Chris Mochrie is looking to Airdrie’s cup-winning side of 2024 for inspiration as the Diamonds head for another knockout tie against Arbroath.
Tuesday evening’s tie at Gayfield comes only ten days after the sides met on Scottish Cup duty, with Airdrie triumphing on penalties after a barnstorming 120 minutes of football.
The Diamonds’ return to league action on Saturday was anti-climactic in comparison, Ross County’s 87th-minute winner securing the points after a drab tie.
Speaking after the match, midfielder Mochrie admitted his side’s display had been a bit flat.
“It probably wasn’t our best performance. It was a pretty scrappy game, not really too many chances, so it’s pretty disappointing to come away on the bad end of it.
“Ross County probably shouldn’t really be where they are, so we knew it was going to be a tough game coming into it – but it would have been a bit more pleasing if we could create a bit more and put on a better performance.”
There is little time to dwell on the result with Tuesday’s KDM Evolution Trophy tie just around the corner, and Mochrie says that’s just how the players like it.
“The message in the changing room was that it’s a good chance to go and bounce back really quickly.
“It’ll be a difficult game up there, we know that, but it’ll be one that we’re looking forward to.
“They’re a good team, they’re up where they are in the league for a reason. It’ll be a tough challenge for us.”
It’s the fifth meeting between the sides this season, with another league fixture to come in March – and a fourth visit to Gayfield for Airdrie, who played Montrose there in July’s Premier Sports Cup tie.
Arbroath were the winners in August when Nikolay Todorov grabbed the only goal against his old club, but the Diamonds reversed the scoreline in October through Euan Henderson’s penalty.
December’s match in Angus saw the points shared, Arran Pettifer scoring before Jack Wilkie saw red, and a dramatic last-minute equaliser from Lewis Strapp earning Airdrie a draw.
This month’s Scottish Cup tie was a ding-dong battle, the Diamonds thrice going ahead through Henderson (2) and Dean McMaster, with the Red Lichties’ equalisers coming from Gavin Reilly, Thomas Beadling, and Scott Stewart. Harry Stone was the shoot-out hero with two good saves, while McMaster netted the winning spot-kick.
While Chris expects another close encounter, the 22-year-old is looking for a marked improvement from Saturday – and a repeat of the spirit of 2024, when the Diamonds won the tournament, then called the SPFL Trust Trophy
“Hopefully there’s a lot more chances, especially for the likes of myself and Hendo up-front. If we can put on the performance that we’re capable of, we’ll create more and hopefully proceed in the cup.
“It’s exciting, it’ll be a good game. Obviously Airdrie did very well in this competition a couple of years ago, so hopefully we can go and replicate that.”
Head coach Aaron Taylor-Sinclair watched Arbroath’s televised draw with Morton on Friday, in which high winds had a huge bearing on the spectacle.
“We saw on Friday night how the conditions can be a factor, so we’re expecting the game to look different to how it was in the Scottish Cup. We’re looking forward to it.
“It’s always been close games between us with nothing between the sides, so we need to go up there and try to stamp our authority on the game.
“They’ll be wanting to get one over on us after the last game, so it’s about us trying to stop that, but we’re confident that we’re capable of that.”
Referee Colin Steven’s only other match involving Airdrie this season was October’s goalless draw with Queen’s Park at The city Stadium.
Match tickets are available using the link below, and our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available.
For domestic supporters unable to attend the match, Arbroath’s AFCTV are offering a pay-per-view stream priced at £8.
