Scorers: Shankland(3); Paterson(2); Aitken.
Ayr travelled to Recreation Park in Alloa for their 19s fixture against an inform Alloa side and found themselves a goal down after ten minutes, when a cross from the right was inadvertently turned into his own net by Ayr defender Armstrong.
Ayrdidn’t allow this to affect them though as from that point on they took control, playing with some good possession, passing well and creating chances. It was no surprise therefore when Ayr equalised when a Hutchison cross was headed home by Shankland. Soon after, it was 2-1 Ayr, when Kelly fed Shankland, whose cross was met by Paterson who beat the Alloa keeper.
Ayr started the second half strongly as Armstrong fed Paterson following a fine run. His pace got him in behind the defence and he placed the ball under the keeper for a good finish. Minutes later it was four, when Crawford found room from 30 yards to crack a thunder drive against the post. Paterson picked up the rebound and chipped the ball to the back post for Shankland to head home. Alloa pulled a goal back on the hour mark after good footwork and finish from their striker.
This seemed to spur on the Ayr lads who added to their total with a fifth goal, which ended with Aitken scoring after a passing move involving Armstrong, Paterson, Crawford and Kelly.
The final goal came through Shankland, who completed his hat trick when he received the ball from Crawford on the edge of the box and hit a sweet left foot drive into the top corner.
Coach Comments:
I was pleased for the lads with the scoreline, but even more pleased with the footballing performance they put in as some of their passing and possession play was of the highest standard. We created numerous chances and scored some well worked goals.
So, plenty of positives can be taken, but there is also much more hard work still to be done.
Report by Tom Robertson
Player of the match: Shankland
