Livingston teach Ayr United babes a lesson

Nov 7 2008

AYR United under 19s missed the chance to leapfrog Livingston and go clear at the top when they crashed 4-1 on Sunday.

Trailing to an early free-kick which gave keeper David Mitchell no chance, Ayr equalised when great play by Danny Barrett set up Aaron Connolly for his eighth goal in five games.

However, United were dealt a blow on the half hour mark when a cross took a wicked deflection off Aaron Muirhead and beat Mitchell at his near post.

Mitchell saved a penalty but couldn’t stop Livingston adding two more.

Coach Malky Boyle said: “I thought in the first half we matched them but in the second their movement on and off the ball was better and our naivety cost us the game. Livingston are the bench mark, as long as the boys learn from this defeat then it can only make them better.”

The under 17s beat Queen’s Park 2-1 at Lesser Hampden. Missing the influential Stewart Milligan with a throat infection, United started strongly and took the lead in the 11th minute through Dale Moore. Moore then hit the post while Kelly was denied by a brave save.

The Queen’s keeper saved four one on one situations while McMunn had an effort cleared off the line. Ayr’s failure to kill off the home side looked to have punished them when Queen’s equalised but within two minutes, United were back in front when Moore netting with a delightful chip.

Only a brave block by Bain and an excellent defensive header from McMunn maintained Ayr’s lead with Frame outstanding again in a defensive marshalling role.

Manager John Stewart said: “We dominated 70 per cent of the play but we must start taking our chances. It cost us last week against Partick and almost let Queen’s steal a point.”

In the SFA Youth Initiative, the under 16s had a cracking match against Clyde at Maybole. Coach Tom Robertson said: “The boys played some very good possession at times and the movement was very good but poor defending let us down at the back.” United’s goals came from a double from Roddy Paterson and Mark Armour.

The under 15s took on Queen’s Park at Lesser Hampden and turned in what coach Allan Paul described as ‘their best performance in the two years the team has been together.’ Ayr goals came from Dyer (2), Marlow, March and a Paterson penalty.

Paul said: “Our attacking display was superb but throughout the team we played particularly well, with the central defensive partnership of Arrol and Hawkshaw outstanding.”

The under 14s’ failure to communicate on the park was cited as a problem by coach Davie White as they entertained Queen’s Park at Lugar’s Rosebank Stadium.

White said: “A lack of communication between our own players caused us some problems which comes as a surprise as the boys are a very vocal and close group. However, our endeavour and work rate was excellent.”

In an even game, United’s Baird showed some great composure to score while Campbell continued his scoring streak, harrying defenders into making errors.

Fixtures: the under 17s and under 19s have no games this weekend, the under 14s and under 15s both travel to face Arbroath while the under 16s head to Alloa.