AS Airdrie Scottish Amateur Cup run continues

Feb 2 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

AS Airdrie manager Neil Brown has told how his side had to overcome the odds to book their spot in the last 64 of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

The Monklands men defeated Corkerhill 3-2 in Saturday’s fourth-round replay to set up a date with Fife’s Lumphinnans United this weekend.

An Ally Gray double and a goal from Colin Adams earned Airdrie victory in Paisley.

And a delighted Brown was full of praise for his under-strength team.

He said: “The mood in the dressing room was very positive.

“We were missing seven players from the first match and the guys that came in were magnificent.

“Our 41-year-old coach, Colin McFarlane, came off the bench to help out in the closing stages as we were down to the bare bones.

“At one stage, it looked like I was going to have to dust down my own boots.

“So given the circumstances it was a superb win and huge credit must go to the players for digging deep.

“Captain Stuart Smith was absolutely superb and he typified the way we went about the game.”

Brown knows this Saturday’s tie will not be any easier but is dreaming of reaching the sixth round.

“It’s a huge game for us against Lumphinnans with a place in the last 32 at stake,” he added.

“Given the huge number of teams who enter the Scottish Cup, around 500 or so, getting there would be a huge achievement.”

Caldercruix also kept their cup dream alive after thrashing Falkirk 6-2 in their fourth-round replay and will now host Kennoway.

Alan Cameron netted a hat-trick with Dan Hendry, Steven Tarditi and Dean Grant also on target.

Secretary Tommy Close said: “We were 2-0 down at half-time but came out fighting in the second half.

“We managed to get two early goals and once we got in about them, Falkirk just totally fell to bits.

“It’s our 50th anniversary this year and going on a long cup run would be a great way to mark it.”

But the Hampden dream is over for Airdrie’s Victoria Park.

The Strathclyde Saturday Morning League side lost 6-1 to North Lanarkshire rivals Dalziel HSFP in the fifth round.