Airdrie -V- Hamilton 1sy May 2004


By Chris Mac
June 19 2004

We all know what happened to Airdrie fans two years ago, tomorrow is the chance to allow us to end the morning period and put our full support behind the team. I know it will be hard and I'm not saying we should in any way forget the past but it is now time to bring the Diamonds home.

 

Second Division
Preview For Saturday, 1st May 2004

Airdrie

V

Hamilton

Sandy Stewart

 

 

Allan Maitland

 

Is the first of May to be D-day for the Diamonds we have it in our hands to secure promotion all we need is a draw  the 2nd Division championship comes only if we win and Dumbarton can beat Greenock at the Rock.
Sandy Stewart has had some good news this week as it looks like David Dunn will return to the mid-field that on last weeks performance went missing for periods of the game. With Stephen Docherty still out it can't come at a better time.
Owen Coyle has also stated his intention today to continue  playing football for at least another season whether it will be in a Diamond or elsewhere will come down to Sandy and the board reaching an agreement with Dundee United. Should the Supporters Trust once again take an active role in trying to keep him here?
The question again arises what do we do with the defence, still Scott Wilson has done very little wrong at the back, but is the experience of Neil McGowan more important that the height advantage Scott gives us. Again doing very little wrong at the weekend was Willie Wilson at right back, should Kevin Christie be brought back in for this important game?
So promotion tomorrow and then the championship away at Alloa next week seems to be the easiest route, but with rumours circulating about some of the Morton players being suspended it may all come to us on a plate.

preview by Chris Mac

 

 

Referee: Tom Brown  

 

 

 Airdrie Possible Line Up

 

 

 

Mark McGeown
Kevin Christie, Alan McManus, Neil McGowan, Paul Lovering
Jerome Vareille, Marvyn Wilson, David Dunn, Willie McLaren
Owen Coyle, Alan Gow

 

 

 

 Opponents News

 

 

 

Allan Maitland sees his chance for bringing Hamilton promotion to the Bells First Division but being four points behind Morton means he has to get Nine points from the last three games just to give them a chance.

Hamilton have more suspension worries than injury worries to contend with, Brian Carrigan is banned and Todd Lumsden is serving a two match suspension. Also side lined for the Accies will be Andy Arbuckle and Jim Sherry both injured.

 

 

 

 

 Airdrie V Head To Heads

 

 

 

  
    Airdrie  wins   draws   Hamilton  wins
League 2 2 3
Total 2 2 3

 

2003/2004
Scottish Division 2 Hamilton l 0-1 Airdrie 13-03-2004
Scottish Division 2 Airdrie 3-0 Hamilton 02-03-2004
Scottish Division 2 Hamilton 2-1 Airdrie 23-08-2003
2002/2003
Scottish Division 2 Airdrie 2-2 Hamilton 03-05-2003
Scottish Division 2 Hamilton 2-1 Airdrie 11-03-2003
Scottish Division 2 Airdrie 0-0 Hamilton 19-10-2002
Scottish Division 2 Hamilton 1-0 Airdrie 10-08-2002

 

 

 

 

 Ref Review

Tom Brown

 Games: 15 Yellow Cards: 44 Red Cards: 2

 

 

Our last visit from Tom Brown was last season in a match against Stenhousemuir at home where we went on to win 2-0. During that match there were four yellow cards and one straight red, Paul Armstrong was booked and Kenny Brannigan was sent off. Stennie had Airdrie fans favourite McKenzie  booked Booth , Easton were also carded in that game.

 

 

 Prediction

A draw suites us but we have to go for a win and I don' think at this stage the Airdrie team could play for a draw if they lives depended on it. So Airdrie to win 2-1 and make honours even between the teams as we go up to the first division.