By Chris Mac
March 12 2004

The competition is beginning to hot up and it looks like three teams are breaking away from the pack and as predicted at the beginning of the season it is ourselves, Hamilton and Greenock Morton. It is still early but the gap of four points between ourselves and forth is there to be seen

Airdrie travel to New Douglas Park to take on Hamilton for the second time in two weeks, having looked at the fixtures i would put this second V third game as the top draw of the day and another good match to look forward to.

A win means we go into second still with a game in hand, If that doesn't show the importance of this game nothing does.

Sandy has a question to answer this week and that is who will replace Kevin Christie on the right side of the defence after he was sent of unjustly against Morton at Cappilow. Three choices come to mind Willie Wilson who came on on Tuesday night, Stephen Docherty can drop out of mid-field, or Alan McManus can go to right back if Scott Wilson is fully fit, if not i would not risk "Scoobie" as we will need him before the month is out.

Each of the choices leaves other questions so it will be interesting to see how Sandy changes things to match a Hamilton team that has gone unbeaten since Coyle got his Hat trick against them.

While writing this preview it has came to my attention that we may also have a doubt about one other player, Sandy has decided to play his cards close to his chest on this one, but I suspect we may be with out Willie McLaren, anyone at the game against Morton would have noticed him wearing some heavy strapping on his right leg.

Possible Line Up

Mark McGeown
Stephen Docherty, Alan McManus, Neil McGowan, Paul Lovering
Jerome Vareille, Marvyn Wilson, David Dunn, Willie McLaren
Owen Coyle, Alan Gow

I'm taking the opportunity here to thank the Hamilton site http://www.acciesworld.com/ for adding a link to the Stomp and as you can see have did like wise.

Jose Quitongo and Steve Convery have been ruled out by Hamilton Manager Allan Maitland. It seems also that whether through being forced to or by choice Maitland has been blooding some of his younger players. Darren Gribben a 17 year old scored his first senior goal in Hamiltons 2-0 win over Dumbarton at New Douglas Park on tuesday. Back in the squad for selection is Jim Sherry.

Airdrie V Hamilton Head to Heads