United youths find the going tough

Sep 19 2007 Ayrshire Post

AYR United under 19s got another harsh lesson in the SFL Youth League when they lost 7-2 to Cowdenbeath at Rosyth on Sunday.

Starting a team from scratch to play at professional youth level was always going to be difficult and the rebuilding work will need to continue after another poor display.

United started strongly, taking the game to the home side for the opening quarter but a lack of discipline from the midfielders proved their downfall as they failed to carry out their defensive responsibilities, consistently leaving the central defence exposed.

The fact that the home side scored with four long range efforts which gave keeper Ally Caldwell no chance, was proof that the midfielders failed to close down the opposition.

United did create chances, of which only two counted. Stewart Dalziel capitalising on a slip by the home keeper and Graham Armstrong scrambling home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Although the margin may have flattered the home side, there was no doubt they deserved their victory and it’s back to he drawing board for United as they search for that winning formula.

Ayr United: Caldwell, Brown, Kinnaird, Fletcher, Armstrong, Thomson, Hayes (Mushet), Woodburn (Dunlop), Dalziel, McSorley (McFarlane) and McLachlan; Subs (not used): Donald (goal keeper).

In the SFA Youth Initiative, Ayr United 14s dominated the majority of their match against Stirling Albion at Maybole but paid the penalty when they lost three cheap goals during a downpour at the end of the second period.

The United kids had 70 per cent of the play, hit the woodwork three times and came up against a very good keeper who kept them at bay most of the time. United scored twice through Cameron Marlow and Connor George.

The under 15s maintained their unbeaten start with a fine victory over a very big Queen’s Park side at Low Moss.

Travelling with only 13 fit players through a series of injuries, United adapted well in the torrential rain. However, the playing surface held up well, allowing Ayr to play their natural passing game.

Man of the match Roddy Paterson led the line well, scoring twice, with United’s other goals coming from a Tony Howie penalty and a trialist.

The under 16’s match against Queen’s Park at Loch Park, New Cumnock, was called off due to the weather conditions.

Fixtures: U19: Ayr United v Stirling Albion (Dam Park, Ayr, 2pm); U16: St Johnstone v Ayr United; U15: Ayr United v St Johnstone (Carrick Academy, Maybole, 2pm); U14: Queens Park v Ayr United.