Young Diamonds taught lesson at Stirling Albion

Nov 25 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AIRDRIE UNITED’S under-19s struggled to make an impact at Forthbank on Sunday as Stirling Albion earned a 4-1 victory.

The young Diamonds lost goals at the beginning and the end of the first half, with the hosts adding to their tally either side of a Jamie Bain consolation effort.

Jimmy Boyle’s rookies made the short trip to Stirling on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Morton last Tuesday night with striker Scott Sally on the scoresheet.

But keeper Andy Collier was picking the ball out of his net after only three minutes at the weekend as a cross was turned home at the near post.

Airdrie almost responded in the best possible fashion seconds later, but Binos goalie Matthew Porch got down well to turn wide a Bain shot from around 20 yards.

Porch proved to be a key figure for Stirling as he competently dealt with everything the Diamonds threw at him in their pursuit of an equaliser.

The home side finished the first half strongly and were rewarded with another goal for their endeavour as Ryan Nimmo’s high cross from the right flank sailed over Collier and into the net.

Airdrie were up against it now and it took until the 66th minute before they troubled the Stirling goal as Aiden Malone fired over the bar from a tight angle.

The Binos hit the woodwork soon after and went on to extend their advantage in the 75th minute when a third goal was slotted past Collier.

A rasping drive from Bain with two minutes remaining gave Porch no chance but Stirling restored their three-goal cushion straight from the restart to complete a great win.

Airdrie: Collier, Bain, Byrne (Ramsay), Hutchinson, Cane, McCabe, McKay (Morgan), Fisher, Sally (Goodall), Donnelly, Malone.

NEW Broomfield will host Airdrie under-19s’ clash with Dundee in the fourth round of the Scottish Youth Cup.

The match will be played on Sunday, December 13 and kick-off is at 1pm.