19s Push Rangers Hard

Seems like a regular fixture now, AUFA versus Rangers Academy, three times in two weeks for the academy boys and like the other two before them, the 19s pushed their full time performance level counterparts all the way.

It says a lot for the AUFA and the way it is run with its excellent coaching staff that both sides of the old firm want to keep testing themselves against the Ayr United Academy teams.

Friday night saw the turn of the 19s to visit Murray Park, this time playing on the green green gra.....no lets not go there.....needless to say this was going to be a physical affair between two very good sides. Rangers were playing with ex Academy player Kyle McAusland in defence meanwhile Ayr had taken along rising star, 15 year old Mark Shankland from the 16s side.

Ayr started off brightly and after only six minutes, Darren Baird tried his luck with a long shot but was easily saved but showed Ayr's intent was to attack and not to sit back. Robbie Crawford was playing his part in midfield and on 10 minutes received a ball from Dale Moore and in turn played it over the defence for Roddy Paterson to run on to but was judged offside but Ayr were pushing hard and it was looking bright for the AUFA lads.

However, straight out of the footballing ironic department, Rangers, on their first attack at the Ayr keeper, scored to give the hosts the lead on the 15 minute mark.

Defender Keiran MacIntyre had to leave the field shortly afterwards with an injury to his arm and was replaced by Gareth Armstrong in the defensive berth but this change didn't alter Ayr's style of play and were still playing some nice free flowing football against a strong, fast Rangers side.

Ayr were passing the ball about with confidence and four minutes before half time managed a period of 10 passes unchallenged, showing not only their ability but also a maturity of players with much more experience.

Right on the stroke of half time though, a moment of madness led to Rangers second goal when a short passed goal kick from the Ayr keeper ended with the ball at the feet of the Rangers attacker who slotted home giving the home side an undeserved two goal lead.

The second half kicked off with Ayr the crisper of the two teams and were closing the Gers players down with startling efficiency showing that the coaches half time words had at least penetrated and were being acted upon.

Shaun Kelly tried his hand at beating the goalie with an 18 yard effort after breaking through the middle but his shot was saved and had to be cleared by the defence. Roddy Paterson was called offside when clear on goal shortly after when he looked onside and striker Paterson was also helping out in defence when they were under pressure showing his team spirit.

Young Mark Shankland was on the field at this point and his first mark on the match when he turned inside from the right hand side to fire in from the corner of the box but with the ball drifting wide, the signs were encouraging.

Ayr's keeper had to be on his toes on 70 minutes after a defence splitting passing move by the Rangers midfielders had him scrambling to save a shot from 10 yards out but he coped well with it and instantly sent the ball out and it made its way to Dale Moore who tested the Rangers goalie form 20 yards out.

A long diagonal ball to Shankland was lost to some strong play from the Rangers defenders but the youngsters eagerness to impress led to him pressing the defenders into losing the ball. He laid the ball off to Darren Baird on the edge of the box and his shot unfortunately flew past the post.

Ayr's last chance of the game came on the 85 minute mark as Roddy Paterson met a through ball but his shot was well saved and had to be pushed out of play for a corner to save any follow on from the attacker.

It was a good all round performance from the team tonight on a spectacular pitch against one of the best in the country at this age.

Afterwards, coach Stephen McMillan said " I thought the boys did very well considering the opposition. They competed well and tried to do the right things. There was lots of positives especially in the second half when there was nothing between the teams."