Friday eleventh October marked the beginning of spherical three of the U18s Scottish FA Youth Cup. Ayr United and Dalkeith Thistle confronted off at Townhead Park in Cumnock, one in every of a number of video games held across the nation.

Ayr United joined the competitors on this third spherical, they usually had been undoubtedly assured to get off to a quick begin due to their prior expertise competing within the CAS Efficiency League.

Dalkeith defeated Linlithgow Rose 3-0 within the competitors’s opening spherical, regardless of being the underdogs on this specific match. The children compete in Division 1 of the Scottish Youth Soccer Affiliation’s South East Area.

Ayr United acquired the sport underway, and inside 30 seconds that they had received themselves a nook. McCall swung it in with tempo, however Dalkeith’s goalkeeper Sam Pearson was out to it first, punching it away; solely although into the trail of Ayr’s Adam Mcnally who slotted it house and put his aspect in entrance inside a minute.

After settling any pre-match nerves, Ayr began popping the ball about via Trialist and McCubbin which resulted in a unbelievable mixture down the left aspect. Not this time, nevertheless it didn’t cease Ayr captain Craig from pursuing the Dalkeith goalie, hoping to power an error.

Ayr managed the vast majority of the possession within the first 5 minutes, however Caelan Fleming of Dalkeith used his power to win his workforce a throw-in within the remaining third. O’Hare of Ayr, nevertheless, was not far behind, closing him down and shortly transferring the ball ahead to Trialist. The offside flag was hoisted, signalling the top of the Ayr assault and the primary of many very good defensive shows from Dalkeith.

Dalkeith’s Fleming received the sport’s opening free kick after battling three Ayr United gamers and being introduced down. As Liam Borsuk superior to take the set piece, the Dalkeith assault was unable to equalise as he blasted a left-footed shot into the realm in the direction of the again submit.

It was spectacular to see the Ayr midfield’s dedication. As quickly because the goalkeeper put his glove on the ball, McGorm ran ahead to win the ball from Dalkeith as they performed out from the again. Although, Dalkeith’s Adam Bowen’s footwork was flawless, stopping Ayr from gaining any momentum of their remaining third this time.

Ten minutes later, Ayr was attacking as soon as extra. The mix of McGorm and Hay was efficient as they moved the ball across the center of the pitch earlier than discovering Trialist who headed the ball in the direction of purpose, simply too extensive on this event.

Dalkeith had their first alternative of the sport halfway via the primary half. Rhys Nethery received possession from a pursuing Ayr attacker and shortly performed it to the ft of Rhys Scott, who flicked the ball round the correct of his physique, and dribbled it away from the Ayr defender and into area so he might shoot. Regardless of being pushed in, the ball in the end went extensive.

It wasn’t lengthy till Ayr had been again on the assault, and this time they received themselves a nook from the correct. The ball was swung in in the direction of the entrance submit, assembly the top of rising Olly McGorm and giving Ayr United their second.

After the restart, Dalkeith wasted no time and had been on the assault. Caelan Flemming took a long-range strike however didn’t check the Ayr goalkeeper this time. All through the construct, Bowen and Walker utilized relentless strain, by no means letting up on the possibility to sneak in and take the ball from the Ayr defence. In the identical method, the Ayr again line was undoubtedly examined by Bowen and Trench’s link-up play, slick passing and the flexibility to power gamers again in the direction of their very own purpose.

On the half-hour mark, Ayr United began to assault as soon as extra. Dalkeith tried to clear the ball because it rebounded within the space, however Trialist was capable of carry it down and rating his second purpose of the match, giving Ayr a three-goal lead.

Dalkeith’s goalkeeper Sam Pearson by no means let his head drop. Minutes after the third purpose, Trialist got here bursting ahead once more on the left-hand aspect of the field and fired a left-footed shot in the direction of purpose. Pearson made a terrific save, holding the rating line because it was.

Half Time: Ayr United- 3 Dalkeith Thistle- 0

Because the groups got here out for the second half, Dalkeith’s Rhys Scott meant enterprise, sprinting in the direction of the Ayr defence, forcing them to play faster than they maybe had hoped.

Dalkeith’s backline of Graham, Parkinson, Nethery and Bowen was a power to be reckoned with, holding Ayr United offside a number of occasions.

After fifty minutes, Ayr had one other alternative. Trialist, McCubbin, and Hay arrange Hay for a shot on purpose, however the Dalkeith defence put it behind for a nook. Fraser floated within the nook, assembly McCall on the again submit, whose strike sadly hit the skin netting.

Across the hour mark, just a few yellow playing cards had been displayed and each groups had been beginning to tire. To maintain issues recent, substitutions had been made:

Dalkeith Substitutions:

Smith on, Ferguson off

Richardson on, Bowen off

Thomson on, Trench off

Swanepoel on, Fleming off

Ayr United Substitutions:

Frew on, Fraser off

McClymont on, McCall off

Cullen on, Trialist off

Murdoch on, O’Hare off

Ayr’s substitute Murdoch made an instantaneous impression by skilfully weaving across the Dalkeith defence with each ft and was unlucky to not win the nook. Shortly after, Ayr’s McCubbin was tripped by Dalkeith’s Thomson whereas on the assault. Craig stepped as much as the free kick, nevertheless it was skilfully blocked.

However Ayr didn’t have to attend lengthy to get one other alternative at purpose. Jude McClymont demonstrated his skills in his first recreation again following a six-week damage. A left-footed shot from a really tight angle discovered its method into the online, giving Ayr a 4-0 lead.

McCubbin refused to accept 4, and even after 80 minutes, he was nonetheless successful possession by working on the Dalkeith defence.

A decided show from each groups. Ayr United progress to the following spherical and Dalkeith Thistle will be happy with how they carried out and the power they confirmed all through the match.

Full Time: Ayr United 4 – Dalkeith Thistle 0

Put up-Match ideas from Dalkeith’s Head Coach Steven Costello:

“I used to be extraordinarily happy with the gamers yesterday, after making the 2-and-a-half-hour bus journey to go and play a full-time academy aspect. I felt the boys made a terrific account of themselves. From dropping two targets within the first 8 minutes, I felt the boys might simply have let the event and opponent get to them at that time. However they stood as much as Ayr, saved attempting to play the correct method and held their very own in good spells of the sport. Within the 2nd half, we modified it up barely and felt we had much more time of their defensive third. Presumably might have scored with the 2 possibilities proper on the finish. All in all, a terrific expertise for the boys to play in such a excessive calibre competitors in opposition to high, high sides. One they are going to keep in mind and study from.”

Steven’s Participant of the Match: Caelan Fleming

Put up-Match ideas from Ayr United’s Head Coach John Crawford:

“A great, strong outcome for Ayr U18s. Acquired off to a perfect begin with a purpose within the first minute after which adopted by a second purpose not lengthy after. Performed some great things all through and a clear sheet was welcome. Maybe our remaining ball might have been higher at occasions, however the 4 targets had been welcome and deserved on the night time. A house tie within the subsequent spherical could be ideally suited however no preferences on the opposition. You are taking who you’re given within the cup and provides it your finest shot.”

John’s Participant of the Match: “Very onerous to select a participant of the match as final night time was an actual workforce effort. Delighted although to see Killian O’Hare and Jude McClymont each returning after a protracted interval of damage.”

Ayr United Participant of the Match: O. McGorm

He is a superb asset to his workforce, successful all the things that falls into the center of the park. McGorm confirmed nice motion each on and off the ball all through the match. His header for the second purpose mirrors this need to win the ball.

Dalkeith Thistle Participant of the Match: Rhys Scott

Rhys’ dedication to win possession and help his teammates is precisely what his workforce wanted. He confirmed glorious need, composure and technical potential in what was a difficult recreation.

Ayr United Magic Second: Jude McClymont’s purpose

An amazing left-footed strike to seal the deal for Ayr United.

Dalkeith Thistle Magic Second: Sam Pearson’s saves

All of Sam’s saves confirmed nice dedication.