Narrow win for Ayr

Ayr hockey men’s seconds were up against Oban, one of their closest rivals who have an impressive record over the Ayrshire side.

A crisp autumnal day allowed for an ideal playing environment but the low sun gave rise to tactical aerial balls from the Ayr team allowing to get behind their midfield and Ayr’s fast young forwards of Toby Clark and Ryan Hillier to start running at their defence.

The Oban forwards and midfield applied huge pressure to Ayr’s defence, constantly using their left wing with the aim of crossing into the packed D to find deflections – but with tight marking and solid tackles it was not going to happen.

Alex French, playing right back, was key to this defence and subsequent clearances, confusing the opposition with a combination of aerial balls or short passes to the midfield.

No goals were scored by half- time and there was everything to play for – which Ayr certainly did.

Numerous penalty corners for Ayr were constantly being saved or shot wide, but finally a Mat Braund drag flick found the net to put Ayr into a well- earned lead.

From historical results, Ayr knew that anything could happen in the final minutes but counter attacks were absorbed well and everyone was relieved to hear the final whistle meaning Ayr had beaten the top team in the league 1- 0.

One of the top performances of the team in many years where all players kept to the plan, defence maintaining the discipline, midfield containing and distributing and forwards hassling and obtaining penalty corners.

Men’s firsts won 4- 1 at home with Aston Kerr scoring 2 and Kyle Dunn a third.

Ayr 2nds ladies lost 4- 1 at home to Western wildcats with Eleana Meikle scoring the only Ayr goal.