Watt lights up Airdrie triumph

Mar 26 2008 Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Scorers: Peterhead - Anderson, 84 Airdrie - Noble 32, Russell 33, Watt 48, 53

AIRDRIE bounced back from successive league defeats to maintain their slim chance of lifting the Second Division title with a convincing victory at Peterhead.

The Diamonds had under-performed recently in defeats to Raith Rovers and Ayr United, but showed what they can do with a clinical thumping of Neale Copper’s side.

Stuart Noble and Allan Russell scored in quick succession in the first half before supersub Kevin Watt, on for the injured Bryan Prunty, banged in a double to celebrate a new contract he had signed a week earlier.

The signs weren’t good for the Diamonds prior to kick-off with Graeme Holmes and Steven McDougall still out through injury and Marc Smyth suspended.

Ricky Waddell only travelled north on the day of the game after being hit with a bout of flu but he made the starting XI.

When defender Steven Campbell was ruled out with a knock boss Kenny Black had a real selection headache to deal with.

But all his worries were eased in a two-minute spell just after the half-hour mark, as the New Broomfield men were gifted the lead.

Noble’s shot from outside the box lacked power and looked like being saved by home keeper Michel Kula only for the Pole to scoop the ball into his own net.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side two minutes later when Kevin McDonald strolled past a couple of Peterhead challenges and teed up Allan Russell who grabbed his 18th of the season with a cool side-footed finish from just inside the area.

That was the perfect start and Airdrie took control of the remainder of the first-half as McDonald and Marco Andreoni dominated the midfield engine room.

Black was forced into a change at half-time when Prunty limped off with an ankle injury to be replaced by teen sensation Watt. And the youngster, who netted twice against the Highlanders at home in January didn’t disappoint.

He rammed home his first and Airdrie’s third just after the interval and then showed good striker’s instincts to scramble home the fourth from close range after another good cross from Noble. The youngster has only started one game this season but he will have a part to play in the play-offs.

Stuart Anderson bagged a late consolation goal for the home side but it was too little too late..

Peterhead: Kula, Donald, Smith, Good, MacDonald, McVitie, Donnie Munro (Kozminski 46), Anderson, McKay, Ross (Istead 73), Bavidge. Subs not used: Bagshaw, Cowie, Bruce.

Airdrie Utd: Robertson, McKenna, Lovering, McDonald (Gillies 83), Donnelly, Andreoni, Smith, Prunty (Watt 46), Russell, Noble, Waddle (Brady 88). Subs not used: McCarry, Hollis.