United babes gear up for Gretna test

Nov 7 2007 Ayrshire Post

AYR United Football Academy’s under 19s face their biggest test of the season on Sunday.

They play Gretna in the second round of the SFA Youth Cup at Somerset Park (kick-off 2pm).

The under 16s were the first club to play on the new astrograss surface at Lesser Hampden last Friday night.

They took on Queen’s Park in the SFA Youth Iniative minus a number of key players, particularly in defence.

Stewart Milligan played his first game following an extensive lay-off following a broken leg while Scott Archer returned after a foot injury.

Brian Taylor scored Ayr’s only goal, a header from 18 yards and had another goal ruled out for offside as well as hitting the bar.

Given that the team had to play with an entire defence out for a variety of reasons, manager John Stewart was pleased with the performance and looks forward to being able to pick a team from a fully fit squad.

Both the under 14s and 15s were at home on Sunday. Under 15 coach Gary Gibson felt Ayr were the better of the two teams at Maybole as they took on Queen of the South.

However, he reckoned they gave away possession too cheaply at times while defensively struggled to cope with the high ball game favoured by the visitors.

A number of good chances were created by United but the strikers had an off day and weren’t ruthless enough in front of goal.

Meanwhile, the under 14s lost an early goal at home to Arbroath but turned in what co-manager Allan Paul described as their ‘best footballing display’ of the season.

A fact that was recognised afterwards by the coaching staff and parents of Arbroath who described the Ayr youngsters as the best footballing team they have played this term.

After that early set back, United struck with braces from Cameron Marlow, Marc Dyer, Declan McLaughlin and a solo strike from Scott Cairns.

Sunday’s fixtures: SFA Youth Cup: Ayr 19s v Gretna (Somerset Park, 2pm); SFA Youth Initiative: Under 14: v Raith (a); Under 15: v Raith (a); Under 16: v St Johnstone (Loch Park, New Cumnock, 2pm).

The Ayr United Football Academy is sponsored by Dawn Group, Sportscotland and the Stewart Milne Group.