Saturday 13th October
SouthWest League
Ayr United v Clark Drive
Ayr were looking to get back to winning ways against Clark Drive with a near full strength team. The game started off with Ayr taking the game to the opposition with a few early chances falling to Amy Miller, Cobi Welsh and Danielle Nicholson however none of them really caused any great trouble. The next twenty minutes Ayr allowed Clark Drive to get a grip on the game by not doing the simple things right. Megan Cannell was called into action twice in the first half and dealt with both shots with ease. As the half was coming to a close Ayr started dominating again and played out the last ten minutes in the opposition half, creating several chances these coming from Hannah Connolly, Hannah McSorley and Amy but all were denied by some top class saves from the keeper.
The second half, after a stern talking to at half time, was completely different and Ayr upped their game: passing the ball around to create space but also going forward with purpose. Chances were coming thick and fast and Emma Robertson was next to test the goalkeeper with a stinging shot from 20yards which was destined for the top corner until the keeper somehow tipped it over the bar. Emma soon after took the ball on a run down the line before cutting the ball across to the back post where Hannah Connolly bundled the ball home albeit off her shoulder. It was now shooting practise for Ayr with most of the team having several chances at goal but again the Clark Drive goalie pulled off some wonderful saves. Ayr finally killed the game off with 5minutes to go when Amy Miller got on the end of Danielle’s corner to make it 2-0, and with two minutes to go Amy got her second of the day when Cobi played a great through ball that split the defence and Amy slid home past the onrushing keeper.
Ayr United 3 Clark Drive 0
Goal Scorers: Amy Miller (2) Hannah Connolly (1)
Team: Megan Cannell, Emma Robertson, Rose Donald, Cobi Welsh, Hannah McSorley, Amy Miller, Danielle Nicholson, Hannah Connolly, Michaela McCurdie, Chelsie Bradley,
Player of the Match: Cobi Welsh (pictured)
Andy McMath spoke of his relief afterwards “We started off slowly today and didn’t create too many chances in the first half. However, I am delighted in the way that the girls reacted to my words at half time by upping the tempo of the game and working for each other rather than just for themselves. The Clark Drive goalie was magnificent today and pulled off 7 or 8 top class saves and I just felt it wasn’t going to be our day. Next week against Hamilton I will be looking for us to play the game in the same manner we played the second half today, if we do so then I am positive we can get another win. ”
