Ayr United under 19s are too hot for Alloa

Sep 10 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR United Academy under 19s beat Alloa 3-0 to return to winning ways.

Robbie Crawford and Ross Robertson combined for Roddy Paterson to touch home the opening goal.

More tireless work from Paterson set up Dale Moore to slot in the second.

A Paterson shot was well saved before Robertson headed home an inch perfect Dale McClelland free-kick to wrap up a good win.

The under 17s were also 3-0 winners on their visit to Alloa, their toughest match so far.

Ayr struck in six minutes with a great move. Keeper James Kinniburgh fielded the ball to Jack McClymont who turned and passed wide to Andrew Muir. His first time pass was collected brilliantly by Deci Milligan who sidestepped three players before firing into the roof of the net.

In 40 minutes, a short corner from Lee Lockhart was returned to him brilliantly by Muir with Lockhart clipping the ball into the front post. Scott Aitken rose and knocked the ball over the keeper leaving Dean Marshall to head into a empty net.

Alloa put Ayr under pressure at the start of the second-half but Kinniburgh was rarely in action.

The third goal came in the 80th minute when a great ball over the defence from McClymont saw Aitken run clear and then slip the ball under the keeper.

Coach Allan Paul said: "The whole team must be applauded for their effort and use of the ball which was the best so far this season.”

The 16s were at home against Clyde with Ayr's Adam Fraser stealing the show with a four goal haul. However, it was a good all round team performance with Mark Shankland adding another as Ayr dominated.

Coach Jamie McCulloch said: “This was a very mature and accomplished performance as the players go from strength to strength. The players are playing with confidence and it is showing in their performances of late."

The 15s were the third AUFA side to take on Alloa. After early chances fell to Liam Anderson and Ryan Nisbet, Alloa struck against the run of play.

Michael Ahern shot wide and Nisbet, Anderson and Sean Campbell all missing glorious chances. Then sub Sean Ewart, who had just came on, beat the keeper with a looping first timer from 25 yards.

Ayr's misses were to haunt them as Alloa took the lead against the run of play with a long ranger which flew high past keeper James Hart.

With two minutes left, Ayr equalised when Michael Wardrope found Anderson who calmly slipped the ball under the keeper.

Coach Jamie McCrae said: "The boys played some really good football. To create so many good scoring chances and convert only two is disappointing but on another day they'll create less and score more.

“It was good to see Liam Anderson score and continue his good start to the season plus there where solid defensive performances by Sean Vance and Matt Howie."

Ayr's 14s took the lead against Clyde when Sean Mackenzie beat a defender and rounded the keeper.

But Clyde hit back three times and now need to learn before heading to Stranraer. Good performances came from Robbie Mitchell, Sean Mackenzie, Ryan Wilson and Lewis Nielson.

Sunday’s fixtures: 14s v Stranraer (Rephad Primary School, 1pm); 15s v Stirling (Prestwick Academy, 1pm); 16s v East Fife (KG5 Leven, 1pm); 17s v Peterhead (Dundee University Riverside Complex, 2pm); 19s have no game.