Ayr United sink Morton with Williams' goal

Jul 18 2008

DEADLY Alex Williams dumped his old team Morton but revealed he was scared of missing the chance because he had too much time.

The former Cappielow striker pounced on a Bryan Prunty flick-on and then was all alone as he stuck the ball through the legs of keeper Colin Stewart.

Williams admitted: "These are the ones you fear missing because you have extra time which could make you panic. It was nice to come back and score against my old team.

"I got a bit of stick off a couple of idiots but it was nice to get a wee ovation from the fans when I came off. We have big hopes for this season as we did last term when things didn't work out. But hopefully we'll get it right this time."

Boss Brian Reid once boosted the Morton coffers when Rangers paid £250,000 for his services. And there was no hiding his smile on making a winning return to his old stomping ground where he is held in high regard.

Reid said: "It was a good workout and although it was the first game for a lot of the boys, we played some decent stuff and looked quite solid. Our fitness was great against a full-time team so credit to the boys who have worked really hard in the pre-season.

"Pre-season results aren't important but it was nice to get a clean sheet and hopefully this will help the confidence."

Chris Aitken skippered the team for the first time and led by example with a dominant display in midfield alongside Ryan Borris, Dean Keenan and Ryan Stevenson.

After a goalless first-half, Morton turned up the heat at the start of the second-half and looked like taking the lead when former Liverpool kid John Newby rounded keeper Stephen Grindlay and took aim. But Martyn Campbell, who paired up well with new signing Scott Walker, galloped back to clear.

Then a header from trialist Chris Smith, formerly of Rangers, was parried by Grindlay as the Ayr defence looked on anxiously.

However, it was Ayr who took the lead in 58 minutes when Williams repeated the cool finishing that brought him 18 goals last season.

On trial Glenafton striker David Gormley then replaced Prunty while fellow trialist Lloyd Murphy took the place of Williams.

Stevenson was pushed into attack and had a fierce shot punched away by Stewart. Murphy then showed plenty of dash to find Aitken but his cross was headed to safety.

The busy Gormley was eager to impress and was poised to score after cashing in on a stray header from Smith but Stewart spoiled his party by blocking his shot with his legs.

Many positives for Ayr with Allan Dempsie making a solid debut at right back, the strong running Borris coming on to a game and Aitken and Keenan proving dig aplenty in centre midfield.

MORTON: Stewart; Trialist, Trialist, McManus, Masterton, Paartalu (Weatherson 56), Finlayson, McGuffie, Wake (Russell 58), Newby, McAlister. Unused subs: Trialist, Kerrigan, Mitchell, Graham, Trialist.

AYR: Grindlay; Dempsie, Walker, Campbell (McGowan 74), Easton; Borris, Aitken, Keenan (Weaver 77), Stevenson (Woodburn 77); Prunty (trialist Gormley 58), Williams (trialist Murphy 63). Unused subs: Kinnaird, trialist (Thomson).

Referee: Alan Muir.