Season 2022/23 begins for Peterhead in the same way that season 2021/22 ended with a game against Airdrieonians however the personnel involved will be very different.
Of the sixteen players that played for the Blue Toon in the 1-1 with the Diamonds back in April only two, Jack Brown and Jordon Brown, were in the squad manager Jim McInally had in for training ahead of this meeting.
A summer exodus of players, as well as cruel luck on the injury front, left Peterhead short of players for their Premier Sports Cup campaign however there is good news on the horizon with Jim saying: “I had always said that this week would start to see players become available. The tap is beginning to turn and we could have up to three new loan signings involved against Airdrie.”
“They are all agreed however we need to get the paperwork completed. We have one, Max Gillies, on board but even if we get them all in, we are still a bit understrength however we will get on with it against Airdrie. We know that the loan signings will strengthen us and hopefully there will be a couple of new recruits in next week as well.”
“Once the injuries clear up, I will have selection problems which is very different to the last few weeks.”
As for the Diamonds Jim said: “Airdrie started last season a good bit ahead of us but we closed the gap in every game we played them after that. We have had them watched and they are also a changed side both in terms of players and management.”
“One thing that has remained the same with them is that they are sharp up front with Callum Smith and Callum Gallagher and we need to be ready for that.”
Jim added: “Training this week has been good for us. A few of the young boys were a bit heads down after the last few weeks but that is gone now and you could see the experienced boys brining them on in training.”
“If we get the two other loan deals onto the Teamsheet then we will be stronger than we have been and we know that we will get stronger still.”
Team news
Max Gillies is added on loan from Queen’s Park The concussion suffered by Jason Brown at Stirling last weekend keeps him out and he joins Andy McCarthy (ankle), Russell McLean (knee) and Hamish Ritchie (knee) in missing out with Andy McDonald also absent due to suspension.
Skipper Paul Dixon and summer signing Ryan Dow return after bans saw them sit out at Forthbank with another summer recruit Ryan Strachan in the squad although not fully match fit.
Match Programme – https://issuu.com/peterheadfc/docs/_03_airdrieonians_30.07.22
Attending the game – There are no cash turnstiles in operation. All tickets must be bought for the ticket office prior to entry. Cash and Card are accepted in the ticket office. The ticket office is located to the right of the main entrance.
Watching the game – We have had to stop our live matchday streaming service within the UK and Ireland for home matches in cinch League One. This is as part of new regulations set out by the SPFL, with Covid-19 restrictions having been relaxed, and now removed, allowing supporters to attend matches at full capacity. Live streaming is not allowed in the UK and Ireland on a Saturday between 2.45pm and 5.15pm, and virtual season tickets are not permitted.
