Well a weekend of football was on the cards for me last weekend with a trip to Hampden in Glasgow, Scotland to watch Ayr United v Kilmarnock in the semi final of the Scottish League Cup. A big thank you to Derek Donaldson for organising and a massive thank you to his parents for putting us up and treating us like kings, or putting up with having four people invade their house! Now this was my first taste of Scottish football and as a new Ayr fan, again thanks to Derek, I was looking forward to the game.
Getting into the stadium was another matter, never have I been body searched and had to put all my items I had with me, into a plastic bag, they were trying out security measures for the Olympics so be warned guys if your going to that. Expect long queues and delays!
So along with Derek's Father the four of us took our seats and it was amazing to see the passion of the Ayr fans, like being with Gooners at an away match, the Emirates could do with having some of that!
As for the game its self it was pretty clear what tactics Ayr had come to use, with the Division One part timers Ayr looking to Stifle the SLP outfit of Kilmarnock in being heavy on defence.....10 men in defence and a lone striker. So for Ayr it was a case of hoof and hope and pretty much on the back foot but showing a stubbornness not to concede an early goal. Thanks to the Ayr keeper, Kevin Cuthbert, who made a string of saves the first half ended goalless but not with out some niggles between both sides as they are Arch rivals and yellow cards as a result.
Second half was pretty much the same as the first, with Kilmarnock making alot of the running but Ayr dogged in defence, and Kilies right winger Dayton, causing problems, both with his football and his attitude adding to the game ending with his booking and being replaced. With Cuthbert having the game of his life Ayr held out for 90 minutes.
Extra time now and so it went on, Ayr resisting attacks with Kilmarnock pushing on again and again but no break through and penalties looming. But with 109 minutes gone Kilmarnock launched and attack again. Despite two fine saves from Cuthbert ( Man of the match) he could not stop Dean Shiels on the 3rd attempt and it was 1-0. Ayr did then start attacking for the equaliser but it was in vain and Kilmarnock went through to the final.
I must applaud the Ayr fans for their undying support, even after the final whistle, that they sung on, even in a defeat and that is what it is all about after all. It's your team regardless of what happens!
So with that evening watching Brighton beat Newcastle in a pub in Prestwick, that was strange, it came to Arsenal's turn to show us what they were about against Villa.
2-0 down at half time and the team leaving the pitch to the now all to familiar boos from Gooners it seemed we were destined for a fourth straight defeat due to poor defending yet again. I do not know what was said in the dressing room or who by, press indicates Van Persie but what ever it was it should be said more often as it was a different team second half. Maybe they heard Mrs F "Pull your fingers out of your Arse and do something!"
Some good attacks but nothing and then a glorious seven minutes.Ramsey up ended and we have a penalty. RVP slotting home.
Then Walcott with a run and trying to flick pass Given in goal, it bounced and in off Walcotts shoulder and we were level. Thank you lady luck. Then Koscielny is taken down by Bent and another penalty is put away by RVP and we are ahead 3-2! Apart from a couple of scares that is how it ended so another cup game to look forward to. I know there was allot of fuss about RVP's elbowing but the ref saw it and no charge to be made but the press has to jump on us some how so things are looking up.
As it's deadline day I have to report,,,,,,,,not alot but Arshavin could be on the way back to the motherland, cue finger biting up till 11pm tonight.
Laters,
McDog
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