News /Game News
St Mirren | Match Preview
Read the match preview ahead of tomorrow's clash with St Mirren.
It’s Scottish Cup duty for Ayr United this weekend as they welcome topflight side, St Mirren to Somerset Park on Saturday afternoon. As the Scottish Cup heats up with the inclusion of the Premiership teams, the 4th round is notorious for upsets and United will be hoping to experience the magic of the cup by sending the Buddies crashing out at the first hurdle.
Lee Bullen experienced his first taste of defeat as United gaffer last weekend when Morton were 2-0 winners at Somerset Park. A brace from Gavin Reilly secured a vital three points and moved Morton to within a point of United. However, it’s a break from league duty this weekend and a chance for United to test themselves against higher level opposition. As St Mirren enter the cup, United scraped past Albion Rovers to reach the fourth round. After going a goal down just after the restart, James Maxwell and Michael Moffat turned the game on its head to secure 2-1 win and a place in the next round.
Opposition
St Mirren returned to action in midweek following the Premiership winter break and they started with a fine 2-1 victory away to Dundee United. Jay Henderson netted his first senior goal with a stunning strike before former Kilmarnock frontman, Eamonn Brophy added a second from close range. The men from Paisley currently occupy 9th place in the Premiership and have recorded 10 draws in 21 games – more than any other team in the division. The Saints will certainly be buoyed by their fourth win of the season with gaffer Jim Goodwin hailing the performance as their best of the campaign. After making it to the Scottish Cup semi-final last year before being knocked out by eventual winners, St Johnstone, St Mirren will be hoping to kickstart another cup run with a win on Saturday and are set to be backed by a sizeable travelling support.
Team News
No new injury concerns. Hewitt and Salkeld continue to miss out with long term-injuries.
The Manager Says:
Head to Head
Ayr United Wins - 38
Draws - 38
St Mirren wins – 54
United have struggled against St Mirren of late and you have to go back to 2011 for The Honest Men’s last victory in this fixture. It was a memorable one, however, as Chris Smith’s header sent Ayr fans into raptures and sent United through to the semi-final of the League Cup to set up an Ayrshire Derby showdown.
Last Meeting: The last meeting was one to forget for Ayr as they fell to a 6-2 defeat away to St Mirren back in 2017. A game which left Ayr struggling and ultimately, they were to be relegated come the end of the season. The Saints had six different scorers on their route to victory and were 5-0 up before Paul Cairney and Farid El Alagui netted consolation goals before former Ayr man Cammy Smith rounded off the scoring.
Ayr lined up – Fleming, Devlin, Balatoni (McGuffie 25’), Meggatt, Boyle, Gilmour (Cairney 45’), Docherty, Crawford (Wardrope 61’), Rose, Forrest, El Alagui.
Match Officials
Referee – David Dickinson
Assistant Referee – David Doig
Assistant Referee – Jonathan Bell
Live Coverage
Entry to the match is by ticket only. There is no option to pay at the turnstiles and season tickets are not valid.
We are expecting a good turnout on Saturday and therefore advise tickets are bought before Saturday and fans arrive at the stadium in plenty time. Prices are as follows:
Adults: £18
Concessions: £12
Under 18s: £16
Fans can but tickets at the following links:
Ayr United: https://tickets.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/packages/LZEmOKzmpW/e/NE28Ndpn3z
St Mirren: https://tickets.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/package_link/LZEmOKzmpW/StMirrenAway
Live Streaming: Fans can purchase Saturdays livestream at the following link at a cost of £18: https://ayrunitedfc.co.uk/live-streaming
Match Sponsor:
Lindsay Mortgage Services.
Match Ball Sponsor:
Alan Jess.
“We were really disappointed last weekend but the boys have reacted really well in training and we’ve had a good week. It’s a great competition to be involved in and it’s fantastic that fans are back in full force – the 500 have been excellent and have been right behind us but it’ll be great to see more fans in the ground. We will be underdogs but we’ve prepared well and are looking to cause an upset.”
Watch Lee Bullen and Jack Baird preview the match in this week's press conference: https://t.co/gsWpVgzKte