Football Academy reports

SFL Youth League : Under 19

AYR UNITED 2 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1

Ayr United got back on the winning track with an impressive win against Queen of the South at Carrick Academy.

They started extremely well and were duly rewarded when Ayr skipper Ross Robertson was brought to the ground, just outside the box. He dusted himself off and drilled away the resulting free kick to give Ayr a well deserved lead.

That lead should have been extended during the first half, but Ayr failed to take their chances and allowed Queen of the South to come back into the game.

The second half started with Ayr on the attack again and they continued to put pressure on the Queen's defence in search of a second goal and on the hour mark they doubled their advantage. An excellent cross from Aaron Connolly was powerfully headed into the back of the net by Robertson for his second of the match.

Minutes later Ayr got their third goal of the game from the penalty spot after Connolly had been brought down in the box after a clumsy tackle from a Queen's defender as he raced into the box. Connolly took the kick himself and coolly slotted home to give his side a three goal lead.

Connolly then got his second and Ayr's fourth when he superbly turned a Queen of the South defender then drilled home from just outside the box.

With only five minutes left on the clock Ayr were denied a clean sheet when they failed to clear from a Queen's corner but they couldn't close the gap any further and ultimately Ayr gathered all three points

After the game Coach Stevie McMillan said "It was a thoroughly deserved victory and it was great to see the team and how they came back after last week's defeat. The team showed the right attitude and commitment throughout the entire game, which I am extremely delighted with."

SFA Youth Initiative

Ayr United under 14 side made the long trip up to Links Park in Montrose to play Arbroath. In what was an extremely entertaining game with both sides looking to go forward at every time. Both Ross Campbell and Ryan Nisbett scored good goals for the away side as they showed that the distance they had travelled to get to the game hadn't affected the way they played. Shaun Vance and Jason Filippi both played extremely well and were unlucky not to have either of their names on the score sheet as they both hit the woodwork.

After the final whistle Coach Neil Duffy said "It's a new experience for the boys to have to travel such a long distance to play football and they have to get used to it. And as long as the boys are willing to learn and develop then they will be able to move on and progress to the higher levels within the academy and in football in general."

Girls Youth Development

The Academy's under 13 girls side took on Hamilton Academicals Whites this weekend and played extremely well against a side that were a lot bigger and more experienced and are probably one of the best teams in the Southwest under 13's league.

The girls played well throughout the game and their passing is continuing to improve and they are looking to help each other as much as possible throughout the game as they are improving in all areas of the game as they go on.

One of the best performances for Ayr came from goalkeeper Hannah Davies who made some incredible saves during the game as she has showed some great improvement in the recent weeks. As well as Davies, Amy Malone had a good game which included her heading an effort just over the Hamilton bar.

Afterwards Coach Paul MacFarlane said "I think the first two games gives us a good balance of progress, we have improved leaps and bounds since we began back in 2008.They still have a lot of work to do to improve further. Even though I already knew that, I think the girls will know that now if they didn't already, that they will have to work that harder at training and undoubtedly they will no doubt continue to improve.

I would like to give a big thank you to Craig Richmond (goalkeeping coach) and Michael Lamont (assistant coach) for their efforts in helping Amy Malone; it's clearly improving her performances."