Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
SUMMIT SPECIAL
Airdrie went top of League One with a fine win over Peterhead – and now boss Ian Murray has challenged them to stay there.
The Diamonds moved a point clear of Queen’s Park and Cove at the summit with a convincing 3-1 win at home to Peterhead, while rivals Spiders and Rangers drew with East Fife and Montrose, respectively.
Just five points currently separate first-placed Airdrie with Alloa in sixth, and Murray says the league is still so tight that their next two games at East Fife and at home to Cove Rangers could make a massive difference, either way.
Murray said: “We know if we win them both then we’re still top of the league, it’s pretty simple, but we also know if we don’t we could be fifth or sixth, so it’s that tight.
“I think next week is huge for us, in terms of keeping that momentum going.
“Once you get that confidence and that little run again, the Cove Rangers and Montrose games that are coming up between the cup one [at Stenhousemuir] take care of themselves, in terms of picking your team, confidence, and the boys training as well.
“It also helps the players who aren’t playing – believe it or not – because they realise that to get to the level to get in the team they have to keep it going every week.”
Dylan Easton’s determined strike had Airdrie 1-0 up at the interval on Saturday, with brilliant lobbed finishes from Kerr Mcinroy and Callum Smith sealing the points, before goalkeeper Max Currie fumbled a trundling shot into his own net for a late Peterhead consolation.
Murray added: “It’s great to be top of the league, there’s no getting away from it.
“We want to be top of the league, we’ve just got to stay there now.
“We’ve got to keep our focus, keep our concentration on what is ahead of us, and take it week by week.”