Ayr United 1 - 2 Airdrie United
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Airdrie United finished off the season with a 2-1 victory over Ayr United at Somerset Park to take The Diamonds into the play-offs in the best possible manner. Manager Kenny Black fielded a young Airdrie side with key players including Allan Russell, Paul Lovering and Graeme Holmes given the afternoon off to prepare them for Wednesday’s trip to Kirkcaldy.
Only Darren Smith, Bobby Donnelly, Marco Andreoni and Ricky Waddell could be considered first team players, while Fraser Craig, Calum Brady, Christopher McMennamin and Mark McCarry all made their first starts for Airdrie.
It looked like a long day at the office for Airdrie as Ayr went ahead after just 3 mins when Eddie Forrest powered home a corner unmarked, but Airdrie rallied well and a nice slide rule pass from Brady was turned across goal by Kevin Watt and bundled home by strike partner David Gillies.
It wasn’t a classic game, but the youngsters did very well against an experienced and full-strength team (who Airdrie had taken just 2 points off from 3 meetings) and Airdrie did control the first half. Ayr perhaps shaded the second half, but within moments of coming on for the injured David Gillies (who looks a doubt for the playoffs), Stuart Noble was scythed down by Murray Henderson and Andreoni scored from the spot against ex-Diamond Mark McGeown.
Ayr gave us a couple of late scares - Lee Hollis doing brilliantly to deny Alex Williams after the ex-Morton striker looked to have rounded him - but we hang on for a great three points which will certainly do the youngsters chances of earning a contract for next season no harm.
In fairness, the result means absolutely nothing ahead of the playoffs as a different team will play but it keeps up the momentum. With Raith being hammered 5-2 at home today and Clyde instead of Morton entering the playoff, we really do have a great chance and a big crowd at Kirkcaldy on Wednesday can surely spur us on to the final.
Ayr United 1 - 2 Airdrie United (Gillies, Andreoni pen)
Man of the Match: Ricky Waddell
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