16's Trump The Dee

 

 

The under 16's travelled for their first meeting with Dundee this season minus five of their regulars due to injury.

The game was played on a beautiful spring day but on a pitch that was dry, bumpy and not conducive to passing football.

Dundee harnessed the underfoot conditions a lot quicker than Ayr and had the lions share of the early exchanges, firing in a handful of long range efforts that never really troubled the Ayr goal. 

However, in the 20th minute they took the lead from a very soft and dubious penalty award which was expertly converted by the home side.

This set back spurred Ayr into action and they began to put pressure on the Dundee back line, coming close on a couple of occasions. Sean Robertson converted from eight yards out after Mark Shankland, fresh from the 19s match on Thursday night, crossed from the left on the half hour mark to equalize the game. Ayr were really on top at this stage and went ahead five minutes later when another move down the left saw Adam Fraser crossing for Robertson to head home and give his side the lead.

The second half saw Dundee start brightly and only a couple of good stops from Andy Clark kept Ayr in front.  In the 60th minute though, Ayr produced the goal of the match when a well worked throw in deep in the Dundee half ended with Matt Howie tricking his opponent before sending in a perfect cross which was met by Mark Shankland who bulleted a header beyond the Dundee goalie.

From that point on Ayr dominated the game and in the 75th minute Chris Kelly had a fine finish from 15 yards after good work by Sean Robertson.

Ayr coach and mentor John Given enthused afterwards."All in all this was a good solid performance from Ayr that left the us (coaches) satisfied with the team's effort and determination. Take this along with some good passages of play produced on a very difficult pitch and we have to be happy with the advancements the players are making."