Ayr United 17s see title hopes killed by Partick Thistle

Dec 2 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR UNITED 17s saw their title hopes end when they lost 3-1 to Partick Thistle. They were 2-0 adrift at the break despite playing the better football and creating chances.

Partick took advantage of Ayr’s all out attack to score a killer third. Ayr kept battling and Andy Muir scored with a left foot shot from 20 yards but the Thistle defence held firm.

Coach Davie White said: "We defended badly all over the pitch and full credit must go to Partick as they punished us. We did, however, continue to try and pass and move the ball up to the end and the players should take credit for this."

Ayr 14s overcame terrible conditions to beat Clyde at Prestwick Academy. Rhys Wallace’s speculative free kick broke the deadlock two minutes before the interval.

Ayr defended superbly after the break and gradually got themselves back into the game, with the excellent Callum Smith pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

Ayr got their second when Jai Holland struck a superb 35 yard free kick low into the corner. Then Smith found Holland who lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

Jamie McAvoy followed in to score from another Holland free-kick. Robbie Wilson then made a great stop to keep Clyde out and give Ayr a well deserved clean sheet.

Coach Graeme Neil was delighted with this performance in difficult conditions. There were some excellent displays with Callum Smith a standout.

Squad: Wilson, Craig, McMillan, Wallace, Richardson, Harty, Smith, Thompson, Black, McSorley, Holland, McAvoy, Tiser, O’Neill, Hamilton, Ross.

Ayr 15s were off the pace at the start and found Clyde a hot handful.

The Bully Wee took the lead when a corner was headed home. Ayr hit back and a Sean Ewart strike from 25 yards hit the post.

Ayr equalised following a great run from man of the match Recce Lapham who released Roy Barr for a coming together with the Clyde keeper that resulted in the ball bouncing off Roy and into the net.

Ayr showed more urgency at the start of the third period and created chances through Barr and Blair Russell. But they fell behind again to another set play.

As Ayr pushed for the equaliser, they were caught on the break when a shot cannoned off the post and was followed in to the net.

Ayr 11s girls extended their unbeaten run to five when they hit back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Girvan thanks to a Nicola Fisher hat-trick.

Sunday’s fixtures: 17s v Annan (Belmont Academy, 12.30pm), 19s v Forfar (Prestwick Academy, 1pm).