30/04/08 Division 1 Semi-final play off 1st leg. Raith Rovers 0-2 Airdrie United Rovers opened by taking the game to Airdrie looking to establish the advantage for the away leg in 3 days time. In 6 minutes Hislop headed a Goodwillie cross for goal that Robertson easily gathered. 2 minutes later a long ball forward from the home back line picked out Hislop who tried to cross into the box but the deflection was comfortably taken by Robertson. In their first potent attack Andreoni drilled a cross cum shot that Fahey had to react quickly to as dived to direct the ball away from goal. With 20 minutes gone Hislop injured himself in a challenge and was replaced. 5 minutes later Borris was allowed to make headway towards the Airdrie penalty box before firing low to Robertson’s right post. The keeper turned the shot away for a corner. With few chances emerging and build up play very nervy from both sides Robertson took the direct route to goal with great success. With 31 minutes played the early clearance had Rovers defenders Campbell and Davidson back peddling. They were far from decisive as the bounce took the ball into the penalty area and Russell rose with keeper Fahey then headed into an open goal to put the Diamonds in front. 5 minutes later Donnelly’s cross into the penalty area found McDonald whose header was well taken by Fahey. 6 minutes from the interval Airdrie had a second goal almost in identical fashion to their first goal. A cross from the right by Andreoni hung in the air and as Fahey came to collect Russell rose once again to head into an empty net. Lovering’s booking just before the interval saw him replaced for the second period. The 45 minutes after the interval was lacking in content and reduced to nothing more than midfield exercise with little from either side of note. At the final whistle though Airdrie had proved third time lucky at Starks Park having lost the previous two league games there.
