Today we make the 95 mile mile journey west to the Penny Cars Stadium to meet Airdrie United/Airdrieonians of League 1 in our second game in the Betfred Cup after a strong draw in normal time v Livingston.
Before then a few little bits. Germany won the Euros – beating Italy 2-1 at Wembley, I noticed I don’t have the name fixes in because of the licensing issues with the German national team which is a shame – It seems to be quite a hot topic at the moment, but for the sake of reality I’ll add any and all touches I can to future saves -name fixes, face packs, kits, badges, databases and all that good stuff.
Sean Slaven (19, 6ft 1) joins from Hamilton on loan. IRL he is on loan at Linlithgow Rose and shows on Transfermarkt a 190cm in height (6ft 5). 14 Finishing, 15 Heading, 14 Off The Ball, 14 Acc/12 Pac – he will play up top with Kieran McGrath and comes in as our 3rd best player by current ability. #StrengthInDepth
Giving the Gegenpress a go against the League 1 teams – Balde starting on the left wing, McLaughlin on the right. Sutherland, Cornelius & Barr make up an AM, BBM, DLP central/attacking mid 3. McIlduff and Morrison as the wingbacks, Nicolson & Nanitelamio as the Centre Backs. McGrath on his own as an AF up top. Airdrie go with the identical formation.
HT Airdrie 1 (Gallagher 9) Berwick 1 (McGrath 41)
A pretty even start, until the 9th minute when Gallagher got free at the back post for Airdrie, finishing well on the volley. Airdrie were looking very good going forward and got behind us a few times, but we started coming back into it a bit, Thomson in the Airdrie goal making some fine saves. Towards the end of the half we were definitely on top, and in the 41st minute McGrath scored with a beautiful strike just inside the area after great pressing by Cornelius. 1-1. We could have made it 2 soon after except for another good Thomson save. 1-1 it finished at half time.
Stats-wise we have edged it, lets see if we can drive home a win in normal time.
FT Airdrie 1 (Gallagher 9) Berwick 1 (McGrath 41) Att 533 (93 Away) – Airdrie win 5-4 on Penalties
A purposeful start, Thomson again saving Airdrie with a double save from McLaughlin & Sutherland, and then a triple save from McGrath!!! Went to a support DM just before 60, Sutherland off for Hussain, Nanitelamio up to supporting DM, Barr to AP on attack. Airdrie hitthe bar in the 66th and generally looked quite dangerous. Gardiner on for Barr, Healy on for Balde who hasn’t been involved much, swapping sides with McLaughlin, IF’s sitting narrower. Airdrie scored after a rebound of the crossbar, but it was given offside. And then we gave away a penalty, but Allison/Alisson saved brilliantly from Carrick. Proper end-to-end stuff, Airdrie pushing forward in their droves. But it Finished 1-1 – Bloody penalties again!!!
McLaughlin saved, McGrath Scored, Morrison Scored, Gardiner Scores, ALLISON SAVES, Healy Scores, Nicolson hits post, ALLISON SAVES!!!, Allison(!) hits Crossbar – Another penalty loss, this time 5-4.
Looking at the stats it was a hell of a game – Allison getting MotM with an 8.3!!!! 13 saves!! Feel like we’re just a step away from battering someone.
Still all to play for, all games have finished 1-1 so far in Group H, Livingston winning both their shootouts, Edinburgh City winning 1 losing 1, Airdrie winning 1, QotS losing 1 and us losing both, so a couple of wins could see us get through (Best 4 2nd place teams get through as well) – I’m finding it a good pre-season, really getting to the nitty-gritty against good opposition.
Next up is Edinburgh City at home in a week – should be a good game. See you then.