Ayr 19s 7 v 0 East Fife 19s

Ayr hosted East Fife at Troon Juniors ground, Portland Park on Sunday afternoon and for anyone that travelled to watch, it was an afternoon to savour for the home sides players and coaching staff.

Ayr started the game on top, creating a few opportunities in the opening skirmishes with most coming from Roddy Paterson whose pace was getting him in behind the East Fife defence with him having three one on ones with the keeper but failed to score on any of these occasions.

The opening came on 20 minutes when Paterson scored from close range with further first half goals being added by Aaron Connolly and Stuart Milligan.

The second half was a somewhat of a procession with an additional four goals being added from Milligan who added his second and Connolly who secured himself a second half hat trick to take his tally for the game to four.

Ayr's Coach Tom Robertson commented afterwards "This was a good all round performance from the lads, pleasing to get a few goals and also pleased with the clean sheet. This result can only breed confidence throughout the team and we played some good stuff, totally dominating and creating lots of chances, and scoring some good goals."

15s v arbroath

Ayr 15s returned to action after a 3 week lay-off and turned in a strong team performance against a decent Arbroath side.

 

The first period was played at a hectic pace with both teams closing down the opposition quickly, as a result there was a lot of effort but not much quality during a frantic first 30 minutes. Arbroath came close from a corner while Ayr's best chance fell to Mick Ahern who volleyed over. The back four of Keegan, Howie, Vance and Campbell where looking solid and gave nothing away.

 

The second period saw a reshape of the team with Ayr changing formation to try and create some space. The move worked and Ayr took control of the second period. The Arbroath goalkeeper was by far the busiest as Ayr camped in Arbroath's half. Ayr came close through McCarrison, Wardrope and Forrest before, as always happens, Arbroath broke up the pitch with a sweeping move and scored with their first attack of the period. Their big centre half broke from the back and finished well with a strong header.

 

Ayr reacted well to the setback and immediately put Arbroath back under pressure. McCarrison should have had a penalty after a dart into the box as Ayr looked for the equaliser. Anderson, Wardrope and Ahern also had chances to equalise before the goal eventually arrived. Steven McCarrison volleyed home from close range to finally get the goal his play deserved.

 

Ayr continued to dominate and the second goal came soon after when the impressive Ahern cut inside from the left wing and rifled home a 25 yarder which flew into the top corner.

 

The third period was a more even affair as Arbroath fought for the equaliser. 

 

The game stretched with chances at both ends. Andy Willock on his return from injury was doing a great job anchoring the midfield and broke down numerous attacks before they got started. James Hart looked solid in goal in his first game for six weeks while Sean Vance was dominant at the back. Jason Filippi was unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet as he ran the Arbroath defence ragged in the third period. Wardrope, Ahern, Ewart, Campbell and Forrest all had further chances to score as Ayr saw out the remainder of the game comfortably.

 

Coach Neil Duffy as always was full of praise for his unbeaten side, saying "This was a solid team performance, rusty at times after a long lay-off, but the effort and attitude of the players was first class. This team now has a fantastic spirit about them and a terrific never say die attitude."

14s v arbroath

Gayfield Stadium Arbroath was the illustrious setting for the AUFA 14s side on their away day.

The Ayr United players were treated to playing at Arbroath's Gayfield stadium on their away trip north today, after the original venue for this match, was called off at the last minute.

The first ten minutes proved very even, however after 15 minutes Ayr had gained control of their passing game, with one passing move ending with a very good save from the home goalkeeper at point blank range from Roy Barr.

The same player scored his first of the game after 20 minutes, again after a very good passing move involving the Lee Williamson, the trialist, Declan Adam and Donnie Campbell, who pass, which was inch perfect found Roy Barr to finish off in some style.

Three minutes later it was Sean McKenzie who found the net after some great individual skill, strength and movement. The Ayr striker used good body strength to hold off and beat three players before placing a well placed shot into the bottom corner from 16 yards out.

The second period started with a first class save from Sean Robinson when a cross from the home teams left was met by a powerful header from the Abroath forward. This header was on target and a certain goal until Sean, at full stretch, tipped the ball around his left hand post. This justifiably gained applause from nearly everyone in the stadium. Ayr

Sean McKenzie was in top form today and was causing all sorts of problems for the home team and was very unfortunate not to add to his tally on two occasions within a ten minute period, when two fine strikes came back off firstly the bar and then the post.

The work rate and speed of Roy Barr during the whole game, allowed him on this occasion to be on the end of some very good inter passing between Blair Swift and Aiden Connor, to side foot the ball into the net from 6 yards out, for his well deserved second of the game.

The 3rd period was full of miss placed rushed passes and possession being given away far too cheaply by Ayr. This also created some miss-timed tackles to occur on the away team; however the discipline of all the Ayr players delighted the coaches.

The home teams number one, during this period, had two fine stops, one from Reece Lapham and then another directly after from Roy Barr. Both of these were at point blank range.

The end of the third period produced the move of the game. A first time pass from Lewis Neilson allowed Declan Adam time to play a perfect slid rule pass, which split the home defence to find Jordan Bruce on the right wing. A good first touch and delivery was needed and that’s what was provided along with a pin point cross for Aiden Connor to head past the home goalkeeper, into the net from 7 yards out.

The game then began to be a stop start affair due to, too many fouls being committed and the flow of good football being stopped all too often for Ayr’s liking.

Coach Gary Gibson praised his team for their discipline, hard work and well taken goals, after a very tough game. Also another clean sheet for Ayr's Lewis McMurdo and Sean Robinson was highlighted. In terms of development, soft indecisive passing, poor body shapes to receive a pass and decent first touches were areas identified for improvement during this game.




It's tough being a 14's player these days. Even when they play as well as they do, their coach wants more. Tough at the top boys!

Squad today;
Sean Robinson, Lewis McMurdo, Reece Lapham, Lee Williamson, Blaine Swift, Aiden Conner, Declan Adam, Jordan Bruce, Roy Barr,  Sean McKenzie, Donnie Campbell, Lewis Nielson, Trialist.