Ayr fare best in brilliant goalfest at Somerset Park

Ayr United 4 St Mirren 2 This was a corker. Three penalties, six goals, non-stop attacking. The First Division has been a revelation so far this season. St Mirren, struggling to keep up with the leaders, seem obsessed with providing maximum entertainment and loads of goals. They would probably top the Division if only they could defend.

Yesterday the match was only two minutes old when they gifted United the lead. A neat flick pass from Pat McGinlay found James Grady stranded in the box, back turned to goal. Barry McLaughlin's challenge was pointless: Grady had tricked him. Eddie Annand crashed the ball home from the penalty spot.

Ayr relished the challenge, McGinley headed narrowly wide before Gary Teale's tremendous half volley cross was impressively swept away.

Visiting Manager Tom Hendrie looked concerned but Saints rallied to equalise in 19 minutes, after a quick thinking free-kick from Ricky Gillies released Hugh Murray down the right-wing and his curling cross was powered home by Mark Yardley.

There was disappointment among the home supports but their players reacted positively. A beautifully crafted three-man move saw Annand spot Teale pick out Paul Sheerin on the edge of the box, who bashed a powerful strike off the bar.

Danger was looming once more for the guests and when McGinley surged into the box Hugh Murray needlessly tripped him. Referee George Clyde immediately awarded a second penalty, with Annand again effortlessly converting.

There had been no complaint about the award from Murray but his manager was rebuked by the linesman minutes later. That gave the players a rest and the half lost its fizz, with only Sheerin and Yardley making decent shots before the break.

Paisley's finest had failed to win away from home in their first three attempts, so there was renewed vigour right from the re-start. They were in charge of possession but creating chances was difficult. Ayr left-back Lee Sharpe almost obliged with a sliced miss-header that rolled inches wide of his own post.

Then Jose Quitongo threatened, was savaged on the edge of the box but the free-kick was headed clear by Paul Lovering. Soon after however, another free-kick produced a second equaliser when Scott Walker's deep cross was handled by veteran John Hughes in the box for yet another penalty. Gillies coolly slotted into the bottom corner.

Again the hosts grabbed the initiative, bullying St Mirren into near submission. Each time Gordon Dalziel's players were pegged back they lifted their game. In a ferocious ten minute spell they swarmed forward.

Both Annand and Teale spurned the chance to score before the former set up the latter with a precise cross but his header was woeful.

Sheerin then imposed himself, smashing a great shot agonisingly just over the bar. He was the hero a minute later slamming a low drive into the far corner from an acute angle. Twenty minutes remained.

A battle to maintain the lead was expected from the home defence but instead, with five minutes remaining, full-back John Robertson, saving the best for last, proceeded to run all of 70 yards eluding everyone before finally side-footing past a helpless Ludovic Roy.

It was a wonderful climax to a thrilling encounter.

Copyright 2001
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