Match: Ayr United v Raith Rovers
Date: 07/09/2021
Venue: Somerset Park, Ayr
Competition: Scottish Championship
Entry Fee: £18
Travel: £10.30
Miles completed today: 66
Total miles remaining: 41841
Ayr is a beautiful place. The beach, the river, the areas I walked through and last but not least, Somerset Park. This was my first trip into the SPFL and it looked a tasty clash. Although we’re only a few games in, Ayr had been struggling and Rovers were yet to get going.
The club’s nickname ‘The Honest Men’ comes from Burns’ poem Tam O’Shanter as he describes Ayr’s people as “honest men and bonnie lasses”
Preview
Ayr United Last 5 (All comps)
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Raith Rovers Last 5(All comps)
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Odds:
Ayr United 13/8
Draw 21/10
Raith Rovers 13/8
The odds told us this was anyone’s game. Both sides sat with one league point although Ayr had played one game more than the Rovers.
The Ground
Ayr almost sold the ground in 2006 to be demolished. I’m glad they didn’t! Somerset Park is truly magnificent for a grounhopper or purist like myself. Three terraced areas and one old school seated stand can take you back in time but it’s so pleasing on the eye. Despite expecting a low crowd due to the very early kick off Ayr fans turned up in good numbers. Special mention to the Raith fans too – The 50 or 60 that managed to get from Kirkcaldy to Ayr for a 6pm start must be applauded.
This ground is full of character and I doubt many will top it.
I sat amongst the Raith fans. I don’t dislike Ayr, in fact I probably like the club more after this experience however Raith are a club I used to play for when I was younger and in the youth team, I’d feel dirty not cheering them on!
I was completely bemused to find Dunfermline manager Peter Grant sitting in the Rovers end. I mean, it’s not like they’re Raith’s rivals? He had his notepad out to formulate a game plan for when the clubs meet on the 11th. Jack Ross joined him, presumably to keep an eye on Dylan Tait who he’d just signed and loaned back to the Rovers.
The only criticism of the Raith fans is that Peter Grant didn’t get any stick. Not even friendly banter – perhaps they didn’t notice he was there.
The Game
Whilst Ayr exceeded my expectations off the pitch they had a night to forget on it. In many ways this was a typical Championship game – a physical battle with moments of technical excellence. Raith played the better football and took the lead as new signing Ethan Varian headed home a pinpoint Tumilty cross. Things went from bad to worse for Ayr as Dario Zanatta found the bottom corner from the edge of the box with a side footed effort.
Ayr played very poorly throughout and struggled to put a few passes together at any time. Raith dealt with Ayr’s attacks easily, winning the ball back and trying to create something of their own. Rinse and repeat this for 90 minutes and you’ve got the idea.
The second half was less impressive as Raith were happy with what they had and Ayr struggled to make their mark. More excitement was to come though with 3 second half red cards. Afolabi had only been on the park a matter of minutes when he was given his marching orders for a needless challenge in the corner. Raith had nowhere to go other than to put the ball out for an Ayr throw so for Afolabi to commit any kind of foul let alone one of this nature was a crazy decision.
Riley-Snow soon joined him after receiving a second yellow. He was selected in the SPFL team of the week last time round but he was clumsy and rash throughout here. Aaron Muirhead got himself in on the act for a second yellow.
The referee had a decent game (Although fans will never agree) and all yellows and reds seemed fair enough to me.
Ayr fans turned on manager David Hopkin with chants of ‘sacked in the morning’ to which he’d have heard clear as day.
Final score: Ayr United 0-2 Raith Rovers
MOTM
I’ll pick a MOTM each game I attend. This isn’t the official MOTM, just who I feel was the standout player.
This was a very easy choice today. Kyle Benedictus was colossal for Raith Rovers. Every header, jostle and tackle was absolutely spot on and I can’t think of a single occasion an Ayr United player got the better of him. So much so that in the second half almost all Ayr’s attacks were directed towards Christophe Berra.
Afterthoughts
On such a disappointing night it’s hard to be positive from an Ayr perspective. The fans came in decent numbers and deserved a much better showing than they received. Raith were good, but weren’t pushed and in the second half didn’t get out of second gear… and they didn’t have to! That’ll be the major frustration for the home fans here.
Ayr play Dunfermline next and neither have started well – this is the first cliqued six pointer of the season and a win for Ayr could be the catalyst to kick on. Somerset Park is a wonderful old school ground and I’m extremely keen to get back. I highly recommend a visit, and why not make a day of it and take a walk along the beach too.
GroundhopScot 