lineup, Clyde's squad is looking particularly strong at this point.
As for Airdrie, it's three points that stop their poor run of form and with so many people injured, it just shows what a strange game football is.