READY TO RETURN

Ayr head to Fife after table-topping Jags clash postponed

AYR United will put their unbeaten Championship record on the line against Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park this weekend.

Somerset Park would have been packed to the rafters on Saturday for the Honest Men’s table-topping clash with Partick Thistle – but following the death of the Queen, the Scottish FA announced on Friday that all fixtures at the weekend in the SPFL, SWPL and Highland and Lowland League would be postponed as a mark of respect.

An Ayr spokesperson confirmed that tickets purchased in advance for the Thistle clash will still be valid for the rearranged fixture and added: “Full refunds will be available to any fans who bought single match tickets for today and are unable to attend the rearranged fixture.”

The SPFL confirmed just before the Advertiser went to press on Monday that clubs were now free to return to action, subject to police resources being available.

Saturday’s fixtures in the West of Scotland Football League and Ayrshire Amateur FA were also postponed, though according to Graham Mair from the Ayrshire AFA, the Scottish Amateur Football Association has confirmed that matches can now be played and that this week’s Ayrshire amateur fixtures will go ahead as planned.

A full fixture list for this Saturday has also been published online by the WoSFL, with South Ayrshire fixtures including Troon’s trip to Loch Park to take on Glenafton in the Premier League, Maybole hosting Glasgow Perthshire in the Second Division, and Girvan – still seeking a new management team after the resignations of Matt Maley and Robert Love at the beginning of the month – taking on Lanark in the fourth tier at Hamilton Park.

Meanwhile, back at Somerset Park, former Ayr hero Ryan Stevenson will be the latest figure to put himself under the supporters’ spotlight when he takes part in an interview, followed by a fans’ Q&A, next month.

Hot pies will be served at the interval, and the event, on Friday, October 14 at 7pm, is open to all, including children.

Tickets, priced £10, are available now on a first- come, first- served basis from the club shop and online via tickets.ayrunitedfc.co.uk.

Somerset Park should have played host to a top-of-the-table Championship clash between Ayr and Partick Thistle on Saturday - but instead the ground stood empty after all SPFL fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen