Accies 0 Ayr Utd 2: Wednesday, 24 March 1999

By George Grandison

Another dismal result and a performance to match I'm afraid.

Accies did at least start brightly enough and for once seemed fired up and willing to chase and harry - unfortunately this enthusiasm was not enough to make up for the large gulf in class between the two sides on the night. The only surprise about the match was that it took Ayr over an hour to score. Had it not been for two excellent point blank saves from McFarlane and a miscued Andy Walker header when unmarked six yards out, Accies would have been dead and buried inside the first 15 minutes.

Having survived this opening spell, Accies did at least regroup and limited Ayr's chances for most of the first half even when reduced to ten men for fully ten minutes when Rajamaki had to leave for treatment after a clash of heads. Accies, however, failed to threaten at all although their attacking opportunities were rather limited by playing a 4-5-1 formation and leaving Gary Wales up front alone and isolated. The theory was probably that support would come from Rajamaki or one of the Hendersons but, as so often before, this failed to materialise.

Ayr, on the other hand, have a midfield with skill and experience, not to mention the ability to help out in both defence and attack. They should have taken the lead early in the second half but Hurst managed to put the ball wide with only McFarlane to beat but the inevitable was only delayed. On 62 minutes Reynolds, whose pace had been causing Accies problems all night, put a perfect diagonal pass through to the unmarked Lyons who ran on from the left corner of the box to beat McFarlane with a textbook finish low across the keeper to the far post. Two minutes later and Gary Teale was allowed space to move forward and hit a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Colin Miller then decided to add another striker in the shape of out-of-form Michael Geraghty but it made little difference and Ayr coasted home as the Accies fans headed for the exits. The fact that the Ayr keeper didn't have a single direct shot or header to save in the entire match probably sums up the state in which Accies find themselves - it's been 4 months since the last home league goal and it's hard to see just where the next one will come from.

On a night of so little entertainment on the park, the more memorable moments were confined to the stand. A group of young male and female fans in front of us were clearly so undernourished at home that they required a steady stream of burgers and pies throughout the first half, though it was usually the same (lucky) guy who got sent for them, thus missing most of the action, as supplies appeared to be required almost as soon as the previous lot had been scoffed. Then, during an injury break in the second half, the unlucky Andy Lyons found himself waiting to take a throw right in front of Fergie. He appeared utterly bemused by the torrent of abuse and gestures coming his way but I guess that's what he gets for scoring the opener! Revenge was sweet though as the Ayr fans noticed Fergie trying to sneak away early and proceeded to give him absolute pelters, much to Fergie's annoyance and leading to him responding in his customary manner!

Accies lineup :

I McFarlane, Martin (sub Kerr 46), Cunnington, McAulay, Thomson, McKenzie, N Henderson (sub McLaren 82), Davidson (sub Geraghty 66), Wales, D Henderson, Rajamaki.

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