Academy 12s v Kilmarnock 12s
Ayr United 12s entertained Kilmarnock 12s at Belmont Academy on Saturday afternoon and the boys were very excited about playing their local rivals. All the players were up for the challenge and they were cheered on by a great support.
However both Ayr teams started slowly and conceded a couple of goals and it looked like the Kilmarnock players had settled more quickly into the match. However once the nerves and excitement settled the Ayr players started to relax and take a grip in both matches. Ayr went back to basics by putting pressure on the Kilmarnock players when they were in possession of the ball and when the Ayr players won the ball back they showed great build-up play and created some great chances for themselves.
For all their hard work the Ayr players were rewarded with some goals. The goals didn’t stop and throughout both matches the players scored some cracking goals. Some of the goal scorers were, Adam Smith, Aiden Bradford (pictured), Declan McAulay, Tyler McAulay, James Maxwell, Robert Frew, Hamish Brown and Reece McLean. The goals were coming thick and fast but this also came down to the great defending by some of the Ayr players namely Callum Bryce, Hamish Brown, Ross Love, Joe Barker, Lewis Kennedy, Adam Smith and Adam Mahoney. A special mention has to go to both Ayr goalkeepers (Logan Pipe and Jamie Walker) who were outstanding throughout both games they played. Not only did both goalkeepers stop the majority of shots coming at them but they also helped set up the play and both looked very controlled and comfortable on the ball.
Jordan Lusk and Declan McAulay were influential throughout both games but particularly in their last match. Both of their performances were very unselfish as they created opportunities for their team mates throughout the match. With their control on the game this allowed all the players to start to show their ability. Robbie Hannah and Callum Bryce were also another two players who worked hard throughout the matches and this had a knock on affect to the other players.
A special mention has to go to Kilmarnock. They played some great football and made the game really enjoyable and challenging. They were also rewarded with some goals. The crowd they brought along to the game were great and would have left happy having watched some great football.
After the games Ayr Coach Shaun Ferrie Said “Myself, Drew and Michael were very proud of the way the boys played today. The effort that was shown by all players was fantastic and to see the players coming away from the games looking tired and out of breath was proof in how hard they worked. I was concerned that some of the players would have got taken in by the occasion as this is always a big game for Ayr United no matter what level it is been played at. Sometimes big occasions can affect players. This was not the case and in some way it brought out the best in some of the Ayr United players. I also thought it was great to see some familiar faces in the Kilmarnock team as well. The majority of players playing in the Ayr and Kilmarnock teams were from South, North and East Ayrshire which was great to see and shows that Ayrshire has some great talented footballers out there. I can take a lot away from Saturday’s game and will be making sure the players keep improving.”
Ayr United Squad: Jamie Walker, Logan Pipe, Ross Love, Callum Bryce, Callum McPhee, Jordan Lusk, Reece McLean, Robert Frew, Hamish Brown, Jamie McDade, Paul MacDowell, Grant Richmond, Robbie Hannah, Aiden Bradford, Joe Barker, Declan McAulay, Tyler McAulay, James Maxwell, Lewis Kennedy, Adam Smith, Adam Mahoney.
