Ayr Archives - SNN Sports

Ross County 3-3 Ayr United: Points Shared in six-goal Thriller

Ross County welcome Ayr United to Dingwall as both teams are eager to get back to winning ways. The Staggies make four changes from last week’s defeat at Gayfield against Arbroath as Dean Cornelius, Kieran Phillips, Dylan Smith and Gary Mackay-stevens come in to replace Scott Fraser, Jamie Lindsay, Connor Randall and Alex Iacovitti who drops to the bench. Scott Brown makes just one one change from their 1-0 defeat against Dunfermline as Kevin Holt returns as Liam Dick drops onto the bench. County had an early flurry with Duncan whipping in a corner with Alki Wright getting a head on it but a good stop by Mitchell with another good chance being cleared by Stuart Brannigan. Ayr had a chance of their own, Mcallister with a cross into the box with Mark Mckenzie meeting the cross but a comfortable save for Trevor Carson in goals. Ronan Hale has a decent enough effort, Hale on the left hand side, cutting in unleashing a strike with a simple catch for Mitchell as moments later, Hale again with a similar strike but on the right which struck side. Ethan Walker got the Honest Men ahead after 22 minutes, Mckenzie with a low driven cross into the box, Walkers with plenty of space eventually controlled the ball and struck home to get Ayr in front. The hosts had a big chance, a lose piece of play by Ayr which allowed defender Alki Wright to have a chance of his own but not enough accuracy as it fires wide. Ronan Hale got county back level, a ball up the field to Hale where he cut onto his right foot and struck it home doing what he does best to get the Staggies on level terms. It didn’t take county long to fire ahead as a cross from Declan Gallagher across the box found Jordan White who put County ahead. Scott McMann from distance almost got Ayr back level but a brilliant fisting save by Carson to keep his sided in front. A bright first half display by County but as soon as the hosts went 2-1 up, Ayr looked to use that as motivation as it was a good response but failing top draw level. A very entertaining first half in the Highlands. Four minutes into the second half, Duncan almost added a third for County with his strike being tipped over by David Mitchell in goals. Jordan White had his second of the afternoon, multiple attempts beforehand but Jordan White took on a strike and smashed it home to get a third. Ayr found one back, a cluster in the box with the ball landing at Scott McMann where he struck it nicely into the bottom right hand corner. Substitute Curtis Main levelled the tie, a shot from the edge of the box smashing past Trevor Carson following a goal line block by Wright following an initial attempt. Mark Mckenzie could’ve had Ayr ahead, a powerful strike from close range but going out for a throw in to the hosts. In the dying stages, if a winner was to come, it certainly looked in favour as the visitors as we were in for a nervy end. It ends level but what a game as both sides put their quality on show. Both sides will leave on a positive note in a sensational game of football for the neutrals. Ross County: Carson, Crompton, Wright, Cornelius, Hale, Phillips (O’Sullivan 75′), Smith, Mackay-Stevens (Iacovitti 75′), White, Duncan, Gallagher Subs: Laidlaw, Foster, O’Sullivan, Clark, Iacovitti, Reid, Scott. Ayr United: Mitchell, Mcallister (Dick 66′), Holt, Bannigan (Main 58′), Ure, Murphy (Bonnar 66′), King, Walker, McKenzie, Rus, McMann Subs: Russell, Dick, Want, Main, Thomas, Bonnar.

November 9, 2025

Partick Thistle Level on Points With League Leaders

Partick Thistle continued their terrific start to this year’s Championship campaign as they came from behind to defeat Ayr United 2-1 at Firhill. Ethan Walker put Scott Brown’s side in front in added time of the first half, before a five minute double after the interval from Tsoanelo Letsosa and Ben Stanway gave Mark Wilson one over his former teammate. The result moves the Jags behind leaders St. Johnstone only on goal difference, with the Perth side inflicting Thistle’s only league league defeat this season on the opening day. It is the first time Ayr have tasted defeat since Thistle dumped them out the Premier Sports Cup in August. The away side were under pressure for large parts of the first half, but Thistle failed to make their advantage count. Jamie Murphy sent Walker through, and the right winger made converted The Honest Men’s only attempt on target of the half in first half injury time. Whatever Mark Wilson said to his players certainly had a lasting impact. One minute into the second period, Logan Chalmers whipped a cross in from the left flank, and Letsosa turned the ball home to bring the scores level. Then on the 50th minute, Stanway pickpocketed Kyle Ure inside the Ayr penalty box, and his finish sailed to the top right corner with the aid of a deflection to complete the five minute salvo. Ayr’s goalscorer Walker picked up his second caution of the match with 18 minutes to play, making Thistle’s job of protecting their slender advantage all the easier. Partick Thistle are now level on points with St. Johnstone, and travel to another one of Wilson’s former teammates in Barry Robson this Saturday to take on Raith Rovers, who have lost their last three games. Ayr are back in Glasgow on Saturday to face Queen’s Park, hoping to keep 5th place Dunfermline from leapfrogging them into the playoffs before facing them in the Friday night fixture on Halloween.

October 22, 2025

Imrie’s men salvage late draw at emotional Cappielow

Morton 2-2 Ayr United Greenock Morton welcomed Ayr United on a sombre afternoon at Cappielow Park where Morton manager Dougie Imrie took his place in the dugout despite the heart breaking loss of his infant daughter earlier in the week. Prior to the game, a minute’s silence was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters before kick-off as Imrie made two changes from their Premier Sports Cup defeat to Aberdeen while Scott Brown and his Ayr United side were still on the hunt for their first league win as he made five alternations. But the match poignantly began with the home support rallying behind their manager, with the Cowshed section chanting his name loudly in the opening stages and throughout the match. United carved out the first real chance when Marco Rus broke free down the left and whipped in a front-post cross for Curtis Main, but the ex-St Mirren striker’s flick was well blocked by James Storer. Morton were handed a penalty midway through the first half. A perfectly weighted through ball from Cammy Ballantyne released Michael O’Halloran, whose cutback struck the hand of a United defender. Eamonn Brophy took responsibility from the spot and calmly slotted the ball low into the bottom-left corner. 📺 WATCH NOW: Morton manager Dougie Imrie speaks post game David Mitchell dived the right way, but even at full stretch he could not prevent the former Kilmarnock man’s precise strike. Despite a flurry of chances for Main, Morton held firm and went into the interval a goal to the good. Brown’s Ayr side left still searching desperately for a breakthrough going into the second period. United found it within minutes of the restart, Main rising at the back post to meet a free-kick and hooking the ball across goal for Kevin Holt to tuck away, bringing the sides level. The visitors then turned the game on its head from another set piece. A superbly delivered corner from Ethan Walker was met at the near post by Nick McAllister. 📺 WATCH NOW: Ayr United boss Scott Brown gives his post game thoughts The Honest Men skipper glanced his header home to give Ayr the lead inside the opening quarter of the second half. Storer kept Morton alive late on, producing a brilliant reflex stop to deny George Oakley’s thunderous header from inside the six-yard box. That save proved pivotal. With the clock running down, Nathan Shaw whipped in a curling cross to the back post, where Brophy rose to glance a simple header past Mitchell, sparking relief and jubilation among the home support. Zach McKay would test Mitchell late on but the scores would remain level. Both sides continue to search for their first league win. After a traumatic week Morton will be the happier of the two sides, the players turning up for their manager with the type of grit and destination that will surely see them move up the table this season. PLAYER RATINGS: Morton: Storer 6; Ballantyne 7, Moore 5, Longridge 6, Delaney 5 (Corr 4); Blues 6, Robertson 6 (Garrity 5), Shaw 8; O’Halloran 5 (McKay 4), Moffat 6 (Wilson 4), Brophy 9* Goals: Brophy (23) Ayr United: Mitchell 6; McAllister 8, Holt 8, Dick 6, McMann 6; Rus 6 (Watret 5), McKenzie 6, Ure 6, Walker 8 (Hastie 4); Oakley 7, Main 6 📺 WATCH NOW: Billy Davies’ post game reaction

August 23, 2025

Thistle progress to League Cup last eight after seeing off Ayr

Partick Thistle 2- 0 Ayr United O’Reilly (41′) Chalmers (45′) Two late first-half goals ensured victory for Partick Thistle, as they swept aside Ayr United in the Premier Sports Cup Round of 16. The two sides met for the first time since Brian Graham’s dramatic late winner in the Premiership playoffs after both teams had successfully navigated their respective Premier Sports Cup group stage. Partick Thistle dominated large portions of the first half. Logan Chalmers’ clever through ball found Letsosa on the left side of the box, but David Mitchell gathered the resultant cross. Chalmers picked up another nice position in the same area soon after, but could not trouble the Ayr goalie. Tony Watt ‘s clever header released Aiden Fitzpatrick, who beat a defender and arrowed a left-footed off the post. Thistle had a goal disallowed in 12 minutes when Watt’s header was clawed out by David Mitchell, Fitzpatrick scored the rebound, but the game was brought back for an earlier incident. Ayr United scored 14 goals across their four group games but hardly threatened Clarke’s goal in the opening 45 minutes. Partick continued to create chances, with Watt finding space in the box after positive play from Letsosa, but the former Motherwell striker couldn’t sort his feet in the box and his tame strike was easily gathered. Thistle deservedly took the lead on 41 minutes as Chalmers’ deep cross was met in the air by Daniel O’Reilly, who headed back across goal past Mitchell to the delight of the home support. The Chalmers show continued on the stroke of halftime, picking up a positive area on the right edge of the box, he unleashed a low strike that arrowed into the bottom corner. It was a positive first half for Mark Wilson’s side, who looked set to gain another scalp over their Ayrshire rivals. Scott Brown demanded a response at halftime, but unfortunately for the former Celtic captain, the second began much like the first had ended, as the Jags swept forward in numbers to create numerous openings. Cam Reading came closest but his low strike was straight at Mitchell. Aiden Fitzpatrick had a golden chance to make it three, after Thistle had pinched possession, then Tony Watt played the winger in on goal., but dragged his shot inches wide. Partick Thistle were yet to register a victory in the Scottish Championship this season, but showed signs that they could once again challenge for the playoff positions. McPherson, Chalmers, Letsosa, Fitzpatrick, and Watt had all linked well during the game, and should have put the game beyond Ayr on many occasions. Ben Stanway had the next chance after 84 minutes, his drilled strike was palmed away by David Mitchell, who had endured a busy afternoon, ending with victory for the home side. Partick Thistle: Clarke McPherson (Logan 66’) Ashcroft O’Reilly Reading Stanway Crawford Chalmers Letsosa (Falconer 85’) Fitzpatrick (Lawless 73’) Watt (Samuel 73’) Bookings: Crawford 78’ Ayr United: Mitchell Watret McAllister Want (Main 19’) Dick Thomas Bannigan Ure Bonnar (Hastie 46’) McKenzie Oakley Bookings: Mitchell 40’ Bannigan 45+1’ Ure 55’ Thomas 71’ Attendance: 3,124

August 16, 2025

Points Shared at Gayfield for Scottish Championship Opener

Arbroath 1-1 Ayr United N. Todorov 89′ , J. Murphy 5′ Arbroath and Ayr opened the championship season with a competitive 1-1 draw at Gayfield. Despite the pre-match flag-raising celebrations for Arbroath, it was Ayr United who started the brighter of the two sides. Just five minutes in, Jamie Murphy opened the scoring with a fierce right-footed shot from the edge of the box. Arbroath started slowly, but eventually sparked into life on the half-hour mark. Craig Watson’s attempt sailed over David Mitchell’s goal, and moments later, Scott Stewart couldn’t convert a close-range header from a Ryan Dow corner. Reilly also tested the Ayr net, but his shot lacked power. A notable theme throughout the game was the intense physicality, with both teams engaging in numerous crunching tackles. Ayr United’s George Oakley was a constant presence and perhaps fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after an apparent forearm strike to the back of Craig Watson’s neck. Ryan Dow had a golden opportunity to equalise but failed to direct a teasing ball from Harry Cochrane on goal. Further good play saw Scott Stewart pick out Marshall, whose reverse pass to the onrushing Wilkie could only find the side netting. Despite Ayr’s early dominance, Scott Brown’s side had plenty of work left to do. Scott Brown made a tactical change at halftime, introducing Celtic loanee Kyle Ure for Dom Thomas. Another Ayr loanee, Jude Bonnar, had the first chance of the second half but couldn’t direct Curtis Main’s cross. Arbroath quickly responded with an opportunity of their own, as David Mitchell well saved Reilly’s close-range strike. The second half mirrored the end of the first, with Arbroath on top and Ayr struggling to regain control. Around the 65-minute mark, Brown again adjusted his tactics, bringing on defensive signing Shaun Want for Curtis Main, who, despite scoring twice against Arbroath in the League Cup, couldn’t add to his tally in this match. Arbroath’s persistence paid off in the 88th minute when super-sub Nikolay Todorov powered home a teasing cross from Craig Watson, sending the Gayfield faithful into raptures and levelling the score. With five minutes of added time, the home support urged their team on for a winner. While they couldn’t find a second goal, Arbroath’s joint managers David Gold and Craig Hamilton can take significant encouragement from their side’s competitive performance against one of last season’s top Championship teams. Scott Brown’s Ayr United started brightly but will undoubtedly be disappointed with their inability to add to their lead. Teams Arbroath: McAdams Wilkie O’Brien Muirhead Flynn Reilly (Pettifer 90+3’) Dow Stewart Watson Marshall (Callachan 72’) Cochrane (Todorov 85’) Bookings: Muirhead 42’ Stewart 60’ Ayr United: Mitchell McAllister Dick Oakley Main Thomas (Ure 46’) Murphy (Rus 70’) Bonnar (Walker 60’) McKenzie Watret (Hastie 70’) McMann Bookings: Bonnar 44’ Oakley (45+3’)

August 1, 2025

One hundred not out as Graham walks on Ayr to reach play-off semis

A Brian Graham double saw the striker reach the one hundred goal mark for Thistle and knock Scott Brown’s Ayr out of the Championship play-off quarter-finals. Having fallen a goal down in the first leg, the Somerset Park visitors drew level on aggregate as a sweetly struck corner from 17 year old Jamie Low on his debut, found the Thistle captain’s head to open the scoring just six minutes in. The crowning moment however, came in the dying moments of the game as Graham pounced on a bouncing ball off Alex Jakubiak to leather home the killer blow and a centinary for the club. Ayr will not doubt rue their profligacy in front of goal, failing to land a single shot on target from nine attempts. Victory means Mark Wilson and company will face Livingston on Wednesday for the right to take on a Premiership side.

May 9, 2025

Ayr snatch crucial away win at Thistle

A Jamie Murphy header proved to be the difference in an attritional first leg at Firhill which saw nine yellow cards produced. Having ceded possession and with the momentum going against them, the striker produced a deft header to give his side the advantage that would come to be the only goal of the game. Despite the low scoring affair, there was no shortage of action on the night as Nick McAllister was eventually forced off with a head injury which had occurred a few minutes earler after Thistle captain Brian Graham intervened to ask that the player be removed. The interruption would set the tone for a game that seemed to have more stoppages than completed passes, both teams forced to send the ball long to find joy. Graham would have opportunities in the opening half, the first header denied by the palm of the acrobatic Clarke whilst the second sailed past the Ayr keeper’s post. Looking as if a draw would suffice, the visitors aimed to wind down the clock and mount their attacks on home turf. However Scott Brown was instead able to leave with what could prove to be a decisive win for the side. Ayr did have chances prior to the goal, in an attack beginning with Scott McMann the men in white found themselves scything through the middle of their opponents before George Oakley blasted his attempt wide. Looking to the heavens for answers, Graham would see his and Thistle’s final attempt at rescuing something flash wide. Line-ups: Partick Thistle: Mitchell, O’Reilly, Ashcroft, McBeth, Megwa, Turner, Bannigan, Fitzpatrick (Stanway 84), Crawford (Ablade 61), Lawless, Graham (c) Unused subs: Budinauckas, Falconer, Lockhart, Mackenzie Booked: Fitzpatrick, Turner, Crawford, Graham, O’Reilly Ayr United: Clarke, McMann, Agbaire, McAllister (Watret 10), Reading, Rus, Dempsey (c), McKenzie, Murphy (Henderson 76), Oakley (Main 77), McLennan Unused subs: Hastie, Mutch, Walker Goals: Murphy (55) Booked: Oakley, Agbaire, Clarke Attendance: 5,250

May 6, 2025

Ayr