News /Game News
Morton | Match Preview
Greenock Morton are the visitors to Somerset Park on Saturday in a vital clash between two sides who have made positive starts to life under their new managers. United sit in 7th heading into this – four points and one place above their opponents but both teams will see this as an opportunity for a valuable three points in the bid to move clear of relegation.
Lee Bullen got off to a flyer as United gaffer as he overseen a hard fought 1-0 win over league leaders Arbroath last Saturday. After opening the scoring early on, United defended manfully to limit Arbroath to very few opportunities and could have added a few more late on to put the game beyond doubt. Bullen was delighted with his side’s resolute defensive performance as Aidan McAdams claimed a second consecutive shutout to help Ayr on their way to back to back wins. There were plenty of positives for United fans on Saturday but non more so than boyhood Ayr fan Fraser Bryden being handed a dream debut as he replaced club legend Michael Moffat.
Opposition
Dougie Imrie has enjoyed a dream start to life as Morton gaffer after a draw away to Kilmarnock and a resounding 5-0 thumping of basement club Dunfermline. Morton lie just two points off the bottom but will be high in confidence after running riot last weekend with five different scorers, albeit one an own goal, hitting the back of the net. At the other end of the pitch, Jack Hamilton has made 63 saves in his 20 league appearances – the most of any keeper in the division.
Team News
Tomi Adeloye is back in the squad and new man Ryan Gondoh is available for selection. Cammy Salkeld received disappointing news through the week as his season ends prematurely after tearing his ACL.
The Manager Says:
Head to Head
Ayr United wins – 66
Draws – 38
Morton wins – 55
The Honest Men are unbeaten in their last four games against Morton but three of those games have ended in a share of the points – including this seasons two encounters between the sides.
Last Meeting:
United and Morton shared the spoils in December as goals from Tomi Adeloye and Steven Bradley turned the game on its head for United after Gozie Ugwu opened the scoring in the first half. However, with six to go Ugwu grabbed his second of the game to rescue a 2-2 draw for the home side. This was to be Gus MacPherson’s last match in charge of the Greenock side.
Ayr lined up: Albinson, Houston (Bradley 64’), Baird, McGinty, Reading, Maxwell, Murdoch, McAllister, O’Connor, Moffat, Afolabi (Adeloye 64’).
Match Officials
Referee – John Beaton
Assistant Referee 1 – Craig Ferguson
Assistant Referee 2 – Craig Macrae
Live Coverage
Admission Details:
Entry to Somerset Park is by ticket only. All 500 available tickets have been sold.
Live Streaming:
Fans can purchase the livestream for £15 here: https://ayrunitedfc.co.uk/live-streaming
Match Sponsor:
The Alba Party.
Match Ball Sponsor:
McKinnon Bros. Property Maintenance.
“We had a terrific result last week against Arbroath and I was really pleased with a lot about our performance, particularly our defensive side of the game which I thought was excellent. This is another important game for us but we know it’ll be tough, especially as Morton will be high in confidence after a good result last weekend. However, it’s another home game for us and one in which we’re really looking forward to after a good week of training."