Artificial Airdrie pitch adds intrigue to Ayr clash

Posted Saturday, August 14, 2010 by PA

Airdrie host Ayr with both sides looking for their first league win of the season in a game that will create history as it is the first contest on the new artificial surface in Lanarkshire.

Airdrie have added former Celtic winger Philip Johnston to their squad after agreeing a deal until the end of the season, however fellow wide man Gary Muir is a major doubt through injury

Diamonds boss Jimmy Boyle believes the pitch is a winner, saying: "We have played both Motherwell and a junior side on the pitch as well as having training sessions on it and it is great."

Boyle added: "We showed great spirit to get a point at East Fife last week and I am looking for more of the same in this game."

Ayr will be without four players for the first game on the new artificial surface.

Suspended defender Martyn Campbell and the injured trio of striker Andy Rodgers, centre-back Bobby Donnelly and midfielder Scott Taggart will all miss the clash.

Despite frequent meetings with their opponents last season, Ayr are facing a trip into the unknown when they visit Lanarkshire.

Boss Brian Reid said: "We are used to going to Airdrie and playing on grass. I have not seen the surface yet so we are a wee bit in the dark, although we did win against Airdrie on astroturf at Alloa earlier on the season."

He continued: "We bounced back against Cowdenbeath after losing to Brechin last Saturday so, despite not knowing fully what the surface is like, we will go with confidence."