Internazionalswally v Livilions

IFA League    17th August 2002    Sikeside Ash.

Airdrie recorded their 1st victory of the season with a deserved 4-3 victory over their Livingston counterparts.

It was a much improved Livingston side from the team which had been comprehensively beaten 5-0 last year, and there was only 5 minutes on the clock when they went one up before Airdrie had even managed a shot on goal.

Going 1 down before starting to getting into the game has become something of a regular occurrence for the home side, but what is practically unheard of is going 2 behind (it happened only twice in 32 games last year). But that is what happened after 20 minutes when Morrison was easily beaten in the chase for a long through ball, leaving the Livvy forward to slot past the isolated ‘Cat’ in goal.

The home side refused to lie down though, and pulled a goal back 10 minutes from the break. A quick free kick from Shanks found Beeby on the edge of the box, and with a defender at his back he took a look up before swivelling and lobbing the ball over the stranded keeper (much like Paul Armstrong’s goal in the afternoon).

Airdrie pushed forward in search of the equaliser, but found themselves 2 behind again when Livingston scored a cracking 20 yard free kick. Rab blamed the wind...we blamed Rab.

Despite being 2 down, Airdrie were by now playing the better football, with Beeby being unlucky to see a shot from 6 yards out hit the side netting after good work down the wing from Allsop.

Airdrie went in at half time 3-1 down, but still confident that the game could be turned around, and the cause was helped immensely only 2 minutes after the restart when Big Tam headed home a Dyet corner from close range.

Airdrie had the bit between theta teeth now, and equalised 10 minutes later , again through Love, as he toe poked home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

It was all Airdrie now as the home side pressed forward for the winner, and Kenny Wyatt almost grabbed it only to see his 8 yard volley sail narrowly over the bar, while Shanks too was unlucky with a couple of long range efforts which flew over.

But it was substitute Dougie ‘the Whale’ Salmond who eventually did grab the winner with only his second touch of the game, pouncing on a wayward Beeby shot to shoot past the stranded keeper from 3 yards out. It was no more than Airdrie deserved after pounding the Livvy goal for almost the entire 2nd half.

Notable mentions go to Shanksy for managing to get booked by Geoff the Ref - quite an achievement for internet football. Also well done to the aforementioned midfield maestro for managing to lose so much weight from his belly....pity its all slipped down to his arse. Pass marks for performance go to the Love brothers - Tam for the goals and Meesh for perhaps changing the game when he came on; Beavis for annoying the Livvy defence as much on the pitch as he does to us in the pub; Craig Hamilton for his 2nd excellent performance in a row (must be getting sex from somewhere), and lastly Dougie ‘the Whale’ Salmond for his goal. He only touched the ball about 4 times which is a pretty good ‘goal per touch ratio.’

Team : Bryce; Allsop; Marshall; Morrison; A.Dyet; McMillan; Wyatt; Shanks; Beeby; C.Hamilton; N.Love.    Subs :- A.Love; Salmond.

Next Game :- Home to Queen of the South August 31st Venue tbc.