Beware of Brechin

Feb 20 2008 Ayrshire Post

BRIAN REID has warned Ayr to prepare for a Brechin backlash when the on-form Glebe Parkers visit town on Saturday.

For angry City are still reeling after being turfed out the Scottish Cup for fielding two ineligible players.

And since then they have won four games on the trot to soar to fifth top, only one point off the promotion play-offs.

Brechin beat First Division leaders Hamilton Accies 2-1 after extra-time to reach the last eight but were then sent packing by SFA beaks.

Boss Reid said: “Brechin battle for every ball and are on a great run of form. It’s a big, big game for us as Brechin are on the up and will make it very difficult.”

Meanwhile, Reid has branded the two year extension handed to Alex Williams as the club’s best piece of business.

Williams hit two stunning goals, taking his season’s tally to 17, as Ayr beat Raith 2-1 to leapfrog Cowdenbeath and Queen’s Park.

Reid said: “Getting Alex on a longer deal is a big, big signing for us and terrific work by the club.

“He is a prolific scorer and the way he is going could end the season with more than 20 goals. His goals at Kirkcaldy were both wonder efforts but I’m kidding him on he should have had a hat-trick after missing an easier chance.”

Williams hailed his second goal, watched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, as the best he has ever scored.

He quipped: “It was like Zidane’s strike for Real Madrid at Hampden - only mine was better as it was outside the box.

“The PM will have my name stuck in his head after that.”

Ayr now face three games in a week with the visit of Brechin followed by a home match against Airdrie United on Wednesday and a trip to bottom dogs Berwick the following week.

Reid said: “I only focus on one match at a time but this is the type of league that if you win a couple of games on the trot, you can be in the shake-up at the top. However, if you lose a couple you are right back down there.

“We want to build on the win at Kirkcaldy where we always seem to do well. Considering we were depleted and had players out of position, it was a great performance. We soaked up the pressure but Mark McGeown had hardly a save to make in the second-half so all credit to the team.”

Skipper Eddie Forrest and Ryan Stevenson complete two and three game bans on Saturday while Iain Anderson is still struggling with a rib injury.

Long term crock Martyn Campbell would have been fit to face Raith but missed out through a family bereavement. Neil McGowan, who came off after 21 minutes with a hamstring strain, should be OK.