14's Suffer Mid Winter Blues

Ayr and Saint Johnstone started their first game back after a lengthy winter break with a game that swung from end to end for the first 20 minutes.

The 14s had keeper Sean Robinson to thank for keeping the score level up to that point with an outstanding save on that 20 minute mark but the game could have swung in Ayrs favour in the next 10 minutes if the Ayr players had their goal scoring boots on.

Firstly, after a great passing move between Reece Lapham and Declan Adam led to a crisp pass to Donnie Campell who beat one defender before sending a delightful pass to Ryan Wilson who was left one on one with the goalkeeper but unfortunately slid the ball past the right hand post.

A few minutes later Aiden Connor broke down a St Johnstone attack and played a first time pass over the top to Wilson who ended up one and one with the goalkeeper again but like his last effort, put the shot just wide.

Ayr attacking prowess was undone though as St Johnstone gained possession just in side the Ayr half and his direct running and speed allowed him to go past the Ayr players and with a clinical finish made it 1 nil to the home team.

3 minutes after this disappointment, a defensive error by St Johnstone let Wilson latche on to a loose ball but his effort although on target was clipped past by the keeper. St Johnstone to their credit battled back once again and with another break up field, added another goal to make it 2 nil.

The second period started with St Johnstone having a lot of the possession and after only three minutes of the restart Ayrs keeper Robinson was called upon to make a great save to keep the scoreline at 2-0. Ayr had to respond and did so with a very good passing move involving Donnie Campbell, Jordan Bruce, and Blaine Swift who played a delightful pass through to Aiden Connor whose first time delivery into the box found Roy Barr and with a flying header was unlucky as it went sailing past the post.

Into the 3rd period and the introduction of Sean McKenzie, on for the very hard working Roy Barr, was found with an inch perfect pass from Declan Adam. McKenzie held off the St Johnstone center half and had a great strike saved by the home teams keeper. At the other end the 14’s had their replacement keeper Lewis McMurdo to thank for keeping them in the game with two very good saves in a 3 minute period.

Ayr’s work rate and quality of passing rose during the 3rd period and with Lewis Neilson and Lewis Hunter finding their range of passing and movement, the Saints team had a new midfield package to handle. The game was on the up for Ayr and after Declan Adam gained possession just inside his own half, he made a  good pass to Ryan Wilson who held the ball up before passing to Sean McKenzie and after beating two players squared the ball back to Declan Adam whose fine shot was well saved by the home goalie.

Ayr had two more chances in this 3rd period but on both occasions Sean McKenzie put his chances just wide of the posts.

The 4th period saw Ayr take a foot hold in the game with a goal from Sean McKenzie. Defender Reece Lapham broke down a Saints attack to play the ball over the top of his opponents defenders to find Sean McKenzie and after holding off some fierce defending, scored in the bottom right hand corner to give some well deserved credit to the Ayr boys.

Ayr continued to press and play some great football, however time was not on their side and that was the end of the scoring.

  
Coach Gary Gibson had asked the squad to express themselves today and be creative, 70% achieved, still 30% room for development.

Squad today;
Lewis McMurdo, Sean Robinson, Craig Bova, Reece Lapham, Lee Williamson, Blaine Swift, Aiden Conner, Declan Adam, Jordan Bruce, Roy Barr, Ryan Wilson, Sean McKenzie, Donnie Campbell, Lewis Nielson, Lewis Hunter, Micheal Stewart.