Dumbarton 6
Ayr United 0
League (Second Division)

Match Report

NINE man Ayr endured a black day as they collapsed to a 6-0 humiliation at Dumbarton.

But it was a moment of first half controversy which put United on the rack as both Dougie Ramsay and Raymond Logan were sent packing to completely kill the game as a contest.

Ramsay’s straight red for a last man foul also resulted in a penalty kick which was converted to leave Ayr trailing by two goals and two men.

There was never going to be any way back for Robert Connor’s shell-shocked troops and the Sons rubbed further salt into the wounds with a second half goal spree.

The afternoon had started badly enough with Ayr behind inside three minutes. A Chris Boyle free-kick from the right was headed home by Kevin Gaughan from just six yards as the static United defence stood and watched.

However, Ayr were a threat going forward and John Maisano – in for his first start of the season – presented a chance for Craig Conway but the winger dragged his shot just wide.

The game was end to end and Ayr looked far too open at the back with Paul McQuilken firing inches wide while Kevin McDonald rattled the bar from 18 yards.

Meanwhile, Maisano was at the heart of United’s best moves and his trickery on the byline setup Jerome Vareille but the Frenchman headed just over as another goal looked only a matter of time.

It duly arrived but in amazing circumstances as all hell broke loose in the 32nd minute. Ramsay’s foul on Boyle came as the striker bore down on the Ayr goal and referee Crawford Allan had no hesitation in flashing a red card.

But the whistler wasn’t finished as, after consultation with the linesman, he dished out a second booking to Logan for a foul which occurred on the halfway line in the lead-up to the penalty award.

Ayr were incensed but could do little as Andy Rodgers stepped up to bury the spot kick and all but end the game.

Gareth Wardlaw was sacrificed as United tried to plug the gaps but it was an impossible task and they were ripped apart in the second half.

Maisano wasted a good chance to grab a consolation after the break when he blasted over from substitute Paul Hyslop’s free kick.

But Ayr were soon chasing their tails as Dumbarton went three up when McQuilken sent John Dillon through to finish with ease.

Rodgers was in the mood to grab goals and he smacked a volley off the bar as the gaps widened.

It was soon 4-0 as Iain Russell crossed for that man Rodgers to bury a classy header into the bottom corner, but again the marking was nowhere to be seen.

At this stage it was almost cruel to continue the game and as Ayr cowered on the ropes, Jamie Smith headed a fifth with the aid of a deflection off Jean-Yves Anis.

And the final blow was dealt seconds from the end as Rodgers went for his hat-trick and saw his driven shot partially blocked on the line, only for Russell to tap home and complete a miserable afternoon for the Honest Men.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website