Ayr United miss out on SPL striker

Jan 29 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

FRUSTRATED Ayr boss Brian Reid has suffered a major setback in his bid to bring in a new striker.

For with a deal agreed to land an SPL hit man on loan, his club pulled the plug after a weekend hammering.

Now Reid admits he is back to the drawing board as he tries to bolster his squad.

Five players have departed during the January window with skipper Chris Aitken (Stirling), Bryan Prunty, David Gormley (both Alloa), Neil McGowan (Clyde) and Stephen Reynolds (back to St Johnstone) heading out. And Scott Agnew, who had been on loan to Alloa, struck a similar deal at Stranraer.

The only new face is Scotland under 21 full-back Chris Mitchell on loan from Falkirk until the end of the season.

Reid had hoped to land a second player from The Bairns but Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing by Dundee United put the lid on it.

He revealed: “After that defeat, their manager has said no one is leaving which is disappointing as the deal was agreed.

“I’m now working desperately on plans B, C and D because I need to get people in.”

Only 12 goals from 18 league games have left Ayr with the worst record in the country but Reid insists they are still creating chances aplenty.

He claimed: “We are still making openings but just not taking them. However, wedefinitely need to be more clinical and I am going all out to sort it.

“I was pleased with the defence in the 1-0 defeat at Ross County where the keeper and the back four were solid. But we failed to pick up at a corner and lost a free header.”

Adding to Reid’s problems are that Kevin James and Billy Gibson are still doubtful for Saturday’s visit of Raith. Rovers face their fourth game in a week after drawing 1-1 with Airdrie in the Scottish Cup on Monday to book a Wednesday night replay.

Junior Mendes, who looked lively before hobbling off with a hamstring twinge, will be assessed later in the week.

However, Willie Easton, who missed the long trip north through a one game ban, is available. He played an hour for the reserves in their 3-1 defeat by a strong Partick side at Dam Park on Monday when Aaron Connolly got the Ayr goal.

The lack of senior players meant youngsters Connolly, Jonathan Tiffoney and Ross Robertson were all in the Dingwall squad.

Reid was pleased with the performance of the highly rated Mitchell who can play in both full-back berths and also midfield.

He said: “He’s a versatile lad who gives us many options. Considering he only met the lads for the first time on the bus going to the game, I thought he did OK.”

The first of Ayr’s frozen off games – the pre-Christmas home match against Partick – will be rescheduled for Wednesday, February 10, provided the Scottish Cup tie against Dundee isn’t postponed.

Buses for Dundee: River Cottage, leaving at 11am. Seats from 287923. Ship Inn: 10am, returning at 6pm. Seats are £10 from 885766. Vulcan: 11am. Seats price £10 from John Grigor (tel: 07903 561025). Newton-on Ayr station: 10.15am, with pick-ups in Prestwick and Troon. Seats from Lamont Brodie (tel: 078500 36803).