Roddy Paterson’s first senior goal gives Ayr United victory over St Mirren

Jul 15 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

LETHAL Roddy Paterson left his nerves behind to bag his first senior goal and then was urged to seize his big chance.

The 18-year-old scoring machine netted an astonishing 38 times for Ayr's youths and reserves last season.

And he came within inches of a maiden double when his cheeky injury time lob bounced off the bar to let Saints off the hook.

Paterson, soon to be a student at Glasgow Caledonian University, revealed: "Nerves got the better of me when I had a taste of the first team before.

“But this was my sixth appearance and I was much better prepared this time.

"Ross Robertson played a great through ball for the goal but at first I thought I was offside. I hesitated but didn't hear a whistle so I just put it away.

"I almost got another when I gambled on the ball going over a defender's head from a long clearance. But unluckily my shot hit the bar.

"It's a great feeling to score my first senior goal. If the gaffer needs me to come off the bench I'll be there.

"The team is solid. I think we've a good chance of doing well and staying up this season."

Boss Brian Reid wants the eager youngster to be chapping on the door and reckons he's got what it takes.

Reid said: "Wee Roddy is regularly in the goals and is a good finisher as he proved today.

"He could well play his part this season and learn off the experienced strikers we've got.

"We have a restricted budget so I will be looking to utilise youngsters. As well as Roddy, it was good for Gareth Armstrong and Cammy Marlow to come on. They can all make contributions."

Reid stressed he won't get carried away despite claiming an injury time scalp. He said: "It was good to get a clean sweep and I thought the defence was solid considering we were missing Martyn Campbell.

"The keeper (Kevin Cuthbert) organises things well and the early signs are good. We need to build on that and hopefully the confidence will stand us in good stead."

All eyes were on Saints new boy Gary Teale who left Ayr for a record £440,000 from Wigan 10 years ago. But Teale and fellow signing, ex Celt Graham Carey were kept under wraps until the second-half.

Buddies defender David Van Zanten lasted only three minutes before being stretchered off after a challenge with Eddie Malone.

Darren McGregor took his place and then almost gifted Gareth Wardlaw a chance when he was short with a passback.

Wardlaw was keen to impress in his debut after his former club. He turned smartly and fired in a shot which Craig Samson turned past for a corner.

Nigel Hasselbaink, Saints' summer signing from Hamilton, showed plenty of clever build-up but his finishing didn't match.

Former Celt Paul McGowan almost broke the deadlock in 58 minutes but his shot from a Marc McAusland cutback hit the post.

But it was Ayr who got the goal their play deserved when Paterson, who replaced Wardlaw with 16 minutes to go, ran on to Ross Robertson's pass to smack home a low shot for the winner.

And then only a lick of paint prevented him from grabbing a second in stoppage time when his lob was just too high.

Teale reckons his old club shouldn't be fazed about life in the First Division and says the signs are good.

He said: "Ayr look as though they have a few good players and a good team spirit about them. You could hear that on the pitch.

"They did well last season to get promotion and that winning mentality can stand them in good stead."

Saints boss Danny Lennon added: "Congratulations to Ayr on their victory. They worked very hard for one another and made it very difficult for us.

"I've now got all my jigsaw pieces together so now I have to sit down and work out my best system."

AYR: Cuthbert, Tiffoney (Armstrong 61), Malone, J. Robertson, Smith, Geggan (Burke 56), McGowan, Trouten (R. Robertson 67), Moffat (Roberts 56), Wardlaw (Paterson 74), McKinlay (Marlow 67).

ST MIRREN: Samson (Smith 46), Van Zanten (McGregor 4), Trialist, Goodwin (Sutherland 77), Weir, McAusland, Thomson (Teale 65), McLean, Hasselbaink (McKernon 77), McGowan (McKernon 77), McQuade (Carey 65).

Referee: Steven McLean. Crowd: 1020.