14s v livvy

Tough test at Almondvale

The Ayr United players were once asked to again play attractive football with good passing moves and ball retention around the park, however in the early stages this was not achieved as Livingston were having most of the play. Ayr’s midfield was not working as a unit and at some stages allowed Livingston to play with four upfront.

This was causing Ayr a lot of problems and for the third game in a row Lewis McMurdo kept the score level with some fantastic saves.

Against the run of play, the ball was collected 25 yards inside the Ayr half by Declan Adam who quickly passed the ball to Roy Barr whose electric pace outstripped the Livingston defence as he glided past two defenders. Sean McKenzie collected the ball from Roy’s pass and with great skill found the corner of the net from around 16 yards  

Changes were being made in the midfield area and this enabled Ayr to start moving the ball around better.

The work rate started to improve slightly as did the quality of passing and Ayr soon added a second goal. Again the play was broken down by Declan Adam who beat a player and passed forward to the ever industrious Sean McKenzie who in turn found his strike partner Roy Barr who bulged the net with a great finish.

Livingston added a deserved goal with good midfield play and an excellent finish from the Livingston No8.

The game swayed back and forth with not many chances being created or good passing football on show from either team.  

With 10 minutes remaining though, Ayr added a third when a long ball from defence which found Sean McKenzie one on one with the goalkeeper and with great composure rounded the goalie to finish of a “man of the match “ performance.

Coach Stuart Brady was unimpressed with the workrate of the team early on especially in the middle of the park, however he did state "Roy Barr and Sean McKenzie not for the first time ensured that we did not finish the game on the losing side."

Furthermore, "Their workrate, skill and finishing was impeccable. Also credit must go to the twin centre backs Reece Lapham and Lee Williamson who ensured that we didn’t lose goals as Livingston pressed us.  We must learn that our passing game and ball retention is very important as well as workrate, those three areas were unusually not there today."

Squad today;
Lewis McMurdo, 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, Trialist, Trailist.