18s conquer Saints
Ayr United 18s made the short journey up the A77 to play Premier League opposition St Mirren on Friday evening. Conditions were good for early February and the game kicked off with both sides looking for a positive start. Ayr were making some good progress down their right side with full back Jonny Hogg and James Dolan prominent. Ayr striker Sam McKee was leading the line well for the away side and keeping the ball for his team. However, the Saints were also threatening the Ayr goal and following a series of short corners Ayr were required to defend well. Ayr keeper Kirkland then made a good save to his left hand side to beat away a good shot and then needed to be alert when a dangerous ball from another corner was deflected towards goal. However, Ayr took the lead in 35 minutes when striker Sam McKee played a perfectly weighted reverse pass into Brian Connor. Connor did well to go past his man before firing past the home keeper from 14 yards. Ayr had previously worked the St Mirren keeper with a couple of decent efforts and were worth their goal lead at the interval.
Half Time : St Mirren 0 Ayr United 1
The home side made a quick start in the second period and put Ayr under the cosh during the opening quarter of an hour. A shot from their number 11 clipped Kirkland’s post on the way past and another effort also brushed the crossbar in the way over. Ayr were struggling to contain this onslaught and despite three very good saves from Kirkland conceded just on the hour mark. St Mirren again made headway down Ayr’s left flank and following good interplay their tall winger beat Kirkland with a smart strike.
Ayr then started to ring the changes with the promising Josh Robinson replacing James Dolan on their right flank. However, Ayr showed good resilience by taking the game to the hone side and on 66th minutes again took the lead. Ayr’s Brian Connor repaid his striking partner’s first half favour by assisting himself on this occasion. As the ball was played in towards Connor he neatly flicked the ball to the on running Sam McKee whose deftly cushioned finish beat the helpless home keeper. Ayr then replaced holding midfielder Declan McFadyen with striker Kaylum Ferguson. Sam McKee dropped into the No 10 role with captain Andrew Heaney moving back beside Paul Smith. Conner himself could well have done better when a dangerous cross from Robinson found him in front of goal. However, the big striker elected to finish with his foot rather than his head and the chance was los. Ayr then replaced midfielder Paul Smith with full back Alex Jeanes which allowed Finn Ecrepont to move into the holding role beside Andrew Heaney. The away side continued to press their opponents in midfield and a third and clinching goal duly arrived. Josh Robinson drove past two St Mirren defenders and his accurate pass landed at the feet of striker Sam McKee. McKee took a good first touch and again placed his shot calmly past the keeper. Ayr made two final finals changes with Fraser Bryden and Dario Viviani both making their debuts for the 18s replacing Sam McKee and Brian Connor.
Full Time : St Mirren 1 Ayr United 3
Head Coach John Crawford praised the team for showing strong mentality and resilience during a difficult opening period at the start of the second half. Crawford said, ‘the players came through a difficult start just after half time when our keeper made some important saves. However, our players again demonstrated a strong togetherness which ultimately proved to be decisive in getting a very good win on the road. A good team shape, some good defending and three very well worked goals together with a resolute performance gained 3 valuable points.’
Crawford further added that the night was made even better when Ayr United FC. Assistant Manager, Michael McArdle informed midfielder Paul Smith he was included in the 1st team squad for the Scottish Cup tie with St Johnstone the next day. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Ayr United :
Kirkland, Hogg, Fraser, Bilham, Ecrepont, Smith, McFadyen, Heaney (C), Dolan, McKee, Connor.
Subs : Ferguson, Jeanes, Robinson, Bryden, Viviani.
