Ayr (1) v. Airdrie (3) 8/12/01

There was mixed feeling about the Airdrie fans before yesterdays game, highlighted by the less than average turnout. Those who did go were treated to our most memorable display down at Somershit Park since Johnny Butlers late night overhead kickgoal in 1991.

Airdrie had skipper Alan MacManus back for the game in place of Stuart MacDonald. MacManus filled Sandy Stewart's sweeper role behind MacFarlane and James in what was an otherwise unchanged line up.

Ayr had the ascendency in the first half and were unlucky when Lovering headed a Teale cross off the post. Brian McLaughlin then had a clear run at Phergie's goal but did his jigsaw routine again when it was easier to score. The main highlight though of a dullish first half was the 4 woman strong protest group from Galston, who upstaged the Airdrie fans with an Anti Barr flag and handing out leaflets protesting at Barr dumping BSE contaminated ash against the Site Planning Consent at Skares/Garlaff. The women, who'd paid their entrance money, were then escorted from the ground by the Ayrshire constabulary. Who said freedom of speech was dead?

The second half was barely 10mins old when Gary Teale ran half the length of the pitch on a counter attack, to score a cracking opener for Ayr. One thing Ian McCall has instilled in Airdrie is his unquenchable thirst for success. He wouldn't let his team lie down to anyone and boy did they roar back. Stuart Taylor, who's hit woodwork for 3 or 4 games in a row, hit a majestic half volley from the edge of the box off the underside of the bar to equalise in some style. Craig Nelson could't get near it. We took the lead through Marko Roberts whose shot from the left side of the box was wickedly deflected into the right hand side of Nelson's goal. From my view from behind the goal I'd have to say it would have went in if it hadn't been deflected. But I'm biased that way. Besides, you make your luck.

The icing on the cake was provided by Owen Coyle. After being hauled down in the D, in the dying minutes of the game. Owenie stood over the dead ball, just a little to the left hand side of goal, as Nelson was lining up his wall. Having constantly slagged of Coyle's freekick reportoire this season I just knew I'd be eating my words. On the refs signal Owenie flighted the ball beautifully over the wall and spinning tantallisingly into the top right corner of the goal with Nelson rooted to his goal line. Just set the video for Footie First.

That goal, and news that Partick and St. Mirren were getting gubbed, set up a chorus of "Ian McCall's red and white army" which lasted until the final whistle as Neil MacFarlane ran the ball out of defence to rip the hearts out of the deflated Ayr team. Even the news the Partick had scored to late goals to win couldn't suppress the joy at destroying Ayr in their own back yard.

Airdrie(3:5:2):Ferguson; MacFarlane, MacManus, James; Armstrong, Taylor, Henry, McPherson, Smith; Roberts, Coyle. Subs: Docherty for Roberts (late on) and Stuart MacDonald for Henry (even later on).

Ratings: