Airdrie United Preview


Airdrie Away
By C. Ferguson
March 12 2003

After a disappointing loss to Brechin City on Tuesday night, the Blues will be hoping to get all three points away to Airdrie United at New Broomfield on Saturday in order to keep themselves in the top half of the division.

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Bell's Scottish League Second Division
AIRDRIE UNITED
Airdrie United Badge V Stranraer Logo

STRANRAER
New Broomfield, Airdrie
Saturday 1st March 2003
Kick-off 3:00 pm

Past Matches

There has been only two matches between Stranraer and Airdrie United. The first match was at the Shyberry last August where we lost 2-1. Alex Lurinsky scoring Stranraer's only goal. The most recent encounter was at Stair Park at the end of December where we produced one of our best performances of the season winning comfortably 2-0. Goals coming from Michael Moore and Ian Harty.

Airdrie United 2 Stranraer 1 17/08/2002
Stranraer 2 Airdrie United 0 28/12/2002

Blues Team News

Stranraer wait on Kevin Finlayson who missed Tuesday's game with Brechin due to a badly bruised foot and is a doubt and manager Billy McLaren also has a number of other minor injury worries concerning him.


The Opposition - Airdrie United

Which players should Stranraer fans keep an eye on at New Broomfield? Read on and find out...

Mark McGeown  © SNSMark McGeown - 32-year-old keeper was shockingly freed at the end of last season by Billy McLaren, with rumours of a fallout heavy in the air. Previously with Stirling Albion for the best part of ten years, he also made 3 appearnces for Raith whilst on loan before being snapped up on a free by Stranraer in July 1999 on a two-year deal. He went on to play for the Toon 124 times. He has played the majority of matches this season for Airdrie and has been in fine form.

Paul Armstrong © SNS Paul Armstrong - this highly rated right-sided midfielder, and former Eire U21 internationalist, was on trial at Stair Park during the summer and made several impressive displays before deciding to opt for a move to New Broomfield. The 23 year old started off his career down south with Brighton and Hove Albion where he scored twice from 56 appearances, before moving to the old Airdrie in 2000 where he appeared in a Diamonds shirt 70 times, hitting the net once, and picking up two Challenge Cup medals.

Martin Glancy © SNSMartin Glancy - This 26 year old striker made 6 appearances for the Blues toward the end of last season, memorably hitting the net against Queen of the South. This well travelled front man has seen action with Dumbarton, Inverness Caley Thistle, Clydebank, Berwick Rangers, Queen of the South and Morton, but has only scored 15 times during his whole professional career, once this season in the Bells Cup against Raith Rovers.

This season's top scorers at a glance
Jerome Vareille
9
Stephen McKeown
8

Injury Worries: Airdrie United will be missing Neil McGowan, who had to have seven stitches in an ankle win during Tuesday's draw with Forfar. Player-manager Sandy Stewart and long-term casualty Jimmy Boyle will also miss out. Stewart was happy to escape with a point in midweek after he felt his team did not play to their capabilities.

Current League form: D D D W L

For an in-depth look at Airdries's squad, don't forget to buy the Official Match Programme at New Broomfield on matchday.

Recommended Web Link : The Stomp


Club Connections

Prior to this season there were relatively few links between Stranraer and Airdrie. However, this season both sides are fielding a number of former players. Airdrie have Neil McGowan, Mark McGeown, Martin Glancy, Kenny Brannigan (now Queens Park manager), Paul Ronald and a former Blues trialist, Paul Armstrong. Stranraer on the other hand have David Farrell, Willie McCulloch, and no doubt Billy McLaren (as he seems to have played for every team in Scottish football)

Kenny Brannigan - this is another former Airdrie United player who needs no introduction to the Stair Park faithful. The big 37-year-old stopper is a man of many clubs including the Blues, Partick Thistle, Berwick Rangers, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion and Clydebank. Kenny has recently become the manager of Queens Park.

If you know of any connections, please feel free to e-mail me (sandy@stranraerfc.net) with any submissions.


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Ticket & Admission Information
Adults £12, Concessions £6 (Please note there is a £2 parking charge for the stadium car park)