Ayr United walk suspension tightrope

Apr 29 2011 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR United could face a player crisis ahead of their bid for promotion.

The Honest Men have four key men walking a suspension tightrope going into the play-offs.

Ryan McCann, Jonathan Tiffoney, Jim Lauchlan and top scorer Mark Roberts are all one booking from a ban.

And boss Brian Reid is facing a selection headache after Ayr racked up another six bookings at Dumbarton.

He admitted: “It’s put us in a tough position as we can’t afford to lose important players at this stage.

“In many ways our season starts here and we must be ready to go when the play-offs begin.

“Losing key players to suspension is something we can obviously do without so the guys will just have to watch themselves.

“I’ll look to freshen things up and use the squad as much as possible in our last league games, but it’s not like we have a huge number of players to call on.”

Ayr end their league season with games against Airdrie (home) and Brechin (away) before heading into the play-offs.

And Reid has urged supporters to come out in droves for the May shootout, which Ayr won two years ago.

He said: “We’ll have the biggest support of all the teams and I know from experience what a boost that gives to you as a player.

“The fans played a really important part two years ago and they can do the same for us again.

“There’s no better feeling than running out at an away ground to see you have more of a support than the home team.

“Hopefully they can be our 12th man and we’ll be able to produce a repeat of two seasons ago.”

Ayr have rediscovered their form with only one defeat in their last five games – when they went down at Livingston with 10 men.

And Reid is desperate to maintain the run before starting the play-off voyage.

He said: “The one thing I’ve always wanted is to go in with a bit of form and momentum.

“We’re going all out to win our last two games and finish in second place.

“Although I’ll freshen things up on Saturday, it gives other guys a chance to come in and stake their claim.

“The likes of David Crawford are very high in my thinking because he has done well in the flashes we’ve seen of him and he deserves 90 minutes.”

Airdrie are the visitors to Somerset on Saturday, with the Diamonds knowing anything other than victory ends their season.

Jimmy Boyle’s side still have slim hopes of making the play-offs after an end of season charge.

Reid added: “Consistency has been our problem all season and that’s the reason we’re in the play-offs.

“When we’re good we’re very good and I’m confident we can beat anyone on our day, as we’ve already shown this season.”

lBOOKIES believe Ayr will do a professional job on Saturday and make them favourites for the points.

McBookie.com go Evens about the Honest Men, while Airdrie are 9/4 and the draw is 12/5.

In the first goalscorer market, Alan Trouten (13/2) and Michael Moffat (8/1) can be backed to get on the scoresheet again this week.

Ayr needed a last minute Scott McLaughlin winner to see off Airdrie on their last encounter at Somerset in November and it's 11/2 for a repeat scoreline.

A 2-0 success is 15/2. Ayr thumped Airdrie 5-0 in March and that's a 100/1 chance.

Ayr are 12/5 to be winning half time and full time.