Ayr United 2 – 2 Arbroath
Arbroath picked up a valuable point this afternoon at Somerset Park, but it felt like a defeat.
Arbroath have enjoyed a tremendous run of form against Ayr United inflicting defeat on them 3 times last season and Ayr’s last win over the Lichties came in September 2019 at Gayfield.
It looked like that fine run was going to continue when Joel Nouble opened the scoring and his Arbroath account in the 9th minute. Stepping inside the 18 yard box he unleashed a curling shot into the far corner of the net leaving Charlie Albinson no chance.
It was to get even better for Arbroath in the 28th minute when Nouble found McKenna and his cross into the box was left by the Ayr defence and goalkeeper and the ball found its way into the net at the far post. This was Michael McKenna’s 2nd goal in 2 games at Somerset Park.
Derek Gaston had a relative quiet first half but was called into action when he saved well form Cameron Salkeld in the 36th minute.
However it wasn’t all going Arbroath’s way when Captain Thomas O’Brien was forced off in the 37th minute with an injury.
Liam Henderson who had been having a great game in midfield fell back into defence with James Craigen replacing Henderson in midfield.
As the second half got underway Arbroath were attacking the railway terrace and towards the 60 or so Lichties who had made the long trip south – thank you.
Gaston made a great save in the 53 minute again to deny Salkeld.
In the 62nd minute it looked like Arbroath were going to add to their tally when Andy Murdoch handled the ball following an Arbroath corner with Referee Colin Steven pointing to the spot.
However Nicky Low’s penalty kick was just a tad too high and it hit the crossbar before being cleared for another Arbroath corner.
The next goal was going to be pivotal and unfortunately for Arbroath it was Ayr who scored. A free kick from the edge of the box was swung into a crowded box and Tomi Adeloye eventually smashed the ball in from close range to make it 1-2 in the 70th minute.
Ayr United definitely could feel the game swing in their favour and with 3 minutes left they equalised. Another cross was allowed to get into the box and wasn’t picked up at the back post and substitute Mark McKenzie netted from close range.
With little time to get an attack started it was a tough point to take as the full time whistle blew.
A hard result to take as it looked for long stretches of the game that Arbroath were certain to win as they pushed the hosts in every department.
However going by results the Scottish Championship already looks like it is going to be another very hard and unpredictable league but we have our first point on the board.
Next Sunday our attention turns to the Premier Sports Cup when we welcome holder St Johnstone to Gayfield.
C’mon the Lichties
Half Time Match Stats
Possession – Ayr United 51% – 49% Arbroath
Total Shots – Ayr United 3 – 4 Arbroath
On Target – Ayr United 1 – 2 Arbroath
Off Target – Ayr United 1 – 2 Arbroath
Blocked – Ayr United 1 – 0 Arbroath
Corners – Ayr United 2 – 1 Arbroath
Fouls Committed – Ayr United 6 – 4 Arbroath
Full Time Match Stats
Possession – Ayr United 51% – 49% Arbroath
Total Shots – Ayr United 10 – 8 Arbroath
On Target – Ayr United 4 – 4 Arbroath
Off Target – Ayr United 5 – 3 Arbroath
Blocked – Ayr United 1 – 1 Arbroath
Corners – Ayr United 3 – 4 Arbroath
Fouls Committed – Ayr United 15 – 10 Arbroath
Ayr Untied
21 – Charlie Albinson
2 – Jordan Houston
3 – Patrick Reading
14 – James Maxwell
5 – Sean McGinty (c)
9 – Tomi Adeloye
11 – Cameron Salkeld (McKenzie 79)
15 – Jack Baird
6 – Andy Murdoch
10 – Daire O’Connor (Muirhead 45)
23 – Markus Fjørtoft (Afolabi 65)
Substitutes
4 – Aaron Muirhead – 10: 45th
17 – Nick McAllister
18 – Joe Chalmers
20 – Michael Hewitt
22 – Mark McKenzie – 11; 79
24 – Jonathan Afolabi – 23; 65th
1 – Aidan McAdams (GK)
Goals – Adeloye 70, McKenzie 78
Yellow Cards – Adeloye 25, Fjørtoft 59
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
18 – Chris Hamilton
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c) (Craigen 37)
6 – Nicky Low
8 – Michael McKenna (Hilson 79)
16 – Harrison Clark (Swankie 79)
22 – Liam Henderson
17 – Joel Nouble
12 – Scott Stewart
Substitutes
9 – Dale Hilson – 8; 79th
10 – Gavin Swankie – 16; 79th
11 – Bobby Linn
14 – Dylan Paterson
15 – Luke Donnelly
28 – James Craigen – 5; 37th
21 – Calum Antell (GK)
Goals – Nouble 10, McKenna 28
Yellow Cards – Chris Hamilton 69, Low 76
Attendance – 1244
Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee 1: Graeme Leslie
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin McElhinney
