brazil chile

The Round Of 16, the top two from the South American Qualifying section & the prospect of two free flowing football nations going head to head was enough to whet even the most satisfied of appetites at this world cup.
 
In September 2009, the last meeting between the two sides Brazil had overcome Chile 4-2 in their own back yard with a Nilmar hat-rick, however Chile have come of age in this tournament with two wins and one narrow defeat to tournament favourites Spain in the qualifying section.
 
Brazil as always have stepped their form up for the big tournament and remain a test for any country & undoubtedly one of the class teams going forward. With the creativity of Kaka & Robinho and flamboyant if occasionally dubious finishing qualities of Fabiano, they will take some stopping.
 
Kaka was back from an embarrassing suspension, for Fifa at least, after one of a growing number of crazy decisions that seem to have enveloped referee and linesman alike in this tournament. His involvement guaranteed a move away from the workmanlike performance of Brazil's final group match against Portugal, which may be gone and forgotten in equal measure by now.
 
They were not at their free flowing best last night, but a 3-0 winning score line equally did not flatter them. Dunga has instilled a steel in the side that Scotland would be proud of. Their work ethic has become a healthy addition to the legendary craft. They will not find it as easy against Holland in the quarter final tie on Friday, however this match will not have stretched them too much so they will be fully charged for that encounter when it comes around.
 
Chile were acclaimed in their performances in the group stages by none other than Johann Cruyff who was at pains to highlight their unquestionable desire to please the onlookers in their quest for ultimately successful graduation from the group. Last night was to be no different, however where they fell down was in knowing when to rain in their attacking intent. They were missing three of their main protagonists, yet somehow believed they could breach Brazil at will.
 
They went on the attack from the first whistle, winning a corner. However this was as good as it was to get for them throughout the match. The odd glimpse of an opportunity soon snuffed out by the Brazilian juggernaut, so well drilled in defence & marshalled by Gilberto Silva in front. The old flair may be less abundant, however no less clinical when applied.
 
It took 34 minutes for the first goal to arrive. It was perhaps the best execution of a header seen in this or any world cup for that matter. The ball swung in magnificently from the right hand side, Lucio blocked off any Chilean intervention and Juan rose splendidly from around 12 yards out to power home, out of the reach of the despairing Bravo.
 
This woke Brazil up, having scored such a clinical goal first up, they decided to add some craft and guile between the 3 aforementioned protagonists, Robinho, Kaka and Fabiano. A wonderfully worked move culminating in Fabiano's dance free in the box past the keeper and placing the ball into an unguarded net. 2-0 and half time beckoning.
 
Chile went on the offensive more and more in the 2nd half, with defenders being replaced by attackers and Brazil working on the counter attack to great effect. Robinho scored a simple third, simply steering a pass like shot into the net for 3-0 after some great build up dribbling from Ramires, normally a midfield holder alongside Silva. The game if not over by 2-0 and half time certainly was now.
 
Brazil went into overdrive towards the end of the game and played with the freedom we have known and loved them for in the past. They had shown a clinical efficiency in the group and now in the round of 16, however it has been massively effective and with the undoubted flair in reserve, they could be warming to the task just at the right time. Maybe the decision to leave Ronaldhino at home will not have the repercussions some believed before the tournament began.

under 13 final

destroyed, disintegrated, capitulate

Ayr Uniteds Football Academy under 13 girls walked away with the Scottish League Cup Plate early afternoon on Sunday 27th June 2010 at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre in Glasgow.

The girls prepared for the cup final by visiting Rugby Park on Thursday night to watch Scotlands Womens team play in a World cup qualifier against Denmark. Although the result that night didn't quite go Scotlands way after a 1 nil loss, the girls from Ayr obviously took inspiration from their heroes as they came into todays match.

The match pitted Ayr against Kilbirnie who also play in the South West Girls Football League ‘B’.

The result itself was never really in doubt as player of the match Dionne Mair scored 6 goals with Caitlin Taylor, vice captain Hannah Taysum and Brooke Rawson all hitting the back of the net once each. It was a strong performance from all the girls involved as their passing and shooting was top form, combined with a dominant defensive display also held the Kilbirnie girls to very few opportunities.

At the end the girls were ecstatic with the victory and were pleased to be able to collect a winners medal and the ‘Plate’. Coach Paul McFarlane said "This was a culmination of all the hard work the girls have put in this season. This silverware is just the icing on the cake for them. I couldn't be more pleased than I am now and want to thank all the parents and supporters that turned out not only today, but for coming and supporting them every week."

Todays team lineup:

Hannah Davies (GK), Sophie Crichton (Captain), Hannah Taysum (vice captain),
Natalie Taylor, Caitlin Taylor, Chloe Cuthbert, Roisin Hiddleston, Nicole Lymburn, Brooke Rawson, Dionne Mair, Cara Graham, Megan Lanni.

JJ Hawkshaw

ANOTHER ACADEMY STARLET SIGNS ON FOR AYR UNITED


JJ Hawkshaw is the latest youth academy player to commit himself to Ayr United Football Club after he signed a 3 year professional contract with the club.

The 16 year old becomes the seventh player to have been signed by Ayr from the football academy with the club and manager, Brian Reid, buzzing with excitement at signing such a talent.

JJ, who attends Grange Academy in Kilmarnock follows in his fathers uncles footsteps by signing for Ayr. Ian Harkshaw, who played 91 times between 1965 - 1968, signed from St Johnstone and scored 39 goals for the Ayr side in that period and although JJ is a defender, he will be hoping to at least emulate the appearance total in the coming years.

Head of Youth and Community Development Davie White is delighted with the signing. Davie commented "JJ has been part of the youth Academy from the very beginning since joining us from Crosshouse Boys Club and has progressed through the system tremendously. It is great to see that his hard work and dedication have been rewarded with a professional contract."
Davie continued "JJ is taking his first step on his professional football pathway where we hope he will continue to grow and if he continues to show the desire to succeed that he has previously shown, he has the potential to progress to the top."

As part of the Youth Academy setup, JJ has decided to stay on at school and is currently studying English, Maths, History, Biology and Physics all at Higher education level, thus giving him the opportunity to progress with further college or university education in tandem with his professional football contract when and if that opportunity presents itself.

JJ himself is delighted to have signed with Ayr saying "Ayr have a magnificent setup with tremendous facilities at their disposal. The calibre of the coaches is outstanding and without them, I would never have been able to be the player I have became. With their continued guidance I would be hopeful of playing in Ayr Uniteds first team squad at some time in the near future.
Being an intelligent young man, he was quick to offer some words of advice for other players hoping to follow in his footsteps, " Hard work and a desire will only get you so far, you have to be intelligent and willing to listen to the coaches advice, these guys have the experience and are willing to give up their time and effort to help us reach our dreams. As for me, I can't thank them enough and have at least the next 3 years to learn as much as I can from them."

One thing is for sure, after recent successes from the youth Academy, JJ will be given his chance by Ayr United if he proves to be good enough and on previous form, his chance will come sooner rather than later.

college draft

AUFA & Reid Kerr College, a perfect partnership

In conjunction with Ayr United Football Academy, 15 youth players achieve National Qualifications at Reid Kerr College.

How many youth players get the chance to train with a SFL team under the guidance of the clubs manager while still having the opportunity to attend an affiliated college & get educational qualifications in football? Well that opportunity came true for 15 young players who trained with Ayr United during season 2009 - 10.

It's every young footballers dream to be offered a professional contract and have a successful playing career in Scotland but only a few will succeed at the highest level. The Academy Board made it one of their targets to develop a way for those players by providing a partnership with Reid Kerr College to provide an education pathway. Reid Kerr College ran NQ courses at various levels in football last season & in the future will offer HNC & eventually HND. These qualifications offer future career prospects for the students involved but also provides an important route from pro youth into the Ayr United first team squad.

The 2009-10 course had 22 students, 7 of which were Academy players. Based at the John Pollock Centre and Pro Soccer Complex, they were taught by lecturers from Reid Kerr & also from the Academy. However, the greatest attraction for these young footballers was the opportunity to train with the Ayr United first team every Tuesday & Thursday morning. As Brian Reid is a full time manager, it meant he had time to watch & talk to the students & discussed those assessments with Academy coaches. Brian also shaped these sessions to allow the college course practical sessionsto be integrated into the training time. The Academy proposed that he selected 8-10 players a week to supplement the first team squad at training, a proposal that Brian accepted & the players were picked on a rotational basis so that all students got equal playing time. This increased participation by Brian, played an important part of co-ordinating the college course session with Ayr's overall training regime.

Newly appointed Head of Youth Development at the Academy David White, has a very positive approach to encouraging the next batch of Academy players to join this course & wants to make these players fully aware of how important this course is for their path into the first team, as well as offering further education in football.

The Academy gives due consideration to 'over training', with the Academy students allowed optional training attendance on the Tuesday and Thursday night sessions, with most choosing to attend Thursday night as their new weekly training schedule differed to the under 19's not on the Reid Kerr course. David Gemmell also offers guidance sessions for the students to allow them an outlet to discuss any problems they have.

The positive outcome from the football sessions was how the non Academy players excelled in these games & led to 2 players being signed by Academy teams. The success of this course is good news for the Academy as it is unique in that this is the only college course set up by a football Academy tailored for their youth players. The partnership they have developed with Reid Kerr College shows true professionalism & vision from staff on both sides.

under 13's

The Scottish League Cup Plate is up for grabs, and the under 13 girls from Ayr United are in it to win it when they play the final on 27th June against Kilbirnie CFC.

At the spectacular new indoor arena at Toryglen Regional Football Centre the girls will be fighting for a new piece of silverware on a day that will see 6 cup finals taking place.

The Ayr girls who play in South West Girls Football League, will be hoping for some of the scoring prowess that they have shown recently, to be on show, while coach Paul McFarlane will be encouraging them to perform as well as he knows they can play. Recent games have seen the girls score plenty of goals from Dionne Mair & vice captain Hannah Taysum and without putting too much pressure on them, the coach will surely be looking for much the same for this cup final.

If all the girls play to their potential, the Plate could be heading back to Ayr but it will take an all round top notch display not only from the goalscorers but also from players such as goalie Hannah Davies, who at times has been cat like in her saves. Natalie and Caitlin Taylor also have the ability to change the game with their pace and can also pitch in with a few goals. Solid performances from Brooke Rawson, captain Sophie Crichton, Chloe Cuthbert, Nicole Lymburn and Roisin Hiddleston who are all undoubted natural talents, will need to be on top form.

The Ayr girls haven't played Kilbirnie this season with both teams having slighly mixed results in their respective leagues which has changed slightly and now has 9 teams in it. Ayr are currently top of that league after 2 games having won both meanwhile Kilbirnie are second in this B league having won 2 and lost 1 so both are the strongest teams in the B league.

To get ready for the game they have arranged a friendly with a side from the A league, Clark Drive, and they plan to visit Rubgy Park to see the Scotland womens international against Denmark on Thursday night for some relaxation and inspiration.

Paul Mcfarlane has stated recently that the girls have shown good defending abilities and improved their passing whilst showing a magnificent level of effort and will be proud of the girls he coaches no matter the result. Paul also said "I would just say whatever the result it will be a great experience to play in this final.  The girls really deserve to have made the final because they have worked very hard in training throughout this season so far, and have showed some great flair play at times.  If we play well we have a good chance but we must also recognise Kilbirnie are a threat and take them seriously.  They have also done really well to get to the final and will be up for the game so we must be at our best in all areas of the pitch and pass the ball like we can do.  Whatever the result this will be a springboard for the rest of the season and I am already planning on what we must work on to get better after the summer break."


The game is scheduled to kick off at 11.30am on Sunday 27th June with the presentation of the winners Plate at 12.40 depending on the need for extra time. The cost for supporters/parents will be £3 for adults, £1.50 concessions and under 16's will be free to enter.

Good luck goes out to the girls and hopefully we will be reporting a final win the following week.

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Sunday 13th June matches

Ayr United youth academy games are rarely boring and Sundays matches at Belmont Academy was no exception.

The under 15’s were first to kick off the action at 11.45am against Alloa whose travelling fans must have numbered 50, impressive for such a long journey on a Sunday morning and they weren't to be disappointed. The standard of play on show was something special to watch with the passing play from the Ayr boys pleasing manager John McGivern. "The players look tired after a long season and maybe need the summer break to come for them to recharge their batteries" John said, he continued by saying " The lads have a good spirit, they're good passers of the ball and are always hungry for a result, they're only downside is the high expectations they have set for themselves, it sometimes makes it difficult for them to accept anything less than a perfect performance". Not a bad spirit to have if you're trying to make it in this game, just ask Beckham.


Sean Anderson continued his scoring run by firing in both of the home sides goals today and Ayr were also boosted by the return of Mark Shankland after recovering from a broken bone in his foot. Mark had the ball in the back himself but the referee bizarrely claimed the ball had hit the post and allowed play to continue. Under 14 player Ryan Nisbet also played again for the under 15s today seemingly excelling at this higher level.

Talking of the under 14's, they took the pitch shortly after their older counterparts in a match that would see an outstanding hat trick for Liam (statto) Anderson and a double for impressive trialist Steven McCarrison. Manager Neil Duffy and coach Andy Willock were ecstatic with yet another outstanding performance from these boys pointing out "This bunch of players are the stars of the future". 

Beaming from ear to ear, Neil couldn't speak highly enough of the season they have had, "We have a great group of players that all fight for each other, we have good defence, good passing techniques and coupled with a superb attitude, I have no doubt that these boys will go places". 


In addition to the goals that Anderson and McCarrison scored, Allan Forrest and Michael Ahern both netted as well. It was a truly inspiration display from all the players in the Ayr side with exceptional performances from keeper James Hart, Aedan Keegan and Aedan Connor. 
With his tongue placed firmly in cheek, Manager Neil Duffy joked at the end " We done all this today without our top scorer Nizzy (Ryan Nisbet) who was on under 15 duty, maybe he'll not get back into the team!" 
Don't worry Ryan, I am sure there's plenty of space for a player like you.