Baird happy to play his part as Loons make it hat-trick of wins

AIRDRIEONIANS 0 FORFAR ATHLETIC 1

John Baird hit the only goal as the Loons secured their third straight win and the Station Park player-assistant boss believes management duties have made him a better player.

Baird struck from 18 yards eight minutes from time to earn a deserved three points after dominating the second half, with the striker admitting that he is much more of a team player now.

Baird, who is closing in on 150 career goals, said: “The team scoring means more. I love scoring goals – it is probably the best feeling in the world – but I now get as much joy out of an assist.

“As a striker you have to be selfish to score but I am more of an all-round player these days.”

The winner came just seconds after Baird had gone down inside the box and, as claims for a penalty faded, Dale Hilson teed him up to thump a shot high into the net.

Baird added: “I thought it was a penalty. I was chasing the referee when I saw I could have a chance, so I made a run into that space instead.”

His love of goalscoring was evident as Baird ran to the Forfar fans and picked up a booking for removing his shirt in celebration, the matchwinner adding: “It is funny what scoring does for you.”

Airdrie were almost gifted an early lead when Michael Travis sliced a cross high towards his own goal. However, Marc McCallum leapt high to save.

Forfar’s first opening came on 20 minutes when Dylan Easton darted past three defenders only to pull his shot wide from 18 yards.

The Diamonds looked set to take the lead just before the break when the ball broke back to Kyle Wilkie after he had an effort charged down but the Airdrie man shot over.

In the second half, Airdrie keeper David Hutton denied Hilson before Mark Hill thumped the home side’s crossbar from 18 yards.

Hilson had a shot cleared off the line and Hutton used a foot again to deny Easton before Baird finally made the breakthrough.

Baird said: “It was a big win as it was our third in a row.

“In a game like this earlier in the season we would have lost a couple of goals, but we are hanging together better now.

“We are more of a team and putting three wins together proves that.”