Airdrie v Manchester City Texaco Cup 1st Round 1971/72

Texaco Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg

27th September 1971

attendance 13,700

scorers Busby(57), Whiteford(60)

Ref A Webster

City Healey, Connor, Donachie, Towers, Hanvey, Jeffries, Carter, Johnson, Brennan, Henson, Hill

Airdrie were clearly upset at what looked to be a lack of respect by City in sending, what looked to be, a virtual reserve side to Broomfield Park with nine changes from the first leg.
However the Scots made their superiority count by winning the game 2-0 and the tie 4-2 on aggregate. In fact for most of the game their speed on the break created numerous chances against The Blues and if it wasn’t for Ron Healey’s excellent performance between the sticks Airdrie could have scored a hatful of goals.
The first save was just two minutes in when he dived bravely at the feet of Busby to stop a certain goal with just one minute on the clock, Thr Blues offside trap was working well, but Healey still had to pull off to more good saves before the reak.
Early in the second half the City custodian turned away a goal bound effort from Jarvie and then, although unsighted he amazingly held on to a close in effort from Busby, obviously frustrated at the ‘keepers one man defiance, Busby aggressively challenged Healey and Willie Donachie was subsequently booked for putting Busby in his place.
Busby’s efforts were eventually rewarded before the hour mark, as he ran 4o yards to smash a shot past Healey. And then just three minutes later Whiteford made it 2-0.
City the chased the game and Carter and Johnson both had late chances, but clearly The Blues had uunderestimate Airdrie and this would be the only tie they would ever play in The Texaco Cup.