Ayr United are gunning for revenge against Stranraer

Nov 16 2012 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Fired up Mark Roberts is bursting for revenge when Ayr take on Stranraer on Saturday.

He is still hurting at the 2-0 defeat at Stair Park in September, a wretched performance he slammed as the worst of the season.

Free scoring midfielder Davie Sinclair will return if he comes through training this week after an ankle injury.

And skipper John Robertson, who missed the 1-1 draw at Stenhousemuir, is also champing at the bit to be involved.

Boss Roberts recalls: “The game at Stranraer is the only time this season we have let ourselves down.

“We did nothing that day and it was the biggest disappointment of the season.

“However, we are now a different team but we have to be after the way we started. If we play as we can, we will beat them.

“Getting revenge for that horror show will be a big part of my team talk.”

Stranraer have turned the corner since sacking Keith Knox. New boss Stephen Aitken has led them to big wins over Forfar (4-1) and Queen’s Park (4-0) to ignite their season after they looked cast adrift.

But with only one defeat in their last seven games, Ayr surely have the firepower to put the Blues to the sword at Somerset.

Roberts was fuming Ayr didn’t make it six wins from seven at Ochilview.

He said: “The most disappointing thing is we would have gone third if we had won. Now we are sixth and could be overtaken by Brechin which shows what type of league it is.

“I think Queen of the South will win the league but we are in the mix and fighting for second.

“The league is so tight if we win two or three on the spin we could get there.”

Mark Shankland enhanced his growing reputation with a hat-trick of free-kicks as the reserves routed East Fife 8-1 on Monday night. Another hat-trick marksman was Ross Robertson.

Ayr are 1/2 favourites to beat Stranraer with McBookie.com who have them at just evens to win half time and full time.

Ten goal Michael Moffat is 11/2 to be first scorer while Marc Twaddle is a bumper 25/1.

●Bargains galore in the United shop on Saturday. A £20 bundle gets you a mug, hat, scarf and polo shirt.

Buy a home or away top and get a free pair of slippers.

Buy a duvet and get a United gnome. And every leather ball purchased comes with a kids’ lunch box.