Ayr United Academy kids mourn Michelle

Nov 21 2008 by Mike Wilson

FOOTBALL took the back burner for the Ayr United Football Academy with all teams observing a minute’s silence following the tragic death last Friday of young Michelle Stewart from Drongan. Her uncle John is the Academy’s assistant head of youth development and manager of the under 17 side.

The under 17s beat Raith in an 11 goal thriller at Greenwood Academy, racing ahead through Darren Baird before the visitors equalised with a penalty.

Raith went ahead but United hit back when Baird finished off a move involving Dale Moore, Stewart Milligan and Jordan Kelly.

Raith took the lead again before United scored five goals in an eight minute spell. The equaliser came when Raith failed to clear their lines from a corner and Moore despatched the ball into the net. McMunn then added a double, one a header, the other a fantastic strike from outside the box.

Brian Taylor scored with a header before Baird completed his hat-trick with a quality counter attack goal, rounding the keeper to score. Raith had the last say with a deflected strike.

Coach Steph Ferguson said: “We’re happy with the three points after a difficult weekend for all of us, however poor defending could have cost us. At half time, the players listened to what they were told and looked more like themselves.”

United under 19s got back to winning ways with a hard fought victory over Dundee at Maybole.

Coach Malky Boyle said: “The first half was possibly one of the best performances of the season. However, in the second half, the boys got slack and let Dundee back.”

Danny Barrett broke the deadlock with a superb 25 yard strike and Ross Robertson headed a second. On the hour mark, Dundee netted a soft penalty and pressed for the equaliser but were foiled by a quality stop by keeper David Mitchell. The Dundee keeper pulled off an amazing save to deny Kevin Ireland.

In the SFA Youth Initiative, the under 16s were involved in a thriller against Arbroath at Maybole that left coach Tom Robertson lamenting defensive frailities while praising his forwards.

Kieran Paterson set up his namesake Roddy for the equaliser in the second period. In the final period, two goals lost in a two minute period saw United trail again but Mark Armour produced an excellent finish and was then fouled for a penalty that Jo Maxwell converted.

Arbroath struck what looked to be a late winner but a cool finish from Gardiner after some good link up play with Roddy Paterson ensured a draw.

The under 15s controlled the first and last periods of their match against Alloa at Forthbank and should have scored more than the two goals they did through Marc Dyer, both set up by Cammy Marlow. However, Alloa took advantage of their extra man following the dismissal of Dean Arrol for handball. United were boosted in the final period by the return of injury victims, Dean Marshall and Jake Simpson.

The under 14s dominated against Alloa at Maybole. Mauchline lad Mark Shankland scored four, with Graham and Campbell also on the scoresheet. The first goal summed up United’s display, coming at the end of a 22 pass move in which every player touched the ball.

Coach David White said: “The performance of the every player was to be commended, we defended well and some of our play and goals were top quality. The players are showing they have a desire and determination to improve their performance each game. We challenge them as a team to improve all the time and the players should take confidence from their performances.”

Sunday’s fixtures: SFL Youth League: U19s v Clyde (a); U17s v St.Johnstone (a); SFA Youth Initiative: U15 v Dumbarton (at Carrick Academy, Maybole, 2pm); U14s v Dumbarton (a).