Ayr United on weather watch as backlog mounts

Mar 5 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

FRUSTRATED Ayr United are on a weather watch – praying that Saturday's crunch visit of Morton beats the continuing winter chill.

And boss Brian Reid has begged the club to invest in better quality covers after Tuesday's game against Airdrie became the latest casualty, only 90 minutes before kick-off.

Ayr, who haven't played a home league game since December 5, now have to squeeze 15 matches into the final 57 days of the season.

Reid fears his squad will be stretched to the limit and wants to add a left-back to see him over the finishing line.

Just like the Raith game on January 30, Ayr again suffered a last minute postponement. Both sets of players were on the pitch and fans were congregating outside the ground when the plug was pulled.

A local ref had given the thumbs-up at 3pm but as temperatures plunged around tea-time, match official Craig Charleston reversed the decision.

Now Reid reckons the club have to step up their game to get matches played. He said: "I have spoken to the chairman and vice-chairman about investing in decent blankets.

"There was only one small section of the pitch that was unplayable despite us doubling up the covers we have. We obviously need to do something better.

"It's a massive disappointment because after good performances in our last two games at Dunfermline and Inverness, we were looking forward to a big one against Airdrie.

"A win would have taken us eight points clear of them and within two points of Morton who we play on Saturday. We could have been going into that game with the chance to go above them.

"At 3pm the sun was on the pitch and the snow had been cleared so we thought it was going to be OK.

"But after that, the temperature dropped. In fairness, I thought the park was more playable for the Raith game than it was tonight. It's the stand side of the pitch that is the killer."

Chairman Lachlan Cameron admitted: "It's an awful long time with no money coming in. We worked on the pitch all day and had covers down overnight.

"When the first ref looked at the pitch at 3pm, he thought the temperature wasn't going to get any colder so there was a good chance if we kept sanding and spiking the surface.

"I was in contact with Airdrie throughout to keep them up to date. It's just unfortunate that one small piece of the pitch caused problems.

"When the games come thick and fast, the crowds won't be so big so that is obviously lost income."

It’s the sixth home postponement since the week before Christmas. Games against Partick (twice), Airdrie (twice), Raith and Dundee have been lost to the big freeze.

Since then, the only income at Somerset has been a shared Scottish Cup gate against Brechin.

Willie Easton was a big midweek injury doubt while Chris Mitchell was on the bench for Scotland under 21s in their 2-2 draw against Azerbaijan.

Reid hopes both will be OK for the Morton game along with Billy Gibson who has shaken off a groin knock.

With more cold nights forecast before the end of the week, all eyes will be on the weather. Ayr, who are already playing every midweek until April 7, now have to go beyond that to reschedule the Airdrie game.

Partick Thistle are visitors next Wednesday (March 10).