MATCH PREVIEW - AIRDRIEONIANS (H)

After the briefest of pre-season build ups, we kick off our Premier Sports Cup Group E games with the visit of Airdrieonians this afternoon with a 3pm kick off.

It has of course been a massive rebooting of the squad for the season ahead and 17 players are in line to make their competitive debuts for us against the Diamonds, with Chris Aikamhenze being the last man standing from last term.

League Cup games have been few and far between the clubs over the years with only three meetings which all ended in 2-1 wins for the Diamonds. In season 1954/55 we lost both of our group meetings while in 1993/94 we lost on what was our last ever game at the former Broomfield ground with the famous old stadium closing at the end of that season.

The Diamonds finished last season as runner up in Cinch League One and after beating Montrose in the play-off semi-final they eventually lost to Queen’s Park in the final after the Spiders had finished 21 points behind them.

The close season saw manager Ian Murray depart the Penny Cars Stadium to join Raith Rovers and was replaced by Rhys McCabe as player/manager at just 29 years old.

There are three Cowden connections in the Diamonds squad – local boy Callum Smith was their top scorer last season and is the older brother of one- time loanee Connor. Callum Gallagher had a loan spell with us from Rangers in season 2014-15 scoring five goals in ten games before being recalled to Ibrox. Keeper Josh Rae was signed in the close season from Queen of the South and played in ten games before the 2020 lock down.

MATCH SPONSOR – The 12th Man
MATCH BALL SPONSOR – Doug & Dinsdale



MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE – Lloyd Wilson

ASSISTANT REFEREES – Brian Christie & Abbie Hendry


ADMISSION

Adults - £12 (£13 PATG) | Concessions - £6 (£7 PATG) | Season tickets are not valid for this game.

To save £1, you can buy your ticket in advance here.

PROGRAMME

The Blue Brazilian, like the team, has had a summer make over and will be on sale inside the turnstiles at the cost of £3.



Previewer: Andrew Mullen.