Greenock Morton 0
Ayr United 4
League (Second Division)

Match Report

AYR finally chalked up their first win of 2006 and it was done in some style as they blew Morton apart at Cappielow.

Goals from Paul Weaver, Kieran McAnespie and a Gareth Wardlaw double carried United to an easy victory.

It was an afternoon of no failures in the Ayr team as they clicked to produce their best performance of the season at a time when it was needed most.

United were on top from the off and never let up as they displayed some great attacking play that conjured memories of the side which started the season like a train.

Jerome Vareille, who led the line superbly, had a particularly impressive first half and the Frenchman was unlucky not to open the scoring early on.

He collected a long ball from McAnespie with quality control on the edge of the box and held off a challenge before seeing his shot tipped wide by ‘Ton keeper David McGurn.

Vareille was clearly in the mood and in the 16th minute he beat two men wide on the right before cutting back for Chris Strain who had the goal at his mercy, however the midfielder somehow screwed his shot wide from ten yards.

But it didn’t stop the Ayr raids and midway through the first period James McKinstry arrowed a cross right on to the head of Vareille who sent his effort just over the top as United knocked on the door.

Then came the sign that it might just be Ayr’s day as during a rare home attack, Andy McLaren crossed for Derek Lilley to send an effort off the post.

It had looked in all the way but somehow found the woodwork and rebounded to safety as Ayr got the scare they needed to start making their chances count.

United were then forced into a reshuffle as Dougie Ramsay hobbled off after feeling a tight hamstring and Martyn Campbell came on, with Chris Robertson moving into the centre of midfield.

And United were far from knocked off their stride as they struck just before the break when Strain’s corner was only half cleared by the Morton defence and Weaver creamed a superb effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The question was whether Ayr could hold their nerve during an expected second half backlash but in truth they were rarely in danger as they picked Morton off at will with some fabulous football.

They increased their lead midway through the second period when Craig Conway sent the galloping McAnespie clear down the left and with no options in the middle; he went it alone and switched to his right foot to pass the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

It was champagne football time for Ayr who grew in confidence with each passing minute.

Vareille made way to a standing ovation from the travelling support after 73 minutes and his replacement Wardlaw made a stunning impact.

He made it 3-0 with nine minutes remaining as he left three Morton defenders trailing in his wake in a run from the centre circle to the goal before slotting past keeper McGurn with the outside of his right foot.

Ayr could do no wrong at this point and Wardlaw put the icing on the cake five minutes later as he robbed Ryan Harding of possession and slammed past McGurn from 12 yards.

It could have been even better for United in the closing stages as Wardlaw found the outstanding Weaver, who sent an audacious chip against the bar, even earning the applause of those Morton fans who’d chosen to stay the distance.

Ayr almost didn’t want the final whistle to sound on what was undoubtedly their best performance of the season and one that finally gives fans a reason to be smiling.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website