Ayr to stay says united skipper

Aug 22 2008

SKIPPER Chris Aitken has urged Ayr United to strike out from the top of the Second Division.

And this week, he told the Honest Men: “They always say the hard thing is to get to the top of the league. So now we’re there, it’s up to us to stay there.”

Ayr have been cut to 11/4 bookies favourites for the title ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stirling Albion where Aitken was a fans’ favourite for more than four seasons.

Aitken said: “It will feel strange going back because I have a lot of good friends there. But come kick-off, all my friends will be in the Ayr dressing room.

“We’re going there looking for nothing less than three points. Despite their bad start, Stirling are a good team so we will treat them with respect but we’ve got good young players and a lot of experienced ones who have played at this level.”

A huge Ayr travelling support is bound for Forthbank and boss Brian Reid believes they can be the extra man.

He said: “It’s always nice to go to an away stadium and see a big away support. Even when we were behind on Saturday, the fans didn’t turn and were very patient. The fans have an important part to play and hopefully can spur us on.”

Reid is keeping his feet firmly planted and insists no one at Somerset Park is getting carried away with the hot start that has brought seven points from nine.

He said: “I would rather be top than anywhere else but there is a long way to go. It’s a nice feeling to sit top so hopefully we can take confidence from that. We’ll take one game at a time and now it’s Stirling Albion next stop with the focus on a good performance.”

Ally Woodburn, who is troubled by a nerve at the back of his leg, is Ayr’s only doubt for Saturday although he was able to do some jogging on Monday night.

Ayr’s only dilemma is whether to start with the team that fell behind to Arbroath or go with the side that finished with a 2-1 win when subs Scott Agnew and David Gormley made a big impression.

Agnew gave the team a better balance down the left while the hard working Gormley linked well to set up Bryan Prunty for the winner.

Reid said: “Prunty has played very well since coming here and you can see he has performed at a decent level. Now he has scored in the last two games, he’ll be hoping to go on a run. I have been pleased with him even before his goals.”

Meanwhile, Ayr could move this week for former Auchinleck and Airdrie striker David Gillies who has been training with the club.

Reid said: “David is a local lad and a natural finisher. The more competition we have the better.”

A French central midfield trialist caught the eye when a young Ayr team played St Johnstone in a training game at Glasgow Green on Monday.

nThe funeral of former United defender John Taylor took place last Friday.

John, 53, was a schoolboy internationalist from Ayr who joined Leeds United before signing for Ally MacLeod in 1973.

A tough tackler, he made 12 appearances for Ayr before joining Clyde and later heading to Tasmania and Jersey.

nSHIP Inn fans are running a bus to Stirling on Saturday leaving the pub at 12.30pm. Book seats from 885766.

Squirrelhunters’ bus picks up in Mauchline at 12 noon and Little Chef, Bellfield Roundabout, Kilmarnock at 12.15pm. Bookings to Neal on 07913 025230.