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| End of season drama |
Third placed Airdrieonians hosted sixth placed FC Reds going into the penultimate match of the season, with most of the attention on the top of the table clash between Bohemians and Flying Devils. Airdrie manager BiO had talked before the match of a need to focus on the match at hand - and not be distracted by events in Ireland.
FC Reds' gameplan to frustrate Airdrie was dealt a blow after only 8 minutes when Asper went off following a clash of heads. He was replaced by youngster Ivan Alsos who did not settle in well.
Airdrie took the lead after 21 minutes when a cross by Lemic was turned into his own net by Jacobsson. However, a neat through ball by Sheene set up Torben Smedburg who slid the ball through Petrus Walstad to equalise. With the game in Dublin at 0-0, frustration set in amongst the expectant home crowd who were witnessing a spirited display by relegation candidates FC Reds.
As half-time approached however, that frustration turned to relief as quickfire goals by Segerstedt and Markussen gave Airdrie breathing space at the half. Segerstedt powered the ball into the bottom left corner thanks to a set piece off the training ground before Roland Fetzer broke through the FC Reds defence and laid the ball to Markussen who dispatched the ball into the top corner, leaving Skjelbred with no chance.
As news filtered around Broomfield of a Bohemians goal on the stroke of half-time, fans spent most of the break working out how that affected the league table. The second half was a bit of a non event, with FC Reds sitting off Airdrie in damage limitation mode. As they trooped forward for a corner, they were stung with a game finishing goal - the headed clearance fell to Roos who hammered the ball up the park, Ram missed the header and Almstrom, ever the opportunist, took a chance in behind the defence and took the ball round the keeper and into the net.
News of an equaliser by Flying Devils was met with a loud cheer and as the final whistle went, it was confirmed that Airdrieonians had gone top of the table after the points were shared in Ireland.
Airdrie now head to FFK, who had a shock win over Sandjeford, to finish the season. With Flying Devils at home to SG-1 and Bohemians away to Sandjeford, Airdrie boss BiO said he needed his team to claim all 3 points if they wanted to gain promotion. A win would automatically promote Airdrie, so expect an exciting game next week.
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