Internazioswally - 2 v 2 - Kaisayr

IFA League 10th August 2002 Sikeside Ash.

A last minute goal from makeshift striker Kenny Wyatt got Airdrie off to an unbeaten start in the new league campaign against Ayr.

In the first game since Worldnet, it appeared as though the team was still suffering from a Leeds based hangover as they struggled to create any chances of note in the first 20 minutes, with Ayr dominating the early stages. They went one up after a horrendous cock up from stand in keeper Dougie Salmond who flapped when the ball appeared harmlessly at his feet, with the resultant fluffed kick falling straight to the Ayr centre forward who scored easily.

A tactical switch shortly afterwards of bringing Shanks into Centre Midfield changed things for Airdrie, and Fisher was unlucky when he ran onto an inch perfect through ball only to see his lob go over the keeper but drop inches wide of the post. Sustained Airdrie pressure followed and Willie Marshall was unlucky to see his header from a Dyet corner cleared off of the line.

Airdrie were creeating all sorts of trouble for Ayr from corners, and the equaliser was to come shortly after the break when Big Tam got his head onto a Alan Dyet corner to scramble the ball in.

The game was pretty even afterwards as Ayr came more into things, with Salmond pulling off a couple of good saves. Airdrie went close when Fisher got his head to an Allsop through ball but the keeper punched clear, while Bryce was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line by an Ayr defender.

Ayr took the lead with 10 minutes left after a defensive mix up between Dyet and Morrison left the Ayr Centre forward with a one on one situation which he duly netted.

However with 2 minutes left on the clock, Alan Love and Fisher combined to set up a 2 yard tap for Kenny Wyatt which even he couldn’t miss, justifying the managers decision to play him up front into the bargain :o)

All in all, a draw was a fair result in what was an evenly matched game.

Notable mentions for one reason or another go to .....Barry Fisher for being caught offside more often than what Kenny McDonald used to.....Rab the Cat for not going in goal in case he damaged his new Airdrie tattoo....Craig Dyet for returning from East London for the weekend playing and looking more like Fat Pat Butcher than Joe Cole.....Big Tam for his crossbar swinging celebration after his goal.....while passmarks for performances throughout the game go to McMillan, DBW, Marshall, Shanks, and the aformentioned Big Tam.

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

NEXT GAME :- versus Olympique Lion - Saturday August 17th - Sikeside Ash - ko 11am.