Ayr United may need six wins

Apr 3 2009 by Mike Wilson

GIVE us six of the best and the Second Division title is ours.

But Ayr United will have to do without star loan signing Kevin James who has been recalled by First Division leaders StJohnstone.

Skipper Chris Aitken is banned forSaturday’s visit of Stirling Albion while striker Mark Roberts is struggling with a hamstring strain and is rated doubtful.

Ayr lead Raith by a point and are three goals better off so if they win their final six games they can’t be caught.

Boss Brian Reid, who has gagged his players from speaking to the press, says: “We’re out in front which is where we want to be. Every game is now massive so we’ll take them one at a time. Goal difference could be crucial but not if we win every game as we don’t have to rely on anyone else.”

The loss of James, who Ayr had been hoping to keep until the end of the season, is a big blow. Only one goal was conceded in the five games which the towering stopper played and his commanding presence rubbed off on the rest of the team.

That leaves fit again Martyn Campbell and Scott Walker to face Stirling while Murray Henderson is on loan to Arthurlie for another week. Allan Dempsie returns from a two game ban.

Reid said: “I would have loved to have kept Kevin but fully understand the view of Saints boss Derek McInnes who is a good friend of mine. He has a couple of players who are close to suspensions and others who are carrying niggling injuries.

“In an ideal world we could have extended the loan and Saints could have taken him back if needed but the rules don’t permit it.

“However, I am not too downhearted. Martyn Campbell is a very able defender who is back fit so he will step up.”

Reid, who is concerned at some national paper headlines, has stopped his players from talking for the time being.

He said: “I don’t want us to giveammunition to other teams who are looking to shoot us down.

“It’s a nervous time for everybody and I hope the fans pump up the noise right from the start on Saturday.”

Title winning Ayr Rugby Club will be guests at Somerset and will parade their trophy on the pitch at half-time.

Meanwhile, Ayr and Kilmarnock have reached verbal agreement to settle the dispute over gate receipts from the Scottish Cup replay on January 22.

Killie originally claimed they gave out 1000 complimentaries for the Rugby Park tie, a figure they later cut by more than a quarter. Ayr claimed the figures wereexcessive and called in the SFA.

Ayr have now quadrupled their claim for the number of free tickets they issued for the Somerset game.

A spokesman said: “For us to fix the imbalance we had to play the game but we are not happy about the way we got there.”