Ayr United under 19s lose to Rangers in Youth Cup last eight

Feb 18 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BEATEN but not bowed. That’s Ayr United under 19s who lost 6-2 to Rangers in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Youth Cup on Sunday.

Before a 500 strong Somerset Park crowd, Ayr sensed a major shock when they led 2-1 before the Ibrox youngsters took over.

Rangers raced ahead in seven minutes with a cracking shot from 20 yards that beat keeper Darryl Jones.

Ayr were level 15 minutes later through an unstoppable Sean Kelly shot after an effort from Ian Aitken was blocked.

A further six minutes on and Ayr were ahead. In a piece of pinball action around the penalty spot, the ball broke to Aitken who turned his defender and fired a daisy cutter into bottom corner.

Ayr were ahead only three minutes when Rangers equalised with a sliced shot that squirmed past a sprawling Jones.

That gave Rangers a lift and Jones made a spectacular save before he was beaten right on the half-time whistle.

Dale Moore had a penalty claim waved away shortly into the second half and a minute later a perfectly placed pass was played into the path of the ever busy Roddy Paterson but his shot scuttled past the post much to the relief of ‘Gers coach Billy Kirkwood.

Robbie Crawford and Cammy Marlow were replaced by Stuart Milligan and Darren Baird but before they could get a touch of the ball, Rangers went 4-2 in front.

Jones, who made a string of top saves, was beaten by a thunderbolt which he could only deflect into the top of the net.

With 20 minutes to go, Ayr's final throw of the dice was made with Lee Lockhart replacing Aitken.

Another two goals, the first from a deflected header and the sixth and final effort in stoppage time with a curling effort, gave Rangers the final word.

It was always going to be a tough ask to beat a Performance Level side at this stage of the competition.

“It’s a tremendous achievement for the Academy that after last year’s second round exit they reached this stage.

Emotionally drained Ayr coach Stephen McMillan said: "We are really disappointed. I thought first half we competed very well, to lose the goal right before half time was a real blow. Rangers. superior fitness due to full time training showed.

"6-2 flattered Rangers. I thought but this was a good experience for the boys and they can be proud of their effort and commitment."

Fixtures: Thursday: 13s v Queen’s Park (Belmont Academy, 7pm).

Sunday: 14s v Cowdenbeath (a); 15s v Cowdenbeath (a); 16s v Dumbarton (a); 17s v Stirling (Prestwick Academy, 11am); 19s v Ross County (Prestwick Academy, 2pm).