Ayr United face hazardous trip to Lochee

Oct 31 2008 by Mike Wilson

THIS is the spartan junior ground which has left Ayr United facing a Scottish Cup banana skin.

Lochee United’s trim Thomson Park may have no seats and only a small covered enclosure but they’re gunning for the biggest upset in their history.

Boss Ray McKinnon, who led Lochee to the East Super League title last season, warned: “Ayr are in for a culture shock. We’re a junior club and massive underdogs but we are definitely in with a chance of winning.

“We’re quite a capable side and have beaten Forfar and Arbroath in pre-season games so we know what it takes.”

A crowd of around 1500 is expected for the second round tie on Saturday November 29. Kick-off will be 2pm as there are no floodlights.

Club secretary Larry Duncan will meet police next week but hopes the tie will not be made all ticket. He said: “We had 3500 for Lubo Moravick’s last game in Scotland when we played a Lubo select.

“This tie has lot of novelty value for us and it’s a historic day. No senior club will enjoy coming to Thomson Park to play one of the top four junior clubs in Scotland.”

Ayr boss Brian Reid admits it’s a tricky tie and a trip into the unknown but stressed it will remain on the back burner until important league games are played.

But he admits he’s looking forward to meeting up again with former Dundee United star McKinnon, who was a team-mate with Scotland under 21s.

McKinnon recalled: “Brian and I played together at Toulon when he was player of the tournament.

“It’s funny how we have been brought back together but I also had the chance to sign for Ayr when Gordon Dalziel was boss. I trained for a week but didn’t accept the offer.”

Meanwhile, Reid has warned his team to ignore Arbroath’s plight at the foot of the table when they head to Gayfield on Saturday.

He said: “Going to Arbroath is never easy so we will have to make sure we are 100 per cent focussed.

“If we go there thinking we’ll win we could be in for a rude awakening. Arbroath are a big, physical team so it could be a battle.”

The trip to the north-east is followed by games against Stranraer (home) and Queen’s Park (away) so fans will view it as a chance for Ayr to reassert their promotion claims against teams in the bottom half.

But Reid is looking no further than Saturday when he will have to do without Ryan Stevenson who was dismissed for two yellow cards in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Stirling.

Stevo, who collected his second card for comments to a linesman, will be fined under club discipline for his rash act of folly.

Reid praised the commitment of Ryan Borris who gave arguably his best performance in an Ayr shirt and showing a willingness to operate in a variety of positions.

He said: “Ryan has great energy and workrate. He started on the left but is every bit as effective on the right and could play up front as well.

“He epitomises what I am looking for and if we had 11 with his commitment we wouldn’t be far away.”

Willie Easton, who missed the Stirling game through illness, returns for Saturday.