The Diamonds start the season with some new silverware in the trophy cabinet after lifting the NL Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Cumbernauld Colts.

On a day when manager Rhys McCabe ran the rule over no fewer than 13 trialists, it was the relatively old head of Calum Gallagher who made the difference, scoring the only goal of the game after 15 minutes.

Craig Watson and Justin Devenny were the two signed players who started alongside Gallagher and eight trialists, while Cumbernauld Colts had a familiar face in the dugout, manager David Proctor.

As with yesterday’s 3-0 win over Stirling Albion, Airdrie started brightly with some attacking flair being shown by the trialists wearing number 7 and 10.

An early foray into the box by 7 ended with his shot being charged down, while 10 crossed from deep after nine minutes, only for Colts keeper Ryan Adamson to get the vital touch with Gallagher waiting to finish.

The Broadwood side retaliated with a dangerous free-kick, which Gregory Tade headed over the bar.

Airdrie were more clinical with their next attack, Trialist 7 combining with Devenny to release Calum Gallagher, who curled his shot round Adamson from the edge of the box.

Devenny almost added a second a minute later, his shot well blocked after Gallagher had done well to square the ball to the advancing midfielder.

Adamson adjusted well to claw out a shot from Trialist 7 on 21 minutes, with a heavy deflection almost catching the goalkeeper out.

Gallagher could only nod over from Devenny’s cross on 25 minutes, and Trialist 7 almost scored an audacious first-time chip a minute later, but the effort went just wide.

The lively midfielder was impressing in the first half, and saw a 39th-minute strike tipped round the post by Adamson with no further opportunities before the break.

A much scrappier second half was periodically interrupted by substitutions, and although Airdrie continued to dominate possession, Cumbernauld Colts had a number of decent chances toward the end of the match.

Gallagher was unlucky with a good effort on 58 minutes before getting back to help the defence two minutes later, clearing a goalbound effort with his heel.

With chances at a premium, it took twenty minutes for either side to have another go at goal, Regan McLaren just missing a back-post cross minutes after coming on.

Airdrie’s substitute Trialist 22 saw a good header deflected past the post with ten minutes remaining, while the Diamonds Trialist goalkeeper held a piledriver at the other end.

The Colts came closest to equalising on 83 minutes, Craig Holmes smashing a free-kick against the crossbar.

Adamson saved Watson’s effort in the final minute, but the final whistle signalled a cup win for Airdrie with Gallagher’s early goal the decider.

Stuart Mathie at Broadwood Stadium.

Photos © John Steven. Click to view full-size.