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18s v Kilwinning Rangers Blues 05s | Match Report

by Karen Malcolm

Last Tuesday (22.02.22), Ayr United Under 18s were in action, in a friendly against Kilwinning Rangers Blues 05s at Belmont Academy, losing 3-2 following a stoppage-time winner for the visitors.

Ayr went close early on with efforts from Jonathan McPhee and Dario Vivani going close, but it was Kilwinning who took the lead.

With 12 mins on the clock, Shane McNeish’s attempted header back to keeper Tyler Fraser fell short, and although Fraser tried to clear, Kilwinning’s number 8 stepped in and put the ball into the net.

Ayr responded quickly with an equaliser 3 mins later. Dario Viviani played a freekick from the halfway line into the box where McPhee controlled the l well and cut the back to Josh Robinson. The Kilwinning keeper blocked Robinson’s first attempt, but the bull spun upwards, and Robinson headed it into the net to put the Honest Men back on level terms.

Josh Robinson got his second of the on 29 mins to give Ayr the lead. McPhee chipped to Robinson, who flicked the ball past the keeper and watched as his effort went in off the post.

United were dominant and went close on several occasions. Robinson rounding the keeper only to see his shot come off the post being the closest, but the Kilwinning keeper, in sensational form, kept United at bay.

United went into halftime with a 2-1 lead over the visitors.

Ayr made 6 substitutions at halftime. Reece Wilson, Ryan Kennedy, Harry Simpson, Bruce Strachan, and Brook Dreghorn came on, replacing Dylan O’Kane, Jonathan McPhee, John West, Dario Viviani and Aaron Weir. Morgan Stirling also came on to take on Tyler Fraser’s duties in goals. These substitutions saw Lewis Allen move to centre back in place of John West to partner Shane McNeish.

Morgan Stirling was called into action after only being on the pitch for 5 mins. A Kilwinning shot from a tight angle inside the box brought out an excellent save from the substitute keeper.

At the other end, it was time for the Kilwinning keeper to show his skills, denying Brook Dreghorn’s attempt after storming into the box.

The Honest Men continued to create chances with Josh Robinson, CJ Johnston, Ryan Kennedy, Brook Dreghorn and Bruce Strachan all going close, but the Kilwinning goals seemed charmed.

Ayr made a further 2 substitutions, with Josh Robinson being replaced by Jonathan McPhee and Scott Tomlinson by Dario Viviani.

Kilwinning got their equaliser 13 mins before the end when their number 11’s freekick from 25 yards went into the bottom left corner.

Ayr were delivered a killer blow with 1 min of added time on the clock. Kilwinning were awarded a freekick 18 yards out. Their number 9 stepped up, and his shot ended up in the bottom right-hand corner. With no time to respond, time was up for Ayr, and the victory went to Kilwinning.

Ayr United

Fraser, Weir, Johnston, Allan, McNeish, West, McPhee, Tomlinson, Robinson, Viviani, O’Kane Substitutes: Stirling (GK), Dreghorn, Kennedy, Simpson, Strachan, Wilson

Half Time

Ayr United 2 Kilwinning Rangers Blues 1

Full Time

Ayr United 2 Kilwinning Rangers Blues 3

Ayr United Goals

15’ Josh Robinson

29’ Josh Robinson