Taylor Morgan scored two and set one up as the Diamonds progressed to the Scottish Cup fourth round.

Since the 11 goal cup thrashing of Gala Fairydean a little over four years ago, Airdrieonians had failed to win any of their six ties in the competition.

They went into this match against Darren Dods' Brechin City knowing they had beaten the Glebe Park side twice in the league already.

Jamie Bain came in at full back for the suspended Chris O’Neil and his involvement was pivotal when the Diamonds opened the scoring on five minutes.

After a decent run by Bain as he cut inside from the right, he fired a low 20 yard shot for goal that was blocked by Darren Dods on the ground but the loose ball was collected by Taylor Morgan who wasted no time at all in firing the ball high into the net, giving keeper Graeme Smith no chance.

Two minutes later though Isaac Layne was able to find himself in space on the left, with the striker’s low 10 yard netbound effort being well blocked by Neil Parry before being cleared upfield away from danger.

A free kick to the visitors on the right touchline appeared to hold little threat, however Willie Dyer’s left foot delivered an excellent curling ball in behind the defensive line with Andy Jackson rising to head past Neil Parry from around six yards out.

Airdrie almost responded immediately when Liam Watt struck a volley that was deflected wide for a corner in 15 minutes, and Nicky Cadden followed that up with a fine weaving run and blast at goal that was even closer to the target.

Bain also had a speculative effort from distance in 19 minutes.

Airdrie restored their lead thanks to a real gifted goal by Brechin.

Nicky Cadden did really well in being able to fire over a cross from the left to the front post in 24 minutes. Indecision between former Diamond Darren McCormack and Smith saw the keeper drop the ball after the two collided. Morgan was alert to the play and had a simple task to pass into the net.

Cadden and Morgan combined in 33 minutes and the winger’s drilled shot was taken low by Smith.
A poor challenge by Ross Perry on Cadden saw the Brechin defender stretchered off the field ten minutes from the break.

Cadden and Watt both had efforts wide of goal in the closing ten minutes of the first period, while McLean headed wide for the visitors and Parry dived low to push away a Dyer angled shot as the half time whistle drew close.
Brechin came out in the second half looking to get back in the match. James Dale latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired wide of Parry’s goal in 50 minutes, and a minute later Paul McLean ran into David Van Zanten with claims for a penalty waved aside.

With an hour gone Bryan Prunty went close to adding a third goal after he headed Cadden’s cross from the left against the crossbar with Smith well beaten.

With 64 minutes on the clock Watt’s free kick picked out Sean Crighton who headed the ball back across goal. Morgan just failed to connect for his hat trick.

Two moments in a three minute spell ensured it would be Gary Bollan’s side heading into the next round.

Dyer sent a 20 yard cross from inside the Airdrie half into the penalty area, picking out Jackson, the only team mate that far forward. Parry leapt to his left to stop the ball almost on the goal line.

In the 70th minute, surrounded by Brechin players, Morgan moved one way then pulled the ball away from his markers before running toward goal and threading a well timed pass to Prunty racing into the box. As keeper Smith went to ground, he simply dinked the ball over the keeper into the net for the third goal.
There was to be no further scoring with keepers Parry and Smith doing all that was asked of them.

A well deserved win with the Diamonds ending that four year barren Scottish Cup spell to reach the fourth round.

John O'Brien at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full-size.