First Team

MATCH PREVIEW | AYR UNITED (A)

24th August 2023

We're back in action this Saturday as the Tangerine Army marches south to Somerset Park for Matchday Three of the cinch Championship.

Defying the Odds

Ayr's 2022/23 campaign climaxed in the Highlands when they leapfrogged Inverness CT to claim a place in the promotion Play-Offs on the final day. Caley's last-ditch defending was evaded, and Mark McKenzie arrived late into the penalty area to stroke home a colossal goal for the Honest Men and spark raucous celebrations amongst the travelling support.

It was a result that saw them secure a staggering second-place finish against the odds, having looked unlikely to even make the top four at times throughout the season.

However, this was to be the apex of their promotion-chasing aspirations, as Partick Thistle brought Lee Bullen's men crashing back down to earth with an 8-0 aggregate victory in the Premiership Play-Off Semi-Final. 

Despite the disappointing end, 2022/23 can be reflected on as a season in which Ayr punched above their weight

Summer Switchup

Star man Dipo Akinyemi, the Championship's top scorer last season, was destined to leave from the second the transfer window opened in June, and a host of clubs began circling around Somerset to make a bid for the mercurial forward. An offer for the 26-year-old, who boasted a remarkable 35 G/A in 45 appearances, from York City was accepted. 

Akinyemi has picked up from where he left off south of the border, notching two goals in his first three matches for the Minstermen.

Back in Ayrshire, the signing of Aiden McGeady raised eyebrows throughout Scottish football, as the veteran winger penned a two-year deal that sees him synonymously undertake the role of Technical Manager.

Having made two substitute appearances in Ayr's opening Championship fixtures, the former Spartak Moscow, Celtic and Everton star made his full debut in the Viaplay Cup last weekend, playing 65 minutes in a 2-0 defeat at the Toni Macaroni Arena.

Should he successfully battle the injuries that have plagued his career of late, the capture of McGeady could propel the Somerset side up the table.

Again strengthening the wider regions, Bullen also secured the services of Scotland international Jamie Murphy following the culmination of his contract with St Johnstone.

The latest piece of transfer activity on the West Coast saw United youngster Logan Chalmers, who played 13 games for Ayr during the first half of last season, return for a second successive loan spell.

In July, club legend Michael Moffat called time on his glittering career at Somerset Park as he dropped out of professional football to join Glenafton Athletic, managed by ex-Heart of Midlothian midfielder Ryan Stevenson, in the WOSFL.

The Kilmarnock native turned out more than 300 times for Ayr and scored in excess of 130 goals.

Mixed Start

After opening their Viaplay Cup campaign with a scrappy 1-1 draw against Stirling Albion, Ayr roared back to record three successive victories over Stenhousemuir, Premiership St Johnstone and Alloa Athletic.

The 11 points garnered saw them pip the Binos to the post at the top of Group A, and progressed to face Livingston in the Last 16.

Dispatched convincingly by Greenock Morton at Cappielow on Matchday One of the cinch Championship, the Honest Men secured their first victory in the Championship seven days later. An eighth-minute strike from summer signing Francis Amartey was enough to see off Inverness CT.

Although Bullen may not want to admit it publicly due to the strength of this second tier, he will privately be eyeing a place in the promotion play-offs for a second-year running, especially having shown their worth against top-flight opposition already.

Memorable Matchup

The last meeting of the sides came in the Viaplay Cup Last 16 as a rowdy travelling contingent watched an entertaining 1-1 draw unfold in the August sunshine.

A quiet first half proceeded an action-packed second, and Tomi Adeloye bundled the ball over the line for the hosts to spark the cup tie into life 11 minutes after the interval. Ayr persisted despite their lead, forcing Terrors stopper Benjamin Siegrist into a string of crucial saves throughout the second period. 

The turning point came with just ten minutes to play when Ryan Edwards was hauled to the turf by Jack Baird, resulting in a spot-kick for Tam Courts' side and dismissal for the Ayr defender. The ever-dependable Nicky Clark duly converted to send the match to extra-time and, eventually, a penalty shootout.

Swiss 'keeper Siegrist proved to be the hero, saving two efforts from 12 yards to alleviate Marc McNulty's concerns after he sent a wild strike a considerable distance over the crossbar. Clark stepped up once again to slam the decisive kick into the bottom corner and send United into the Quarter-Final.

Watch the highlights below!

Talking Tactics

It's likely we'll see Ayr opt for a more resolute 4-5-1 this weekend rather than the more frequently used 4-4-2. Only the back five have nailed down their positions in the side, with Bullen chopping and changing the six ahead throughout the summer.

They employ a low line of engagement, dropping within 10-15 yards of their 18-yard box to repel direct opposition attacks, meaning United will likely have the lion's share of possession and our defenders will need to remain comfortable with the ball at feet.

Ayr appear to be taking a laissez-faire approach to defending their penalty area, allowing teams a surprising number of touches in this region of the pitch without crowding them out. This has led to them conceding the highest number of shots when compared to the other nine teams in the Championship so far this season.

In their previous outing against Livingston, the Lions opened the scoring by doubling up on outnumbered full-back Nick McAllister, who was left exposed by the unwillingness of McGeady to fulfill his defensive duties.

The Ireland international also surrendered possession to Livi for their second goal, and given Ayr will need to ensure their out-of-possession concentration is unbroken against an attacking-minded United side who possess the highest number of crosses per 90 in the division, it's doubtful whether he will be included in the starting XI.

Watch the highlights from Ayr's clash with Livingston below.

Going the other way, Bullen has placed an emphasis on late runs into the box from his midfielders, with goals against Alloa, Morton and Inverness following this pattern of play.

Predicted XI: Albinson, McAllister, Stanger, McGinty, Reading, Musonda, Amartey, Smith, Dempsey, Murphy, Rose.

One to Watch

Jamie Murphy possesses an impressive CV both north and south of the border.

After progressing through the ranks of Motherwell's youth system, the winger would make more than 200 appearances for the Steelmen throughout his seven-year stint at Fir Park, before departing for Sheffield United as the club's top scorer in European football.

A Premier League promotion-chasing veteran with both the Blades and latterly Brighton & Hove Albion, Murphy eventually returned to Glasgow with Rangers. An injury-plagued spell at Ibrox was punctuated by various temporary moves, and then the two-time Scotland cap settled at St Johnstone for the 2022/23 campaign, grabbing a respectable five goals from midfield last term.

The 33-year-old opened his account with Ayr United in the group phase of the Viaplay Cup, bagging one of their six goals against Alloa Athletic on Matchday Four, and also recorded an assist against former club St Johnstone.

Despite perhaps having lost the turn of pace of his youth, Murphy still poses a threat off either wing due to his adeptness with both feet and accurate deliveries into area from a dead-ball scenario and open play.

Share This:

Related News