Voice of Reason, January 21

Jan 21 2011 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

WITH the world watching, Ayr United duly delivered.

Humbled Hibs learned the hard way that nothing beats a night under the lights at Somerset Park.

The VoR admits there was a tear in his eye as fans flooded the pitch at full time.

Memories of our promotion party at Airdrie two seasons ago were flashing back.

But more importantly, the pride in our club had returned.

Too many years of watching others bask in success have come and gone.

We’ve watched from the sidelines, knowing full well our club has thepotential to be with them.

And on Tuesday night we more than proved it.

Mark Roberts, an SPL striker in Second Division clothing, once more played his captain’s innings.

And as you looked around our team of heroes, your chest puffed out as an Honest Man.

Build your legoland stadiums.

Reconstruct your leagues.

Tuesday night will go down as one of the best of the season for Scottish football.

And we’re the reason why.

WHAT about those fancy lights we rolled in for the big game?

Somerset Park looked like the Blackpool illuminations under the glare of the super powered beams.

All the better, though, as it highlighted how wonderful we really were.

And also showed off the pitch, which was in excellent condition.

Groundsman Davie Harkness had evidently been working overtime in the build-up.

Well done all round.

SO now it’s St Mirren and a return of old friends to Somerset.

Gareth Wardlaw will miss out through injury for the Buddies while Craig Samson is currently benched.

But good to see their coupons around the place once again.

And you have to scent the quarter finals now that we have a taste for this banter.

Big crowd expected. Excited already.

CONGRATULATIONS to K*llie star Connor Sammon.

Good to see the beanpole resist temptation of his dream move to Scunthorpe.

What a step up in class that would have been.

And good luck to our county cousins in fending off their next big bid from Whitley Bay FC.

A CLEAN sweep over in betting corner this week.

Your top tipsters all delivered as Aberdeen, Leeds and Ayr notched wins.

And had you followed us, a meeting with the bank manager would have been necessary.

To this week, where backmarker Iain Ferguson plays to the crowd with Middlesbrough 3, Preston 0.

Top bat Allan Haggo stays safe with Man Utd 1, Birmingham 0.

And the VoR says Stirling Albion 0, Dunfermline 3.

The treble pays 2/1 with Skybet.