United ditch two more as clearout continues

Jan 9 2008 Ayrshire Post

TROUBLED Ayr United have freed two more players and stepped up their hunt for others as they face a desperate fight against relegation.

Mark Casey and David Hamilton were released from their contracts on Monday evening. And the club, who are now three points adrift of the safety of third bottom, are hot on the tail of several targets including an experienced keeper.

Rebel striker Michael Moore, who hasn’t scored since August 25, is believed to have turned down a loan move to Queen of the South and is off the scene.

A back injury to Mark McGeown has added to Ayr’s mounting problems and with only youngster Fraser Stewart as cover, another keeper is being urgently sought.

Former Hamilton man David McEwan, now of Derry City, has trained with Ayr and remains a possible target.

Another departure is winger Ryan Baldacchino who has returned to Gretna before the end of his second month’s loan deal.

Casey asked to be freed from his contract after landing promotion in his work as a financial adviser. He is giving up football for the time being.

Hamilton becomes the fourth of former boss Neil Watt’s ex-Stranraer signings to move. He hasn’t featured since October after an ankle injury but failed to win over fans with a succession of below par performances. He follows Barry John Corr, Stephen Swift and Craig Higgins out the door.

Boss Brian Reid revealed: “Both players had work commitments which meant they were struggling to get to training and that is no use to me. As a part-time club, it is important we train twice a week. Letting them go frees up space as we need three or four to come in.

“We are in a tough situation but we are only three points behind third bottom and that is only one win.

“We need to turn it around sooner rather than later and Scott McKenzie and I are confident in what we are trying to do.

“The disappointing aspect of the defeat at Cowdenbeath is that the players never responded the way they should. Cowdenbeath were young and very energetic and we never matched it yet our players had been pre-warned.”

One new face is freed Dundee United wing-back Willie Easton who came off the bench in Saturday’s dismal 2-0 defeat. The 21-year-old, who was earlier on loan to Stirling, also featured in a practice match against Kilwinning Rangers at Somerset on Monday evening.

Ayr have no game on Saturday after going out the Scottish Cup at the second round. They return on Saturday January 19 at home to Alloa before entertaining Queen’s Park a week later.