The feeling going into the match had been one full of positivity, enthusiasm and hunger but that excitement going into the match on Saturday didn’t last long as Airdrieonians opened the scoring after a minute, Cammy Ballantyne fed Callum Smith on the left, and although his looping cross was just too high for Justin Devenny, the ball bounced off Peterhead defender Kevin Joshua leaving the in-form Englishman to stroke home.
The Blue Toon almost equalised straight from kick-off, Andy McCarthy sending a good shot just wide of the post, but it would prove to be the only real chance of a miserable afternoon for David Robertson’s side.
Shortly afterwards, Airdrie did get a second, Gallagher got on the end of Callum Fordyce’s pass back across goal for defender Craig Watson to side foot home, you could already tell from that moment on that a brutal day was going to be on the cards.
Before we knew it, the relentless Diamonds made it three as Gallagher got his first of the match, and it was an excellent finish from the striker as he accepted McGill’s pinpoint pass and curled the ball beyond McKenzie’s despairing dive.
With Peterhead’s game plan in ruins, the visitors began to sit deep as they attempted to contain the rampant Diamonds, who were still finding routes through to goal with their short, sharp passing.
You thought the visitors had settled into the match with Robertson looking to change formation on numerous occasions across the remainder of the first half. It looked like working until first-half stoppage time when McGill made it 4-0 as Callum Fordyce squared for the unmarked Gabby McGill to finish.
After a quick start to the first half, the Diamonds repeated the feat after the break. McGill’s 47th-minute pass was deflected into the path of Devenny, who pulled the ball across goal for Adam Frizzell to smash into the far corner.
A lot of the goals from an Airdrieonians perspective were similar in quality, fashion and style and this was no different with the sixth as Calum Gallagher completed an instinct finish after Adam Frizzell had an effort saved.
Airdrie wanted another one to complete the assignment and they got a seventh just three minutes from time as Gallagher completed his hat-trick as he jumped in front of Joshua and McKenzie to head home.
It goes without saying that this was tough for everyone at the club on Saturday and we are looking to bounce back this Saturday when we host Alloa to Balmoor.
