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Ayr bade farewell to the League Challenge Cup on Tuesday, losing 1-0 to Clydebank in extra time. A match report is available.
There is speculation that Ayr will re-develop Somerset Park rather than moving to a new stadium at Holmston. The Holmston site appears to have been written off because the additional land needed is unlikely to become available.
On-loan striker Dean Wordsworth has returned to Crystal Palace. There is little prospect of a permanent signing, despite Wordsworth's two goals in two full and three substitute appearances.
With everyone expecting him to sign a defender, Daz fooled us all by going for a striker: Ian Ferguson, from St Johnstone, signed after playing in a practice match last Thursday. Despite scoring on his debut, Ferguson couldn't prevent Ayr sharing the points with fellow-strugglers Partick Thistle. A match report is available.
There are persistent rumours of significant changes in playing and coaching staff afoot:-
"The Sun today states that Daz and Barr were locked in talks after the game for an hour and if Daz is to be taken at his word then there are going to be big changes.It looks like a centre forward who can hold the ball up is on the cards as well as a centre half or defender of some sorts."
Graeme McDonald
"The Daily Record carries the following story:
'Iain Munro is set to make a shock return to football as assistant boss at Ayr United. The First Division new boys have asked the former Raith manager to team up with Somerset boss Gordon Dalziel. They hope to announce his appointment this week in a restructuring of the management team. The roles of current part-time assistant boss Ally Dawson and youth coach Mick Oliver have yet to be defined.'"
Kevin McClelland
Ayr are currently giving a trial to French former international Jean Francois Peron. Peron, a close friend of Hibernian's Jean-Marc Boco, was previously with Lens and Strasbourg.
Ayr supporters are still waiting for their first league win; Saturday's game at Falkirk finished in a 2-1 defeat, with Bob Bell scoring for United. A match report is available.
Ayr defeated Division 3 side Queens Park 3-0 on Tuesday night, with two goals from Steve Kerrigan (one a penalty) and one from Dean Wordsworth. A match report is available.
Ayr have been drawn to play Clydebank at home in the next round.
"Isaac English has been given the all clear to start playing again and will probably be on the bench tonight for the visit of Queens Park in the Challenge Cup. David Castilla will also play."
"Injured at the moment are; Alain Horace, Tom Smith, Darren Henderson, John Traynor."
Kevin McClelland
An injury-weakened Ayr were demolished 5-1 by Dunfermline on Saturday, with Pars striker Andy Smith accounting for four of their goals. Kevin McClelland has written a match report, but it's not for the faint-hearted.
"Gordon Dalziel is already struggling to field a team as only 10 of the first team squad trained on Monday. Missing through injury are Paul Agnew, Darren Henderson, Alain Horace, Isaac English and Tom Smith among others. Of those injured, only Paul Agnew stands a good chance of being fit for the trip to Dunfermline on Saturday."
Kevin McClelland
"Ayr won the Heathside tournament at the weekend when they defeated QOS 3-2 in the final after disposing of Whitletts Victoria 5-0 the weekend before. Isaac English continued his return from injury with 2 goals and the winner was supplied by John Bradford in the last minute.
"Ayr played Craigmark in midweek also and as in the other 2 tournaments, it was a reserve and YTS team that took the field, bolstered by a first appearance for assistant manager Ally Dawson. Ally's presence couldn't stop Craigmark going into a 2-0 lead, but Ayr did recover through goals by Mark Crilly and John Bradford to draw."
Kevin McClelland
"I've searched about for info on Declan Perkins and all I can find is that he spent last season (or part of it) with Happy Valley in Hong Kong. During that time he played against South Korea for his club and scored their goal in a 4-1 defeat. Perkins turned out for Ayr in the Carrick Speakers Club tournament at Maybole on Monday night when the clubs drew 1-1."
Kevin McClelland
Ayr lost Saturday's opening league fixture, going down 2-1 at home to Greenock Morton. United's goal was scored by Steve Kerrigan. Match report available.
As expected, Duncan George has left to rejoin Stranraer on a part-time contract. George has been quoted as taking the move so that he could devote more time to his business interests, but he has been known to have been disillusioned with life at Somerset Park for some time.
George's departure co-incides with the arrival on trial of Declan Perkins, a left-sided midfielder who has represented the Republic of Ireland at U21 level.