News /Game News
Ayrshire Derby | Match Preview | 09/02/22
Tonight, Ayr United make the short trip up the A77 to face fierce rivals, Kilmarnock in the third Ayrshire Derby of the season. With both teams fighting keenly contested battles at opposing ends of the table, there are far more than just bragging rights up for grabs come full time. Lee Bullen is the third man to lead Ayr into a derby this season as both he and counterpart, Derek McInnes get their first taste of the Ayrshire rivalry on Wednesday evening.
United head to Rugby Park on the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Dunfermline. The Pars opened the scoring early on when Coll Donaldson poked home from close range. However, United equalised in somewhat fortuitous fashion as Lewis Martin spectacularly headed Aidan McAdams wind assisted kick into his own net. Both sides will feel they could and maybe should have snatched all three points but as they settled for a share of the spoils, Lee Bullen was encouraged by his side’s performance. The Honest Men currently occupy 9th place but a win on Wednesday night could see them jump level on points with 6th placed Hamilton Accies.
Opposition
Kilmarnock lie 2nd in the cinch Championship and are four points behind Arbroath after falling to a 1-0 defeat to the table toppers on Friday. Jack Hamilton scored the only goal of the game as Dick Campbell’s men took pole position heading into the tail end of the season. Killie have only conceded 16 league goals this season and goalkeeper Hemming’s has kept 11 clean sheets so far. However, the home side are 5th in the ranks for goals scored but gaffer Derek McInnes will be hoping the return of Kyle Lafferty will see them climb the goal scoring charts.
Team News
Michael Hewitt remains side-lined but everyone else is fit and available.
The Manager Says:
Head to Head
Ayr United wins - 39
Draws - 28
Kilmarnock wins – 48
Killie have won the two previous meetings between the sides this season and you have to go back to 1996 for the last time United won at Rugby Park.
Last Meeting: Kilmarnock secured all three points the last time the two sides met with a 1-0 win at Somerset Park thanks to a late Oli Shaw penalty. 6000 people were at Somerset back in October as a tight contest was sealed by an 89th minute winner.
Ayr lined up: McAdams, Muirhead, Baird, Fjørtoft, Reading, McAllister (Afolabi 90'), Murdoch, Chalmers, Maxwell (Moffat 83'), Adeloye, Bradley (Salkeld 83').
Match Officials
Referee - Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee - David Roome
Assistant Referee - David McKniff
Live Coverage
Tickets are available online now:
Ticket Pricing -
Adult: £20
Concessions: (O65 / U21 and Students): £15
U18: £10
U16: £5
U5: Free of charge (Please note all under 5 tickets must be booked via the ticket office, these will not be available online)
If you would like to book an under 5 ticket or ambulant and carer tickets and are unable to attend at the ticket office please email TICKETS@KILMARNOCKFC.CO.UK or call 01563 545311 and the ticketing team will assist you.
Link to purchase online: HTTPS://KILMARNOCKFC.TICKETCO.EVENTS/UK/EN/E/KILMARNOCK_V_AYR_UNITED_SUNDAY_2ND_JANUARY_2022
Live Streaming: The live stream is available for £12.99: https://ppv.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/
“We are all aware of how important this game is both for the fans and for our season. The importance certainly isn’t lost on anyone but we have to play with professionalism and passion. The fans have been excellent for us recently and we’re excited to have a big travelling support behind us on Wednesday night. We’re fine tuning the performance and adding the finishing touches to our game plan and hopefully we can send the fans home happy.
Listen to gaffer, Lee Bullen and Aaron Muirhead ahead of the derby: https://ayrunitedfc.co.uk/black-white-tv