Ayr United 4 – 1 Arbroath
Arbroath failed to make it 3 wins out of 3 at Somerset Park this season as they bowed out of the 4th round of the William Hill Scottish Cup to Ayr United.
To any supporter who wasn’t at today’s game the scoreline looks emphatic but despite recording 2 wins in the league agains the full time Honest Men this was the best Arbroath performance of the three Somerset Fixtures.
With Ryan Wallace cup tied Bobby Linn and Danny Denholm returned to the starting line up with David Gold dropping to the bench alongside Josh Skelly which is great news for the Lichties and for Josh.
Arbroath started strongly and had won their first corner kick within 60 seconds and continued to press with Leighton McIntosh having a good strike saved after only 5 minutes before Blair Yule hit wide.
With Ayr United naming 3 strikers and 2 wingers it was clear that Ian McCall’s strategy was to attack and with their first real forward move when Lawrence Shankland found Declan McDaid who was allowed too much room as he entered the box but struck a unstoppable curling lob over Hutton and into the corner of the net.
Arbroath didn’t give up and Blair Yule came close with a header before Bobby Linn forced Ruddy into a save before Swankie had a shot blocked in the 16th minute.
Martin, Yule and Whatley were again chasing the ball in midfield and as dangerous and direct as Ayr looked on the break their final ball wasn’t being picked up or was hit out.
McIntosh and Ricky Little both had shots saved before David Hutton saved from Allan Forrest in the 26th minute.
Despite the weather the pitch was much firmer than a fortnight ago and Arbroath kept pressing.
The lethal Shankland should have done better in the 40th minute but Hutton was able to save before Thomas O’Brien had a header saved just before half time.
With Ayr still missing key personal Arbroath were doing well to keep the pressure on the full time hosts and came closest when Gavin Swankie hit the post in the 51st minute.
Despite the early pressure from Arbroath in the second half Ayr were starting to get more of the ball and scored their second goal from Shankland in the 58th minute. It was a cruel blow for Arbroath who had outplayed but it was the danger that was always lurking with such a powerful strike force.
Colin Hamilton was booked in the 62nd minute as Ayr seemed to be filled with confidence after going 2-0.
Arbroath Manager Dick Campbell shocked a few of the Arbroath supporters when he made a triple substitution with David Gold, Omar Kader and Ryan McCord coming on for Bobby Linn, Blair Yule and Leighton McIntosh.
The game boiled over shortly afterwards when Danny Denholm was fouled and it looked a stone wall penalty. The defender had both hands around him and Danny looked certain to score.
Referee Mike Roncone waved play on and once play stopped an angry Dick Campbell left the referee know exactly how he felt. Passionate to the core Dick stepped over the line, by a few feet and was automatically sent to the stands by the referee.
It was a huge decision and should have let the Lichties back into the game, however a few minutes later and they were back in it as Ryan McCord fired in a low drive past Scotland Under 21 keeper Ruddy.
The Ayr United supporters were silenced and suddenly the momentum was again with the Lichties as Scott Martin had two attempts within a minute.
Yet as much as Arbroath seemed rejuvenated with the substitutions and the goal there was always danger and Declan McDaid scored his second after Hutton pulled off a super save to deny Shankland, McDaid pounced on the loose ball.
In 60 seconds both Scott Martin and David Hutton were booked for protesting with David Ferguson also going in the book for a bad foul on Omar Kader.
Arbroath pushed everyone forward and came close with a drive from Thomas O’Brien which Ruddy somehow saved.
McCord, O’Brien tried again before Swankie was again denied by a fine save in the 90th minute, before Kader also had a shot saved.
Deep into injury time Ayr United broke and as the Arbroath defence stepped out, Shankland seemed to be at least 10 yards offside but the flag didn’t go up and his cross was slotted into the net by Moore.
A great performance, but a disappointing scoreline as Arbroath exit the William Hill Scottish Cup.
Thank you to the 100 Arbroath fans who made the trip and we hope you all had a safe trip home.
C’mon the Lichties
Half Time Stats
Possession – Ayr United 50% – 50% Arbroath
Total Shots – Ayr United 3 – 11 Arbroath
On Target – Ayr United 3 – 6 Arbroath
Off Target – Ayr United 0 – 3 Arbroath
Blocked – Ayr United 0 – 2 Arbroath
Corners – Ayr United 1 – 6 Arbroath
Fouls Committed – Ayr United 5 – 3 Arbroath
Full Time Stats
Possession – Ayr United 47% – 53% Arbroath
Total Shots – Ayr United 11 – 23 Arbroath
On Target – Ayr United 7 – 10 Arbroath
Off Target – Ayr United 1 – 6 Arbroath
Blocked – Ayr United 3 – 7 Arbroath
Corners – Ayr United 6 – 9 Arbroath
Fouls Committed – Ayr United 11 – 10 Arbroath
Ayr United
20 – John Jack Ruddy
14 – David Ferguson
26 – Craig Reid
5 – Michael Rose
3 – Patrick Boyle (c)
11 – Declan McDaid
16 – Jamie Adams
7 – Michael Moffat
10 – Alan Forrest (McGuffie 91)
17 – Lawrence Shankland
9 – Craig Moore (Murphy 94)
Substitutes
12 – Craig McGuffie – 10; 91st
18 – Stuart Faulds
24 – Leon Murphy – 9 – 94th
25 – Luke McCowan
1 – Jordan Hart (GK)
Goals – McDaid 9, 83, Shankland 58, Moore 90+3
Yellow Card – Ferguson 85
Arbroath
1 – David Hutton
2 – Ricky Little
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Thomas O’Brien
5 – Blair Yule (Gold 65)
6 – Mark Whatley (c)
7 – Bobby Linn (Kader 65)
8 – Scott Martin
9 – Leighton McIntosh (McCord 65)
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Danny Denholm
Substitutes
12 – Kane Hester
14 – David Gold – 5; 65th
15 – Omar Kader – 7: 65th
16 – Ryan McCord – 9; 65th
17 – Josh Skelly
21 – Ricky Gomes (GK)
Goal – McCord 79
Yellow Cards – Hamilton 62, Martin 85, Hutton 85
Attendance – 1151
Referee – Mike Roncone
Assistant Referee 1 – Jordan Stokoe
Assistant Referee 2 – Derek Crothers
