Bell tolls as Ayr progress
Skipper leads an impressive display
Big Aaron Drinan already looks the part in an Ayr shirt.
And the VoR couldn’t help but think back to an old favourite in the shape of Gareth Wardlaw on Saturday.
Drinan is far from the finished article, much like Wardlaw.
But his willingness to go in where it hurts and stretch defences had an uncanny resemblence to the former Burntisland boy.
Wardlaw gave his all in an Ayr shirt and proved immensely popular.
If Drinan matches that, he won’t be doing much wrong.
A weekend of close shaves for big Nino and Bookie Dave who hit the bar with their tips, while the VoR’s super single delivered at 13/ 10.
This week Nino goes Sunderland, Carlisle and Queen’s Park treble.
Bookie says John Rahm to win the Farmers Insurance Open at 8/ 1.
VoR goes Plymouth at 11/ 10.
AYR UNITED.......................................... 1 ROSS COUNTY...................................... 0
Stuart Wilson at Somerset Park
Skipper Steven Bell is praying Ayr get a break from injuries – so their form surge can continue.
Two wins and two clean sheets on the bounce have kicked off 2020 in style.
And Bell, who headed the Scottish Cup winner against Premiership County, says United will motor again with a settled side.
He said: “The gaffer’s been plagued by injuries, suspensions and postponements so he’s struggled to field a settled team recently but we went with the same formation as we did when we won at Dunfermline, which was great.
“It was an excellent performance by everyone.
“The older boys are trying to help the younger ones through games and I thought that Stephen Kelly and Jordan Houston were superb.”
Bell’s first half header – his first goal of the season – won this tie as Ayr dominated large spells to secure a deserved spot in the last 16.
And he joked: “I thought I was going to go through the whole season without a goal – and that’s something which has never happened before.
“It just means that if I keep playing next season – and I don’t yet know whether I will or not – then the pressure will be on me to do it again.”
Bell and Aaron Muirhead were immense at the heart of defence as a well drilled Ayr kept their more illustrious opponents in check.
The midfield trio of Kelly, Ross Docherty and boss Mark Kerr were always probing.
And up top, new boy Aaron Drinan
CORK CRACKER
ticked early boxes with an industrious display which earned a standing ovation from the Somerset faithful.
Kelly and Houston had gone close before Bell stooped to head the winner on 36 minutes.
County, whose best chance fell to Lee Erwin when he shot straight at Ross
Doohan, rarely threatened to pull the tie from the fire.
And it was Bell who could have extended the lead with another header in the second half which flew over.
County co- boss Stuart Kettlewell confessed: “We were miles off it and Ayr deserved to go through.”
TIPPING CORNER