Ayr United 1
Peterhead 2
League (Second Division)

Match Report

UNITED crashed to their fourth defeat on the trot as a miserable 2006 went from bad to worse on a bitterly cold afternoon at Somerset Park.

Peterhead came from behind to keep their promotion dream alive and condemn Ayr to their tenth straight game without a win.

Despite Jerome Vareille’s early opener, United couldn’t hold their lead for long and goals from Bobby Linn and Graeme Sharp ensured the points headed north.

Robert Connor made four changes to the side which lost at Forfar last week with Vareille, Paul Weaver, Andy Reid and Chris Robertson coming in for starts.

And it was the frontmen who combined after five minutes to put Ayr in front when Robertson’s close range header from a Craig Conway corner was nudged over the line by Vareille.

United played some bright football in the early stages and gained confidence from the goal with Raymond Logan raking a 20 yard drive just wide in the ninth minute.

The lead should have been doubled shortly after when Conway hit the byline and crossed for Robertson who had the goal gaping but slammed his shot wide from six yards.

The miss was punished just two minutes later as Peterhead levelled through a cracking strike from Linn who drove home from 20 yards after strike partner Martin Wood had hurdled a couple of challenges to set him up.

But Ayr remained on top and came close to re-taking the lead on the half hour when Robertson’s shot was hooked off the line by Craig Tully before the towering striker had another effort saved soon after.

However, the Blue Toon served notice of their threat just before the break when Douglas Cameron crossed for Keith Gibson to send in a free header from just six yards but Mark McGeown saved easily.

Ayr began the second half looking for goals and a nice ball from Weaver set up Reid who should have pulled the trigger before seeing his eventual shot blocked.

But for all Ayr’s effort in possession, they failed to create many clear cut chances and they were made to pay as the visitors clinically took their opportunity when it came along.

Kevin Nicol did well to swing in a cross from the left in the and when David Lowing failed to intercept, Sharp pounced to round McGeown and fire home from twelve yards.

It was harsh on United who didn’t deserve to be behind but in truth they rarely looked like getting back into the game after that.

And it was Peterhead who made all the running in front of goal as the clock ticked down, with McGeown twice required tip shots over from Cameron and sub Martin Bavidge.

Gibson also saw an effort skim the bar while Sharp fired just wide in the closing seconds as Ayr suffered another defeat ahead of next week’s visit of leaders Gretna.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website