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Reserves | Ayr v Morton | Match Report

By Karen Malcolm

On Tuesday afternoon, Ayr United Reserves were in action, beating Morton Reserves 3 – 0 in a friendly at Townhead Park, Cumnock. 

Ayr had a strong line-up featuring several first-team players, with Markus Fjörtoft captaining the side.

United had the perfect start to the game when they took the lead after 57 seconds. Finn Ecrepont played a ball up the left wing to Fraser Bryden just outside the box. The Morton goalkeeper failed to clear, and Bryden stroked the ball from the edge of the box into an open net. 

For the next 25 mins, Ayr created a succession of chances mainly due to crosses into the box from Daire O’Connor, Ryan Gondoh and Ben Dempsey, and several great corners from Paul Smith. 

Ayr were awarded a penalty in the 29th min when the Morton goalkeeper fouled Bryden in the box. Bryden stepped up to take the penalty, firing the ball into the top right corner for his and United's second.

For the next 10 minutes, Ayr created chance after chance, and Fraser Bryden's looked to have grabbed a first half hattrick, but not in the eyes of the referee. 

Gondoh played a long ball to O’Connor, who crossed into the box where it was met by Bryden. Bryden's shot hit off the underside of the bar and looked to have crossed the line, but the referee waved play on.

On 44 mins, United went three up. The ball was played into the box where Bryden laid it off to Dempsey, who fired into the net. 

Ayr made a couple of changes at halftime, Ryan Gondoh and Daire O’Connor replaced by James Dolan and Kinlay Bilham. These substitutions saw Kinlay Bilham go to left-back and Finn Ecrepont left-wing. 

Bryden continued to go close, including a shot that went just wide of the post, and James Dolan also saw one of his shots hit off the post. 

Double scorer Fraser Bryden was substituted after 60 mins, being replaced by Dylan O’Kane. O’Kane showed his ability immediately, playing an immaculate ball into the box with Morton players relieved to see that no United player could make contact with it.

On 70 mins, Paul Smith and goal scorer Ben Dempsey were replaced by Andrew Heaney and Carter Jenkins. Ayr made their final substitution of the match with 7 mins remaining, goalkeeper Charlie Albinson being replaced by Ollie Ecrepont. This substitution meant that both Ecrepont brothers were on the pitch together. 

Ayr were still creating chances with some excellent play between O’Kane, Heaney, and Dolan the highlight, but the game ended 3-0. 

Overall, an excellent performance from a strong Ayr team that included first team and academy players.

Ayr United team

Albinson, Jeanes, F Ecrepont, McAllister, Fjörtoft, Trialist, Gondoh, Smith, Bryden, Dempsey, O’Connor Substitutes: O Ecrepont (GK), Bilham, Dolan, Jenkins, O’Kane, Heaney

Goals

1’ Fraser Bryden

29’ Fraser Bryden

44’ Ben Dempsey

Half Time

Ayr United 3 Morton 0

Full Time 

Ayr United 3 Morton 0