Win over Accies provides welcome tonic for Airdrie

Jul 23 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AIRDRIE earned derby day bragging rights after Stephen Maguire’s winner helped them see off Lanarkshire rivals Accies.

Boss Kenny Black admitted the result provided a much-needed confidence injection - but vowed not to get carried away.

A first-half winner from freed Motherwell midfielder Maguire edged the Diamonds past the SPL new boys.

The result was a surprise following less than impressive displays at Berwick Rangers and Alloa Athletic.

“It’s a confidence-booster and it’s certainly the best performance we’ve had in the pre-season games so far,” said Black.

“It was our first home game, against Premier League opposition, and it just shows you what players can do in the space of three days.

“The main thing was the performance and the commitment and enthusiasm was great. We will not be getting carried away with the result.

“That type of performance is what we’re going to need this year, there’s no question about that.”

Airdrie played some good football in flashes and could have added to their slender lead in the second half, although Hamilton dominated possession.

The winning goal came in the 23rd minute when Joe Cardle broke down the left and sent over a cross that found Paul Di Giacomo.

His looping header seemed to catch Accies keeper Tomas Cerny off-guard but the Czech keeper recovered superbly to touch the ball onto the crossbar.

However, trialist Maguire reacted quickest to the loose ball and steered it home.

As the interval loomed, David Nixon almost doubled Airdrie’s lead from a good corner move on the right, but Cerny brilliantly saved his close-range volley.

The home side stated their intent early in the second half, but Cerny stopped Di Giacomo’s low effort.

Billy Reid’s troops had a decent shout for a penalty in the 50th minute turned down when Mike Carvill was hauled to the deck in the box.

Accies nearly equalised in the 69th minute when substitute Paul McLeod fed Tom Parratt and his cross was headed off the base of the left post by Andy Waterworth.

The Diamonds continued to create opportunities with McKenna driving a shot wide and Maguire sending a flick inches past the left post a minute later from a clever Nixon cut-back.