A brace by Lennon Connelly and goals from Timam Scott and Louis Longridge, all scored in the second half, saw Young Queen's Park run out 4-0 winners over an Ayr United side yesterday at Cumnock.
Young Queen’s Park made the journey south to Townhead Park, home of Cumnock Junior for an afternoon pre-season against Ayr United. Both teams had a mix of first team players and youngsters in their starting 11.
The heatwave of recent days was a distant memory as soft rain welcomed both sides to the pitch for kick off.
Queen’s were keen to make an impact right from the kick off with Louis Longridge coming close from 25 yards out in the first minute.
In the opening period of the game the Spiders moved the ball about the back line looking for space in the Ayr defence to exploit, a very similar start to last week’s game against Vale of Leven. Louis Longridge and Partick Jarrett, in midfield, were dictating play and making use of the width of the pitch looking for full backs, Zach Mauchin and Cammy Bruce to stop onto diagonal balls played behind the Ayr back line. Bruce, in particular, was getting forward at every opportunity.
Although Queen’s were in the ascendancy, they had to be careful of Ayr’s ability to fast break. In the 30th minute, from a corner for Queen’s, Ayr broke with pace and were unlucky not to score with the final ball missing the target.
In the final quarter of the first half Ayr switched to a high pressing game, putting the Queen’s players under a lot of pressure both on and off the ball.
Close to the interval Alex Fairlie was replaced by Timam Scott after he took a knock a few minutes before.
Half-time: Ayr United 0 Queen’s Park 0
Two minutes into the second half, Queen’s opened the scoring. Stephen Eze picked up the ball wide left, drove forward and played a high ball over the Ayr defence for Lennon Connelly to run onto and shoot across the keeper into the net.
Queen’s, buoyed by the goal, lifted the pace of their attacks. The ball was moved about the surface with pace and purpose. They were beginning to create gaps in the Ayr defence.
In the 62nd minute after great inter-passing by Louis Longridge and Patrick Jarrett, Louis played a ball through to Timam Scott. Timam evaded three defenders before lifting the ball above the advancing keeper into the net. A well worked and executed goal!
Three minutes later Queen’s added a third. Following great passing between Cammy Bruce and Timam Scott, Liam McQuaid had a shot from 20 yards out. The Ayr keeper parried the shot, Lennon Connelly pounced on the rebound and fired the ball into the empty net.
In the 68th minute Zach Mauchin was replaced by Kane Thomson. Four minutes later Patrick Jarrett was replaced by Liam McLeish.
In the 75th minute Queen’s added a fourth. Stephen Eze saw Louis Longridge on a forward run and lifted the ball over the Ayr defence for Louis to step on to and lift the ball above the keeper into the net.
Immediately after Louis’ goal he was replaced by Andy Lind.
In the final minutes of the game Liam McQuaid was replaced by Liam McVeay
Full-time: Ayr United 0 Queen’s Park 4
Queen’s Park: Jacques Heraghty, Zach Mauchin (Kane Thomson 68′), Stephen Eze, Lewis Reid, Cameron Bruce, Liam McQuiad (Liam McVeay 85′), Patrick Jarrett (Liam McLeish 72′), Louis Longridge (Andrew Lind 75′), Alex Fairlie (Timam Scott 35′), Gregor Nichol, Lennon Connelly. Sub not used: Liam Russell