News /Game News
Kilmarnock | Match Preview | 11/03/22
It’s derby night under the lights on Friday as Kilmarnock are the visitors to Somerset Park with Ayr playing host to the final Ayrshire Derby of the season in front of the BBC cameras as the Championships two form teams face off against each other.
United go into the derby in high spirits after thumping Raith Rovers 4-0 at Starks Park last weekend. Tomi Adeloye and Sam Ashford both got their name on the scoresheet either side of a James Maxwell double as United ran rampant in Kirkcaldy. The result lifted Ayr to sixth place as they claimed their first clean sheet since January 8th despite a string of stellar performances from stopper Aidan McAdams. As the keeper earned a well-deserved shutout, at the other end of the pitch, Adeloye’s third minute strike was his 9th of the league campaign as his newly formed partnership with Sam Ashford proved an instant success.
Opposition
Kilmarnock are right on the coattails of leaders Arbroath following a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Hamilton Accies last weekend. Fraser Murray and Blair Alston scored either side of half time to secure a valuable three points and set Friday night up to be a cracker. A win on Friday night would send Kilmarnock top and heap the pressure on Arbroath ahead of their trip to Inverness on Saturday.
Team News
Michael Hewitt remains side-lined. Sean McGinty, Ben Dempsey and Jack Baird have all trained and could be part of Friday night’s squad alongside new signing, Alex Kenyon.
The Manager Says:
Head to Head
Ayr United Wins - 40
Draws - 28
Kilmarnock Wins – 48
In the three meetings between the sides so far this season, Killie have won two with United winning the last meeting between the two. But who will secure the bragging rights in the final derby of the season?
Last Meeting: United fans will need little reminding of the last meeting between the two sides as Ayr claimed a well deserved 2-1 victory at Rugby Park little over a month ago. Goals from James Maxwell and Paddy Reading turned the game on its head after Fraser Murray opened the scoring for the hosts to cap a memorable night for the travelling fans.
Ayr Lined Up: McAdams, Houston, Muirhead, McGinty, Reading, McKenzie, Murdoch, McInroy, Maxwell (Rowe 88'), Dempsey, Ashford (Adeloye 66')
Match Officials
Referee – Alan Muir
Assistant Referee – David McGeachie
Assistant Referee – Kevin McElhinney
Forth Official – Steven Kirkland
Live Coverage
Admission Details: Home Fans: HTTPS://TICKETS.AYRUNITEDFC.CO.UK/PACKAGES/LZEMOKZMPW/E/XAGG6GY8J3
Tickets available for Centre Stand, East Stand and Family Stand (all seating) and North Terrace and Somerset Road End (terracing)
Tickets can also be bought in the Club Shop tomorrow from 10am to 5pm.
Tickets are only available until 5pm tomorrow, both in the Club Shop and online. There will be no ticket sales after 5pm.
Tickets must be purchased in advance of the match as there is no option to pay at the turnstiles.
Live Streaming: The game is available to livestream for £18:
https://ayrunitedfc.co.uk/live-streaming
“Last week was a terrific performance and result but things can change very quickly in football so we’ll keep our feet firmly on the ground. We know we’re in for a tough game against Killie but it should be a brilliant night in front of a big crowd. We take confidence from the last game against Kilmarnock but it’s gone now and we have to be at it right from the first whistle and hopefully we can send the fans home happy.”
Watch what Lee Bullen and Andy Murdoch had to say ahead of the game here: https://ayrunitedfc.co.uk/black-white-tv/