Preview Airdrie United

Dunfermline have only knocked Airdrie out of the Scottish Cup only once and that was over 80 years ago!

Home wins over Cove Rangers (3-0) and Spartans (2-1) earned Airdrie United a place in the Fifth Round of the Homecoming Scotland Scottish Cup.  For the Pars their home win over Clyde is the only Scottish Cup action required so far in this season`s competition. 

Dunfermline have only knocked Airdrie out of the Scottish Cup once and that was over 80 years ago!  Two of the six pairings have gone to replays and that solitary win was 2-1 at East End Park in 1927.  The 1994 Cup ties saw Andy Tod score in both matches but the replay was lost 3-1.  

Then in 2006 it was the first ever meeting against the new Airdrie United club but what looked a relatively comfortable home draw turned up to be a nightmare for the SPL club. 

Despite scoring three goals Dunfermline were dumped out of the Tennents Scottish Cup by the SFL Division One side. Two goals up at the half way stage in the first half the Pars should be seen it through after that but the Lanarkshire team came storming back. Their penalty to make it 3-3 should never have been given but there was nothing that could have been done to stop their 92nd minute knock out winner.

This has been the only win for the Diamonds in their five fixtures against the Pars. Only Greg Shields and Scott Thomson can survive from the 2006 game to play for Dunfermline on Saturday.  The teams back in 2006 lined up as follows:-

Dunfermline: Allan McGregor; Greg Shields; Jamie McCunnie, Andy Tod, Scott Thomson (Iain Campbell 75), Aaron Labonte; Lee Makel, Darren Young, Gary Mason; Derek Young, Noel Hunt (Bartosz Tarachulski 91)

Airdrie United: Stephen Robertson; Stephen McKenna, Neil McGowan (Steven McDougall 72), Alan McManus, Paul Lovering; Martin Hardie, Stevie Docherty, Stephen McKeown, Bryan Prunty, Brian McPhee, Willie McLaren

Airdrie keeper Stephen Robertson is one of five possible Airdrie survivors and he recalled the famous win for the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser:-

"The feeling when we won was unbelievable," he said. "That was probably one of the better days we had that season.  At 3-2 down with a minute left, realistically your chances are over but we managed to pull it out of the bag.

"Everyone was buzzing after the game and you could see the win meant everything.  The dressing room after the game was one of the best I have ever been in."

A place in the quarter-finals is at stake for the winners this weekend and Robertson reckons the Pars tie offers Airdrie a genuine chance of advancing.

"We know we are only a couple of games away from Hampden and there is a great chance for us to progress. There hasn`t been much between the teams this season but this time there is not the pressure of having to pick up league points."

Teams last time out

DUNFERMLINE (v Partick Thistle): Paul Gallacher, Greg Ross (Rory Loy 56), Greg Shields, Scott Wilson (c), Austin McCann; Scott Thomson; Steven Bell, Nick Phinn (Jamie Mole 80), Graeme Holmes, David Graham (Scott Muirhead 69); Andy Kirk.
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Burke, Callum Reidford.

AIRDRIE UNITED (v QOS): Stephen Robertson; Willie McLachlan, Matt Hazely, Kevin McDonald (sent off 41), Marc Smyth, Steven McDougall (Michael Brown 64), Stephen McKenna, Joe Cardle (Scott McLaughlin 46); Paul Di Giacomo, Simon Lynch.
SUBS NOT USED: Collier, Stephen McGuire.

Referee will be Calum Murray.

Airdrie`s ground is the highest in the Scottish Football League and as the grip of severe winter weather appeasrs to have relented let`s hope that the tie can be played on Tuesday night.