Dismal Ayr are back to the bad old days

Jan 9 2008 Ayrshire Post

GUTLESS, spineless, and clueless. After the false dawn of their New Year win over Berwick, Ayr United are back to their wretched worse.

Before a pitiful crowd of only 297, woeful Ayr capitulated to a team of kids who were were missing their six best players.

Cowdenbeath had lost four on the bounce since their 4-1 romp at Somerset in December.

But the Blue Brazil were back in easy street as they pulled three points clear of a sinking outfit who now face a desperate fight to avoid the relegation play-offs.

New boss Brian Reid felt the wrath of some travelling fans and blasted it is as a cheap defeat.

Reid said: “We were back to our old habits and I hate to say it but Cowdenbeath seemed to want it more than us.”

Ryan Stevenson was again pitched into an unfamiliar striking role while hit men Gareth Wardlaw and Jerome Vareille were consigned to the bench.

Frustrated Wardlaw only got the shout for the last 13 minutes but by then the game was won.

Ayr at least started brightly and in only two minutes, Iain Anderson fired over from an Alex Williams flick.

The busy Dean Keenan, who at least looks up for the fight, made space before sending another effort just over.

But in nine minutes, the storm clouds that were hanging over Central Park, descended on to the pitch.

Former Cumnock striker John Dempster set up Paul McQuade and the newly signed youngster curled a shot in off the post.

A David Dunn 25 yard free-kick that drifted over was Ayr’s best response.

Mark McGeown had been troubled with his back right from the start and in 33 minutes he came off to be replaced by debutant Fraser Stewart, the son of Scotland goalie coach Jim.

There was more urgency from Ayr at the start of the second-half. Stevenson had a left foot shot saved while Chris Robertson and Dunn both had decent goal attempts.

But the game was done and dusted in 76 minutes when McQuade broke clear and sent in a shot that Stewart could only parry straight to Dempster who rolled home an easy finish.

As the small travelling support turned their fury to the dug-out, the game petered to a tame conclusion and another shocking day in the most dismal of the season.

Cowden boss Brian Welsh couldn’t believe his team’s good fortune and added to Ayr’s agony with one throw away remark. He said: “These kids are all hungry for success and all want to play in a Cowdenbeath jersey.”

If only the same could be said at Somerset Park.

STAR MEN: ***Dean Keenan; **Murray Henderson; *Willie Easton.

COWDENBEATH: Hay; Cennerazzo, Adamson; Armstrong, Hill, O’Neil; Ramsay (Linton 90), McBride, Dempster, McQuade (Robertson 89), Manson (Young 77). Unused subs: McConalogue, Allison.

AYR: McGeown (Stewart 33); Forrest, Robertson, Henderson, Lowing; Anderson, Marshall, (Easton 68), Keenan, Dunn (Wardlaw 77); Stevenson, Williams. Unused subs: Vareille, Pettigrew.

Referee: Steve Conroy; Crowd 297.