Dunfermline 1 -1 Ayr United: Match Review

After a 2-0 opening-day win against Abroath, Ayr picked up a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw away at Dunfermline on Saturday.

That’s now six unbeaten for Gary Naysmith’s side, who now sit 2nd in the league just two points off Partick Thistle.

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Attack

Ayr managed six shots in total at the KDM Group East End Park on Saturday, with two of those hitting the target for a total of 1.27 xG.

This 1.27 was similar to Dunfermline’s 1.44xG, who had twice as many shots as the visitors (12).

Andy Tod gave the hosts the lead in the 13th minute with a strike worth 0.19 xG.

Owen Stirton came close with a header in the 44th minute (0.27 xG), before centre-back Luke McBeth headed home an equaliser a minute later.

Ross Taylor came closest to a second goal for the away side with a strike from distance in the 71st minute (0.36 xG). 

Defence

Ayr faced 12 shots with four on target against Dunfermline, for a total xG of 1.44.

Goalkeeper Harry Stone was kept busy by Dunfermline’s frontline, making three saves and producing a save of the season contender to deny Keith Bray in the 94th minute.

Stone was unable to keep Andy Tod out, as the attacker gave Dunfermline the lead in the 14th minute.

The away side had a PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action) of 15.5 compared to Dunfermline’s 9.4. This means Ayr sat deeper and made a defensive action every 15.5 Dunfermline passes.

Ayr demonstrated a really strong defensive unit against Dunfermline, making 51 interceptions to Dunfermline’s 30, and 32 clearances to the home side’s 12.

Possession

Ayr had just 38% of the ball against Dunfermline on Saturday, a figure which dropped to 34% in the second half as Dunfermline pushed further forward.

12 seconds was the average time possession lasted for Ayr, and compared to 19 for Dunfermline, it shows how the home side pushed for a winner as time went on.

The Honest Men did edge the progressive passing stats with 69% (42 of 61) when compared to the home side’s 57% (57 of 84).

Set pieces

Dunfermline may have edged the corner count on Saturday (12-6), but it was Ayr who made their corners count, with three of their six resulting in a shot (50%). 

The home side, on the other hand, could only attempt two shots from 12 corners.

Owen Stirton came very close to equalising with a header from a corner in the 44th minute. Luckily for Ayr, Luke McBeth made no mistake from a corner a minute later.

Players

Luke McBeth had an excellent game for Ayr aside from the goal scored.

He had 11 defensive contributions, including nine clearances, one interception, and one blocked shot. He also won six of his seven ground duels.

Ross Taylor picked up the assist for McBeth’s goal, coming in at 0.79 xA, and was the biggest creative contribution of any player on the pitch the entire game.

Whilst not scoring, Owen Stirton still amassed 0.43xG across two headers during the game.

Conclusion

Whilst Ayr had less of the ball, they matched Dunfermline in terms of shot-for-shot quality.

This is reflected in the xG (1.27 to 1.44), and they utilised their corner count much more than the hosts.

That’s now six unbeaten in all competitions for Gary Naysmith’s side, sitting second after two games in the Scottish Championship.

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