Ayr United Youth Academy 'Magnificent 7'
It could be an indication of football economies or perhaps just the dawn of a new era at Ayr United Football Club, whatever the reason, the future looks bright for Ayr United with the help of their Youth Academy counterparts.
Ayrs Alba Cup match victory against Airdrie had seven current or ex youth academy players involved in the squad of seventeen taken to Alloas Recreation Park. Five of these seven players played some part of the 90 minutes and two of the seven started the match, with one of these players undoubtedly the man of the match for Ayr.
The youth players involved seem to be relishing the prospect of playing in their dream environment and do not seem overawed by it one little bit as the Alba Cup performance showed.
Without really wanting to point out any one of the seven as they all deserve credit, Jonathan Tiffany who plays at right back, played out of his skin against Airdrie and deserves all the plaudits heading his way for his man of the match performance.
Alistair Woodburn also started the match along with Jonathan, while Ross Robertson, Aaron Connolly and Roddy Paterson all came on as second half substitutes and helped to turn the course of the match as the team looked sharper when they entered the field of play.
Due to the fact only three subs can be used, it meant that Ian Fisher and Daryl Jones couldn't be used but they'll get their chance. The fact they are in the squad for the match shows they are good enough, its just simple maths unfortunately, and you can only play eleven on the field and change three players but their time will come.
All seven of these guys can be proud of their achievements and shows the steps that the Youth Academy have made to improve the playing prowess of already talented players. The Youth Academy coaches can also hold their heads high, they have done an excellent job in training the players involved and proves the Youth Academy setup works. Hopes are now inflated that many more young players will follow in the footsteps of these 'Magnificent Seven'.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
ayr u19s v cumnock
Ayr United Youth Academy (AUFA) under 19 side were in action on Monday night in a tough tie against a physical Cumnock Juniors side.
Recently, some of the under 19s have been getting some playing time with the full Ayr United squad but tonight it was back to bread and butter football and the bruises that go along with playing against a junior football side.
It took 30 minutes before Ayr goalkeeper Matthews was called on but he wasn't to get such an easy period of play again during a match that ended with 7 goals.
Cumnock managed their first goal of the match on 35 minutes with a low shot past an outstretched Matthews and the Ayr keeper was in action again on 42 minutes who tipped a shot wide from close range.
44 minutes had passed without much of a chance at goal for Ayr but McClelland was to help change that as he fired in a shot from the corner of the box which the Cumnock keeper parried but Roddy Paterson was there to shoot home the rebound to give Ayr an equalizer just before the half time whistle.
Unfortunately for McClelland he was injured in the previous charge on goal and was subbed just as half time hit us.
In the second half, Matthews once again had to be on his toes as only 3 minutes into the half, he tipped an 18 yard thunderbolt over the bar. However only 1 minute later, the Ayr keeper was beaten by a lob from 18 yards out from the right hand side of the box.
2 minutes later, Cumnock nearly added another when they hit the post but only 60 seconds later Ayr broke up the field and right wing substitute Kelly, who was outstanding in his time on the field, fired in from 10 yards out to make the score 2-2.
Kelly made a magnificent defensive tackle a few minutes later to save a sure goal and kept the scoreline as a draw at this point.
Although Cumnock were getting more opportunities at goal, the Ayr sides football was better and they were taking a bit of a battering from a big physical set of Cumnock player and the players were holding their nerve and temper in the face of some hefty challenges.
When it looked like the match was going to end as a draw, up popped the Junior side to lob another goal over the outrushing Ayr keeper with the Ayr defenders claiming an offside but the ref allowed the goal to give the East Ayrshire side the lead with 5 minutes to go.
It was a tough call for the under 19 side and 2 minutes later, Ayr lost another goal after some nice play down the left hand side before a strong shot hit the back of the net to give the Cumnock side a 4-2 lead and with seconds remaining of regulation time, Cumnock scored again to give them a 5-2 win.
Although the result didn't go the Ayr sides way, it was a good run out against a stronger, older, more experienced group of players and the under 19s will play worse than they did today and get wins so overall a good performance all round from Stephen McMillans side.
Team : Matthews, Fisher, McIntyre, Murdoch, Frame, Armstrong, Connolly, Milligan, Paterson, Baird, McClelland.
Subs : Jones (gk), Kelly, Moore, Nugent, Hendry
Recently, some of the under 19s have been getting some playing time with the full Ayr United squad but tonight it was back to bread and butter football and the bruises that go along with playing against a junior football side.
 |
| Keeper Matthews in action |
Cumnock managed their first goal of the match on 35 minutes with a low shot past an outstretched Matthews and the Ayr keeper was in action again on 42 minutes who tipped a shot wide from close range.
44 minutes had passed without much of a chance at goal for Ayr but McClelland was to help change that as he fired in a shot from the corner of the box which the Cumnock keeper parried but Roddy Paterson was there to shoot home the rebound to give Ayr an equalizer just before the half time whistle.
Unfortunately for McClelland he was injured in the previous charge on goal and was subbed just as half time hit us.
In the second half, Matthews once again had to be on his toes as only 3 minutes into the half, he tipped an 18 yard thunderbolt over the bar. However only 1 minute later, the Ayr keeper was beaten by a lob from 18 yards out from the right hand side of the box.
2 minutes later, Cumnock nearly added another when they hit the post but only 60 seconds later Ayr broke up the field and right wing substitute Kelly, who was outstanding in his time on the field, fired in from 10 yards out to make the score 2-2.
Although Cumnock were getting more opportunities at goal, the Ayr sides football was better and they were taking a bit of a battering from a big physical set of Cumnock player and the players were holding their nerve and temper in the face of some hefty challenges.
When it looked like the match was going to end as a draw, up popped the Junior side to lob another goal over the outrushing Ayr keeper with the Ayr defenders claiming an offside but the ref allowed the goal to give the East Ayrshire side the lead with 5 minutes to go.
It was a tough call for the under 19 side and 2 minutes later, Ayr lost another goal after some nice play down the left hand side before a strong shot hit the back of the net to give the Cumnock side a 4-2 lead and with seconds remaining of regulation time, Cumnock scored again to give them a 5-2 win.
Although the result didn't go the Ayr sides way, it was a good run out against a stronger, older, more experienced group of players and the under 19s will play worse than they did today and get wins so overall a good performance all round from Stephen McMillans side.
Team : Matthews, Fisher, McIntyre, Murdoch, Frame, Armstrong, Connolly, Milligan, Paterson, Baird, McClelland.
Subs : Jones (gk), Kelly, Moore, Nugent, Hendry
Sunday, July 18, 2010
ayr annan under 17s
The Ayr United Youth Academy (AUFA) got back under way today as last years under 16's team emerged from the summer a fitter, stronger and wiser unit.
Like the Ayr United full squad, they were playing against Annan in a pre season friendly but the performance was a world away from yesterdays full squad effort in Annan.
The under 17s players dominated this match from start to finish with usual suspects Lee Lockhart, Steven Hutchison, Robbie Crawford, Declan Milligan and captain JJ Hawkshaw all proving to be the backbone of a team that oozes confidence.
The team as a whole passed superbly all day and the 2nd half especially, were rarely troubled at the back and the combination of Declan Milligan and Lee Lockhart on the right side of the field, paid dividends on numerous occasions as they peppered the Annan goal with shots.
Declan Milligan, Tyler Campbell & Lee Lochart all bagged doubles today with Adam Forsyth & Steven Hutchison chasing them in with a goal apiece.
Realistically, this was a one sided match and there could have been a lot more goals as the Ayr players out passed, out played and out classed the Annan team, a point not missed on the Annan coach as he congratulated the Ayr coaching staff at the end stating "We were taught a masterclass".
Success in football is often measured by results and the coaching staff of Allan Paul and Davy Adams were quick to point out to the players that they weren't to rest on their laurels when in the lead, and not to rest or become lazy in the latter part of the match when it would be easier to sit back and let the match runs itself out. But the coaches also stressed that the players play their best at all times and not to let their heads drop if a pass went astray or a shot at goal missed the mark.
The players in this team have tons of class and many of them will go far in the game, keep an eye on their progress!
Team squad: Ross Duddy, Jack McClymont, JJ Hawkshaw, Cammy Barr, Lee Lockhart, Steven Hutchison, Robbie Crawford, Adam Forsyth, Declan Milligan, Tyler Campbell, Andrew Muir, Dean Marshall, Chris McFadzean, Cammy Marlow, Scott Hainey, Dale McCormick
END
Notes; There was another player Dale ?, can you fill in the blank surname?
The report doesn't give much in the way of action from the match, there was way too much to mention and there were 8 goals so I have kept it short preferring to make the article more about a rounder view of the team performance.
Like the Ayr United full squad, they were playing against Annan in a pre season friendly but the performance was a world away from yesterdays full squad effort in Annan.
The under 17s players dominated this match from start to finish with usual suspects Lee Lockhart, Steven Hutchison, Robbie Crawford, Declan Milligan and captain JJ Hawkshaw all proving to be the backbone of a team that oozes confidence.
The team as a whole passed superbly all day and the 2nd half especially, were rarely troubled at the back and the combination of Declan Milligan and Lee Lockhart on the right side of the field, paid dividends on numerous occasions as they peppered the Annan goal with shots.
Declan Milligan, Tyler Campbell & Lee Lochart all bagged doubles today with Adam Forsyth & Steven Hutchison chasing them in with a goal apiece.
Realistically, this was a one sided match and there could have been a lot more goals as the Ayr players out passed, out played and out classed the Annan team, a point not missed on the Annan coach as he congratulated the Ayr coaching staff at the end stating "We were taught a masterclass".
Success in football is often measured by results and the coaching staff of Allan Paul and Davy Adams were quick to point out to the players that they weren't to rest on their laurels when in the lead, and not to rest or become lazy in the latter part of the match when it would be easier to sit back and let the match runs itself out. But the coaches also stressed that the players play their best at all times and not to let their heads drop if a pass went astray or a shot at goal missed the mark.
The players in this team have tons of class and many of them will go far in the game, keep an eye on their progress!
Team squad: Ross Duddy, Jack McClymont, JJ Hawkshaw, Cammy Barr, Lee Lockhart, Steven Hutchison, Robbie Crawford, Adam Forsyth, Declan Milligan, Tyler Campbell, Andrew Muir, Dean Marshall, Chris McFadzean, Cammy Marlow, Scott Hainey, Dale McCormick
END
Notes; There was another player Dale ?, can you fill in the blank surname?
The report doesn't give much in the way of action from the match, there was way too much to mention and there were 8 goals so I have kept it short preferring to make the article more about a rounder view of the team performance.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Jonathan Tiffany, Aaron Connolly and Roddy Patterson were all on the bench against Stranraer in Wednesday nights game at Somerset, all of whom managed some pitch time.
Darryl Jones, Ross Robertson, Jonathan Tiffany, Aaron Connolly and Roddy Patterson all made the bench for Saturdays visit of Premier League and Europa Cup bound, Motherwell, with Ross, Jonathan & Roddy all getting some playing time in this rain soaked match.
This is what the Academy is all about , progressing ambitious, aspiring young players who are just starting out of their football careers and giving them the opportunity to shine.
Do we make a reference to JJ? One lost to the Old Firm, one kept. Both from the same team. Signs that the Academy is starting to produce a stream of quality players. It will be interesting to plot their careers over the next three or four years.
Player : Marc Dyer
I signed Marc July 2007 from Ayr Boswell BC beating off competition from Kilmarnock.
1st season 2007-08 played 23 games and scored 37 goals
2nd season 2008-09 played 40 games and scored 27 goals
3rd season 2009-10 played 25 games and scored 24 goals
Signed initially as a striker but in season 09-10 also played most of games from attacking left midfield which is what caught eye of Rangers. A pupil at Doon Academy has left and signed 2 year professional contract at Rangers
Stays in Dalmellington
born 1994
"Marc is a delight to work with and has a great attitude towards his football, rarely misses a training session and the commitment him and his parents have shown Ayr Utd Football Academy has been unquestionable over the last 3 years. Over the years he has developed his game brilliantly which has now been rewarded in the best possible way. I know Marc will be a great success at Rangers and can't wait to see him in years to come hopefully break into first team football at Ibrox."
Please feel free to alter in anyway and i hope this helps
Thanks
Allan Paul
the transfer was completed within the last mont
Player : Marc Dyer
I signed Marc July 2007 from Ayr Boswell BC beating off competition from Kilmarnock.
1st season 2007-08 played 23 games and scored 37 goals
2nd season 2008-09 played 40 games and scored 27 goals
3rd season 2009-10 played 25 games and scored 24 goals
Signed initially as a striker but in season 09-10 also played most of games from attacking left midfield which is what caught eye of Rangers. A pupil at Doon Academy has left and signed 2 year professional contract at Rangers
Stays in Dalmellington
born 1994
"Marc is a delight to work with and has a great attitude towards his football, rarely misses a training session and the commitment him and his parents have shown Ayr Utd Football Academy has been unquestionable over the last 3 years. Over the years he has developed his game brilliantly which has now been rewarded in the best possible way. I know Marc will be a great success at Rangers and can't wait to see him in years to come hopefully break into first team football at Ibrox."
Please feel free to alter in anyway and i hope this helps
Thanks
Allan Paul
the transfer was completed within the last mont
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