Ayr 15s travelled to Leven for their game against East Fife in a good spirited match without a bad tackle to be seen.

 

Ayr opened brightly with the front three of Filippi, Anderson and McCarrison always a danger in front of goal but it was Steven McCarrison who opened the scoring with his first of three for the day. Jason Filippi added the second soon after with an excellent finish, using his pace to break free from the defence.

 

The second period saw more of the same pressure from Ayr with a Fillipi header being cleared from the line, Mick Wardrope having a penalty saved while Sean Vance blazed over from 15 yards. However,  Allan Forrest cracked a 25 yard free-kick into the top corner to add another to Ayr's tally.

 

The third period opened well with McCarrison cleverly dinking the ball over the keeper for his second and he soon completed his hat trick after a great Ayr move which was started from the back and ended with a great cross from Anderson before being headed home.

 

Coach Neil Duffy said afterwards "This was a good work out for the boys on a heavy pitch. They could have scored more but the pleasing aspect was that they continued to pass the ball about all the way to the end rather than trying to get their name on the scoresheet with selfish play. The back four of Howie, Vance, Campbell and Ewart / Brown defended well and helped James Hart to a welcome clean sheet. Willock, Wardrope and Forrest dominated the midfield while the front three worked their socks off from start to finish. Overall a good team performance on a heavy grass pitch."

Ayr's 14's side started the game well with some crisp passing and work rate on and off the ball and this good play was rewarded after only eight minutes with an unfortunate hand ball in the box by the East Fife defender which Roy 'of the Rovers' Barr made no mistake with, firing in the opener. The youngster soon added his second after some neat play with Declan Adam and he managed his hat trick on the 18 minute mark after meeting a splendid Aiden Connor corner, crashing his header into the net to complete a “Roy of the Rovers” 18 minute hat trick.

Ayr started the second period in the same manner and Sean McKenzie, who replaced the hard working Ryan Wilson added his first of the game after receiving an inch perfect from Roy Barr to slot home.

Barr also created McKenzie's second goal with some great movement  on the right before squaring the ball across the box for his new strike partner to finish off a good move.

It was an even game with plenty of good passing on show but it took until the final 15 minute before the ball struck the back of the net again when an Aiden Conner shot deflected off the head of an unlucky East Fife defender past the keeper but there was no mistaking the quality of the next goal when Aiden Conner collected the ball in his own half on the left, side stepping three players  before playing a fantastic pass to Sean McKenzie, who took one touch and finished low into the bottom corner with the goalkeeper having no chance.
 

This young Ayr side are strong, with Reece Lapham, Lee Willamson and Donnie Campbell all looking focused and comfortable in defence. The midfield players Declan Adam and Lewis Nielson close down and break up the play of opponents and at times are a delight to watch. Up front, man of the match Roy “of the Rovers” Barr is outstanding and his hard work after a 4 to 5 week lay off is now starting to bear fruit. Ryan Wilson and Sean McKenzie also complement the front line, with the latter working very hard to ensure that no-one has time when he’s about. Oh and he scores goals too…

 
Head Coach Gary Gibson commented after the 90 minutes "We're very pleased that areas of development, which the team have been working on for the last 6 or 7 training session, are now becoming part of the teams play on a very regular basis. The areas of decision making, taking responsibility and patience on the ball is also improving every week."