East Fife 1
Ayr United 4
League (League One)

Match Report

United bounced back to winning ways after seven games thanks to a thumping 4-1 victory over East Fife.

The game was also a landmark for Michael Moffat who notched his 50th goal for the club.

After being 2-1 up at half time due to goals from Donald and Moffat, United went from strength to strength and scored two more in the second half.

McLaughlin nodded Ayr into a 3-1 lead after the break before Donald notched his second as the game edged to a close.

Ayr were unchanged ahead of the match following the loss to Rangers.

Roberts started himself with Moffat and Kyle leading the forward line.

Within the first minute, backed by 138 travelling supporters, Kyle saw a header fly over the bar.

East Fife responded immediately with Liam Buchanan having a shot go inches wide of the target early on.

Scott Durie then released a snap shot which looked as though it was heading goalwards but smacked the side netting.

Moffat and Kyle linked up well in the first half with Moffat embarking on a driving run before thumping his shot which was well blocked by Greg Paterson.

After 29 minutes, United went into a deserved lead thanks to Michael Donald who cracked a low drive which flew into the corner of the net.

After the net bulged, Mark Roberts signalled he was in trouble and was forced to go off injured with McGowan taking his place.

Seven minutes later, United went 2-0 to the good. Michael Moffat picked the ball up on the edge of the box before curling a shot beyond Paterson and celebrating his 50th goal for the club.

Before the half time break, East Fife pulled a goal back through a penalty. Former United striker, Liam Buchanan was brought down by Martyn Campbell and the forward calmly slid the ball to the side of David Hutton who dived the wrong way.

The goal gave the home side the momentum going into the half time break but United didn’t let it affect them and came out with fire in their bellies.

And after 52 minutes, Ayr made it three through Scott McLaughlin.

Kevin Kyle made a surging run through the centre of the field before slamming the ball to McLaughlin who performed a cushioned header which floated over the goalkeeper’s head.

Ayr’s captain wheeled away in front of the jubilant away support before celebrating with a forward roll.

The away side looked to continue their domination but were curtailed until the 90th minute when they made it four.

Substitute Craig Malcolm darted down the right flank before driving into the box and passing to Donald who was able to rifle home.

After the match, Mark Roberts said: “Some of the goals we scored were outstanding and we played really well.

“Michael Donald scored two goals which was excellent. I spoke to the team and told them I wanted the goals to be spread around the team as we’ve been relying on Moffat.

“Donald is a dream to have as a manager as he’s always working hard. He never shirks his challenges and plays 100% every week.

“His first goal really put us in the ascendency.

“Our second goal came from Moffat who scored his 50th goal for Ayr and that was probably one of his best as he doesn’t score many outside of the box.

“4-1 away from home against anyone in our league is a great result and hopefully it kickstarts our season.”

Michael Moffat said: “I was delighted to score my 50th goal for the club and I’d like to dedicated it to my fiancée, Megan.

“To score 50 goals for Ayr is great. I always set myself a target of 20 goals every season and I’ve started well so far. I have already scored nine so I’ll be aiming for 25 goals this term.

“We played really well and deserved to win so comfortably.

“They scored before the break but we were never under any pressure in the second half and it was good to get the third which killed them off.

“I played up front with Kevin Kyle again which I enjoyed. I’ve never played with a target man like him before so it is something different as he holds the ball up really well.

“He showed how good he is with the pass for McLaughlin’s goal. It was a great piece of skill.”

Match report written by AUFC Online