Bully watches Ayr United 16s!
Ayr United 1 V 3 Hamilton Academical
By Karen Malcolm
On Sunday afternoon, Ayr United Under 16s were in action, losing 3-1 in a friendly at Belmont Academy against Hamilton Academical. Ayr United first team Head Coach Lee Bullen was there to watch the game which was played in challenging weather conditions with strong winds present throughout the most part of the game.
Ayr were forced into an early substitution 4 minutes into the game after McNally took a sore one while clearing the ball. Linton came on to replace McNally. For the first 20 minutes of the game, both teams created a number of chances with Ferguson, Fraser and R Craig creating good chances for Ayr. Ayr were forced into another substitution after 20 minutes as Ferguson went off injured and was replaced by Cullen. Hamilton took the lead in the game in the 28th minute when their number 9 took a shot inside the box that went into the bottom left corner of the net. Hamilton came close to doubling their lead 6 minutes later when their number 10 had a great strike of the ball but a brilliant save by Ecrepont tipped the ball over the bar to keep the score 1-0. Ayr were forced into another substitution because of injury after 36 minutes. Fraser had to go off with an injury after being fouled and he was replaced by McDougall. Ayr were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute after Allan was fouled in the box. McRoberts stepped up to take the penalty but the Hamilton keeper saved the strikers penalty with his feet. 4 minutes later Hamilton doubled their lead after Hamilton number 2 played the ball into the box and Hamilton number 8 fired it into the net. The visitors went into half time with a 2-0 lead. Ayr came close to getting a goal back 1 minute into the second half after McLymont played a great ball from the left into the box but there was no one there to meet it. Hamilton scored again in the 51st minute. Ecrepont saved the initial shot by the Hamilton player however the Hamilton number 7 scored the rebound. 5 minutes later Cullen came close to scoring but his shot went just past the right hand post. Ayr grabbed a goal back in the 60th minute when a great cross was played into the box and was tapped into the net by McRoberts. 5 minutes later Cullen came close to scoring again but his shot was saved by the Hamilton keeper. For the next 30 minutes both teams created a number of chances. Cullen saw a number of his shots go just over the bar and both D Craig and McDougall helped to create a few chances for Ayr. At the other end of the pitch, Ecrepont made a number of fantastic saves. In the last minute of the game Cullen saw his shot from distance go just over the bar and the game ended with Hamilton winning 3-1.
Lee Bullen “I enjoyed watching Ayr United 16s on Sunday against good opposition. Ayr United faced their challenges through injuries and the penalty miss, moments like the penalty miss dictate matches at any level. The young players stuck at it for the duration of the game and it was great to watch the good youth players that were on show for Ayr United.”
