Foxy Cracker Claims First League Win

Forfar Athletic 3 Airdrie United 2

Airdrie arrived at Station Park on the back of a tremendous League Cup victory over First Division Raith Rovers, so the Loons knew they would have to work hard and play well in order to claim their first League victory of the season. And that's exactly what happened as Forfar over came the visitors in an entertaining encounter.

Iain Campbell picked up an injury during the Loon's midweek defeat to Queen of the South and will be out of action for a month. Steven Tulloch was a capable replacement, and the only other change saw Ross Campbell replace Chris Templeman in the starting line up.

Forfar started the brighter of the two teams, and took the lead after 11 minutes. The ball was well won in midfield and Martyn Fotheringham gained ten yards before delivering an inch perfect cross for Stevie CRAWFORD to dispatch beyond McKane. Five minutes later Craig Wilson won a 50/50 ball and sends Mowatt clear, the midfielder takes one touch too many and the danger is cleared.

It took the visitors 20 minutes to get into the match, but almost as soon as they had, they equalised. A cross from the left was met by Lovering and McHugh did well to touch the effort over. From the resulting corner, the ball was only half cleared before it was pumped goalwards for DONNELLY to head over McHugh. There were strong claims for offside, but the goal stood. Minutes later and a simple goal gave Airdrie the lead. Blockley easily won a challenge in the Forfar half and sent Donnelly through on goal, Bolochoweckyj gave chase and as McHugh met both players the ball ricocheted to LYNCH who made no mistake from close range.

On 36 minutes Greg Ross began a great move with Craig Wilson, Mowatt joined in and after gaining 30 yards Wilson crossed for Campbell to head goalwards, but unfortunately into the side netting. Forfar were back on level terms just before half time, David Mowatt did well on the edge of the Airdrie penalty box when he charged down a loose ball and waltzed into the danger area before finding Campbell on the right who then fed the ball to CRAWFORD and he slotted home from 6 yards out.

An entertaining half saw both teams level at half time, but it was Forfar who improved on their game in the second half and eventually grabbed the winner after 64 minutes. Ross Campbell had twice came close to adding a third, before Wilson angled a pass to FOTHERINGHAM, who from the edge of the penalty box hammered home a goal worthy of winning any match.

Forfar should have increased their lead with three minutes remaining when a loose Airdrie pass was gathered by Crawford, the former Scotland star found Templeman on the edge of the penalty box, who in turn found Gibson in space, his effort avoided McKane's diving grasp, but ended up inches past the goal.

At last, the Loons pick up three points and over the piece their win was deserved.