Diamonds claim easy pre-season victory

Airdrie ran out 3-1 winners against Gala Fairydean Rovers in their first pre-season friendly of the new season.

Adam Brown grabbed a brace and Ciaran Reilly also netted in a routine win against the Lowland League side, who replied late on.

New signings Andy Ryan and Iain Russell were granted starting berths, with only three of last season’s squad included from the off as Marc Fitzpatrick and Rohan Ferguson started alongside Brown.

Ryan was substituted with an ankle injury after half-an-hour, but first-team coach Kevin McBride is keen to reassure fans it’s nothing serious.

He said:“This game was about fitness and the players getting used to each other.

“You hope to get through the match with no injuries so we’re hoping that Andy recovers for the Partick Thistle game.

“He had been feeling his ankle ever so slightly during the week and felt it go during the game.

“We think it’s nothing serious and he will be fine in a couple of weeks.”

Brown put Airdrie ahead midway through the first half, converting a rebound after Conor McLaughlin’s shot was parried.

Subsitute Reilly doubled the visitors’ advantage in first-half stopapge time when he tapped in Fitzpatrick’s generous cutback after the skipper had rounded the goalkeeper.

And the game was put beyond doubt seven minutes after half time when Brown slotted home after latching onto a lovely ball from James Daly, who played as a trialist whilst the club await international clearance.

McBride was pleased with the attitude shown by the youngsters who were given a runout.

He added:“It was good that a few boys got 90 minutes. It will get better as the pre season goes on.

“The young boys are a confident bunch, a lot of them stood up to the tougher opponents.”

“We also have a couple of things lined up, once we get them over the line then they will be announced.”