Ayr United 3
Turriff United 0
Scottish Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

AYR United will face a Premiership test after securing their progress in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

The Honest Men put in a "professional" performance to see off Highland League outfit Turriff United at Somerset Park.

Scott Brown's side earned a 3-0 win in a match which was dominated by the Championship club.

Ayr looked to take control early in proceedings after a handball gave Anton Dowds a chance to put the home side ahead from the penalty spot just 15 minutes into the tie.

However, the striker was denied his first goal of the campaign as Turriff stopper Lee Herbert kept out his effort from 12 yards.

Though his strike partner, Curtis Main, would break the deadlock little more than 10 minutes later as he turned home the first goal of the afternoon.

Only a moment later, Dylan Water doubled United's lead as the South Ayrshire outfit looked to extinguish any fears of a shock.

Despite little threat to their own backline, it took Ayr until the 87th minute to add to their lead as Dom Thomas rounded off the afternoon's scoring.

“I thought it was a very professional performance," Brown told Ayr United TV. "We should have had a lot more chances in the final third.

“I think if we are a little bit more on our toes in the box and a little bit more short, sharp combinations around about the goal we score more and we create more.

“I’m delighted for Dylan [Watret] and Dom [Thomas], the two of them came into the team – Dom’s not had much game time – scoring a goal was good and Dylan’s energy levels were quality.

“If you take anything out of the game today, you look at Dylan, the willingness and desire to go and effect the final third.”

Though the Somerset boss said the performance gave his side plenty to work on as they head back to the training ground.

Brown added: “We were in full control, we were never really getting caused any problems at the back, I thought the back three managed to deal with that very well.

“I think we have to work a little bit more on that final third, the game was okay but it can always be better.

“We need to play with a little bit more fluency and speed in our play and a little bit more quality in that final third.

“Have a bit of belief in ourselves, I think that’s the biggest thing, you want to score, put the ball in the net, and believe you’re going to do that.”

After earning progress in the Scottish Cup, United will now face a far tougher test in the competition's fourth round.

The Honest Men have been drawn to face Premiership side Dundee United away from home with the fixture to take place on the weekend of January 17.

The two clubs met, most recently, in the Scottish League Cup in July of last year - with Jim Goodwin's side running out 2-1 winners at the time.

Ayr also faced the Terrors four times in the 2023/24 Championship season, with the eventual league champions victorious in each of the fixtures.

Match report written by Ayr Advertiser