SIXTH AND IN THE PLAYOFFS... BUT AT WHAT COST?
McDermott is just two games away from taking The Diamonds to the promised land of the SPL1. However, he is there at a cost. In a match against Partick Thistle, his skilled left back, Alberto Morgado suffered fractured ribs, effectively leaving him out of contention for the playoffs.
"Losing Morgado is a huge blow for us, seeing how skilled he was and he was only truly going to get better." Said a disappointed McDermott. After much research, however, he has came up with a solution that shocked all at New Broomfield... apart from one.
Leonardo González in International duty against Germany.
The Costa Rican, Leonardo González is the newest signing to Airdrie, following in Laryea Kingston, both of whom were on free transfers. One person was not shocked, and indeed praised his managers free transfer barganing. "Deh manager seen dat der ehhhh was a problem in thee back four wit' Alberto injured. 'Owever, he got a player of his calibre and it should push us to the top division in no time." Stated Vittorio Ramaglia, who, himself, came into the squad on a free transfer.
McDermott's first playoff match will be against Hamilton, whom McDermott defeated merely two weeks ago 5-4 after a 9 goal extravaganza in the second half, ending with Nikão scoring a penalty and adding to his goal tally, making it two that night.
THE RUN UP TO THE FINAL
There is only 90 minutes between history for either of these teams.
For Ross County, it's a case of been there, done that. They were here in the final last year, only to be cruely defeated at the last hurdle.
Airdrie, however, this will be the culmination of 6 months of hard work and transfers for Mick McDermott. After buying a new team when he started, there has been no real time to gel and the only thing keeping them together was the dream to get to SPL1.
Key Man;
AIRDRIE
Cervi in his Celtic days.
The former back-up Celtic Keeper has cemented his first team place with a series of great performances, pushing out youngster Raul Fernandez and experienced Vyacheslav Kernozenko. If anything, he will be integral for Airdrie in this match.
Key Man;
ROSS COUNTY
Steven Watt in his Swansea days.
The center back has been a major part of the success of County this season, keeping their promotion dreams alive. However, with Nikao and Ramaglia coming at him full tilt, can he stop them?
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As I sat with the guys, I could see their determination seeping through. This was probably the first time some of these guys had been in such a big match.
"Listen to them boys! THIS IS OUR TIME! Let's do it for them and for Airdrie." was all I said and I let them loose... hopefully, for the win.
After 9 minutes or County pressuring us, we unleashed Gasmi. He ripped through the defence, showing his pace, before crossing the ball in. Unluckily for us, McGovern tipped it away.
However, on the 19th minute, they hit back. McPhee cut on the inside and was one on one for Cervi. Luckily, Cervi saved it and McPhee was kicking himself.
33rd minute and my heart sank. Brittain hit it up to Young, 20 yards away. He then tapped it to Di Giacamo and he did the honours of ripping our defence to shreds before tapping it to McPhee who put it past Cervi. 1-0 County and there looked like no hope.
At half time, I was clearly upset. We had beaten them before but couldn't get up on them now? "Where is the heart? This match should be easy yet you're letting them win!... Twardzik, you're off. Kingston you're on, I want more from all of you. COME ON!"
It took 4 minutes for them to get the message. Nikao hit it low from long range, but McGovern turned it round. I didn't expect it to go in anyway, but it would have been nice.
57 minutes and McPhee done it again. The ball got crossed in by Ross following a throw in and McPhee hit it high and very hard. 2-0 County, all hope was lost...
2 minutes later and we sprung into life. It was in! Ramaglia got the goal, but the assistant thought otherwise. Bullshit really, it was clearly onside!
On the 73rd minute, we were back in it! Nikao got the pass from Isma Lopez and turned on the style. He got round two defenders with complete ease before slotting it past McGovern. Goal of the season candidate! 2-1 but was it all for nothing?
No, it wasn't for nothing. 11 minutes later and he rose again! Unmarked, Nikao got passed everyone around him and scored! 2-2, it's all open! County thought it was offside, but it wasn't!
End of 90 and I couldn't be happier. "We're still in it, but just. Campos, switch to the left and Kingston, occupy that right wing. Gasmi, you're off for Bain. Lopez, you're off for Donnelly." It was risky, but they were both shattered and needed the rest.
On the 105th minute, Nikao was taken down harshly. I was worried, no substitutions and we'd be a man down. However, he shook it off, thankfully.
Speaking of Nikao... HAT TRICK~! Ramaglia found Spence in some space and Spence sprinted down the right wing, ignoring Campos completely. He gave it to Bain, who gave it to Donnelly, who gave it to Campos. Campos gave it back to Donnelly, who seen Ramaglia in open space! Ramaglia couldn't add to his tally, but it all set up to the big goal. Following a corner, Gonzalez intercepted a pass and laid it to Bain who gave it to Appiah. Appiah seen Kingston who, in turn, centred the ball and found Campos. Campos seen Nikao and scored. In our best move, Nikao has found the hat-trick and, made it 3-2 without reply from County.
... and that was the end. When it was all over, the pressure was relieved. Airdrie, with a brand new team, had been promoted. McDermott done in 6 months what Iain Black couldn't do in 2 1/2 seasons. The season is over, we're off to the SPL1!