There is some light at the end of the tunnel for the Under 19's who turned in their best display of the season to share the spoils with Partick Thistle on Sunday. This was always going to be a difficult season for the boys forming a new side, many of whom have never played at pro-youth level before. But following this performance at McKenna Park, the hard work looks as if it is beginning to pay off.
Playing a basic 4-4-2 system, the United youngsters took the initiative to Thistle early on but suffered an early setback when in Thistle's first attack of the game, Craig Paterson pulled down the Thistle striker Graeme Eaglesham who dispatched the resultant penalty past Ally Caldwell in the United goal.
But this week the heads didn't go down and playing an excellent passing game, United fought back to equalise when midway through the first half Stephen McMillan nipped in between two home defenders to fire past a stunned Thistle keeper.
United were the dominant side, paying with great shape and balance in midfield and defence and by the interval they were ahead. A superb move from back to front, starting from keeper Caldwell was finished at the other end by Mauchline lad Stewart Dalziel who bulleted a header past the keeper.
In the second half United were on the wrong end of two dubious refereeing decisions. Firstly they were denied a third goal when Dalziel looked to have touched home a Mushet cross only for the referee to adjudge that the United striker was in an offside position. Then at the other end, Thistle were awarded a soft penalty. The Thistle player looked to fall over his own feet as he headed out of the box but the referee thought differently and Eaglesham again fired past Caldwell for the equaliser.
United continued to create chances and they got their just rewards midway through the half when Man of the Match Alistair Woodburn netted United's third. Some neat play by Mushet and McMillan down the left ended with Dalziel's effort being cleared off the line but Woodburn was on hand at the back post to knock home the rebound.
Ally Caldwell had had an effective but quiet game in the United goal, making a couple of good saves but there was nothing that he could do with 15 minutes left to prevent a 25 yarder flashing past him into the top corner of the net.
Even then United created a couple of worthwhile chances that could have won them the game and had a good claim for a penalty waved aside when Thomson appeared to be pulled back in the box but in the end they had to settle for a point from a confidence boosting performance.
Ayr United: Caldwell, Kinnaird, McTear, Fletcher, Paterson, Armstrong, Thomson, Woodburn, Dalziel, McMillan, Mushet
Subs
Under 16 boss John Stewart was delighted with his teams performance against Queen of the South at Loch Park. The United kids built on last weeks fine display at St,Johnstone and had the majority of the play against their Dumfries opponents but paid the penalty for missing a series of good chances when QOS scored with only four minutes remaining.
United Under 15's ran riot at Port Glasgow as they struck TEN past Morton. Not surprisingly United won all three periods of the game against a Morton side that was out of their depth against this United side. A trialist striker scored a hat trick, Lewis Gardiner a brace with Marc Armour, Tony Howie, Roddy Paterson, Scott Johnston and Jo Maxwell all getting their names on the scoresheet.
The Under 14's also won all three of their periods in their match against Alloa Athletic at Maybole. United dominated the match throughout and won comfortably with goals from Marc Dyer, Connor George, Cameron Marlow and Declan McLaughlin making his comeback from injury
The Academy has launched a new website that will give an insight into the workings of the Academy, details on all the Academy teams as well as the Community Programme co-ordinated by David White. The website will continue to be developed over the coming months and can be found at www.aufa.org. uk
This weeks fixtures:
SFA Youth Initiative:
Under 14: Clyde v Ayr United
Under 15: Morton v Alloa Athletic, Carrick Academy, Maybole. K.O. 2pm
Under 16: Ayr United v Alloa Athletic, Loch Park, New Cumnock. K.O. 2pm
Under 19: Ayr United v Clyde. Dam Park, Ayr K.O. 2pm