This was the first competitive game between Airdrie United and Albion Rovers and the small Cliftonhill stand was packed for the derby. Rival fans exchanged plenty of ritual insults and they did their best to provide some atmosphere for what turned out to be a poor advert for lower division football.
Rovers kicked off in a summer shower facing the Coatbridge end and they had the best of the opening exchanges. They penetrated the Airdrie box twice in the first ten minutes but both cut backs found the defence alert.
Ridgers takes a catch
The rain disappeared and Airdrie produced their first threat but Scott Gemmell fluffed his shot. The visitors had the best chance of the half when Watt found himself with a bouncing ball at the edge of the box. He had beaten the offside trap but lingered too long as he waited for the ball to sit up. Desperate defence saved the day.
The crowd watched anxiously ten minutes before the break when Gaston attempted a pass back clearance at the edge of his box. Ryan Wallace, just on for the injured Watt, charged the ball down and the deflection soared high towards the goal. Fortunately for the Rovers it drifted wide.
The antagonism between the fans was too much for a couple of idiots and they provided some unscheduled half time entertainment by scuffling in the neutral zone. They soon disappeared escorted by Strathclyde’s finest.
It was impossible to predict which team (if any!) would break the deadlock. Goalmouth action was rare and the traditional long ball was favoured by both sides. The game was punctuated by lots of stoppages for over physical tackles but it was free of malice. Referee Alan Muir managed to restrain his use of his pencil in the first half but cards flew freely in the second period.
Airdrie scored the winner just before the hour when Scott Gemmell burst into the box on the right and slammed the ball beyond Gaston. His well taken strike was clearly the highlight of a match sadly short of skill, or excitement. A recovery from Rovers failed to materialise. A couple of red cards appeared following second yellows; United’s Muir and Rovers’ Canning having early baths. The change to ten a side made little difference.
Airdrie’s Ryan McCord was given the man of the match award.
31 July 2010
CIS Cup Round 1: Albion Rovers 0 Airdrie United 1
Albion Rovers: Gaston, Reid, McGowan, Gilmartin (Stevenson 57), Benton, Lumsden, Hamilton, Canning, Gemmell (Dalrymple 86), Donnelly, Love (McLeod 71)
Subs unused, Smith,
Airdrie United: Ridgers, Bain, Lovering, Grant, Gibson, Stallard, Gemmell, Devlin, Watt (Wallace 31), McCord, McGregor 84, Muir
Subs unused, Burns, Sally, Tobin
Referee: Alan Muir