By Graham Barnstaple
November 12 2011

After nine goals in their game at Coatbridge last week, Airdrie were involved in an eight goal thriller this week against Forfar.

Airdrie’s programme cover was covered in poppies as they looked to recover from last season’s inappropriate picture. They were also looking to recover from last week’s 7-2 defeat to local rivals Albion Rovers.

They started positively enough and were looking confident until Forfar opened the scoring against the run of play. A Ross shot from the edge of the box was blocked into the path of Templeman who had all the time in the world to pick his spot on 17 minutes.

The home side equalised 15 minutes later, a through ball from Stevenson released Donnelly who coolly chipped the advancing keeper.

There was little in the opening half to show what was likely to happen in the second period.

Airdrie took the lead for the first time in 58 minutes, when a Bain reverse pass released Donnelly to slide the ball under the advancing keeper. Within six minutes Forfar had taken the lead with two great finishes in the space of two minutes.

Sub Motion bent a great shot in from the edge of the box, and then Templeman volleyed a weak clearance into the net from the edge of the box.

Goals just kept coming, Airdrie equalised when Donnelly was given too much space to head a Bain cross in at the front post to seal his hat trick. Airdrie’s defence was caught out again minutes later when sub Byars was sent clean through to score.

Airdrie scored with only nine minutes left, when Boyle forced the ball home when Forfar failed to clear a McLaren corner. This was an end to the scoring in a game that was excellent for the neutral but not the two managers!

Forfar’s Dick Campbell said, “4-4 was about right, although we were in the lead three times and scored four away from home and still didn’t win, but I thoroughly enjoyed the game.”

While Airdrie boss Jimmy Boyle said, “We kept going and scored four good goals, but we need to defend better and get some of the experienced people back.”