Match report: Kilmarnock 3-0 Ayr United (women)

It was a cold night at Rugby Park where the highly anticipated second Ayrshire derby of the season took place.

Both teams requiring a positive start to the new year for their respective battles at the top and bottom of the SWPL2 league table.

The game began with some cagey moments in possession with neither team gaining a quick foothold in the game. However, Kilmarnock Captain Abby Robinson was the one to break the deadlock, with a ball being played over the top of the defence, she rounded the goalkeeper giving Kilmarnock the lead on the third minute to make it 1-0 to the home side.

After the goal, Ayr settled into the game more, dominating possession, creating a few half chances on the counterattack, but to no avail.

Leading up to the half time break, both teams reverted to having scrappy exchanges in possession, with Kilmarnock preserving their lead at the interval.  

At the beginning of the second half, the home side started to assert pressure, creating a couple of good chances.

Lucie Burns made a run down the left, striking the crossbar from a very tight angle, which only gave the home side more initiative to continue pushing for the all-important second goal.

On the 63rd minute, manager Jim Chapman looked to his bench to make a fresh impact on the game. He made two substitutions, bringing on Lauryn Reside and Katie Gallagher.

Within five minutes, the substitutions had the desired effect, the ball was played down the left hand side, cut back to allow Louise Cowan to strike accurately into the net to give Kilmarnock the 2-0 lead they had been pushing for.

From the restart, Kilmarnock continued to force the issue as by pressing Ayr in possession, forcing the visitors make errors. The second goal seemed to knock the wind out of Ayr’s sails who provided very little fightback in the closing stages of the game.

Two minutes from time Kilmarnock added a third after a mazy run from Kaite Gallagher resulting in a through ball to Cara Gray who cooly slotted the ball past the Goalkeeper.

To firmly establish that there’s only one team in Ayrshire, making it a final score of 3-0 to the home side.

After the game manager Jim Chapman spoke to Killie TV and said “after we gained a bit more confidence and belief in possession it became an easier task “

Chapman also gave credit to Ayr United saying “credit to Ayr they pressed very well and didn’t allow us to play in the first half.”

The win leaves Kilmarnock 8 points behind leaders Hamilton. Next league fixture is an away trip to Rossvale on Sunday 12th of January.

Report: David McLaughlin

Pictures: Ross Mackenzie