Airdrie No.2 Callum Fordyce says his side have made a great start to the season

Airdrie No. 2 Callum Fordyce admits it was a blow to go out of the SPFL Trust Trophy last Friday night, but says they have still made an excellent start to the season.

The Diamonds sit second in League One, a point off leaders Dunfermline, as they head into a tricky away double-header at Kelty Hearts on Saturday and Montrose, next Tuesday.

Fordyce says Airdrie break the season into quarters, and with three games left in the current block, they’re ahead of where they were at this point last season, on points. Boss Rhys McCabe made a raft of changes for the SPFL Trust Trophy third round clash at Alloa last Friday night, with the Wasps running out 1-0 winners, and that just means the focus returns solely to the league campaign.

Fordyce said: “It was a fairly tight match. Both teams were well matched, played the same shape, and that was it.

“It was two strong teams going at it. It was one of those things, so now our focus is on the league, with us being out the cup.

“That’s just the main aim, put the foot to the floor and go full steam ahead.

“I think there are three games left in the quarter, so you try to take each quarter as they come.

Fordyce was disappointed that Airdrie crashed out of the SPFL Trust Trophy third round at Alloa, but says it has still been a good start (John Steven)

“It’s probably one of the best starts we’ve had since I’ve been at the club, with the points tally we’ve got at the moment, and this is my fourth year here.

“You just need to try and keep building, set your target in every quarter you think you can get.”

Looking ahead, Fordyce added: “It’s going to be two tough games. Kelty have just come up and they found a good win at Annan on Friday night [2-1], which is a hard place to go to.

“And Montrose is Montrose... it’s one of the hardest places,
I think, in Scotland to go up and play. But we’ll be full of confidence to go there and get a result.

“I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve won up there before with Airdrie, and we’ve had some cracking games throughout the time I’ve been here.

Fordyce was frustrated as his side passed up chances at the Indodrill, including this one by striker Calum Gallagher (John Steven)

“Hopefully it’s another cracker and we come out victorious.

“As much as we look at other teams and give them respect, we know what we’re capable of if we turn up on our day.

“We just need to make sure we do that, that we put a team out in a shape that we think is going to win the game.

“Hopefully we’ll play the way we want to play and get the three points – that’s the main aim.”

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