14s Come From Behind To Clinch Win

The Ayr 14s team started one step off the pace set by their Stirling counterparts today in blustery but dry conditions in this away match.

Early possession was shared by both teams, with Ayr having their share of the opportunities to open the scoring but the conditions demanded a passing game on the fine surface with neither team adapting properly to either the conditions, or the instructions of their coaches.

This led to a scrappy affair with little attractive football being played and it took Stirling to take a two goal lead before the young Ayr side reacted. With ten minutes left to play in the final third of the game, Ayr eventually made a breakthrough after a short pattern of play that led to a goal by Sean McKenzie, who finished superbly under great pressure from the Stirling centre half.

Ayr stepped up their game and played on the front foot at this stage, pressing Stirling high up the pitch which led to a number of mistakes by the Stirling side and some well worked opportunities for Ayr.

With a well won ball in the left back position, Ayr played the ball through the midfield and in for Sean Mackenzie, who latched onto a well weighted pass, to finish early to bring Ayr level with minutes to go in the final third.

Straight from the kick off, Ayr pressed quickly to deny Stirling the time to play and this resulted in some nice combination play from Ayr's midfield. Sean Mackenzie was alert to this nice play in midfield and moved intelligently to split the defence of Stirling. On receiving the ball, he still had loads to do but he took a great first touch and finished early in the bottom right hand corner to take Ayr ahead for the first time in the game.

Ayr remained resolute and saw out the remaining seconds of the game to achieve a win against a strong, well organised Stirling team. The young Ayr team eventually ran out 3-2 winners but will need to learn to concentrate right from the start to compete at this level. The result however, will boost their confidence and help them progress as players.