Ayr United 1 v 1 Morton: Match Review

Gary Naysmith's Ayr were held to a 1-1 draw by Greenock Morton at Somerset Park on Saturday.

Jamie Murphy gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time before Eamonn Brophy brought the visitors level just after the hour mark.

The experts from Andy’s Bet Club will be reviewing all of our games in the 2026/27 season, and you can find more of the free football tips they offer on their website.

Attack

Ayr were the more attacking of the two sides on Saturday, racking up 1.61 xG to Morton’s 0.89 xG.

They had 11 shots to Morton’s nine, and also had more shots on target (four to the away side’s two).

Jamie Murphy’s goal on the stroke of half-time was worth 0.56 xG, but it was Ross Taylor’s effort in the 9th minute that was Ayr’s best chance of the match (0.61 xG).

Almost all of Ayr’s threat came in the first half, with 1.44 of their 1.61 xG coming in the first 45 minutes.

11 attacks through the centre produced 1.23 xG, 75% of the team's total, while 14 attacks down each flank returned just 0.09 and 0.30 between them. 

Defence

Morton amassed two shots on target from nine efforts worth 0.89 xG.

Eamonn Brophy's 62nd-minute finish was the best chance for either side on Saturday, worth 0.71 xG.

Harry Stone made one save in the Ayr net on Saturday from the two shots on target he faced.

Ayr had a PPDA (passes per defensive action allowed) of 19.0 for the match, meaning a defensive action came roughly every 19 Morton passes. That number dropped to 14.8 in the second half as the press sharpened. 

Gary Naysmith's side made 84 recoveries in total (45 through positioning rather than a tackle or interception).

In the duels count, Ayr won 47 of 103 contests (46%) against Greenock Morton's 56 wins from the same number (54%).

Possession

Ayr had 52% possession on Saturday and matched Morton’s pass accuracy (82%).

60 of Ayr’s 109 possessions (55%) reached the opponent's half, though only 15 (14%) got as far as Morton's penalty area.

Progressive passes (passes that move the ball meaningfully closer to goal) were completed 47 times from 62 attempts for Ayr (76%).

Set pieces

Only one of Ayr’s three corners produced a shot: Dylan Watret's 40th-minute effort valued at 0.06 xG.

Crosses did little for either side, with Ayr completing one of 15 (7%), with Scott McMann responsible for five of those attempts. Greenock Morton fared only slightly better, two from 15 (13%).

Players

Jamie Murphy played 69 minutes on Saturday and had one goal from an xG of 0.56, plus two key passes and an xA of 0.27.

Ross Taylor had an industrious day going forward for Ayr, having two shots (both on target) for an xG of 0.61 and winning eight of nine aerial duels contested. 

Luke McBeth added a further 0.21 xG from a headed chance, made 10 recoveries and was booked, while completing 31 of 36 passes attempted (86%).

Conclusion

Ayr dominated the first half and should have put the game out of sight with their 1.44 xG to Morton’s 0.51.

The shift after half-time from Morton was enough to grab them a point.

The result now leaves Ayr 6th with five points ahead of a trip to Partick Thistle this Saturday.

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