Ayr men drop Anchor

Jan 23 2008 Ayrshire Post

AYR men’s 2nd XI secured their first win of the season by beating Anchor 4-1 at home.

They took the lead with a fine individual solo goal from Fraser McCurdy. Receiving the ball inside the opposition half, he drove forward and found himself with a route open to the circle where he slotted the goal past the keeper.

Anchor missed a chance to equalise when one of their young players had an open goal but his shot was cleared off the line. Ayr then extended their lead through Barry Reid.

The visitors were always dangerous and their centre got past the Ayr defence and scored an excellent reverse stick goal.

In the second half, Anchor piled on the pressure but goalie Stuart Cuthbert in goal thwarted several chances. It was from a penalty corner that Anchor had their second shot at goal saved off the line.

A scoop shot over the Ayr keeper was stopped by John Hay instinctively but illegally using his hand. Anchor missed the resulting penalty flick and the game tilted once more in Ayr’s favour.

An Ayr strike at a penalty corner was stopped by the Anchor defence on the line and Danny McCallum converted the penalty stroke. Ayr rounded off a good day with a second goal from McCallum.

This weekend, Ayr seconds play Giffnock at home with a 3.30pm push back. The thirds host EK/Avondale while the fourths play Motherwell away.

Ayr men’s 3rd XI drew 2-2 with a strong Hillhead 6th team at Cambusdoon.

Ayr started fast and furious with Paul Steele and Craig Millby coming close before Cliff Martin ran on to a Steele pass and scored a super goal.

The second goal came after some great play by Johnny Sutcliffe set up Martin to hit a great strike.

Ayr started the second half slowy and Hillhead took full advantage scoring a good goal. Home legs were tired and it took some great defending by Brian Sutherland and James Edwards along with some outstanding saves from goalie Chris Taylor.

However, Hillhead equalised with a well taken goal.

Ayr IVs went down 3-0 in their first game of the second half away to top of the table Lanarshire who were a big powerful senior side in comparison to the Cambusdoon youngsters.

Lanarkshire dictated early play but Ayr defenders Derek Steel, Ralph Riddiough and George Adams soaked up the pressure and goalkeeper Neil Riddell made some great saves. Their dominance paid off when they pounced on a loose ball at the top of the circle and finished well.

After the break Ayr started to get on top with some excellent play from David Boyle and Cameron Thorne creating chances.

Ayr had several short corners late on and were unlucky when one was cleared off the line. Lanarkshire hit Ayr on the break and made it two from a short corner late on.

Ayr's man of the match was youngster Ross Wallace who had an excellent game.