Reece Willison says a repeat of last weekend’s performance can end the Diamonds’ home hoodoo when Dumbarton come to town.

 

The 20-year-old goalkeeper has started Airdrie’s last two matches, which have seen home defeat to Montrose before an impressive win at Forfar last Saturday.

 

Dale Carrick, Calum Gallagher, Callum Smith and Ally Roy bagged the goals in a 4-1 victory for the Diamonds, and Willison was delighted with the performance.

 

“I thought we did really well, we dominated possession in the first half even though we went in 1-0 down, but we blew them away in the second half.

 

“I think I only had one save to make in the whole game, so the boys in front of me did well. Sometimes as a goalkeeper you like a bit of action, but you’re equally happy to have a quiet afternoon!”

 

Joining the club in the summer, Willison has bided his time following a hand injury and a string of good displays by David Hutton - but the highly-rated keeper was ready to step in after injuries to Hutton and Scott Gallacher.

 

“I’m loving it - that’s exactly what I came here to do, get as many first-team appearances as I can.

 

“The results didn’t go our way in my first couple of games, so it was good to get the first win under the belt on Saturday.”

 

Having previously played youth football with Aberdeen, St Mirren and Celtic, Willison is relishing the opportunity of first-team involvement, and the chance to learn from some experienced goalkeepers.

 

“I knew Gall from St Mirren so I’ve worked with him before, but obviously he’s been really unlucky with injuries so he’s been in and out of training.

 

“Hutts has been really good, he’s been in the game for almost 20 years so he’s got plenty of experience to pass on and he’s happy for me to pick his brain!”

 

Dumbarton are the visitors to the Penny Cars Stadium this weekend, and Reece is hoping to keep his place between the sticks as Airdrie look to improve on a less-than-impressive recent home record.

 

“It’ll be a battle again, but we need to turn the home form round and there’s no better time to do it than now.

 

“We’re expecting a tough game, but we’re confident. If we pick up where we left off at Forfar I don’t think we’ll have anything to worry about.”

 

Manager Ian Murray also wants more of the same from his side.

 

“Dumbarton have done well to get where they are after a very difficult start to the season, and their players and management deserve credit for that.

 

“They’ll be well-organised and they’ll wait for an opportunity, so it’s up to us to snuff them out and continue our own good attacking play from last weekend."

 

On the injury front, Nat Wedderburn (foot) is a doubt but David Hutton (ankle) should return to the squad. Scott Gallacher (knee) and Craig Thomson (arm) remain sidelined for the Diamonds.

 

Craig Napier is the referee for Saturday’s meeting, his first Airdrie match of the season.