Ayr United fans up for cup derby

Dec 5 2008 by Mike Wilson

MAKE it a famous five – that’s the cry from excited Ayr United fans at the prospect of a Scottish Cup cracker against Kilmarnock.

Ayr have beaten their fiercest rivals in the last four cup meetings – and they’ll get the chance of a fifth if they dump Lochee United in the third round.

Cautious boss Brian Reid is only focusing on Saturday’s trip to Tayside which was frozen off last weekend. But he can’t stop fans looking ahead and dreaming.

Club historian Duncan Carmichael beamed: “We’ve beaten Killie in daylight, under floodlights, in open play, on penalties and with ten men. No matter how well they’re doing at the time, it seems we can’t do wrong against them.

“They were cup holders when we beat them in 1998 and the following season, they were second in the SPL when we did it again. Killie won’t relish another trip to Somerset Park.”

Ayr have to see off the east league junior champions before Killie, who have lost seven of their last eight games, can be given their place on January 10.

Reid stressed: “We can’t take our eye off the ball and must give Lochee the fullest respect as they would like to face Kilmarnock as well.

“We need to go there with confidence and win the game before we can consider anything else. If we do that, then we can think about Killie which would be a great tie for everyone. But there’s a job to be done first.”

Reid was bitterly disappointed when Saturday’s trip to Thomson Park was iced off before 9am. Instead, he called his men to Ayr for a training stint.

He said: “Lochee had covers on the goalmouths which were fine but there were other areas of the park which were hard. Now we’ve just got to hope the weather relents for this weekend as we’re desperate to keep playing.

“With the two Dundee teams away this weekend, Lochee are hoping for a bigger crowd but I know we’ll also have a bumper support so the atmosphere will be good.

“We’re on a roll and because of the cup tie, it means our league trip to Brechin is also off and that’s game we were really looking forward to.”

Lochee secretary Larry Duncan reckons even more pressure in on Ayr now that Killie are awaiting the winners.

He said: “Their fans are now demanding that they play Kilmarnock so the heat is on them.

“We have a big advantage playing at home and have no intention of switching to either Dens Park or Tannadice if the weather bites again.

“There is a blanket of snow on the park but the pitch is fine underneath. We’ll leave the snow and then bring in the machinery to clear it either on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. We’re well organised behind the scenes and are optimistic that the tie will go ahead.”

Ayr have skipper Chris Aitken still struggling with a calf strain but Neil McGowan can play, despite being sent off in the 4-2 win over East Fife. His two game ban is for league games only.

Buses for Lochee: Ship Inn leaves at 10am with pick-up in Troon. Call 885766. Steamboat leaves at 9am. Call 07903 561025. River Cottage leaves at 10am. Call 287923 or 07905 130765.

lBookies William Hill are offering 100/30 on Ayr to beat Lochee and Kilmarnock.

lThe league game away to Brechin, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, has been re-arranged for Tuesday December 16 (kick-off 7.45pm).