Ayr United Reach Scottish Football Division One Playoff Final after 6-Goal Semi

Ayr progressed through to the First Division Playoff final after an interesting match today at Somerset Park that ended 3-3 giving Ayr a 7-4 aggregate win.

by Marc Roseblade



After the midweek 4-1 away victory, this match was always going to be an anti-climax as the fans stayed away in droves expecting that the home side had already made the final. With both Manchester sides in action on TV, the fans believed that the first leg result was sufficient to stay at home and watch the English Premiership and FA Cup being won.

What the stay-away fans didn't expect was a six-goal thriller that culminated in two injury-time penalties at the end.

Ayr had taken an early lead through Michael Moffat before losing a goal on the half-hour mark completely against the run of play to make the aggregate score 5-2 for the Ayrshire side.

Ayr midfielder Scott McLaughlin added a second goal two minutes into the second half, giving the home fans that the tie would be put to bed, but in true Ayr United style, the fans were put through the wringer when Forfar equalized again on 55 minutes.

Although there were still three goals of an advantage for the Honest Men, the fans have been here before, just wishing that the game would end before a capitulation occurred.

The match was flowing from end to end with chances being made and lost without anyone stamping their authority on the match. Ayr talisman Mark Roberts was also playing a bit part again, and on 65 minutes, was substituted for youngster and ex-Academy player Ross Robertson.

Robertson was making some headway up front for the home side, putting in a couple of crosses and using his strength to force the defence into mistakes, but for all his play, the scoreline stayed the same.

However, Forfar were to turn the screw on Ayr when they won a penalty in the 90th minute after Martyn Campbell was adjudged to have pulled down Chris Templeman with the resulting penalty being fired home to give the visitors a 3-2 lead giving them the slimmest of hopes of a late, late comeback.

The comeback never materialised though and Ayr themselves won a penalty in the 93rd minute of play that was slotted home by Alan Trouten to finish the match in a 3-3 draw.

The overall aggregate ended 7-4 in favour of Ayr United, and they now look forward to a two-legged affair in the playoff final against Brechin City who defeated Cowdenbeath 2-0 today and 4-2 on aggregate.

The first leg of the final takes place on Wednesday night at Somerset Park, 7.45pm kick off; return leg is Sunday 22nd at Glebe Park, 3pm ko.

Previous meetings between the two have ended with:
1-0 loss for Ayr 7th May at Glebe Park
3-0 win for Ayr 12th April at Glebe Park
2-0 win for Ayr 26th February at Somerset Park
2-0 loss for Ayr 7th August at Somerset Park

Two wins apiece so far this season although Ayr have scored more goals in the four ties together. Let the nail biting begin!

Ayr United Reach Playoff Final After 6 Goal Somerset Park Tussle