Ayr United pitch in with six of the best

Apr 23 2008 Ayrshire Post

WALTER SMITH branded Hampden’s pitch a national disgrace - Ryan Stevenson reckoned it was the key that helped Ayr to their sixth away win in seven.

Rangers boss Smith launched his attack after the Ibrox men stumbled through their Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Just 24 hours earlier, Stevo pulled the strings as Ayr swept Queen’s Park aside.

His super solo strike earned a half-time lead and Alex Williams hit the 20-goal mark with a smartly taken second-half double.

Stevenson, now on 17 goals, was back to his best as he bossed the midfield while there was a sparkling first start from teenager Ally Woodburn despite being booked for diving.

Stevo said: "It's always good to come to Hampden with its brilliant stadium and surface which lets you get the ball down and pass. We went to Ross County and Airdrie, who both have good pitches, and played them off the park.

"Somerset Park hasn't been the best this year but there are no excuses. We should be doing a lot better and have heavily underachieved. We started the season expecting to push for the promotion play-offs and it's bitterly disappointing we didn't make it."

Williams climbed off his sick bed for his double but got great support from on-loan Hamilton youngster Paul McLeod who doesn't know where his future lies.

McLeod said: "I'm enjoying it at Ayr but have a year left on my contract at Accies where I will return at the end of the season. The lure of the SPL is appealing but I will have to wait and see what the future holds.

"Ayr have been good for me. Martyn Campbell has impressed me, Alex Williams has a workrate that is second to none while Ryan Stevenson got nominated for player of the year which says it all."

Stevo was a first-half powerhouse but it took him until seconds before the interval to strike. He intercepted a stray pass and neatly beat two defenders as he cut into the box before completely fooling keeper Alex Cowie.

Ayr should have doubled their lead five minutes into the second period when McLeod pounced on a poor passback. His first effort was blocked by the keeper and then he fired the rebound over.

McLeod made amends in 54 minutes when he set up Ayr's second, freeing Williams with a clever pass which the top gun confidently buried with a dink over the keeper.

Wooburn claimed a penalty when he again went down in the box but it was Queen's who scored next when sub Stuart Kettlewell rifled home following a corner.

Ayr almost replied straight away when Williams crossed and Eddie Forrest sent a diving header off the post. But it was game over in 84 minutes when Williams headed home an Andy McLaren cross.

Delighted boss Brian Reid said: "That was night and day from the performance at Peterhead last week. I wanted a reaction from the players and got one and we could have won by more.

"Ally Woodburn is a young boy but he's got a chance and never looked out of it. Wee Eck (Alex Williams) was on his sick bed this week but he's always liable to score. However, I've given him stick because he could have scored a lot more.

"However, I won't be greedy and I'll take three goals away from home any week."

STAR MEN: ***Ryan Stevenson; **Ally Woodburn; *Martyn Campbell.

QUEEN'S PARK: Cowie; Paton, Canning, Brough, Agostini, Trouten, McGrady (Torrance 78), Cairney (Kettlewell 28), Quinn. Neill, Ferry. Unused subs: Ure, Molloy, Cairns. Booked: Agostini.

AYR: McGeown; Forrest, Campbell, McGowan, Easton; Woodburn (Kinniard 77), Stevenson, Weaver, Wardlaw (McLaren 74); McLeod, Williams (Robertson 87). Unused subs: Pettigrew, Stewart. Booked: Woodburn, Wardlaw.

Referee: George Salmond; Crowd: 1092.