Academy 14s v Kilmarnock 14s
The Ayr boys looked very smart in their new all white strips as they entertained Kilmarnock in the Ayrshire derby but it was Killie that were the brightest in the first period. They moved the ball very well in the final third and created several chances which were clinically finished. Keeper Greg Connor was given little chance with the Killie goals but did well to save a penalty midway through the period.
The second period was very even with Ayr just shading it. Ayr’s defence tightened up and restricted Killie to only a couple of chances.
The third period was dominated by Ayr with Kieran Balfour (pictured) and Will Graham driving Ayr forward from the centre of midfield. Dylan Robb was also having a good game at left back and got forward on numerous occasions to thread passes through to the strikers. Ayr were rewarded with three well taken goals in this period.
The first was scored by Jamie Martin when he received a pass at the corner of the box and cut in before sending a curling left foot shot into the corner of the net. Soon afterwards Ayr scored their second when a corner wasn’t cleared and Graeme Swailes reacted quickest to smash the ball into the net. Ayr’s third goal wasn’t long in coming with Thomas Dunlop receiving a pass in the box, making space for himself before shooting past the Killie keeper.
Ayr continued to drive Killie back but weren’t able to convert any of their further chances into goals.
Coach Jack Martin commented after the game that once Ayr tightened up at the back and cut out the needless mistakes they went on to dominate the rest of the match. He was pleased with the three goals and the fact that the team finished strongly.
