Ayr 14s, Comeback Kings

This was a game that promised to be a good test for the Ayr players on a lovely wide playing surface which would allow them to play to their normal strengths against a well organised Alloa side. 

The first period started with Alloa on the front foot, playing the ball around in the midfield area as Ayr struggled to get out of the blocks in the early minutes. This was causing Ayr's midfield to be forced back deep into their own half and were literally on top of their own defenders which allowed the Alloa midfield to see lot of the ball and spray the ball about.

Alloa's strikers were also pressing the defence, not allowing Ayr to get their passing going meanwhile Ayr strikers Ryan Wilson and Roy Barr were working hard for the team but thus far weren’t getting any joy up front.

Alloa kept on the attack and got their reward as a cross from the left was not cleared away safely, and with a pinpoint volley from the talented Alloa number six, the ball nestled into the top right hand corner of the goal to give his side a well deserved lead.

After the goal, Alloa kept going strong and were controlling the game, requiring some good saves from Ayr keeper Sean Robinson to keep the scoreline as it was. The first period ended with just the one goal for the home side whilst Ayr still looked to get themselves started.

Ayr started the second period slightly better although the midfield were still sitting deep and not pressuring their opponents but with the introduction of Sean McKenzie gave the Alloa defence something different to think about and McKenzie nearly got on the score sheet after a long ball caused an error from the Alloa defence which saw him run clear to knock the ball through an Alloa defenders legs but his shot was stopped by a great save by the goalkeeper.

Ayr started to express themselves a bit more and this was evident as Aiden Connor picked up the ball on the halfway line, driving at the defence stepping by the right back but unfortunately the cross got blocked but showed a better attacking prowess from the Ayr side as the second period ended.

The third period saw Ayr increase the tempo and start to get the better of their hosts by not allowing them any time or space to play.

The ball was getting played into some good areas and with the players positive attitudes, they were starting to impose their will on the match. This was apparent none more so than Michael Stewart who was causing havoc down the right side with long dribbling runs giving a man of the match performance.

Ayr eventually got there equaliser through another positive move by Stewart who beat a man before producing a wonderful through ball to McKenzie who showed good composure to slot it past the out rushing Alloa keeper. Ayr looked a lot brighter and had a hunger about them, quickly getting back on the attack with Reece Lapham who struck a magnificent 20 yard effort of the crossbar and unfortunately Ryan Wilson couldn’t convert the rebound due to some good defending by Alloa's rearguard.

Ayr then added another with a wonderful solo effort from Michael Stewart who picked the ball up in midfield and showed the confidence to drive past five Alloa players before striking the ball past the goalkeeper.

Ayr now had the bit between their teeth, testing the keeper again and again. Alloa's keeper needed to be in inspired form as he stopped a brilliant shot from McKenzie down to the left and with McKenzie and Ryan Wilson working their socks of upfront it was just a matter of time before this pressure paid off.

A direct ball from Blaine Swift was misjudged by the Alloa defenders mainly due to the pressure put on them by McKenzie which allowed Wilson to run onto the free ball to finish superbly with a volley into the left corner leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

Ayr coach Michael Stewart commented afterwards,"It took us a while to get into the match against a well organised Alloa team but when the players eventually started their engines, they got motoring. There was a lot of hard work involved today but the boys never dropped their heads, always believing they could drag themselves back into the match and once we scored, there was no looking back."