Ayr United Football Club Start The Pre Season With a Loss

The new Ayr United team made their first venture onto the hallowed Somerset turf last night in a pre season friendly match against south west rivals, Stranraer.

This gave the supporters a chance to see some new players, a new strip and hopefully a new beginning, 2 out of 3 isn't bad as the Honest men were defeated by 2 goals to 1.

Ayr started with 5 trialists on the park and added a further 4 trialists at half time in substitutions with a total of 7 subs altogether in the match so this was more like a training match.

The fact the game was played on the same night as a World Cup semi final was always an unpopular point with the supporters and the small numbers that appeared to see the match proved this may have been played on the incorrect night but the team managers had publicy stated that this was going to be nothing more that a fitness match.

Ayr had some good early chances and on 35 minutes one of Ayrs trialists missed an absolute sitter from about 2 yards out, not a good impression to make when trying to secure a contract.

A couple of minutes later, Stranraer had a couple of excellent efforts at close range with new keeper David Crawford, who looks like Scotland keeper Craig Gordon, making 2 brilliant stops to keep the ball out the net.

After the break it took only 6 minutes for Stranraer to take the lead when from a corner the ball was headed into the goal. However Ayr struck back only a couple of minutes later with a Van Bronckhorst Semi final like goal from the edge of the box by new signing Alan Trouten, magnificent goal.


Over the next 20 minutes Ayr had some great chances to take the lead but it was Stranraer, on 81 minutes, who again scored with a header from a corner.

This was a worthwhile exercise for the players and the 7 substitutions was purely to get the players a run out. Ayrs best players during the match were Alan Trouten and 2nd half sub Alastair Woodburn.