Ayr United strikers are the real deal

Aug 15 2008 by Mike Wilson

Alloa 0 Ayr United 2

ENVIOUS Allan Maitland reckons Ayr have potentially the hottest strikers in the Second Division.

And he believes silky skipper Chris Aitken will prove to be the league's best summer signing.

The Alloa boss was speaking BEFORE goals from Alex Williams and Bryan Prunty steered Ayr to a 2-0 win at Recreation Park on Saturday.

Writing in the match programme, Maitland said: "With Prunty and Williams up front, Ayr have potentially the most potent strike force in the division which will give their fans and directors belief that they can be right up there challenging for the title.

"It's no secret that I'm a great admirer of Chris Aitken as a football player and believe that he may well be the best signing of any of the Second Division this close season.

"Tiff is one of a rare breed of players who can control a game single handed with his vision of passes and ability to score vital goals. He will be a great asset to Ayr."

After the game, Maitland was enthusing even more. He claimed: "For 45 minutes, Ayr were miles better than us. They were first to every ball and scored two good goals. We were second best to everything.

"Ayr took their foot off the pedal in the second-half and we played much better but should have done more."

This was an emphatic show from hungry Ayr who played some super stuff, particularly in the first-half when they ran the show. A water tight defence, an industrious and creative midfield while the two strikers dovetailed perfectly and have the makings of forming a lucrative partnership.

It took Ayr only four minutes to take the lead. Ryan Stevenson threaded a perfect through pass to Williams who guided home a low angled shot to the keeper's right.

A Prunty flick just failed to reach Williams. Then Stevenson played a great ball to Williams but blazed the return high over. Kyle Macaulay hit the side net for Alloa but it was Ayr on top and Williams scooped the ball into Raymond Jellema's hands from a Prunty pass.

United doubled their lead with a magnificently worked goal in 38 minutes. Aitken fed Williams who played in Prunty for the big striker to crash home a low drive from the tightest of angles.

It was almost three and easy in 51 minutes when Aitken curled a shot off the post from 20 yards. Then the towering Scott Walker had the ball in the net after Jellema dropped an Aitken free-kick only for the linesman to signal a hand had been used.

Alloa raised their game but found keeper Stephen Grindlay was answering all their questions. He saved a Graeme Brown header and denied John Grant and Macaulay as the Wasps went all out.

David Gormley and Scott Agnew replaced Prunty and Stevenson for the last nine minutes as Ayr comfortably ran down the clock on a polished performance.

Delighted boss Brian Reid said: "The two strikers got both goals and that was pleasing. Prunty has been playing well and his first goal was well overdue. It was nice to watch two very composed finishes and also see great movement. We could have scored more in the first-half but I am delighted with a clean sheet and three points."

STAR MEN: ***Dean Keenan; **Scott Walker; *Bryan Prunty.

ALLOA: Jellema; Buist, Campbell (M. Ferguson 89), Scullion, Townsley (Hay 81) Hill, Stevenson, McKeown, Macaulay, Grant, Scott (Brown 46). Unused subs: Kelly, O'Boyle; Booked: Campbell, Macaulay, Brown.

AYR: Grindlay; Dempsie, Walker, Campbell, Easton; Borris, Aitken, Keenan, Stevenson (Agnew 81); Prunty (Gormley 81), Williams. Unused subs: McGowan, Weaver, Stewart; Booked: Dempsie.

Ref: George Salmond; Crowd: 569.