Ayr United under 19s beat Airdrie

Feb 12 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR United under 19s left it late to seal a 3-1 win over Airdrie United in the Scottish Youth League.

Coach Stevie McMillan made five changes to the starting line-up following last week’s defeat by Partick bringing in Jones, Gilmour, Tiffoney, Robertson and Baird. They had an immediate impact.

United took the lead with a superb individual effort from Jonathan Tiffoney. With a driving run down the right, he left three players trailing in his wake before unleashing a thunderous left foot drive into the top corner from 25 yards.

Despite going close on numerous occasions, it was not until the final five minutes that Ayr added to their tally when Scott Arthur fired home a super left foot volley from the edge of the box.

But the United defence took their eye off the ball briefly and allowed Airdrie back into the game when indecision allowed the visitors’ striker to nip in and score.

However. Ayr restored the two goal lead in the 90th minute when Ross Robertson flicked home an Ian Fisher cross.

McMillan said: “After a couple of indifferent performances, the lads showed what they are capable of. Their attitude was excellent and they got the rewards that their efforts deserved.

“There were a few excellent individual performances but overall we played very well from back to front and were very comfortable in possession.”

The under 14s took on a strong Stenhousemuir side who play in the SFA Performance league but proved to be no match for the Ayr boys.

Coach Neil Duffy revealed: “We refused to get drawn into a physical battle and played some very good football in one of our best performances of the season.”

With a makeshift defence due to injuries, keeper James Hart was the hero as he saved an early penalty before goals from Ryan Nisbet, Shaun Vance and Mick Ahern saw United take full control.

Duffy added: “Our football was top quality against a physical side and we could have scored more, with Liam Anderson also hitting the bar.

“We also had a trialist who was outstanding in a makeshift central defence role but all in all this was an excellent performance that augurs well for the start of the youth initiative campaign later this month.”

Sunday’s fixtures: 15s v Arbroath (a); 16s v Arbroath (a); 19s v Raith (Carrick Academy).