Friday June 29, 2018
Pre-Season Friendly
Forres Mechanics
1-1
Stuart Soane 3
Airdrieonians
Dale Carrick 34
An inspired goalkeeping performance denied a second half Airdrie onslaught as the Diamonds settled for a draw against Forres Mechanics.
In the first of two games in the North-East, Airdrie boss Stevie Findlay had to make a late change to his starting line-up when Jonathan Page pulled up with an injury during the warm up. Josh Edwards took his place in defence.
It only took three minutes for the hosts to take the lead, Stuart Soane with a snap shot from just outside the area which caught out Diamonds keeper Scott Gallacher, who appeared to have his vision obscured by the bright sunlight.
The early goal saw Airdrie struggle to get a foothold in the match, with a poor final ball ending any promising attacks in the first 30 minutes.
An equaliser eventually came for the Diamonds, Dale Carrick popping up at the back host to power a header into the net following Josh Edwards' run and cross with ten minutes of the first half remaining.
Airdrie continued to press after the break, and had a gilt-edged opportunity to go in front early in the second period when the referee awarded a penalty kick.
Ryan Conroy stepped up only to see his powerful effort superbly saved by on-loan Inverness goalkeeper Daniel Hoban.
And the impressive Hoban was on hand again minutes later to deny Darryl Duffy one on one.
Further Diamonds attacks followed, but there was no way past the Forres number one until the final minute of play, when a scrambled shot beat the keeper only to be hacked off the goal-line.
Airdrieonians
Gallacher (Hutton 46'), Robertson (Trialist 60'), MacDonald, Edwards, Crighton, McIntosh (Gallagher 60'), O'Neil, Conroy, Duffy (Russell 73'), Carrick (Victoria 46'), Millar (Cairns 73')
Stuart Mathie.
Photographs © John Steven. Click to view full size.