Ayr United face three crunch games in a week

Feb 27 2009 by Mike Wilson

THREE crunch games in seven days can push Ayr United closer to the title while leaders Raith walk the plank.

But cautious boss Brian Reid insists it’s one at a time as he prepares to lead free scoring Ayr against the league’s bottom two sides.

On Saturday, United head to slipping Queen’s Park, who are without a win in five, before hosting the same team at Somerset next Wednesday. Then on Saturday, March 7, they entertain basement club Stranraer.

In contrast, Raith, who lead Ayr by three points with a game more played, face a tough run against play-off chasers Peterhead (home), Brechin (away) and East Fife (away).

It’s a perfect chance for Ayr to crank up the heat if they can stop gifting their opponents two goals of a start.

Reid says: “We’re the third top scorers in Scotland with 44 goals behind only Rangers and Celtic but we keep gifting goals with individual errors. We’ve gone 2-0 down in our last three games but have showed tremendous character to battle back each time.

“Credit to the players for going on to beat Brechin 4-2 but there is no rhyme or reason for our poor starts. It’s got to stop because we’re not going to get away with it every week.

“However, we are undefeated in 12 games at home and there is always a belief we can get something at Somerset.”

Willie Easton (hamstring) and Alex Williams (ankle) are set to miss the game at Hampden but Allan Dempsie is available again after achilles trouble ruled him out last weekend.

Mark Roberts, who scored two after coming off the bench against Brechin, looks set to partner 15 goal Bryan Prunty in attack.

Reid said: “Mark was unlucky not to start against Brechin but David Gormley had done well after scoring two at Alloa while Prunty is the division’s top scorer. However, Mark showed what a good pro he is with two cultured finishes and is doing the right things to get himself back in the team.

“It was also good to see Ryan Stevenson doing what he does regularly. Give him a chance at the edge of the box and he sticks them away from 25 yards.”

Meanwhile, baffled Ryan Borris says he can’t explain why Ayr keep making horror starts. He revealed: “The gaffer keeps going on about it and right through the warm-up tells us we need to start good. But sure enough, we are 2-0 down before you know it.

“We’re showing good character to come back but you can’t keep doing it or it’s going to come back and bite you. We’ve come on leaps and bounds from the start of the season. We’re now seven points clear of Brechin and are only three behind Raith with a game in hand so there is all to play for.”

Reid is still trying to sign an experienced central defender on an emergency loan. While he has until March 31 to make his move, he hopes for business within the next fortnight.

River Cottage fans are running a bus to Hampden on Saturday leaving at 1.30pm. Seats, price £5, from 287923.

The re-scheduled game away to East Fife, has now been put back seven days to Wednesday, March 18.