We got exactly Watt we deserved

Apr 25 2007 Ayrshire Post

BOSS Neil Watt admitted he had no complaints after Ayr’s seven game unbeaten run crashed at ghost like Cowdenbeath.

But he said the real challenge will be to turn his new charges into winners the next time they venture into darkest Fife.

The Blue Brazil beat Ayr for the third time this season and blew chances to pile up more agony as Watt’s patched up side lost their way.

The Somerset manager tasted defeat for the first time but he conceded: “The result was probably a fair reflection on the play.

“We knew it would be difficult coming here particulary at the end of the season on a fiery pitch and we started poorly, losing a couple of bad goals.

“I thought after half-time that the attitude and commitment we’ve shown previously was definitely there but we’re a wee bit disappointed because we wanted to carry on the form from such a good performance a week earlier.

“We were obviously decimated with injuries. Three of the regular back four who have been in for most of the season were missing for various reasons – bookings, suspensions and injury. That doesn’t make things easy coming to a place like this where you have to defend tightly.”

Watt urged his men to learn lessons from the below par display. He said: “The second-half was more pleasing but we’ve got to make sure that these guys next season know how to come to places like Cowdenbeath and take three points.”

Brian Reid and Paul Weaver replaced David Lowing and Chris Robertson from the side that beat Stirling 3-2 but Ayr were soon chasing their tails.

In 24 minutes, a Pat Scullion corner wasn’t cleared and when skipper Eddie Forrest failed to control the loose ball, the nippy Liam Buchanan prodded home.

Paul Shields wasted a great chance to equalise when he blazed over from 12 yards but that was a false dawn as the hosts struck again in 38 minutes.

Matt Doherty broke clear down the right and his perfect cross was easily headed home from close range by Buchanan.

Ricky Waddell replaced Weaver at half-time as Ayr changed from a back three to a four. But within five minutes they were further adrift. Mark McGeown raced off his line but was stranded by Buchanan’s cutback which was forced home by Doherty.

Gareth Wardlaw replaced Andy McLaren, who had taken a knock, and made an impact in 65 minutes as he pulled back a goal. A corner from Waddell bobbled around the box before Wardlaw headed in his sixth of the season.

Fraser McLaren replaced Shields for the last 12 minutes but it was Cowden who came closest to adding to their lead. McGeown did well to keep out a 30 yard snap shot from Scullion and then saved a free header from Pat Clarke.

Chuffed Cowden boss Brian Welsh beamed: “It’s a great result and a times we were very, very good. The boys played with a smile on their faces today.”

STAR MEN: ***Craig Pettigrew; **Gareth Wardlaw; *Mark McGeown.

COWDENBEATH: Allison; Baxter, Ellis; Armstrong, Kenneth, Hill; Husband (McBride 53), Scullion, Buchanan (Dalziel 90), Clarke, Doherty (Fusco 81); Unused subs: Fotheringham, Hay.

AYR: McGeown; Pettigrew, Forrest, Reid; Vareille, Casey, Weaver (Waddell 46), Stevenson, Dunn; Shields (F. McLaren 78), A. McLaren (Wardlaw 53); Unused subs: Templeton, Johnson.

Referee: John Underhill; Crowd: 344.