Ayr United 3
Airdrieonians 0
League (League One)

Match Report

A storming second half performance from United put a seven point gap between fourth and fifth place, as the Honest Men fired three past Airdrieonians.

After a drab first period, Ayr took the game by the scruff of the neck and were aided by the introduction of Alan Forrest who gave United a spark.

Kevin Kyle scored the first, before the floodgates opened with Moffat and Forrest completing the scoring.

After making a positive impact when he came on against Stranraer, Martyn Campbell returned to the starting line-up for the first time since October.

Scott McLaughlin made an appearance on the right side of midfield and Craig Malcolm continued his role in the centre.

The game suffered a quiet opening with both teams having few chances. After 18 minutes, United were close to scoring when a pinpoint Michael Donald cross was met by the head of Malcolm who saw his header tipped over the crossbar.

From the resultant corner, Kevin Kyle nodded the ball goalwards but saw it firmly booted off the line.

As the half drew to a close, neither team were able to notch a goal in what was a lacklustre 45 minutes.

In the second half, the Somerset Park faithful made their voices heard, and the team responded.

The early signs were promising for the Honest Men when Michael Moffat rocketed a stinging shot inches over the crossbar.

That shot was the beginning of a prolonged period of pressure for the home side which saw them notch on three occasions after the introduction of Alan Forrest.

The 17-year-old replaced the injured Brian Gilmour and ran the opposition ragged.

After 59 minutes, a Kyle McAusland cross was met by Kevin Kyle who headed home in front of the Somerset Road end.

Ayr’s substitute Forrest was then close to making it two when he saw a shot slip inches wide after some sublime trickery.

The home side did make it two after 78 minutes when Michael Moffat gathered the ball and slammed it home from the edge of the area, driving low across the goalkeeper. The goal was the striker’s 17th in the league this season, making him the top scorer in Scotland.

After providing the required spark for United, Alan Forrest made it three when he rifled home a rebound.

After the match, Mark Roberts said: “I didn’t think we started the game very well but in the second half we were unbelievable and were streets ahead of them.

“At half-time I told them they needed to up the tempo and if they did that, they would win.

“We picked up a bad result last week but the reaction was important and although it took us 45 minutes to get into our stride, we looked unstoppable.

“Kevin Kyle opened the scoring and he was great once again. His work rate and hold up play was excellent.

“I’ve spoken to Kevin and it looks like we’ll be able to keep him which would be a massive boost.

“Alan Forrest came on and made a real difference for us. From the first kick of the ball to the last, he was different class.

“He is our spark and every time he comes on, he does well for us.

“He replaced Brian Gilmour who we think has broken a couple of toes which is obviously disappointing news.”

Match report written by AUFC Online