Geggan goal sets scene for super start
What a start to the season for Ayr United – one that has given them a great chance of bouncing back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
The scene was set before a near 6500 crowd at Somerset Park where an Andy Geggan goal Ayr a 1- 0 win over Kilmarnock in the Betfred Cup.
It was the first action of the Scottish season and Ayr’s joy was captured around the country as the game was beamed live on BT Sport.
The goals were quickly flowing as Ayr romped through their section.
A 5- 1 win over Clyde was followed by a 6- 1 romp away to Annan where skipper Ross Docherty scored the fastest goal in the club’s history after only 15 seconds.
That earned a knockout tie away to Hibs which proved a step too far as Neil Lennon’s men won 5- 0.
The hot start to the season continued with a 5- 1 win away to Albion Rovers where Craig Moore scored a hat- trick.
A shadow team won 5- 1 at East Stirling in the IRN- BRU Cup with the goals shared by five different scorers. The flying start was halted by a shock 2- 1 defeat at home to Arbroath where old fox Dick Campbell turned the tables.
That was followed three days later by another defeat – this time on penalties to Montrose in the IRN- BRU Cup.
That became three in a woe when Ayr lost 2- 1 away to Raith Rovers when victory was snatched from their grasp.
If serious questions were being asked, Ayr had the perfect retort as they went on a stunning run.
Lawrence Shankland hit the goal trail with a stunning strike rate which soon won him an extended contract.
Ian McCall was manager of the month for October and November. And in a first for Ayr, Michael Moffat and Shankland were players of the month as well.
United are on the march and McCall is here for the long run.
He vowed: “I’m here until they kick me out. I have all the drive in the world for Ayr and have no ambition to go elsewhere.”