Ayr United walk tall with Kevin James

Mar 13 2009

Ayr United 5 Stranraer 0

DEAN KEENAN hailed giant signing Kevin James for making an immediate impact as five star Ayr piled on the gloom for sorry Stranraer.

And unlikely goal hero Neil McGowan joked he should be pitched into attack after scoring his second of the season and laying on another.

Five different players hit the goal trail on a day when Ayr could have doubled their tally but Keenan reckoned it was new man James, signed on loan from St Johnstone, who played a key role.

Midfielder Keenan said: "Right away, Kevin was bossing people about and directing them everywhere. I think every one of the boys took note and the respect he commanded from the dressing room was brilliant.

"Hopefully, we can get him on the end of a few Chris Aitken corners. They have been exceptional recently but we haven't been getting enough bodies in the box on to them.

"We got the job done and now we can look forward to a big game against Raith on Saturday. All the pressure is on Raith to win because they want to go top. We don't want to play for a draw but if a draw comes we'll take it and we'll go back down the road still top of the league. That's a big comfort for us."

Keenan revealed his wide right role was still a bit alien to him but said he's enjoying the switch. He said: "Kenny Connolly was really unlucky not to keep his place as he has been exceptional for us. But I'm sure he'll be back soon with Allan Dempsie facing a two game ban.

"I was a bit part player for five years at Morton. I was there when they won the Third and Second Divisions but nothing would compare with winning it with Ayr as I've played almost every game which I have been eligible for."

Meanwhile, McGowan savoured his goal and assist to quip: "I would like to think the gaffer might use me a bit further forward to utilise my attacking prowess! My goal was a rarity – only my second of the season – and we could have scored a lot more."

Bryan Prunty nodded home a McGowan cross for his 16th goal of the season to set Ayr rolling after 24 minutes. Then came two in two minutes to leave Stranraer dead and buried.

Mark Roberts and Prunty combined to set up Ryan Stevenson who confidently fired home. Then three minutes before the break, McGowan headed home an Aitken corner despite Craig Frizzell's best efforts to nod off the line.

Ayr were cruising in 49 minutes when Roberts stepped over a Prunty cutback and the inrushing Aitken picked his spot.

The fight was drained from Stranraer who fielded 39-year-old former Ayr defender David Craig as a trialist. Ayr had the luxury of taking off Roberts and Prunty for David Gormley and Alex Williams who wasted no time in making an impact.

In 81 minutes, Gormley flicked on a long ball from Martyn Campbell and Williams raced clear, rounded keeper Scott Black and fired into the empty net.

In a hot finish, Stevenson, Gormley and Williams all went close as the weary Blues craved for the final whistle.

Boss Brian Reid glowed: "We'realways capable of scoring goals and so it proved. It was a good professional performance."

STAR MEN: ***Ryan Stevenson; **Chris Aitken; *Kevin James.

AYR - Grindlay; Dempsie, James, Campbell, McGowan; Keenan, Aitken, Stevenson, Borris (Connolly 70); Prunty (Williams 66), Roberts (Gormley 66). Unused subs: Mitchell, Walker; Booked: Dempsie.

STRANRAER - Black; Kane, Craig (McKinstry 84), Wilson, Creaney; Frizzell (Paisley 56), McBride, Aitken (McConalogue 68), McColm; Moore, Mitchell. Unused subs: Crossthwaite, Noble. Booked: Creaney, Moore, Mitchell.

Referee - Alan Muir; Crowd - 1580.