It was a tale of one half at the Excelsior Stadium today as Monklands’ two teams came head to head – with one clear winner, as Airdrie ran out 4-0 winners over Albion Rovers.
The home side dominated and made their full advantage in the first half before a dull second half which saw a red card, but no response from their Coatbridge counterparts.
It didn’t take Airdrie long to get the ball rolling, in the 8th minute Jamie Stevenson’s free kick deflected off the wall for a corner, which was headed by Derek Holmes and finished off by Sean Lynch.
Barely a minute later, Ryan Donnelly collected a long ball and put the ball easily past Rovers ‘keeper Derek Gaston for his seventh goal in eight games.
Rovers did have their chances though, half an hour in Robert Love skipped past Airdrie ‘keeper Paul McKane only to see his shot blocked off the line by Airdrie skipper Paul Lovering.
Young Airdrie right-back Jamie Bain then went on the counter attack and his solo run was ended in the box after being brought down by Mick O’Byrne. Jamie Stevenson converted the penalty to make it 3-0.
Just before half time the rout was completed. A scramble in the box saw Ryan Donnelly get his second of the game and Airdrie’s fourth.
Rovers day went from bad to worse in a dire second half.
Tempers flared when Ciaran Donnelly retaliated to a challenge – which saw him see a straight red card.
Jimmy Boyle will be delighted with his team’s performance. I personally wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of Paul Martin, who has every reason to angry with such a heavy defeat.
Match Information
Airdrie Utd: McKane, Bain, Lilley, Stallard, Lovering, Stevenson, Blockley (Owens 67), Lynch, Woodburn (Hill 75), Holmes, Donnelly (Boyle 73). Subs Not Used: Duncan, Morton.
Albion Rovers: Gaston, Reid, O’Byrne, Ciaran Donnelly, Boyle, Chaplain, Canning, Stevenson, Love (Gilmartin 67), Gemmell, Scott (Hamilton 61). Subs Not Used: Fahey, Ferry.
Att: 1,368
Ref: Mike Tumilty
