AS Airdrie lifted the first piece of silverware of the season with a 3-1 League Cup victory at Cumbernauld. The game started in a cautious fashion and while Hogganfield had a few early corners all were dealt with by the Airdrie defence. The local side settled and took the lead when Ross Graham’s driven cross was met on the run by Cooper whose unstoppable header left the keeper helpless. Airdrie suffered a blow when Stewart had to leave the play with an achilles injury and Clark replaced him at the heart of the defence. Cooper made it two shortly after with a similar effort, this time from Kenny Pardoe’s corner. Hogganfield came out fired-up in the second half and had lots of the ball without really testing Rowan in the Airdrie goal. Airdrie were getting up the park in patches and Gray won a free kick on the right hand side and from Pardoe’s resultant cross, the ball was turned home by a defender to give Airdrie an unassailable lead. Grant replaced Pardoe with 25 to go. Hogganfield threw everything forward but the defence stood firm, winning all the crosses and blocking all the shots. The clean sheet was tarnished however when Smith rashly challenged in the box and Hogganfield were awarded a penalty kick, which was dispatched. With seven minutes left, Capaldi replaced Ross Graham and Airdrie worked the clock down in Hogganfield’s half. Scenes of joy followed at full time and captain Stuart Smith stepped up to collect the SSML League Cup for the first time. Meanwhile, the club also have a Tommy Marshall Trophy semi-final this Saturday, and will win the top division (Division One) if they win their remaining six games. | 
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