Summary

  • Airdrie win Challenge Cup for first time in 15 years

  • Ben Clark gave Welsh side lead after slotting home from close range

  • Liam McStravick equalised with impressive lob over The New Saints 'keeper

  • Nikolay Todorov scores from the spot to wrap up Airdrie victory

  1. That's all folkspublished at 18:45 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Yet another landmark moment in the young managerial career of Rhys McCabe.

    After a barren 15-year wait, the dusty Airdrieonians trophy cabinet has some shiny new silverware.

    Despite the Welsh champions opening the scoring, a superb strike from Liam McStravick and an inch-perfect penalty from Nikolay Todorov ensures the SPFL Trust Trophy remains in Scotland.

    Good night!

    Airdrie Player Manager Rhys McCabe celebrates winning the SPFL Trust Trophy during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  2. 📸📸published at 18:42 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Airdrie fans, here's a couple more snaps from the aftermath of today's victory.

    Enjoy.

    Airdrie Player Manager Rhys McCabe celebrates winning the SPFL Trust Trophy with Josh O'Connor during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
    Airdrie's Josh O'Connor and Dean McMaster celebrate at full time as they win the SPFL Trust Trophy during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  3. 'McCabe delivers'published at 18:36 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Stephen Craigan
    Former Motherwell captain on BBC Alba

    It's absolutely a feather in his cap.

    Everything chairmen and directors want, Rhys McCabe delivers for this team.

    He's showing the credentials to go on and become a top manager.

  4. That. Winning. Feeling.published at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Airdrie's Nikolay Todorov celebrates on the full time whistle as he wins the SPFL Trust Trophy during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  5. 'No-one remembers the performance'published at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Airdrieonians player-manager Rhys McCabe tells BBC Alba: "I'm delighted. Towards the end of the game, it got a little bit scrappy. But throughout the game, we had enough chances to punish them. No-one remembers the performance, they remember that we are the winners.

    "It was very entertaining - too much so for my liking. We got real joy with Nikolay [Todorov] up there today, being a real focal point, with Liam McStravick today making runs off him. I thought they two were a threat today.

    "Football is a short career and when you win silverware, you've got to enjoy it. The next few weeks, fixture-wise, is intense. We have a chance to push for the play-offs and end this season on a high."

    Airdrie Player Manager Rhys McCabe celebrates winning the SPFL Trust Trophy during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  6. 5,607 dayspublished at 18:26 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    That's how long the Airdrie faithful have waited for that sweet, sweet taste of silverware.

    Drink it in.

    Airdrie fans during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  7. 'This was for the fans' - Todorovpublished at 18:24 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Airdrieonians game-winner Nikolay Todorov tells BBC Alba: "Incredible. All the fans, it's for them. You don't get this often.

    "This trophy is a chance for the smaller team to win a trophy and you can see all the fans turning up in the numbers. It's for them. It gives us confidence heading into the end of the season.

    "Sometimes it's about making space for other players and I feel I done that well today. To get the opportunity at the penalty, I was fully confident."

    Airdrie's Nikolay Todorov celebrates as he scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  8. Record-breaker 👍published at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Rhys McCabe, the youngest manager to win the SPFL Trust Trophy.

    Airdrie Player Manager Rhys McCabe celebrates winning the SPFL Trust Trophy during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  9. 'Airdrie won the ugly way'published at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Stephen Craigan
    Former Motherwell captain on BBC Alba

    Airdrie had the know-how.

    They had to win it the ugly way - probably not the way Rhys McCabe wanted to win.

    But it just shows you the job he is doing. They should enjoy themselves.

  10. Postpublished at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    The jubilant Airdrie fans have finally been cleared off the park.

    Trophy celebrations to follow.

  11. PLAYER OF THE MATCHpublished at 18:16 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    A nuisance in attack who converted when it mattered most.

    Nikolay Todorov is Stephen Craigan's Player of the Match this afternoon.

    Airdrie's Nikolay Todorov celebrates as he scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  12. Postpublished at 18:13 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    The New Saints squad, as expected, look dejected out there on the pitch while Airdrie celebrate.

    The quadruple dream is over for them, but an opportunity to wrap up an unbeaten Welsh treble remains for Craig Harrison's side.

  13. 'A huge day for Airdrie'published at 18:11 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Stephen Craigan
    Former Motherwell captain on BBC Alba

    It's been such a long time.

    They've been stuck in League One, they've got to the Championship, the Premiership could beckon in the summer.

    Today is a huge day. There's a big turnout. That usually happens when you're successful and winning games.

  14. Postpublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    FT: The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Pitch invasion alert.

  15. FULL-TIME The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonianspublished at 18:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Airdrieonians have done it!

    Rhys McCabe's high-flyers have ended the club's 15 year wait for silverware.

    Airdrie's Nikolay Todorov scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 during the SPFL Trust Trophy Final match between The New Saints and Airdrieonians at Falkirk Stadium, on March 24, 2024, in Falkirk, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  16. Postpublished at 18:06 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Nikolay Todorov is subbed off for Calum Gallagher.

    Solid shift from the Bulgarian forward. He maybe, just maybe, has grabbed the winner here this afternoon.

  17. Postpublished at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Five minutes of stoppage-time to play.

    Airdrie are now just minutes away from their first cup triumph in over 15 years.

  18. Postpublished at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Ryan Brobbel is on for Leo Smith as TNS make their final change.

  19. CLOSE!published at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    Charlie Telfer curls one just wide from outside the area.

    That would have been a corker to settle the tie.

  20. Postpublished at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    The New Saints 1-2 Airdrieonians

    An inswinging Airdrieonians corner is desperately cleared off the line.

    With about 10 bodies under the crossbar there, I'm not sure how nobody has turned it in.