Reaction

After Saturday’s 2-2 draw and both Alloa & Airdrie putting out exactly the same line-ups for both games, three days later it might have been a long shot to expect this game also to finish 2-2.

Airdrieonians went in front with a goal out of the top drawer, but their second goal prior to half-time was very contentious, credit to Alloa for fighting back and the penalty award and conversion by Garry Fleming was crucial prior to half-time.

Once the second half restarted Alloa took control, lifted the tempo of their game and had the home side on the back foot.

Alloa were now dominating the game with Fleming & Hetherington bossing the midfield and Kirkpatrick & Stewart causing the Airdrie defence huge problems. It was no surprise on 67 minutes when Jordan Kirkpatrick scored the equalising goal, Game On 2-2.

At this stage in the game there only looked one winner but unfortunately on the evening we had to settle for another 2-2 draw, with the points shared. Airdrieonians having now not lost in a league fixture at home since 16th September, 2017, now eleven games in the league at home unbeaten.

jim goodwin after repeat scoreline at excelsior

Absolutely delighted with the second half performance, I thought the players were outstanding in team spirit and togetherness, I think we were camped in Airdrie’s half for probably about half an hour in the second half. We had lots of opportunities, lots of chances, could have scored more goals again if we had been a little bit more clinical and tidier up around the eighteen yard line. We obviously missed a penalty, I think if the penalty had gone in it would have gone on to be three or four.

The first half there was nothing in the game apart from a wonder strike from Darryl Duffy and the potential hand ball in the build up to their second goal, but really pleased to come in at 2-1. Delighted with the referee to have the courage to give the first penalty, sometimes you don’t get them particularly away from home. At half-time the message was “We know we can play better” and we did, that was as good a half an hour of football probably we have put together in a long time. There were so many performances individually but collectively as a team we looked great and I can’t remember Airdrie having too many opportunities in the second half without being disrespectful I thought they had looked a threat in the first half, at times it looked like we have an attack, you have an attack and it was like a game of tennis at times but second half we completely dominated, anybody at the game would see we dominated the game and if any team was going to go on and win the game it definitely was us.

We are disappointed not to take the three points but when you go 2-0 behind, if somebody offers you a point at half-time you would take it, but on the balance of the second half and how we dominated and created chances I think even the most biased Airdrie fan would probably admit we were the better team – but that’s football at the end of the day, it’s another point towards where we want to get to and now look forward to Saturday.