Brian Reid reckons Brechin clash is the big one

Apr 17 2009

AYR UNITED face their biggest game of the season as they battle to land the Second Division title.

That’s the view of boss Brian Reid, who says the season could hinge on Saturday’s trip to Brechin.

Despite a mammoth unbeaten run of ten games, United’s lead over Raith remains a single point.

But Reid believes this could be the pivotal weekend in the race for the flag.

And he’s urging Ayr fans to head north in their droves for the crunch at Glebe Park.

Reid confessed: “I think this could be the game of the season for us.

“It’s obviously going to be a tough one but we have nothing to fear from Brechin.

“We’ve already beaten them up there this season and we’re playing full of confidence at the moment.

“But to go ten games unbeaten and still have Raith on our tails shows how well both teams have done and it’s a shame we can’t both go up.”

Reid sees Saturday – with Raith travelling to Stirling – as a possible chance for Ayr to pull away at the top.

But he knows four wins between now and May 9 will be enough for the Honest Men to lift the title regardless of what happens elsewhere.

He admitted: “I’d like to think we can shake off Raith’s challenge and you look at Stirling as a tricky game for them.

“Apparently they don’t have a good record there, but there’s no point in us bothering about what they do.

“If we win all our games then nothing concerns me one way or the other.

“We’ll go to Brechin confident of winning and hopefully a big travelling support will come with us.

“They’ve been tremendous this season and they really do make all the difference.”

Ayr will travel north walking wounded, though, after the bruising win at Arbroath took its toll.

Martyn Campbell’s injury jinx struck again when he pulled up with a torn calf, while Neil McGowan failed to make the game at all with a groin strain.

It left United woefully short in defence, with Dean Keenan pitched in at centre half for more than an hour.

But Reid admitted: “Deano was outstanding and I knew he’d played there before for Morton, so I had no worries.

“His performance has certainly given me food for thought and I wouldn’t have any fear about playing him there again.

“Arbroath had six guys over six foot and he coped brilliantly, whereas Brechin are a much smaller side, so that will come into my thinking.”

McGowan is hopeful of returning at Glebe Park, while David Gormley will be fine after limping off at Gayfield.

But Campbell and Ryan Borris (shoulder) definitely miss out.