L107 SPORT BY GRAHAM BARNSTABLE
Homecoming Scottish Cup
5th Round – 17th February 2009
Airdrie United 1 Dunfermline Ath 2
Airdrie’s cup heroics for the season came to an end thanks to two spectacular goals at either end of the game at New Broomfield tonight.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when they opened the scoring within two minutes. Graeme Holmes capitalised on slack defending to fire a shot high past Robertson and into the top right hand corner of the net.
The Diamonds were level again on 14 minutes when Joe Cardle was fouled in the box by Greg Ross. The kick was converted by Scott McLaughlin beating Gallagher by sending the ball high to his left.
The game was a real cup tie packed with goal mouth incidents and meaty tackles which saw seven men booked in the game.
The Pars sealed the tie with 17 minutes left when sub Graeme Bayne smashed home a volley from 18 yards when a free kick had only been partially cleared.
The home side were not finished and centre back David Nixon came close in stoppage time when he fired a Maguire cross into the side net.
Saturday 14th February
Match of the Day
Motherwell 1 Hamilton 0
The two Lanarkshire sides went into this game as the form sides in the SPL with Accies having won their last six games, while Motherwell had not lost in eight games since losing at New Douglas Park back in December.
Accies almost made the perfect start but it took a great save from Graeme Smith in the fifth minute to prevent them. James McArthur’s 25 yard shot was deflected off the head of Kenny Deuchar and Smith somehow managed to change direction to keep the ball out.
As the half wore on Accies dominated possession but only had shots that went wide from Alex Neil and James McCarthy. They were made to pay for not taking their chances when they lost a goal just on the half time whistle.
Steven Hammell’s cross was flicked on by Sheridan to David Clarkson who had all the time in the world to prod the ball home for his fiftieth goal for the club
Half way through the second half Graeme Smith kept his side in the lead once again when he beat out an angled drive from Neil. At the other end Sheridan came close with a flick at the front post.
Motherwell were then denied what looked like a stone wall penalty when Tomas Cerny pulled down Paul Quinn but the referee only chose to award a goal kick to Hamilton.
In the end it was Well who extended their unbeaten run and drew level with Hibs in 6th spot.
Queen of the South 4 Airdrie Utd 0
Airdrie slumped to a heavy defeat at Palmerston this afternoon, losing three goals after McDonald had been sent off.
The Diamonds were a goal down at the break after Robertson had brought Burns down for a penalty before the Queens man stepped up to convert the spot kick himself
McDonald was sent off four minutes before the break for a two footed tackle that drew a red card.
Three goals in the second half from Dobbie, Harris and Weatherston kept the points in Dumfries.
The other two games planned in Lanarkshire were cancelled due to the weather with Clyde v Morton and Albion Rovers v Stenhousemuir being called off yesterday.
