Travel chaos hits at Academy kids as well

Sep 27 2007 Ayrshire Post

IT wasn’t just the Ayr United first team that had travel problems last weekend. The Academy’s under 14 side also had difficulty in getting to their match away to Queen’s Park when their mini-bus broke down but like their senior counterparts, the travel problems didn’t upset their play.

Connor George scored a hat-trick, Marc Dyer a double and the scoring was completed by Cameron Marlow. Cumnock lad Danny Naismith set up three.

The U15s found the going difficult at home to a big, strong St Johnstone side.

Manager Tom Robertson wasn’t happy with his side’s display despite being down to the bare minimum but refused to give that as an excuse for a poor performance.

Under 16s boss John Stewart was far happier as his side turned in their best performance to date away to St Johnstone.

Saints were bigger and stronger but United held their own in a match made difficult by the wind. Jordan Graham scored a peach with a 20 yarder while Paul Bunten also notched a goal for a United side who were denied in the last minute when the Saints keeper saved a Jordan Kelly penalty.

There were rays of sunshine for the under 19s following their second half display against Stirling at Dam Park. But once again the damage was done in the first half. Ravaged by injuries and call-offs, manager John McCaig was again unable to field a settled side and they found themselves a goal down after five minutes after Alistair Woodburn brought down a Stirling striker for a penalty.

Ten minutes later, keeper Ally Caldwell brought down a Stirling player inside the box but he atoned for his mistake by pulling off a fantastic save. However, there was nothing that he could do with a powerful header flashing past him into the net from a corner.

Graham Mushet forced a tremendous save from the Albion keeper and from the resulting corner, a net bound effort was deflected wide.

Albion went three up in the 36th minute. Caldwell then made a couple of tremendous saves and on the stroke of half time, United almost pulled one back after McSorley just failed to connect to a Mushet cross.

United changed it around at half time bringing on Stewart Dalziel and Stephen McMillan and immediately looked more threatening. And they got their reward when Mushet fired home Ayr’s opener.

Armstrong headed into the side netting but in the 65th minute Stirling were awarded a soft penalty, their third of the game, which was despatched past Caldwell.

United then won a penalty when Mushet was pulled down inside the box and he dusted himself down to fire past the keeper.

Then as Ayr were hit on the counter attack, keeper Caldwell was injured trying to prevent the goal and after extensive treatment, was replaced by Marc Donald.

United lost two more in counter attacks but with four minutes left, Stephen McMillan netted their third after running onto a Woodburn through ball.

Ayr: Caldwell (Donald), Donaldson, Kinnaird, Fletcher, Paterson, Armstrong, Brown (Dalziel), Dunlop (McMillan), McSorley, Woodburn, Mushet. Subs: McMillan, Dalziel and Donald.

lUnited U19s have been drawn at home to Arbroath in the second round of the Scottish Cup. The tie will be played at Somerset Park.

All players and parents are reminded of the parents’ night being hosted by the Academy at the Hospitality Suite on Sunday. This will give parents the chance to hear what is developing within the Academy and to put any questions to director of football John Crawford and other coaches and directors. Arrive at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.

Fixtures: SFA Youth Initiative: U14: Ayr v Alloa (Carrick Academy, Maybole, 2pm); U15: Morton v Ayr; U16: Ayr v Queen of the South (Loch Park, New Cumnock, 2pm); U19: Partick Thistle v Ayr.