Ayr United kids robbed in Stirling

Jan 16 2009

AYR United Academy under 19s were denied victory in controversial fashion at Stirling on Sunday when the home side snatched a last gasp equaliser eight minutes into injury time.

Ayr had looked set for three points after taking the lead through a stunning first-half 25 yard strike from Aaron Scoular.

United changed their system at the break to deal with the Albion midfield threat and were now the attacking force with Boyle and Connolly wreaking havoc. United went close on several occasions, hitting the bar and the post.

The Albion keeper also made an outstanding save to deny a fizzing strike from Aaron Connolly that was heading into the top right hand corner. However, their failure to take their chances was punished deep into injury time.

Coach Malky Boyle said: “After getting to grips with the middle of the park, I feel we controlled the game and possibly played some of the best football of the season. The negatives are we lose our concentration and start to try to do to much on the ball. If the players can improve this aspect of their game, then they are going in the right direction."

In the SFL under 17 Youth Division, Ayr drew 1-1 with Ross County are being denied all three points by the wind which ruined the game as a spectacle.

With the game tied in the second-half, Dale Moore broke clear and chipped the advancing keeper. As he ran away celebrating what he thought was a fine winning goal, a gust of wind caught the ball and blew it back into play.

Brian Taylor and Scott Arthur went close early on but County took the lead against the run of play when a lack of communication between two defenders allowed the visitors to race clear and beat keeper Ross McBride.

Ten minutes before the break, United levelled when Paul Bunten scored direct from a corner kick.

Ryan McMunn kept Ayr level going into the break when he cleared the ball off the line after McBride had done well to save a one on one situation.

In the second half, United dominated possession but other than that freak incident that denied Moore, they couldn’t cash in.

Manager John Stewart said: “The winner was the weather. In normal circumstances, it would probably have been called off but the Ross County players had travelled over five hours and although the boys did well considering the conditions, this was not the type of game in which to judge abilities.”